v3.26.1
Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories.
In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution, including a possible eventual loss. For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on NSP-Wisconsin’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.
Rate Matters
NSP-Wisconsin is involved in various regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Until resolution, typically in the form of a rate order, uncertainties may exist regarding the ultimate rate treatment for certain activities and transactions. Amounts have been recognized for probable and reasonably estimable losses that may result. Unless otherwise disclosed, any reasonably possible range of loss in excess of any recognized amount is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements.
Environmental
New and changing federal and state environmental mandates can create financial liabilities for NSP-Wisconsin, which are normally recovered through the regulated rate process.
Site Remediation
Various federal and state environmental laws impose liability where hazardous substances or other regulated materials have been released to the environment. NSP-Wisconsin may sometimes pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where past activities of their predecessors or other parties have caused environmental contamination.
Environmental contingencies could arise from various situations, including sites of former MGPs; and third-party sites, such as landfills, for which NSP-Wisconsin is alleged to have sent wastes to that site.
MGP, Landfill and Disposal Sites
NSP-Wisconsin is investigating, remediating or performing post-closure actions at three MGP sites across its service territories.
NSP-Wisconsin has approximately $10 million of remaining liabilities for resolution of these issues, however, the final outcome and timing are unknown. In addition, there may be regulatory recovery, insurance recovery and/or recovery from other potentially responsible parties, offsetting a portion of costs incurred.
Water and Waste
Coal Ash Regulation NSP-Wisconsin is subject to the CCR Rule, which imposes requirements for handling, storage, treatment and disposal of coal ash and other solid waste.
In May 2024, final amendments to the CCR Rule were published, widening its scope to include legacy CCR surface impoundments at inactive facilities and previously exempt areas where CCR was placed directly on land at CCR-regulated facilities, including areas of beneficial use.
As a requirement of the CCR Rule, utilities must complete facility evaluations and groundwater sampling around their subject landfills, surface impoundments and certain other areas where coal ash was placed on land.
If certain impacts to groundwater are detected, utilities are required to perform additional groundwater investigations and/or perform corrective actions.
NSP-Wisconsin continues to perform site investigation activities related to the CCR Rule, which may result in updates to estimated costs as well as identification of additional required corrective actions.
In February 2026, the EPA issued a final rule amending the CCR Legacy rule. The ruling extends deadlines for various regulatory actions and clarifies previous information regarding implementation of the rule. NSP-Wisconsin anticipates impacts to be consistent with prior accruals.
In April 2026, the EPA published a new proposed rule with additional amendments to the CCR Legacy Rule. NSP-Wisconsin is evaluating this proposed rule and its potential impacts. 
Air
Clean Air Act NOx Allowance Allocations — In June 2023, the EPA published final regulations for ozone under the “Good Neighbor” provisions of the Clean Air Act that established NOx allowance budgets for fossil fuel-fired electric generating facilities in subject states. The final rule establishes a federal plan and applies to generation facilities in Wisconsin, as well as other states outside of our service territory.
If the rule is implemented, NSP-Wisconsin anticipates the annual costs could be significant but recoverable through regulatory mechanisms. However, the plan is subject to both judicial and administrative stays while the EPA reconsiders the rule.
In January 2026, the EPA proposed Phase 1 of its reconsideration of the “Good Neighbor” rule. Xcel Energy will continue to evaluate any additional phases of the reconsideration of this rule as they are published by the EPA.