UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20202021

OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ___________________

Commission
File Number
Registrant; State of Incorporation;
Address; and Telephone Number
IRS Employer
Identification No.
001-03016WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION39-0715160
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street2830 South Ashland Avenue
P.O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
(800) 450-7260


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

    Yes     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

    Yes     No




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

    Yes     No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, $4 par value,
23,896,962 shares outstanding at
September 30, 20202021

All of the common stock of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation is held by Integrys Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, Inc.


Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 20202021
TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
   Page 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-QiWisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below:
Affiliates
ATCAmerican Transmission Company LLC
IntegrysIntegrys Holding, Inc.
UMERCUpper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation
WEWisconsin Electric Power Company
WEC Energy GroupWEC Energy Group, Inc.
WGWisconsin Gas LLC
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
DOCUnited States Department of Commerce
EPAUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
PSCWPublic Service Commission of Wisconsin
SECUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission
WDNRWisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Accounting Terms
AFUDCAROAllowance for Funds Used During ConstructionAsset Retirement Obligation
ASUAccounting Standards Update
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
GAAPUnited States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
OPEBOther Postretirement Employee Benefits
Environmental Terms
ACEAffordable Clean Energy
BATWBottom Ash Transport Water
BSERBTABest System of Emission ReductionTechnology Available
CAAClean Air Act
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CSAPRCross-State Air Pollution Rule
ELGSteam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines
GHGGreenhouse Gas
MATSNAAQSMercury andNational Ambient Air ToxicsQuality Standards
NOVNotice of Violation
RTRNOxRisk and Technology ReviewNitrogen Oxide
The Combustion Turbine RuleNational Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Combustion Turbines
Measurements
DthDekatherm
MWMegawatt
MWhMegawatt-hour
Other Terms and Abbreviations
AMIAdvanced Metering Infrastructure
Badger Hollow IBadger Hollow Solar Park I
CDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19Coronavirus Disease – 2019
D.C. Circuit Court of AppealsUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
ESG Progress PlanWEC Energy Group's Capital Investment Plan for Efficiency, Sustainability, and Growth
EVElectric Vehicle
Exchange ActSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Executive Order 13990Executive Order 13990 of January 20, 2021 – Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis
FTRFinancial Transmission Right
ITCInvestment Tax Credit
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
MISOMidcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
09/30/2021 Form 10-QiiWisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
PTCProduction Tax Credit
ROEReturn on Equity
SMRPSystem Modernization and Reliability Project
Supreme CourtUnited States Supreme Court
Tax LegislationTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Two CreeksTwo Creeks Solar Park
WHOWorld Health Organization

09/30/20202021 Form 10-QiiiiiWisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In this report, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goals," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets," "will," or variations of these terms.

Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of capital projects, sales and customer growth, rate actions and related filings with regulatory authorities, environmental and other regulations, andincluding associated compliance costs, legal proceedings, effective tax rates, pension and OPEB plans, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and natural gas deliveries, remediation costs, environmentalclimate-related matters, the ESG Progress Plan, liquidity and capital resources, and other matters.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described in risk factors as set forth in this report and our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and those identified below:

Factors affecting utility operations such as catastrophic weather-related damage, environmental incidents, unplanned facility outages and repairs and maintenance, and electric transmission or natural gas pipeline system constraints;

Factors affecting the demand for electricity and natural gas, including political or regulatory developments, unusualvarying, adverse, or unusually severe weather conditions, changes in economic conditions, customer growth and declines, commodity prices, energy conservation efforts, and continued adoption of distributed generation by customers;

The timing, resolution, and impact of rate cases and negotiations, including recovery of deferred and current costs and the ability to earn a reasonable return on investment, and other regulatory decisions impacting our regulated operations;

The impact of health pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on our business functions, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations;

The impact of recent and future federal, state, and local legislative and/or regulatory changes, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, deregulation and restructuring of the electric and/or natural gas utility industries, transmission or distribution system operation, the approval process for new construction, reliability standards, pipeline integrity and safety standards, allocation of energy assistance, energy efficiency mandates, and tax laws, including the Tax Legislation as well as those that affect our ability to use production tax creditsPTCs and investment tax credits;ITCs;

Federal and state legislative and regulatory changes relating to the environment, including climate change and other environmental regulations impacting generation facilities and renewable energy standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations, changes in the interpretation of regulations or permit conditions by regulatory agencies, and the recovery of associated remediation and compliance costs;

The ability to obtain and retain customers, including wholesale customers, due to increased competition in our electric and natural gas markets from retail choice and alternative electric suppliers, and continued industry consolidation;

The timely completion of capital projects within budgets and the ability to recover the related costs through rates;

Supply chain disruptions, including any that may occur as a result of the DOC's impending decision on whether to impose new tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from several Southeastern Asian countries;

Factors affecting the implementation of WEC Energy Group's CO2 emission and/or methane emission reduction goals, and opportunities and actions related to those goals, including related regulatory decisions, the cost of materials, supplies, and labor, technology advances, and the feasibility of competing generation projects;

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q1Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The financial and operational feasibility of taking more aggressive action to further reduce GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases;

The risks associated with inflation and changing commodity prices, particularlyincluding natural gas and electricity,electricity;

The availability and the availabilitycost of sources of natural gas and other fossil fuels, purchased power, materials needed to operate environmental controls at our electric
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q1Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
generating facilities, or water supply due to high demand, shortages, transportation problems, nonperformance by electric energy or natural gas suppliers under existing power purchase or natural gas supply contracts, or other developments;

Changes in credit ratings, interest rates, and our ability to access the capital markets, caused by volatility in the global credit markets, our capitalization structure, and market perceptions of the utility industry or us;

Changes in the method of determining LIBOR or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate;

Costs and effects of litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, settlements, claims, and inquiries;

The direct or indirect effect on our business resulting from terrorist attacks and cyber security intrusions, as well as the threat of such incidents, including the failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information, the associated costs to protect our utility assets, technology systems, and personal information, and the costs to notify affected persons to mitigate their information security concerns and to comply with state notification laws;

The risk of financial loss, including increases in bad debt expense, associated with the inability of our customers, counterparties, and affiliates to meet their obligations;

Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom we have contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading markets and fuel suppliers and transporters;

The investment performance of our employee benefit plan assets, as well as unanticipated changes in related actuarial assumptions, which could impact future funding requirements;

Factors affecting the employee workforce, including loss of key personnel, internal restructuring, work stoppages, and collective bargaining agreements and negotiations with union employees;

Advances in technology, and related legislation or regulation supporting the use of that technology, that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets;

The risk associated with the values of goodwill and other intangible assets and their possible impairment;

Potential business strategies to acquire and dispose of assets, which cannot be assured to be completed timely or within budgets;

The timing and outcome of any audits, disputes, and other proceedings related to taxes;

The ability to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, while both integrating and continuing to integrate and consolidate WEC Energy Group's enterprise systems with those of its other utilities;

The effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies; and

Other considerations disclosed elsewhere herein and in other reports we file with the SEC or in other publicly disseminated written documents.

WeExcept as may be required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q2Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)Three Months EndedNine Months EndedCONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30September 30September 30September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Operating revenuesOperating revenues$367.7 $352.3 $1,049.9 $1,069.0 Operating revenues$381.1 $367.7 $1,127.6 $1,049.9 
Operating expensesOperating expensesOperating expenses
Cost of salesCost of sales105.3 114.5 330.3 408.1 Cost of sales131.3 105.3 413.0 330.3 
Other operation and maintenanceOther operation and maintenance105.2 107.4 296.3 308.7 Other operation and maintenance102.2 105.2 294.0 296.3 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization43.5 42.3 129.7 123.4 Depreciation and amortization47.4 43.5 140.0 129.7 
Property and revenue taxesProperty and revenue taxes10.9 10.1 30.5 30.4 Property and revenue taxes9.9 10.9 30.1 30.5 
Total operating expensesTotal operating expenses264.9 274.3 786.8 870.6 Total operating expenses290.8 264.9 877.1 786.8 
Operating incomeOperating income102.8 78.0 263.1 198.4 Operating income90.3 102.8 250.5 263.1 
Other income, netOther income, net8.7 9.8 25.4 29.0 Other income, net8.1 8.7 27.1 25.4 
Interest expenseInterest expense15.6 15.8 47.9 47.2 Interest expense16.1 15.6 48.6 47.9 
Other expenseOther expense(6.9)(6.0)(22.5)(18.2)Other expense(8.0)(6.9)(21.5)(22.5)
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes95.9 72.0 240.6 180.2 Income before income taxes82.3 95.9 229.0 240.6 
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense19.6 17.0 48.4 42.8 Income tax expense10.4 19.6 27.6 48.4 
Net incomeNet income$76.3 $55.0 $192.2 $137.4 Net income$71.9 $76.3 $201.4 $192.2 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q3Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)September 30,December 31,CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)September 30,December 31,
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)(in millions, except share and per share amounts)20202019(in millions, except share and per share amounts)20212020
AssetsAssets  Assets  
Current assetsCurrent assetsCurrent assets
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$2.0 $2.3 Cash and cash equivalents$2.9 $2.7 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $14.7 and $4.2, respectively180.9 210.0 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $10.5 and $18.3, respectivelyAccounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $10.5 and $18.3, respectively190.6 190.8 
Accounts receivable from related partiesAccounts receivable from related parties19.2 38.7 Accounts receivable from related parties22.7 27.6 
Materials, supplies, and inventoriesMaterials, supplies, and inventories105.7 106.4 Materials, supplies, and inventories97.4 92.7 
Derivative assetsDerivative assets53.5 3.1 
Prepaid taxesPrepaid taxes37.3 63.4 Prepaid taxes28.1 39.0 
OtherOther8.5 11.2 Other8.8 9.1 
Current assetsCurrent assets353.6 432.0 Current assets404.0 365.0 
Long-term assetsLong-term assetsLong-term assets
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,755.0 and $1,672.1, respectively4,794.0 4,544.5 
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,834.1 and $1,750.7, respectivelyProperty, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,834.1 and $1,750.7, respectively5,040.0 4,885.9 
Regulatory assetsRegulatory assets424.6 437.9 Regulatory assets414.8 449.4 
GoodwillGoodwill36.4 36.4 Goodwill36.4 36.4 
Pension and OPEB assetsPension and OPEB assets165.6 148.3 Pension and OPEB assets183.1 159.2 
OtherOther38.0 42.5 Other51.8 38.0 
Long-term assetsLong-term assets5,458.6 5,209.6 Long-term assets5,726.1 5,568.9 
Total assetsTotal assets$5,812.2 $5,641.6 Total assets$6,130.1 $5,933.9 
Liabilities and EquityLiabilities and Equity Liabilities and Equity 
Current liabilitiesCurrent liabilitiesCurrent liabilities
Short-term debtShort-term debt$16.0 $91.5 Short-term debt$106.5 $210.5 
Current portion of long-term debtCurrent portion of long-term debt400.0 400.0 
Accounts payableAccounts payable171.5 176.9 Accounts payable135.6 129.6 
Accounts payable to related partiesAccounts payable to related parties40.8 68.5 Accounts payable to related parties32.6 48.8 
Accrued payroll and benefits23.2 26.5 
Accrued interest21.6 10.6 
Customer credit balances15.5 17.3 
OtherOther22.1 27.8 Other126.0 81.0 
Current liabilitiesCurrent liabilities310.7 419.1 Current liabilities800.7 869.9 
Long-term liabilitiesLong-term liabilitiesLong-term liabilities
Long-term debtLong-term debt1,644.2 1,642.8 Long-term debt1,248.4 1,244.8 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes693.9 654.6 Deferred income taxes750.9 682.7 
Deferred investment tax credits36.7 6.1 
Deferred ITCsDeferred ITCs70.4 41.3 
Regulatory liabilitiesRegulatory liabilities761.5 782.5 Regulatory liabilities777.1 772.6 
Environmental remediation liabilitiesEnvironmental remediation liabilities83.8 83.8 Environmental remediation liabilities87.3 88.3 
Pension and OPEB obligationsPension and OPEB obligations18.1 18.6 Pension and OPEB obligations18.3 19.3 
OtherOther96.1 94.3 Other93.7 98.3 
Long-term liabilitiesLong-term liabilities3,334.3 3,282.7 Long-term liabilities3,046.1 2,947.3 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)00
Common shareholder's equityCommon shareholder's equityCommon shareholder's equity
Common stock – $4 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 23,896,962 shares issued and outstandingCommon stock – $4 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 23,896,962 shares issued and outstanding95.6 95.6 Common stock – $4 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 23,896,962 shares issued and outstanding95.6 95.6 
Additional paid in capitalAdditional paid in capital1,426.3 1,221.1 Additional paid in capital1,491.6 1,436.4 
Retained earningsRetained earnings645.3 623.1 Retained earnings696.1 584.7 
Common shareholder's equityCommon shareholder's equity2,167.2 1,939.8 Common shareholder's equity2,283.3 2,116.7 
Total liabilities and equityTotal liabilities and equity$5,812.2 $5,641.6 Total liabilities and equity$6,130.1 $5,933.9 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q4Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)Nine Months EndedCONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)Nine Months Ended
September 30September 30
(in millions)(in millions)20202019(in millions)20212020
Operating activitiesOperating activities  Operating activities  
Net incomeNet income$192.2 $137.4 Net income$201.4 $192.2 
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activitiesReconciliation to cash provided by operating activities  Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities  
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization129.7 123.4 Depreciation and amortization140.0 129.7 
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net51.3 49.8 
Deferred income taxes and ITCs, netDeferred income taxes and ITCs, net54.9 51.3 
Change in –Change in – Change in – 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, netAccounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net44.9 40.1 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net7.1 44.9 
Materials, supplies, and inventoriesMaterials, supplies, and inventories0.7 (12.8)Materials, supplies, and inventories(4.7)0.7 
Prepaid taxesPrepaid taxes26.1 11.6 Prepaid taxes10.9 26.1 
Other current assetsOther current assets7.0 (1.0)Other current assets0.2 7.0 
Accounts payableAccounts payable(38.3)(35.9)Accounts payable(17.3)(38.3)
Accrued taxesAccrued taxes3.1 16.6 Accrued taxes14.2 3.1 
Other current liabilitiesOther current liabilities(0.5)3.4 Other current liabilities32.4 (0.5)
Other, netOther, net(2.1)(10.0)Other, net(14.2)(2.1)
Net cash provided by operating activitiesNet cash provided by operating activities414.1 322.6 Net cash provided by operating activities424.9 414.1 
Investing activitiesInvesting activities  Investing activities  
Capital expendituresCapital expenditures(381.0)(380.0)Capital expenditures(280.2)(381.0)
Proceeds from cash surrender value of life insuranceProceeds from cash surrender value of life insurance7.1 6.6 Proceeds from cash surrender value of life insurance 7.1 
Payments for assets transferred from affiliatesPayments for assets transferred from affiliates(5.3)— 
Other, netOther, net0 1.4 Other, net(0.2)— 
Net cash used in investing activitiesNet cash used in investing activities(373.9)(372.0)Net cash used in investing activities(285.7)(373.9)
Financing activitiesFinancing activities  Financing activities  
Issuance of long-term debt0 300.0 
Change in short-term debtChange in short-term debt(75.5)(265.9)Change in short-term debt(104.0)(75.5)
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent(170.0)(90.0)Payment of dividends to parent(90.0)(170.0)
Equity contribution from parentEquity contribution from parent205.0 105.0 Equity contribution from parent55.0 205.0 
Other, net0 (3.6)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(40.5)45.5 
Net cash used in financing activitiesNet cash used in financing activities(139.0)(40.5)
Net change in cash and cash equivalentsNet change in cash and cash equivalents(0.3)(3.9)Net change in cash and cash equivalents0.2 (0.3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of periodCash and cash equivalents at beginning of period2.3 8.9 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period2.7 2.3 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of periodCash and cash equivalents at end of period$2.0 $5.0 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$2.9 $2.0 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q5Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited)CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited)CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited)
(in millions)(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity
Balance at December 31, 2019$95.6 $1,221.1 $623.1 $1,939.8 
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 2020$95.6 $1,436.4 $584.7 $2,116.7 
Net incomeNet income  69.3 69.3 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent  (30.0)(30.0)
Stock-based compensation and otherStock-based compensation and other 0.1  0.1 
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 2021$95.6 $1,436.5 $624.0 $2,156.1 
Net incomeNet income  60.2 60.2 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent  (30.0)(30.0)
Stock-based compensation and otherStock-based compensation and other 0.1  0.1 
Balance at June 30, 2021Balance at June 30, 2021$95.6 $1,436.6 $654.2 $2,186.4 
Net incomeNet income0 0 68.2 68.2 Net income  71.9 71.9 
Equity contribution from parentEquity contribution from parent0 100.0 0 100.0 Equity contribution from parent 55.0  55.0 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent0 0 (30.0)(30.0)Payment of dividends to parent  (30.0)(30.0)
Stock-based compensation and other0 0.1 0 0.1 
Balance at March 31, 2020$95.6 $1,321.2 $661.3 $2,078.1 
Net income0 0 47.7 47.7 
Equity contribution from parent0 105.0 0 105.0 
Payment of dividends to parent0 0 (110.0)(110.0)
Stock-based compensation and other0 0.1 0 0.1 
Balance at June 30, 2020$95.6 $1,426.3 $599.0 $2,120.9 
Net income0 0 76.3 76.3 
Payment of dividends to parent0 0 (30.0)(30.0)
Balance at September 30, 2020$95.6 $1,426.3 $645.3 $2,167.2 
Balance at September 30, 2021Balance at September 30, 2021$95.6 $1,491.6 $696.1 $2,283.3 

(in millions)(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity(in millions)Common StockAdditional Paid In CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Common Shareholder's Equity
Balance at December 31, 2018$95.6 $1,115.9 $558.4 $1,769.9 
Balance at December 31, 2019Balance at December 31, 2019$95.6 $1,221.1 $623.1 $1,939.8 
Net incomeNet income40.9 40.9 Net income— — 68.2 68.2 
Equity contribution from parentEquity contribution from parent105.0 105.0 Equity contribution from parent— 100.0 — 100.0 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent(30.0)(30.0)Payment of dividends to parent— — (30.0)(30.0)
Balance at March 31, 2019$95.6 $1,220.9 $569.3 $1,885.8 
Stock-based compensation and otherStock-based compensation and other— 0.1 — 0.1 
Balance at March 31, 2020Balance at March 31, 2020$95.6 $1,321.2 $661.3 $2,078.1 
Net incomeNet income41.5 41.5 Net income— — 47.7 47.7 
Equity contribution from parentEquity contribution from parent— 105.0 — 105.0 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent(30.0)(30.0)Payment of dividends to parent— — (110.0)(110.0)
Stock-based compensation and otherStock-based compensation and other0.1 0.1 Stock-based compensation and other— 0.1 — 0.1 
Balance at June 30, 2019$95.6 $1,221.0 $580.8 $1,897.4 
Balance at June 30, 2020Balance at June 30, 2020$95.6 $1,426.3 $599.0 $2,120.9 
Net incomeNet income55.0 55.0 Net income— — 76.3 76.3 
Payment of dividends to parentPayment of dividends to parent(30.0)(30.0)Payment of dividends to parent— — (30.0)(30.0)
Balance at September 30, 2019$95.6 $1,221.0 $605.8 $1,922.4 
Balance at September 30, 2020Balance at September 30, 2020$95.6 $1,426.3 $645.3 $2,167.2 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q6Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
September 30, 20202021

NOTE 1—GENERAL INFORMATION

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation serves approximately 451,600455,000 electric customers and 334,000336,300 natural gas customers.

As used in these notes, the term "financial statements" refers to the condensed financial statements. This includes the income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity, unless otherwise noted. In this report, when we refer to "the Company," "us," "we," "our," or "ours," we are referring to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

We have prepared the unaudited interim financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. Financial results for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for the year. In particular, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20202021 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for 20202021 due to seasonal variations and other factors, including any continuing financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In management's opinion, we have included all adjustments, normal and recurring in nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results.

NOTE 2—OPERATING REVENUES

For more information about our operating revenues, see Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Disaggregation of Operating Revenues

The following tables present our operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source for our utility segment. We do not have any revenues associated with our other segment. We disaggregate revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Revenues are further disaggregated by electric and natural gas operations and then by customer class. Each customer class within our electric and natural gas operations have different expectations of service, energy and demand requirements, and can be impacted differently by regulatory activities within their jurisdictions.
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Wisconsin Public Service CorporationWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Electric utilityElectric utility$328.0 $313.0 $864.3 $854.6 Electric utility$337.9 $328.0 $896.9 $864.3 
Natural gas utilityNatural gas utility39.5 39.2 185.7 213.2 Natural gas utility42.8 39.5 225.5 185.7 
Total revenues from contracts with customersTotal revenues from contracts with customers367.5 352.2 1,050.0 1,067.8 Total revenues from contracts with customers380.7 367.5 1,122.4 1,050.0 
Other operating revenuesOther operating revenues0.2 0.1 (0.1)1.2 Other operating revenues0.4 0.2 5.2 (0.1)
Total operating revenuesTotal operating revenues$367.7 $352.3 $1,049.9 $1,069.0 Total operating revenues$381.1 $367.7 $1,127.6 $1,049.9 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q7Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Electric Utility Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates electric utility operating revenues into customer class:
Electric Utility Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
ResidentialResidential$118.5 $101.1 $318.0 $278.8 Residential$117.2 $118.5 $321.9 $318.0 
Small commercial and industrialSmall commercial and industrial104.1 103.3 268.1 272.7 Small commercial and industrial109.4 104.1 286.9 268.1 
Large commercial and industrialLarge commercial and industrial66.1 64.5 168.4 173.7 Large commercial and industrial78.2 66.1 197.1 168.4 
OtherOther2.1 2.1 6.3 6.3 Other2.1 2.1 6.3 6.3 
Total retail revenuesTotal retail revenues290.8 271.0 760.8 731.5 Total retail revenues306.9 290.8 812.2 760.8 
WholesaleWholesale27.3 28.5 72.8 82.1 Wholesale24.8 27.3 64.4 72.8 
ResaleResale4.3 6.4 14.9 22.8 Resale1.3 4.3 8.1 14.9 
Other utility revenuesOther utility revenues5.6 7.1 15.8 18.2 Other utility revenues4.9 5.6 12.2 15.8 
Total electric utility operating revenuesTotal electric utility operating revenues$328.0 $313.0 $864.3 $854.6 Total electric utility operating revenues$337.9 $328.0 $896.9 $864.3 

Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues

The following table disaggregates natural gas utility operating revenues into customer class:
Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
ResidentialResidential$19.6 $18.0 $107.0 $122.4 Residential$22.8 $19.6 $131.3 $107.0 
Commercial and industrialCommercial and industrial10.5 10.3 56.6 72.6 Commercial and industrial14.4 10.5 77.4 56.6 
Total retail revenuesTotal retail revenues30.1 28.3 163.6 195.0 Total retail revenues37.2 30.1 208.7 163.6 
Transport3.8 3.1 14.0 12.3 
TransportationTransportation3.9 3.8 14.1 14.0 
Other utility revenues (1)
Other utility revenues (1)
5.6 7.8 8.1 5.9 
Other utility revenues (1)
1.7 5.6 2.7 8.1 
Total natural gas utility operating revenuesTotal natural gas utility operating revenues$39.5 $39.2 $185.7 $213.2 Total natural gas utility operating revenues$42.8 $39.5 $225.5 $185.7 

(1)Includes amounts collected from customers forthe revenues subject to our purchased gas adjustment costs.recovery mechanism. As these amounts are billed to customers, they are reflected in retail revenues with an offsetting decrease in other utility revenues.

Other Operating Revenues

Other operating revenues consist primarily of the following:
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Alternative revenues (1)
$0.1 $(0.6)$(1.3)$(1.4)
Late payment charges (2)
0.1 0.7 1.1 2.5 
Late payment charges (1)
Late payment charges (1)
$0.8 $0.1 $3.1 $1.1 
Alternative revenues (2)
Alternative revenues (2)
(0.4)0.1 2.0 (1.3)
OtherOther0 0.1 0.1 Other — 0.1 0.1 
Total other operating revenuesTotal other operating revenues$0.2 $0.1 $(0.1)$1.2 Total other operating revenues$0.4 $0.2 $5.2 $(0.1)

(1)The increase in late payment charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same periods in 2020, was a result of the expiration of a regulatory order from the PSCW in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included the suspension of late payment charges during a designated time period. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

(2)Negative amounts can result from alternative revenues being reversed to revenues from contracts with customers as the customer is billed for these alternative revenues. Negative amounts can also result from revenues to be refunded to wholesale customers subject to true-up, as discussed in Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)The reduction in late payment charges is a result of a regulatory order from the PSCW in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the suspension of late payment charges during a designated time period. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q8Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 3—CREDIT LOSSES

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective transition method. This ASU amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments, including trade receivables. The amendment requires entities to consider a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses, which may result in earlier recognition of loss. The cumulative effect of adopting this standard was not significant to our financial statements.

Our exposure to credit losses is related to our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, which are generated from the sale of electricity and natural gas by our regulated utility operations. Our regulated utility operations are included in our utility segment. NaNNo accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances were reported in the other segment at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. For some of our larger customers and also in circumstances where we become aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance for credit losses against amounts due in order to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we use the accounts receivable aging method to calculate an allowance for credit losses. Using this method, we classify accounts receivable into different aging buckets and calculate a reserve percentage for each aging bucket based upon historical loss rates. The calculated reserve percentages are updated on at least an annual basis, in order to ensure recent macroeconomic, political, and regulatory trends are captured in the calculation, to the extent possible. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in the calculated reserve percentages, are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required. The incremental reserve included within our allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2020, specific to the economic risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, was not significant. We will continue to monitor the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the resulting effects that these impacts may have on the ability of our customers to pay their energy bills.

We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through active review of counterparty accounts receivable balances against contract terms and due dates. Our activities include timely account reconciliation, dispute resolution and payment confirmation. To the extent possible, we work with customers with past due balances to negotiate payment plans, but will disconnect customers for non-payment as allowed by the PSCW, if necessary, and employ collection agencies and legal counsel to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables. For our larger customers, detailed credit review procedures may be performed in advance of any sales being made. We sometimes require letters of credit, parental guarantees, prepayments or other forms of credit assurance from our larger customers to mitigate credit risk. See Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, for information on certain regulatory actions that were and/or are being taken for the purpose of ensuring that essential utility services are available to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have included a table below that shows our gross third-party receivable balances and related allowance for credit losses.
(in millions)September 30, 2020
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues$195.6
Allowance for credit losses14.7
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1)
$180.9
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1)
$11.1
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1)
93.4%
(in millions)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues$201.1 $209.1 
Allowance for credit losses10.5 18.3 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1)
$190.6 $190.8 
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1)
$7.5 $12.6 
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1)
96.0 %94.4 %

(1)Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by a regulatory mechanism we have in place. Specifically, our residential tariffs include a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. As a result, at September 30, 2020, $66.32021, $70.2 million, or 36.7%36.8%, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled revenues balance had regulatory protections in place to mitigate the exposure to credit losses. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections related to our September 30, 2020 accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances provided by these orders are subject to prudency reviews and are still being assessed. They are not reflected in the percentagepercentages in the above table or this note. See Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.information on these orders.

A rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is included below:
Three Months Ended
(in millions)September 30, 2021September 30, 2020
Balance at June 30$13.3 $10.0 
Provision for credit losses1.5 3.5 
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund(3.0)1.8 
Write-offs charged against the allowance(2.2)(1.5)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off0.9 0.9 
Balance at September 30$10.5 $14.7 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q9Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
A rollforward of
Nine Months Ended
(in millions)September 30, 2021September 30, 2020
Balance at December 31$18.3 $4.2 
Provision for credit losses4.0 8.7 
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund(8.0)5.1 
Write-offs charged against the allowance(6.5)(6.1)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off2.7 2.8 
Balance at September 30$10.5 $14.7 

The allowance for credit losses decreased over both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses over both periods was driven by lower past due accounts receivable balances, as we have been able to ramp up collection efforts due to the return to normal collection practices in April 2021. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, is included below:
(in millions)Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Balance at June 30, 2020$10.0
Provision for credit losses3.5
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund1.8
Write-offs charged against the allowance(1.5)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off0.9
Balance at September 30, 2020$14.7

(in millions)Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Balance at December 31, 2019$4.2
Provision for credit losses8.7
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund5.1
Write-offs charged against the allowance(6.1)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off2.8
Balance at September 30, 2020$14.7
more information.

The increase in our allowance for credit losses in 2020 was driven by an increase in past due accounts receivable balances from December 31, 2019 to September 30, 2020. This is a trend we generally see over the winter moratorium months, when we are not allowed to disconnect customer service as a result of non-payment. In Wisconsin, the winter moratorium begins on November 1 and ends on April 15. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related regulatory orders we have received, we were also unable to disconnect any of our customers during the second and third quarters of 2020. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

NOTE 4—REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following regulatory assets and liabilities were reflected on our balance sheets at September 30, 20202021 and December 31, 2019.2020. For more information on our regulatory assets and liabilities, see Note 5,6, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(in millions)(in millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019(in millions)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Regulatory assetsRegulatory assetsRegulatory assets
Pension and OPEB costsPension and OPEB costs$137.8 $151.8 Pension and OPEB costs$145.9 $161.4 
Environmental remediation costsEnvironmental remediation costs112.4 113.5 Environmental remediation costs113.0 116.1 
Income tax related itemsIncome tax related items53.7 46.7 
Plant retirementsPlant retirements57.9 55.3 Plant retirements52.4 58.5 
Income tax related items44.6 38.9 
ReACT™ReACT™18.8 20.8 ReACT™16.2 18.2 
Asset retirement obligations16.5 8.4 
AROsAROs14.0 13.1 
Uncollectible expenseUncollectible expense4.7 12.5 
Forward Wind Energy CenterForward Wind Energy Center12.2 17.9 Forward Wind Energy Center4.7 10.3 
Termination of a tolling agreement with Fox Energy Company LLC5.8 9.9 
Other, netOther, net18.6 21.4 Other, net10.2 12.6 
Total regulatory assetsTotal regulatory assets$424.6 $437.9 Total regulatory assets$414.8 $449.4 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q10Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
(in millions)(in millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019(in millions)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Regulatory liabilitiesRegulatory liabilitiesRegulatory liabilities
Income tax related itemsIncome tax related items$402.5 $416.7 Income tax related items$363.4 $397.0 
Removal costsRemoval costs196.5 201.8 Removal costs192.4 193.7 
Pension and OPEB benefitsPension and OPEB benefits98.6 100.5 Pension and OPEB benefits115.4 115.9 
Derivatives (1)
Derivatives (1)
59.2 3.1 
Earnings sharing mechanismEarnings sharing mechanism32.5 42.0 Earnings sharing mechanism25.1 36.8 
Electric transmission costsElectric transmission costs19.5 16.8 
Energy costs refundable through rate adjustmentsEnergy costs refundable through rate adjustments10.9 20.0 Energy costs refundable through rate adjustments1.0 9.7 
Electric transmission costs14.2 3.7 
Other, netOther, net11.5 11.5 Other, net2.1 3.2 
Total regulatory liabilitiesTotal regulatory liabilities$766.7 $796.2 Total regulatory liabilities$778.1 $776.2 
Balance sheet presentationBalance sheet presentationBalance sheet presentation
Other current liabilitiesOther current liabilities$5.2 $13.7 Other current liabilities$1.0 $3.6 
Regulatory liabilitiesRegulatory liabilities761.5 782.5 Regulatory liabilities777.1 772.6 
Total regulatory liabilitiesTotal regulatory liabilities$766.7 $796.2 Total regulatory liabilities$778.1 $776.2 

(1)    For most energy-related physical and financial contracts that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities. See Note 12, Derivative Instruments, for more information.

NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

As a result of a MISO ruling received in June 2021, retirement of the jointly-owned Columbia generating units 1 and 2 became probable. Columbia generating units 1 and 2 are expected to be retired by the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively. The net book value of our ownership share of these generating units was $279.3 million at September 30, 2021. This amount was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. These units are included in rate base, and we continue to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW.

NOTE 6—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

We have recorded AROs primarily for asbestos abatement at certain generation facilities, office buildings, and service centers; the dismantling of wind generation projects; the dismantling of solar generation projects; the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls-contaminated transformers; and the closure of coal combustion residual landfills at certain generation facilities.

On our balance sheets, AROs are recorded within other long-term liabilities. The following table shows changes to our AROs during the nine months ended September 30, 2021:
(in millions)Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Balance as of January 1, 2021$45.5 
Accretion1.3 
Revisions to estimated cash flows(8.9)(1)
Balance as of September 30, 2021$37.9 

(1)    This decrease was primarily due to revisions made to estimated cash flows for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, our wind generation projects.

NOTE 7—COMMON EQUITY

Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on our ability to transfer funds to the sole holder of our common stock, Integrys, in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. In addition, Wisconsin law prohibits us from making loans to or guaranteeing obligations of WEC Energy Group, Integrys, or their subsidiaries. See Note 10,11, Common Equity, in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on these and other restrictions.

We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q11Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 6—8—SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT

The following table shows our short-term borrowings and their corresponding weighted-average interest rates:
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019(in millions, except percentages)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Commercial paperCommercial paperCommercial paper
Amount outstandingAmount outstanding$16.0 $91.5 Amount outstanding$106.5 $210.5 
Weighted-average interest rate on amounts outstandingWeighted-average interest rate on amounts outstanding0.14 %1.91 %Weighted-average interest rate on amounts outstanding0.13 %0.18 %

Our average amount of commercial paper borrowings based on daily outstanding balances during the nine months ended September 30, 20202021 was $62.2$177.8 million with a weighted-average interest rate during the period of 0.94%0.15%.

The information in the table below relates to our revolving credit facility used to support our commercial paper borrowing program, including available capacity under this facility:
(in millions)MaturitySeptember 30, 20202021
Revolving credit facility(1)
October 2022$400.0 
Less:
Letters of credit issued inside credit facility$1.3 
Commercial paper outstanding16.0106.5 
Available capacity under existing credit facility $382.7292.2 

(1)    We intend to request approval from the PSCW to extend the maturity of our facility to September 2026.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q
11Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 7—9—MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND INVENTORIES

Our inventory consisted of:
(in millions)(in millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019(in millions)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Materials and suppliesMaterials and supplies$57.9 $50.1 Materials and supplies$48.4 $45.8 
Natural gas in storageNatural gas in storage34.2 18.9 
Fossil fuelFossil fuel26.4 36.1 Fossil fuel14.8 28.0 
Natural gas in storage21.4 20.2 
TotalTotal$105.7 $106.4 Total$97.4 $92.7 

Substantially all materials and supplies, fossil fuel inventories, and natural gas in storage, and fossil fuel inventories are recorded using the weighted-average cost method of accounting.

NOTE 8—10—INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as a result of the following:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020Three Months Ended September 30, 2019Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)AmountEffective Tax RateAmountEffective Tax Rate(in millions)AmountEffective Tax RateAmountEffective Tax Rate
Statutory federal income taxStatutory federal income tax$20.1 21.0 %$15.1 21.0 %Statutory federal income tax$17.3 21.0 %$20.1 21.0 %
State income taxes net of federal tax benefitState income taxes net of federal tax benefit5.9 6.2 %5.1 7.1 %State income taxes net of federal tax benefit5.1 6.2 %5.9 6.2 %
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotectedFederal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected(4.3)(4.5)%%Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected(9.8)(11.9)%(4.3)(4.5)%
Federal excess deferred tax amortizationFederal excess deferred tax amortization(1.8)(1.9)%(2.5)(3.4)%Federal excess deferred tax amortization(1.6)(1.9)%(1.8)(1.9)%
OtherOther(0.3)(0.4)%(0.7)(1.1)%Other(0.6)(0.8)%(0.3)(0.4)%
Total income tax expenseTotal income tax expense$19.6 20.4 %$17.0 23.6 %Total income tax expense$10.4 12.6 %$19.6 20.4 %

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in millions)AmountEffective Tax RateAmountEffective Tax Rate
Statutory federal income tax$50.5 21.0 %$37.8 21.0 %
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit14.7 6.1 %11.8 6.5 %
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected(11.0)(4.6)%%
Federal excess deferred tax amortization(4.5)(1.9)%(5.0)(2.8)%
Other(1.3)(0.5)%(1.8)(0.9)%
Total income tax expense$48.4 20.1 %$42.8 23.8 %
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q12Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in millions)AmountEffective Tax RateAmountEffective Tax Rate
Statutory federal income tax$48.1 21.0 %$50.5 21.0 %
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit14.3 6.2 %14.7 6.1 %
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected(28.7)(12.5)%(11.0)(4.6)%
Federal excess deferred tax amortization(4.5)(2.0)%(4.5)(1.9)%
Other(1.6)(0.6)%(1.3)(0.5)%
Total income tax expense$27.6 12.1 %$48.4 20.1 %

The effective tax rates of 20.4%12.6% and 20.1%12.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, respectively, differ from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of certain unprotected deferred tax benefits created as a result of the Tax Legislation. In accordance with the rate order received from the PSCW in December 2019, we are amortizing the unprotected deferred tax benefits over periods ranging from two years to four years, to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation drove a decrease in the effective tax rate. These items were partially offset by state income taxes.

The effective tax rates of 23.6%20.4% and 23.8%20.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, respectively, differ from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to state income taxes, partially offset bythe recognition of certain unprotected deferred tax benefits created as a result of the Tax Legislation. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation which is discusseddrove a decrease in more detail below.the effective tax rate. These items were partially offset by state income taxes.

The Tax Legislation required us to remeasure the deferred income taxes at our utility segment and we began to amortize the resulting excess protected deferred income taxes beginning in 2018 in accordance with normalization requirements (see federal excess deferred tax amortization line above).

See Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.information on unprotected tax benefits.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q12Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 9—11—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).

Fair value accounting rules provide a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, but are not quoted prices included within Level 1. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using external inputs within models or other valuation methods.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methods that result in management's best estimate of fair value. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers' needs.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We use a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical measure for valuing certain derivative assets and liabilities. We primarily use a market approach for recurring fair value measurements and attempt to use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

When possible, we base the valuations of our derivative assets and liabilities on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. These valuations are classified in Level 1. The valuations of certain contracts not classified as Level 1 may be based on quoted market prices received from counterparties and/or observable inputs for similar instruments. Transactions valued using
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q13Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
these inputs are classified in Level 2. Certain derivatives are categorized in Level 3 due to the significance of unobservable or internally-developed inputs.

The following tables summarize our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by level within the fair value hierarchy:
September 30, 2020September 30, 2021
(in millions)(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Derivative assetsDerivative assets    Derivative assets    
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts$4.9 $0.1 $0 $5.0 Natural gas contracts$37.6 $2.1 $ $39.7 
FTRsFTRs0 0 1.9 1.9 FTRs  2.1 2.1 
Coal contractsCoal contracts0 0.5 0 0.5 Coal contracts 15.4  15.4 
Total derivative assetsTotal derivative assets$4.9 $0.6 $1.9 $7.4 Total derivative assets$37.6 $17.5 $2.1 $57.2 
Derivative liabilitiesDerivative liabilities    Derivative liabilities    
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts$0.2 $0.2 $0 $0.4 Natural gas contracts$ $0.4 $ $0.4 
Coal contracts0 0.7 0 0.7 
Total derivative liabilities$0.2 $0.9 $0 $1.1 

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q13Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
December 31, 2019December 31, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total(in millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Derivative assetsDerivative assetsDerivative assets
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts$0.2 $0.2 $$0.4 Natural gas contracts$1.6 $0.1 $— $1.7 
FTRsFTRs1.3 1.3 FTRs— — 1.2 1.2 
Coal contractsCoal contracts0.4 0.4 Coal contracts— 0.4 — 0.4 
Total derivative assetsTotal derivative assets$0.2 $0.6 $1.3 $2.1 Total derivative assets$1.6 $0.5 $1.2 $3.3 
Derivative liabilitiesDerivative liabilitiesDerivative liabilities
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts$3.0 $0.2 $$3.2 Natural gas contracts$1.6 $0.3 $— $1.9 
Coal contractsCoal contracts0.1 0.1 Coal contracts— 0.5 — 0.5 
Total derivative liabilitiesTotal derivative liabilities$3.0 $0.3 $$3.3 Total derivative liabilities$1.6 $0.8 $— $2.4 

The derivative assets and liabilities listed in the tables above include options, futures, physical commodity contracts, and other instruments used to manage market risks related to changes in commodity prices. They also include FTRs, which are used to manage electric transmission congestion costs in the MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Markets.

The following table summarizes the changes to derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Balance at the beginning of the periodBalance at the beginning of the period$3.4 $4.6 $1.3 $3.0 Balance at the beginning of the period$2.8 $3.4 $1.2 $1.3 
PurchasesPurchases0 4.0 5.4 Purchases — 3.1 4.0 
SettlementsSettlements(1.5)(2.1)(3.4)(5.9)Settlements(0.7)(1.5)(2.2)(3.4)
Balance at the end of the periodBalance at the end of the period$1.9 $2.5 $1.9 $2.5 Balance at the end of the period$2.1 $1.9 $2.1 $1.9 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table shows the financial instruments included on our balance sheets that were not recorded at fair value:
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019 September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value(in millions)Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Long-term debt (1)
$1,613.2 $1,903.6 $1,612.1 $1,793.5 
Long-term debt, including current portion (1)
Long-term debt, including current portion (1)
$1,614.5 $1,858.0 $1,613.5 $1,935.9 

(1)The carrying amount of long-term debt excludes finance lease obligations of $31.0$33.9 million and $30.7$31.3 million at September 30, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively.

The fair value of our long-term debt is categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q14Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 10—12—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We use derivatives as part of our risk management program to manage the risks associated with the price volatility of purchased power, generation, and natural gas costs for the benefit of our customers. Our approach is non-speculative and designed to mitigate risk. Our regulated hedging programs are approved by the PSCW.

We record derivative instruments on our balance sheets as an asset or liability measured at fair value unless they qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and are so designated. We continually assess our contracts designated as normal and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts as normal if the required criteria are no longer met. Changes in the derivative's fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met or we receive regulatory treatment for the derivative. For most energy-related physical and financial contracts in our regulated operations that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q14Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The following table shows our derivative assets and derivative liabilities, along with their classification on our balance sheets. NaNNone of our derivatives are designated as hedging instruments.
 September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Other current
Natural gas contracts$4.3 $0.4 $0.4 $3.1 
FTRs1.9 0 1.3 
Coal contracts0.2 0.3 0.2 
Total other current (1)
6.4 0.7 1.9 3.1 
Other long-term
Natural gas contracts0.7 0 0.1 
Coal contracts0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 
Total other long-term (1)
1.0 0.4 0.2 0.2 
Total$7.4 $1.1 $2.1 $3.3 

(1)On our balance sheets, we classify derivative assets and liabilities as other current or other long-term based on the maturities of the underlying contracts. Derivative assets and liabilities not shown separately on our balance sheets are included in the other current and other long-term line items. The following table shows our derivative assets and derivative liabilities.
 September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Current
Natural gas contracts$37.3 $0.4 $1.7 $1.7 
FTRs2.1  1.2 — 
Coal contracts14.1  0.2 0.3 
Total current53.5 0.4 3.1 2.0 
Long-term
Natural gas contracts2.4  — 0.2 
Coal contracts1.3  0.2 0.2 
Total long-term3.7  0.2 0.4 
Total$57.2 $0.4 $3.3 $2.4 

Realized gains (losses) on derivatives are primarily recorded in cost of sales on the income statements. Our estimated notional sales volumes and realized gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in millions)VolumesGains (Losses)VolumesGains (Losses)
Natural gas contracts6.4 Dth$(1.7)6.7 Dth$(2.4)
FTRs2.3 MWh0.4 2.2 MWh2.3 
Total$(1.3)$(0.1)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)VolumesGains (Losses)VolumesGains (Losses)(in millions)VolumesGainsVolumesGains (Losses)
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts27.6 Dth$(8.8)27.5 Dth$(3.6)Natural gas contracts6.4 Dth$6.0 6.4 Dth$(1.7)
FTRsFTRs6.2 MWh0.9 7.2 MWh5.5 FTRs0.9 MWh1.8 2.3 MWh0.4 
TotalTotal$(7.9)$1.9 Total$7.8 $(1.3)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)VolumesGainsVolumesGains (Losses)
Natural gas contractsNatural gas contracts28.9 Dth$4.7 27.6 Dth$(8.8)
FTRsFTRs5.3 MWh7.2 6.2 MWh0.9 
TotalTotal$11.9 $(7.9)

On our balance sheets, the amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against the fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had posted cash collateral of $6.3 million and $3.7 million, respectively. These amounts were recorded on our balance sheets in other current assets. At September 30, 2021, we had also received cash collateral of $1.7 million in our margin accounts.$23.9 million. This amount was recorded on our balance sheet in other current liabilities. At December 31, 2019, we had posted cash collateral of $4.8 million in our margin accounts. This amount was recorded on our balance sheet in other current assets.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q15Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The following table shows derivative assets and derivative liabilities if derivative instruments by counterparty were presented net on our balance sheets:
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities(in millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Gross amount recognized on the balance sheetGross amount recognized on the balance sheet$7.4 $1.1 $2.1 $3.3 Gross amount recognized on the balance sheet$57.2 $0.4 $3.3 $2.4 
Gross amount not offset on the balance sheetGross amount not offset on the balance sheet(1.9)(1)(0.2)(0.3)(3.1)(2)Gross amount not offset on the balance sheet(23.9)(1) (1.6)(1.6)
Net amountNet amount$5.5 $0.9 $1.8 $0.2 Net amount$33.3 $0.4 $1.7 $0.8 

(1)Includes cash collateral received of $1.7$23.9 million.

(2)Includes cash collateral posted of $2.8 million.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q15Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 11—13—GUARANTEES

As of September 30, 2020,2021, we had $20.6 million of standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions for the benefit of third parties that extended credit to us, which automatically renew each year unless proper termination notice is given. These amounts are not reflected on our balance sheets.

NOTE 12—14—EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The following tables show the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our benefit plans.
Pension Benefits Pension Benefits
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Service costService cost$2.5 $2.2 $7.4 $6.5 Service cost$2.6 $2.5 $7.9 $7.4 
Interest costInterest cost6.3 7.0 18.9 21.1 Interest cost5.4 6.3 16.4 18.9 
Expected return on plan assetsExpected return on plan assets(12.1)(11.9)(36.4)(35.9)Expected return on plan assets(12.9)(12.1)(38.8)(36.4)
Amortization of net actuarial lossAmortization of net actuarial loss5.9 4.4 17.8 13.3 Amortization of net actuarial loss6.7 5.9 20.0 17.8 
Net periodic benefit costNet periodic benefit cost$2.6 $1.7 $7.7 $5.0 Net periodic benefit cost$1.8 $2.6 $5.5 $7.7 

OPEB Benefits OPEB Benefits
Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)2020201920202019(in millions)2021202020212020
Service costService cost$1.1 $1.0 $3.3 $3.1 Service cost$1.1 $1.1 $3.2 $3.3 
Interest costInterest cost1.2 1.6 3.8 4.9 Interest cost1.0 1.2 3.1 3.8 
Expected return on plan assetsExpected return on plan assets(4.5)(4.1)(13.6)(12.4)Expected return on plan assets(5.0)(4.5)(15.2)(13.6)
Amortization of prior service creditAmortization of prior service credit(2.6)(2.9)(7.9)(8.6)Amortization of prior service credit(2.5)(2.6)(7.7)(7.9)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss(0.3)0.4 (1.0)1.2 
Amortization of net actuarial gainAmortization of net actuarial gain(0.8)(0.3)(2.6)(1.0)
Net periodic benefit creditNet periodic benefit credit$(5.1)$(4.0)$(15.4)$(11.8)Net periodic benefit credit$(6.2)$(5.1)$(19.2)$(15.4)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, we made contributions and payments of $0.5$0.8 million related to our pension plans and an insignificant amount$0.7 million related to our OPEB plans. Our expectedWe do not expect to make any significant contributions andor payments related to our pension and OPEB plans forduring the remainder of the year are insignificant.2021. This is dependent upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and possible tax law changes.

NOTE 13—15—GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We had 0no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.2021. We had no accumulated impairment losses related to our goodwill as of September 30, 2021.

InDuring the third quarter of 2020,2021, we completed our annual impairment test and 0as of July 1, 2021. No impairment resulted from this test.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q16Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 14—16—SEGMENT INFORMATION

We use operatingnet income to measure segment profitability and to allocate resources to our businesses. At September 30, 2020,2021, we reported 2 segments, which are described below.

Our utility segment includes our electric and natural gas utility operations, which serve customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin. Our electric utility operations are engaged in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity. Our natural gas utility operations are engaged in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to retail customers as well as the transportation of customer-owned natural gas.

Our other segment primarily consists of equity earnings from our investment in Wisconsin River Power Company.

The following tables show summarized financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, related to our reportable segments:
(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Operating revenues$381.1 $ $381.1 
Other operation and maintenance102.2  102.2 
Depreciation and amortization47.4  47.4 
Other income, net7.7 0.4 8.1 
Interest expense16.1  16.1 
Income tax expense10.3 0.1 10.4 
Net income71.6 0.3 71.9 

(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Operating revenues$367.7 $— $367.7 
Other operation and maintenance105.2 — 105.2 
Depreciation and amortization43.5 — 43.5 
Other income, net8.3 0.4 8.7 
Interest expense15.6 — 15.6 
Income tax expense19.5 0.1 19.6 
Net income76.0 0.3 76.3 

(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Operating revenues$1,127.6 $ $1,127.6 
Other operation and maintenance294.0  294.0 
Depreciation and amortization140.0  140.0 
Other income, net25.8 1.3 27.1 
Interest expense48.6  48.6 
Income tax expense27.3 0.3 27.6 
Net income200.4 1.0 201.4 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q1617Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The following tables show summarized financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, related to our reportable segments:
(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Operating revenues$367.7 $0 $367.7 
Other operation and maintenance105.2 0 105.2 
Depreciation and amortization43.5 0 43.5 
Operating income102.8 0 102.8 
Other income, net8.3 0.4 8.7 
Interest expense15.6 0 15.6 
(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating revenues$352.3 $$352.3 
Other operation and maintenance107.4 107.4 
Depreciation and amortization42.3 42.3 
Operating income78.0 78.0 
Other income, net9.5 0.3 9.8 
Interest expense15.8 15.8 

(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Operating revenues$1,049.9 $0 $1,049.9 
Other operation and maintenance296.3 0 296.3 
Depreciation and amortization129.7 0 129.7 
Operating income263.1 0 263.1 
Other income, net24.2 1.2 25.4 
Interest Expense47.9 0 47.9 

(in millions)(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation(in millions)UtilityOtherWisconsin Public Service Corporation
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Operating revenuesOperating revenues$1,069.0 $$1,069.0 Operating revenues$1,049.9 $— $1,049.9 
Other operation and maintenanceOther operation and maintenance308.7 308.7 Other operation and maintenance296.3 — 296.3 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization123.4 123.4 Depreciation and amortization129.7 — 129.7 
Operating income198.4 198.4 
Other income, netOther income, net28.0 1.0 29.0 Other income, net24.2 1.2 25.4 
Interest expenseInterest expense47.2 47.2 Interest expense47.9 — 47.9 
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense48.1 0.3 48.4 
Net incomeNet income191.3 0.9 192.2 

NOTE 15—17—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have significant commitments and contingencies arising from our operations, including those related to unconditional purchase obligations, environmental matters, and enforcement and litigation matters.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

We have obligations to distribute and sell electricity and natural gas to our customers and expect to recover costs related to these obligations in future customer rates. In order to meet these obligations, we routinely enter into long-term purchase and sale commitments for various quantities and lengths of time. Our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations as of September 30, 2020,2021, were approximately $0.7$0.8 billion.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q17Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Environmental Matters

Consistent with other companies in the energy industry, we face significant ongoing environmental compliance and remediation obligations related to current and past operations. Specific environmental issues affecting us include, but are not limited to, current and future regulation of air emissions such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide,NOx, fine particulates, mercury, and GHGs; water intake and discharges; management of coal combustion products such as fly ash; and remediation of impacted properties, including former manufactured gas plant sites.

Air Quality

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Ozone

After completing its review of the 2008 ozone standard, the EPA released a final rule in October 2015, which lowered the limit for ground-level ozone, creating a more stringent standard than the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. NAAQS. The 2015 ozone standard lowered the 8-hour limit for ground-level ozone. In December 2020, the EPA completed its 5-year review of the ozone standard and issued a final decision to retain, without any changes, the existing 2015 standard. Under Executive Order 13990, the Biden Administration ordered that all agencies review existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and similar actions promulgated, issued, or adopted between January 20, 2017 and January 20, 2021. Consequently, the December 2020 decision to retain the 2015 ozone standards with no changes is currently under review by the EPA.

The EPA issued final nonattainment area designations for the 2015 ozone standard in April 2018. The following counties within our service territory were designated as partial nonattainment with the 2015 standard:nonattainment: Door and Manitowoc. This re-designation was challenged in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in Clean Wisconsin et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A decision was issued in July 2020 remanding the rule to the EPA for further evaluation. We expect that any subsequentAs a result of the July 2020 remand, in June 2021, the EPA re-designation, if necessary, would take placepublished its final action to revise the boundaries for 13 counties associated with 6 nonattainment areas, including several in 2021.The StateWisconsin. Under the new designations, the partial nonattainment areas of Wisconsin submitted the "infrastructure" portion of its state implementation plan outlining how it will implement, maintain,Door and enforce the 2015 Ozone standard. The plan is subject to EPA review and approval. We do not expect the revised plan toManitowoc counties have an impact on us.been expanded.

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

In MayFebruary 2021, the WDNR proposed draft revisions to the Wisconsin Administrative Code to adopt the 2015 ozone standard and incorporate by reference the federal air pollution monitoring requirements related to the NAAQS. The Natural Resources Board adopted the rule as proposed during their June 2021 meeting and the rule is now in legislative review. We believe that we are well
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q18Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
positioned to meet the requirements associated with the 2015 ozone standard and do not expect to incur significant costs to comply with associated state or federal rules.

Particulate Matter

In addition to the 2015 ozone standard, in December 2020, the EPA finalized revisions to the Supplemental Cost Finding for the MATS rule as well as the CAA required RTR. The EPA was required by the United States Supreme Court to review both costs and benefits of complying with the MATS rule. Aftercompleted its 5-year review of costs, the 2012 standard for particulate matter, including fine particulate matter. The EPA determined that it is not appropriate andno revisions were necessary to regulate hazardous air pollutant emissionsthe current standard. This determination was also subject to review under Executive Order 13990 and in June 2021, the EPA announced it would reconsider the December 2020 decision. Under the Biden Administration's policy review, the EPA concluded that the scientific evidence and information from power plants under Section 112the December 2020 determination supports revising the level of the CAA. Asannual standard for the particulate matter NAAQS to below the current level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter, while retaining the 24-hour standard. A proposed rule-making is expected in summer 2022, and a result, under the final rule is expected in spring 2023. All counties within our service territory are in attainment with the emission standards and other requirements of the MATS rule first enacted incurrent 2012 remain in place. The EPA did not remove coal- and oil-fired power plants from the list of sources that are regulated under Section 112. The EPA also determined that 0 revisions to MATS are warranted based on the results of the RTR. As a result, we do not expect the rule to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.standards.

Climate Change

The ACE rule, became effective since September 2019, was vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in September 2019. ThisJanuary 2021. The ACE rule providesreplaced the Clean Power Plan and provided existing coal-fired generating units with standards for achieving GHG emission reductions. In a memorandum issued to the EPA regional administrators in February 2021, the EPA stated that the D.C. Circuit Court decision meant that no existing rule regulates GHG emissions from electric generating units. The EPA is currently reviewing its options for such regulations and has signaled that a draft rule was finalized in conjunction with two other separate and distinct rulemakings, (1)will not be ready until 2022 at the repealearliest. In October 2021, the Supreme Court agreed to review the D.C. Circuit Court's ruling vacating the EPA's ACE rule. The Supreme Court will review a number of issues regarding the scope of the Clean Power Plan, and (2) revised implementing regulations for ACE, ongoing emissions guidelines, and all future emission guidelines for existing sources issued underEPA's regulatory authority to utilize Section 111(d) of the CAA section 111(d). Every state's plan to implement ACE is requiredaddress CO2 emissions. Arguments are expected to focus on reducing GHG emissionstake place in early 2022 with a decision expected by improving the efficiencysummer of fossil-fueled power plants. The rule is being litigated in challenges brought in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by 22 states (including Wisconsin), local governments, and certain nongovernmental organizations. In the meantime, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to work with state utilities and has begun the process of developing the implementation plan with respect to the ACE rule.2022.

In December 2018,January 2021, the EPA proposedfinalized a rule to revise the New Source Performance Standards for GHG emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fueled power plants. The rule became effective in March 2021; however, the EPA determined thatasked the BSER for new, modified,D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate and reconstructed coal units is highly efficient generation that would be equivalent to supercritical steam conditions for larger units and subcritical steam conditions for smaller units. This proposed BSER would replaceremand the determination from the previousfinal rule, which identified BSER as partial carbon capture and storage. The EPA has reviewed comments and intendswas granted by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2021. Despite this uncertainty, WEC Energy Group continues to take final actionmove forward on the proposed rule later in 2020.ESG Progress Plan, which is heavily focused on reducing GHG emissions.

WEC Energy Group has a plan (referred to as itsThe ESG progress plan), which includes us, thatProgress Plan includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with the construction of zero-carbon emitting renewable generationzero-carbon-emitting renewables and clean natural gas-fired generation.gas-fueled generation by 2025. By the end of 2020, WEC Energy Group was able to reduce CO2 emissions from its electric generation fleet by more than 50% below 2005 levels. As a result, WEC Energy Group announced new goals in May 2021. WEC Energy Group committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions from its electric generation fleet by 2025 and an 80% reduction by the end of 2030, both from a 2005 baseline. WEC Energy Group expects to achieve these goals by making operating refinements, retiring less efficient generating units, and executing its capital plan. Over the longer term, the target for WEC Energy Group's generation fleet is net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We have already retired approximately 300 MW of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018, which included2018. As part of the Pulliam power plant and the jointly-owned Edgewater Unit 4 generating units.ESG Progress Plan, WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,8001,600 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by 2025. The2025, which includes the planned retirements will contributein 2023-2024 of the jointly-owned Columbia Units 1-2.

WEC Energy Group continues to meeting a new, near-term goal of reducingreduce methane emissions by improving its natural gas distribution system. WEC Energy Group's CO2 initial 2030 goal called for a 30% reduction in methane emissions from its electric generation by 55% below 2005 levels by 2025. In 2019,a 2011 baseline. Given advancements with renewable natural gas, WEC Energy Group met and surpassedset a new target across its original goal of reducing CO2natural gas distribution operations to achieve net-zero methane emissions by 40% below 2005 levelsthe end of 2030.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update Rule Revision

In 2015, the EPA determined that several upwind states had failed to submit state implementation plans that addressed their "Good Neighbor" obligations (i.e., the states projected NOx emissions significantly contribute to a continuing downwind nonattainment and/or maintenance problem); therefore, by 2030.statute, the EPA was required to issue a federal implementation plan. In July 2020, WEC EnergyMarch 2021, the EPA finalized a CSAPR update rule revision that keeps 9 of the 21 CSAPR affected states (including Wisconsin) in a Group announced2 NOx ozone season trading program and found that the prior CSAPR update is sufficient to meet Wisconsin's "Good Neighbor" obligations. No further NOx reductions will be needed within these 9 states. This rule became effective June 29, 2021 and did not have a new goal to reduce COmaterial impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
2 emissions from its electric generation by 70% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to be net
09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q1819Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
carbon neutral by 2050. In addition to retiring these older, fossil-fueled plants, WEC Energy Group expects to invest in low-cost renewable energy in Wisconsin. WEC Energy Group's plan is to replace a portion of the retired capacity by building and owning a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation and zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation facilities.Water Quality

WEC Energy Group also has a goal to decrease the rate of methane emissions from the natural gas distribution lines in its network by 30% per mile by the year 2030 from a 2011 baseline. WEC Energy Group was over half way toward meeting that goal at the end of 2019.Clean Water Act Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Combustion Turbines

Effective in March 2020,In August 2014, the EPA issued a final regulation under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act that requires the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures at existing power plants to reflect the BTA for minimizing adverse environmental impacts. The Combustion Turbine Rule. The Combustion Turbine Rule was issued to complete the RTR required by the CAA every five years,federal rule became effective in October 2014 and applies only to combustion turbines constructed or reconstructed after January 14, 2003. The Combustion Turbine Rule clarifies certain performance testing, semi-annualall of our existing generating facilities with cooling water intake structures. In 2016, the WDNR initiated a state rulemaking process to incorporate the federal Section 316(b) requirements into the Wisconsin Administrative Code. This new state rule became effective in June 2020, and excess emission reportingthe WDNR will apply this rule when establishing BTA requirements implements electronic reportingfor cooling water intake structures at existing facilities. These BTA requirements and changes certain requirements applicable during startup, shutdown, and malfunction. are incorporated into Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for our facilities.

We have evaluatedreceived interim BTA determinations for Weston Units 2, 3, and 4. A final BTA decision for the ruleWeston facility is expected during its next permit renewal in late 2023.

As a result of past capital investments completed to address Section 316(b) compliance, we believe our fleet overall is well positioned to continue to meet this regulation and do not expect the rule will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Water Qualityto incur significant additional compliance costs.

Steam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines

The EPA's final 2015 ELG rule took effect in January 2016.2016 and was modified in 2020 to revise the treatment technology requirements related to BATW at existing facilities. This rule created new requirements for several types of power plant wastewaters. The new requirement that affects us relates to discharge limits for BATW. As a result of past capital investments, we believe our fleet is well positioned to meet the existing ELG regulations. Our Weston power plant facility already has advanced wastewater treatment technologies installed that meet many of the discharge limits established by this rule. There will, however, need to be facility modifications to meet water permit requirements for the BATW systems at Weston Unit 3. Based on preliminary engineering cost estimates, we estimateexpect that compliance with the currentELG rule will require approximately $10 million in capital costs.investment.

The ELG requirements for BATW systems were being re-evaluated by the EPA. In September 2017,July 2021, the EPA issued a final rule (Postponement Rule)announced that it intends to postpone the earliest compliance date to November 1, 2020 for the BATW requirements while it re-evaluated the ELG rule. The Postponement Rule left unchanged the latest ELG rule compliance date of December 31, 2023. In August 2020, the EPA Administrator signed the ELG Reconsideration Ruleinitiate rulemaking to revise the treatment technology requirements relatedELG Rule as modified in 2020. The EPA has stated that the ELG Rule will continue to BATW at existing facilities. Thisbe implemented and enforced while the agency pursues this rulemaking process. The EPA plans to propose a revised rule is effective December 14, 2020 and includes provisions that:in the fall of 2022.

Exempt facility owners fromWaters of the new BATW requirements if a generating unit is retired by December 31, 2028.United States

Would limitIn September 2021, the investment requiredEPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers together announced they have halted implementation of the April 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule and are interpreting "Waters of the United States" consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime until further notice. The pre-2015 approach involves applying factors established through case law and agency precedents to meetdetermine whether a wetland or surface drainage feature is subject to federal jurisdiction. We continue to move forward on company projects subject to federal permits and will monitor these new rule requirements if the coal-fueled unit has a low utilization rate where the 2-year average annual capacity utilization rating is less than 10%.

We are currently evaluating what impact, if any, the rule may have on our estimated compliance cost of $10 million noted above.actions to better understand potential future impacts.

Land Quality

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation

We have identified sites at which we or a predecessor company owned or operated a manufactured gas plant or stored manufactured gas. We have also identified other sites that may have been impacted by historical manufactured gas plant activities. We are responsible for the environmental remediation of these sites, some of which are in the EPA Superfund Alternative Approach Program. We are also working with variousthe state jurisdictionsof Wisconsin in our investigation and remediation planning. These sites are at various stages of investigation, monitoring, remediation, and closure.

In addition, we are coordinating the investigation and cleanup of some of these sites subject to the jurisdiction of the EPA under what is called a "multisite" program. This program involves prioritizing the work to be done at the sites, preparation and approval of documents common to all of the sites, and use of a consistent approach in selecting remedies. At this time, we cannot estimate future remediation costs associated with these sites beyond those described below.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q1920Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The future costs for detailed site investigation, future remediation, and monitoring are dependent upon several variables including, among other things, the extent of remediation, changes in technology, and changes in regulation. Historically, our regulators have allowed us to recover incurred costs, net of insurance recoveries and recoveries from potentially responsible parties, associated with the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites. Accordingly, we have established regulatory assets for costs associated with these sites.

We have established the following regulatory assets and reserves for manufactured gas plant sites:
(in millions)(in millions)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019(in millions)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Regulatory assetsRegulatory assets$112.4 $113.5 Regulatory assets$113.0 $116.1 
Reserves for future environmental remediationReserves for future environmental remediation83.8 83.8 Reserves for future environmental remediation87.3 88.3 

Enforcement and Litigation Matters

We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respect to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, management believes that appropriate reserves have been established and that final settlement of these actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Consent Decrees

Weston and Pulliam Power Plants

In November 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to us, which alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements relating to certain projects completed at the Weston and Pulliam power plants from 1994 to 2009. We entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in March 2013.

With the retirement of Pulliam Units 7 and 8 in October 2018, we completed the mitigation projects required by the Consent Decree and received a completeness letter from the EPA in October 2018. We are working with the EPA on a closeout process for the Consent Decree.

Joint Ownership Power Plants – Columbia and Edgewater

In December 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to Wisconsin Power and Light Company, the operator of the Columbia and Edgewater plants, and the other joint owners of these plants, including Madison Gas and Electric, WE (former co-owner of an Edgewater unit), and us. The NOV alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements related to certain projects completed at those plants. We, along with Wisconsin Power and Light Company, Madison Gas and Electric, and WE, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in June 2013. As a result of the continued implementation of the Consent Decree related to the jointly owned Columbia and Edgewater plants, the Edgewater 4 generating unit was retired in September 2018.

Enforcement Wisconsin Power and Litigation Matters

We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respectLight Company has started the process to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, management believes that appropriate reserves have been established and that final settlement of these actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.close out this Consent Decree.

NOTE 16—18—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Nine Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)20202019(in millions)20212020
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalizedCash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized$35.7 $30.9 Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized$35.9 $35.7 
Cash (received) for income taxes, net(16.4)(23.2)
Cash received for income taxes, netCash received for income taxes, net(42.1)(16.4)
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Accounts payable related to construction costsAccounts payable related to construction costs48.6 34.3 Accounts payable related to construction costs30.8 48.6 

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q2021Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 17—19—REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Recovery of Natural Gas Costs

Due to the cold temperatures, wind, snow, and ice throughout the central part of the country during February 2021, the cost of gas purchased for our natural gas utility customers was temporarily driven significantly higher than our normal winter weather expectations. We have a regulatory mechanism in place for recovering all prudently incurred gas costs.

In March 2021, we filed our revised natural gas rate sheets with the PSCW reflecting approximately $28 million of natural gas costs in excess of the benchmark set in our gas cost recovery mechanism. We recovered these excess costs over a period of three months, beginning in April 2021.

Coronavirus Disease – 2019

The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC. COVID-19 has spread globally, including throughout the United States and, in turn, our service territory. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin declared a public health emergency and issued a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. OnIn March 24, 2020, the PSCW issued 2 orders requiring certain actionsin response to ensure that essential utility services were, and continue to be, available to our customers.the COVID-19 pandemic. The first order required all public utilities in the state of Wisconsin, including us, to temporarily suspend disconnections, the assessment of late fees, and deposit requirements for all customer classes. In addition, it required utilities to reconnect customers that were previously disconnected, offer deferred payment arrangements to all customers, and streamline the application process for customers applying for utility service.

In the second order issued onin March 24, 2020, the PSCW authorized Wisconsin utilities to defer expenditures and certain foregone revenues resulting from compliance with the first order, and expenditures as otherwise incurred to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable access to utility services during the declared public health emergency. The PSCW has affirmed that this authorization for deferral includes the incremental increase in uncollectible expense above what is currently being recovered in rates. As we already have a cost recovery mechanism in place to recover uncollectible expense for residential customers, this new deferral only impacts the recovery of uncollectible expense for our commercial and industrial customers. See Note 3, Credit Losses, for information regarding changes to our allowance for credit losses. As of September 30, 2021, amounts deferred related to the COVID-19 pandemic were not significant. The PSCW will review the recoverability and examine the prudency of any deferred amounts in future rate proceedings. As of September 30, 2020, our deferrals related to the COVID-19 pandemic were not significant.

OnIn June 26, 2020, the PSCW issued a written order providing a timeline for the lifting of the temporary provisions required in the first March 24, 2020 order. Utilities were allowed to disconnect commercial and industrial customers and require deposits for new service as of July 25, 2020 and July 31, 2020, respectively. After August 15, 2020, utilities were no longer required to offer deferred payment arrangements to all customers. Additionally, utilities were authorized to reinstate late fees except for the period between the first order and this supplemental order. We resumed charging late payment fees in late August 2020. Late payment fees were not charged on outstanding balances that were billed between the first order and late August 2020.

TheSubsequent to the June 2020 order, the PSCW extended the moratorium on disconnections of residential customers until November 1, 2020. In accordance with Wisconsin regulations, utilities are generally not allowed to disconnect residential customers for non-payment during the winter moratorium, which beginsbegan on November 1, 2020 and endsended on April 15.15, 2021. Utilities arewere allowed to continue assessing late payment fees during the winter moratorium. On April 5, 2021, the PSCW issued a written order indicating that it would not extend the moratorium on disconnections further; therefore, utilities could begin disconnecting residential customers for non-payment after April 15, 2021. Utilities are required to offer a deferred payment arrangement to low-income residential customers prior to disconnecting service. The order also allowed us to resume charging late payment fees on the full balance of all outstanding arrears, regardless of the associated dates the service was provided, after April 15, 2021.

2022 Rates

In March 2021, we filed an application with the PSCW for the approval of certain accounting treatments that will allow us to maintain our current electric and natural gas base rates through 2022 and forego filing a rate case for one year. In connection with the request, we also entered into an agreement, dated March 23, 2021, with various stakeholders. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the stakeholders fully supported the application. On September 22, 2021, the PSCW issued a written order approving the application.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q22Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The final order reflects the following:

We will amortize, in 2022, certain previously deferred balances to offset approximately half of our forecasted revenue deficiency.
We are allowed to defer any increases in tax expense due to changes in tax law that occur in 2021 and/or 2022.
We will maintain our earnings sharing mechanism for 2022, with modification. The earnings sharing mechanism will be modified to authorize us to retain 100% of the first 15 basis points of earnings above our currently authorized ROE. This modification expires on December 31, 2022. The earnings sharing mechanism will otherwise remain as currently authorized.
We will file a full 2023-2024 test-year rate case no later than May 1, 2022.

2020 and 2021 Rates

In March 2019, we filed an application with the PSCW to increase our retail electric and natural gas rates, effective January 1, 2020. In August 2019, we filed an application with the PSCW for approval of a settlement agreement entered into with certain intervenors to resolve several outstanding issues in our rate case. In December 2019, the PSCW issued a written order that approved the settlement agreement without material modification and addressed the remaining outstanding issues that were not included in the settlement agreement. The new rates became effective January 1, 2020. The final order reflects the following:
2020 Effective rate increase
Electric (1) (2)
$15.8  million/1.6%
Gas (3)
$4.3  million/1.4%
ROE10.0%
Common equity component average on a financial basis52.5%

(1)Amount is net of certain deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation that were utilized to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. The rate order reflects the majority of the unprotected deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation being amortized over two years. Approximately $11 million of tax benefits are beingwere amortized in 2020 and approximately $39 million will beare being amortized in 2021. Unprotected deferred tax benefits by their nature are eligible to be returned to customers in a manner and timeline determined to be appropriate by the PSCW.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q21Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
(2)The rate order is net of $21 million of refunds related to our 2018 earnings sharing mechanism. These refunds will beare being made to customers evenly over two years, with half being returned in 2020 and the remainder being returned in 2021.

(3)Amount is net of certain deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation that were utilized to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. The rate order reflects all of the unprotected deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation being amortized evenly over four years, which results in approximately $5 million of previously deferred tax benefits being amortized each year. Unprotected deferred tax benefits by their nature are eligible to be returned to customers in a manner and timeline determined to be appropriate by the PSCW.

Our rate order allows us to collect the previously deferred revenue requirement for ReACT™ costs above the authorized $275.0 million level. The total cost of the ReACT™ project was $342 million. This regulatory asset will be collected from customers over eight years.

We will continue havingIn its order, the PSCW approved us continuing to have an earnings sharing mechanism through 2021. The earnings sharing mechanism was modified from its previous structure to one that is consistent with other Wisconsin investor-owned utilities. Under the newthis earnings sharing mechanism, if we earn above our authorized ROE: (i) we retain 100.0% of earnings for the first 25 basis points above the authorized ROE; (ii) 50.0% of the next 50 basis points is refunded to customers; and (iii) 100.0% of any remaining excess earnings is refunded to customers. In addition, the rate order also requires us to maintain residential and small commercial electric and natural gas customer fixed charges at previously authorized rates and to maintain the status quo for our electric market-based rate programs for large industrial customers through 2021.

2018 and 2019 Rates

During April 2017, we, along with WE and WG, filed an application with the PSCW for approval of a settlement agreement we made with several of our commercial and industrial customers regarding 2018 and 2019 base rates. In September 2017, the PSCW issued an order that approved the settlement agreement, which froze base rates through 2019 for our electric and natural gas customers. Based on the PSCW order, our authorized ROE remained at 10.0% and our capital cost structure remained unchanged through 2019.

In addition to freezing base rates, the settlement agreement extended and expanded the electric real-time market pricing program options for large commercial and industrial customers. Additionally, the agreement allowed us to extend, through 2019, the deferral for the revenue requirement of ReACT™ costs above the authorized $275.0 million and other deferrals related to our electric real-time market pricing program and network transmission expenses.

Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we also agreed to adopt, beginning in 2018, the earnings sharing mechanism that had been in place for WE and WG since January 2016, and agreed to keep the mechanism in place through 2019. Under this earnings sharing mechanism, if we earned above our authorized ROE, 50% of the first 50 basis points of additional utility earnings were required to be refunded to customers. All utility earnings above the first 50 basis points were also required to be refunded to customers.

NOTE 18—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Cloud Computing

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The standard allows entities who are customers in hosting arrangements that are service contracts to apply the existing internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. The guidance specifies classification for capitalizing implementation costs and related amortization expense within the financial statements and requires additional disclosures. The adoption of ASU 2018-15, effective January 1, 2020, did not have a significant impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. The pronouncement modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. The guidance removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The modifications affect annual period disclosures and must be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on the notes to our financial statements.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q2223Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NOTE 20—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new standard removes certain exceptions for performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods and also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The guidance will bewas effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. We plan to adopt the new standardThe adoption of ASU 2019-12, effective January 1, 2021, and dodid not expect the adoption to have a materialsignificant impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q2324Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and related notes and our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Introduction

We are an electric and natural gas utility and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. We derive revenues primarily from the distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas to retail customers.customers in Wisconsin. We also provide wholesale electric service to numerous utilities and cooperatives for resale. We conduct our business primarily through our utility reportable segment. See Note 14,16, Segment Information, for more information on our reportable business segments.

Corporate Strategy

Our goal is to continue to build and sustain long-term value for our customers and WEC Energy Group's shareholders by focusing on the fundamentals of our business: environmental stewardship; reliability; operating efficiency; financial discipline; exceptional customer care; and safety. WEC Energy Group's plan, referred to as its ESG progresscapital investment plan for efficiency, sustainability and growth, will provide usreferred to as its ESG Progress Plan, provides a roadmap for achievingto achieve this goal. It is an aggressive plan to cut emissions, maintain superior reliability, deliver significant savings for customers, and grow WEC Energy Group's and our investment in the future of energy.

Throughout its strategic planning process, WEC Energy Group takes into account important developments, risks and opportunities, including new technologies, customer preferences and commodity prices, energy resiliency efforts, and sustainability. WEC Energy Group published the results of a priority sustainability issue assessment in 2020, identifying the issues that are most important to the company and its stakeholders over the short and long terms. This risk and priority assessment has formed WEC Energy Group's direction as a company.

Creating a Cleaner EnergySustainable Future

WEC Energy Group's ESG progress planProgress Plan includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with the construction of zero-carbon-emitting renewable generationrenewables and clean natural gas-fired generation.generation at its electric utilities including us. When taken together, the retirements and new investments should better balance our supply with our demand, while maintaining reliable, affordable energy for our customers. The retirements will contribute to meeting a new, near-term goal of reducing WEC Energy Group's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electric generation by 55% below 2005 levels by 2025.

In 2019, WEC Energy Group met and surpassed its original goalour goals to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. In Julyfrom electric generation.

By the end of 2020, WEC Energy Group announced a new goal,was able to reduce CO2 emissions from electricityits electric generation fleet by 70%more than 50% below 2005 levelslevels. As a result, WEC Energy Group announced new goals in May 2021. WEC Energy Group committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions from its electric generation fleet by 2025 and an 80% reduction by the end of 2030, both from a 2005 baseline. WEC Energy Group expects to achieve these goals by making operating refinements, retiring less efficient generating units and to be net carbon neutralexecuting its capital plan. Over the longer term, the target for its generation fleet is net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

In addition, by the end of 2030, WEC Energy Group expects its use of coal will account for less than 5% of the power it supplies to its customers, and WEC Energy Group believes it will be in a position to eliminate coal as an energy source by 2035.

WEC Energy Group has already retired more than 1,800 megawatts (MW)MWs of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018, across its electric utilities, which included the 2018 retirement of the Pulliam power plant as well as the jointly-owned Edgewater Unit 4 generating units. As part of itsthe ESG progress plan,Progress Plan, WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,8001,600 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by 2025.2025, which includes the planned retirement in 2023-2024 of the jointly-owned Columbia Units 1-2.

In addition to retiring these older, fossil-fueled plants, WEC Energy Group expects to invest approximately $2$3.5 billion from 2022-2026 in low-cost renewable energy in Wisconsin. WEC Energy Group's plan is to replace a portion of the retired capacity by building and owning a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation and zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation facilities that are anticipated to include:include the following new investments made by either us or WE based on specific customer needs:

8001,500 MW of utility-scale solar;
600800 MW of battery storage; and
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q25Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
100 MW of wind; andwind.

WEC Energy Group also plans on investing in a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation, made by either us or WE based on specific customer needs, including:

100 MW of reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) natural gas-fueled generation.generation; and

WEC Energy Group also plans tothe planned purchase of 200 MW of capacity in the West Riverside Energy Center — a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by Alliant Energy in Wisconsin. These new investments are in addition to the renewable projects currently underway.

For more details, see Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Significant Capital Projects.

In addition, we previously received approval from the PSCW to invest in 200 MW of utility-scale solar. We have partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct two utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin.Wisconsin: Two Creeks, Solar Park (Two Creeks) is locatednow in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin,service, and Badger Hollow Solar Park I, (Badger Hollow I) is locatedexpected to enter commercial operation in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Upon completion, wethe fourth quarter of 2021. We own 100 MW of Two Creeks and will own 100 MW of each projectBadger Hollow I for a total of 200 MW.

In August 2021, the PSCW approved pilot programs for us to install and maintain EV charging equipment for customers at their homes or businesses. The Public Service Commissionprograms provide direct benefits to customers by removing cost barriers associated with installing EV equipment. In October 2021, subject to the receipt of Wisconsin approvedany necessary regulatory approvals, WEC Energy Group pledged to expand the acquisitionEV charging network within its utilities' electric service territories. In doing so, WEC Energy Group joined a coalition of these two projectsutility companies in April 2019. Commercial operation was achieved ina unified effort to make EV charging convenient and widely available throughout the first week of November 2020 for Two Creeks,Midwest. The coalition WEC Energy Group joined is planning to help build and is targeted for April 2021 for Badger Hollow I.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q24Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
grow EV charging corridors, enabling the general public to safely and efficiently charge their vehicles.

WEC Energy Group also has a goalcontinues to decrease the rate ofreduce methane emissions from theby improving its natural gas distribution linessystem. WEC Energy Group's initial 2030 goal called for a 30% reduction in its network by 30% per mile by the year 2030methane emissions from a 2011 baseline. Given advancements with renewable natural gas, WEC Energy Group was over half way toward meeting that goal atset a new target across its natural gas distribution operations to achieve net-zero methane emissions by the end of 2019. In April 2019, WEC Energy Group issued a climate report, which analyzes its GHG reduction goals with respect to international efforts to limit future global temperature increases to less than two degrees Celsius. WEC Energy Group will evaluate potential GHG reduction pathways as climate change policies and relevant technologies evolve over time.2030.

Reliability

We have made significant reliability-related investments in recent years, and in accordance with WEC Energy Group'sthe ESG progress plan,Progress Plan, expect to continue strengthening and modernizing our generation fleet, as well as our electric and natural gas distribution networks to further improve reliability. Our investments, coupled with our commitment to operating efficiency and customer care, resulted in us being recognized in 2019 by PA Consulting Group, an independent consulting firm, as an Outstanding Midsize Utility.

We continue work onare in the final year of our System Modernization and Reliability Project,SMRP, which involves modernizing parts of our electric distribution system, including burying or upgrading lines. The focus of the project focuseshas been on constructing facilities to improve the reliability of electric service we provide to our customers. We also continue to upgrade our electric

For more details, see Liquidity and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability.Capital Resources – Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Significant Capital Projects.

Operating Efficiency

We continually look for ways to optimize the operating efficiency of our company and will continue to do so under WEC Energy Group'sthe ESG progress plan.Progress Plan. For example, we are making progress on our Advanced Metering InfrastructureAMI program, replacing aging meter-reading equipment on both our network and customer property. An integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management programs enables two-way communication between us and our customers. This program reduces the manual effort for disconnects and reconnects and enhances outage management capabilities.

WEC Energy Group continues to focus on integrating the resources of its businesses and finding the best and most efficient processes while meeting all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. We also strive to provide the best value to our customers and WEC Energy Group's shareholders by embracing constructive change, leveraging capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers' expectations.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q26Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Financial Discipline

A strong adherence to financial discipline is essential to earningmeeting our authorized ROEearnings projections and maintaining a strong balance sheet, stable cash flows, and quality credit ratings.

We follow an asset management strategy that focuses on investing in and acquiring assets consistent with our strategic plans, as well as disposing of assets, including property, plants, and equipment, that are no longer strategic to operations, are not performing as intended, or have an unacceptable risk profile.

Exceptional Customer Care

Our approach is driven by an intense focus on delivering exceptional customer care every day. We strive to provide the best value for our customers by demonstrating personal responsibility for results, leveraging our capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.

A multiyear effort is driving a standardized, seamless approach to digital customer service across all of the WEC Energy Group companies. It has moved all utilities, including us, to a common platform for all customer-facing self-service options. Using common systems and processes reduces costs, provides greater flexibility and enhances the consistent delivery of exceptional service to customers.

Safety

Safety is one of our core values and a critical component of our culture. We haveare committed to keeping our employees and the public safe through a long-standing commitment to both workplacecomprehensive corporate safety program that focuses on employee engagement and public safety, and underelimination of at-risk behaviors.

Under our "Target Zero" mission, we have an ultimate goal of zero incidents, accidents, and injuries. Management and union leadership work together to reinforce the Target Zero culture. We also set annual goals around injury-prevention activities thatfor safety results as well as measurable leading indicators, in order to raise awareness of at-risk behaviors and facilitate conversations about employee safety. situations and guide injury-prevention activities. All employees are encouraged to report unsafe conditions or incidents that could have led to an injury. Injuries and tasks with high levels of risk are assessed, and findings and best practices are shared across the WEC Energy Group companies.

Our corporate safety program provides a forum for addressing employee concerns, training employees and contractors on current safety standards, and recognizing those who demonstrate a safety focus.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q25Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 20202021

Earnings

Our earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2020third quarter of 2021 were $76.3$71.9 million, compared to $55.0$76.3 million for the same quarter in 2019.2020. See below for additional information on the $21.3$4.4 million increasedecrease in earnings.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The discussion below addresses the operating income contribution of our utility segment andto net income. The discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric marginmargins (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas marginmargins (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.

We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses.
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q27Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.

Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $90.3 million and $102.8 million, respectively. The discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, operating income.

Utility Segment Contribution to Net Income

The following table compares our utility segment's contribution to net income during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020, including favorable or better, "B", and unfavorable or worse, "W", variances.
Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20212020B (W)
Electric revenues$338.1 $328.2 $9.9 
Fuel and purchased power111.6 88.9 (22.7)
Total electric margins226.5 239.3 (12.8)
Natural gas revenues43.0 39.5 3.5 
Cost of natural gas sold19.7 16.4 (3.3)
Total natural gas margins23.3 23.1 0.2 
Total electric and natural gas margins249.8 262.4 (12.6)
Other operation and maintenance102.2 105.2 3.0 
Depreciation and amortization47.4 43.5 (3.9)
Property and revenue taxes9.9 10.9 1.0 
Operating income90.3 102.8 (12.5)
Other income, net7.7 8.3 (0.6)
Interest expense16.1 15.6 (0.5)
Income before income taxes81.9 95.5 (13.6)
Income tax expense10.3 19.5 9.2 
Net income$71.6 $76.0 $(4.4)

The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20212020B (W)
Operation and maintenance not included in line items below$54.5 $54.5 $— 
Transmission (1)
38.1 40.0 1.9 
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
9.6 10.7 1.1 
Total other operation and maintenance$102.2 $105.2 $3.0 

(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates. The PSCW has approved escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, $35.6 million and $37.6 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.

(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on net income.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q28Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Three Months Ended September 30
MWh (in thousands)
Electric Sales Volumes20212020B (W)
Customer class  
Residential847.2 875.4 (28.2)
Small commercial and industrial1,109.4 1,080.9 28.5 
Large commercial and industrial1,057.1 950.7 106.4 
Other5.7 5.9 (0.2)
Total retail3,019.4 2,912.9 106.5 
Wholesale485.4 577.3 (91.9)
Resale54.4 168.3 (113.9)
Total sales in MWh3,559.2 3,658.5 (99.3)

Three Months Ended September 30
Therms (in millions)
Natural Gas Sales Volumes20212020B (W)
Customer class  
Residential13.1 14.4 (1.3)
Commercial and industrial18.3 23.7 (5.4)
Total retail31.4 38.1 (6.7)
Transportation96.6 87.4 9.2 
Total sales in therms128.0 125.5 2.5 

Three Months Ended September 30
Degree Days
Weather (1)
20212020B (W)
Heating (185 Normal)114 198 (42.4)%
Cooling (389 Normal)389 471 (17.4)%

(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.

Electric Utility Margins

Electric utility margins decreased $12.8 million during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020. Electric utility margins did not change during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, as a result of our rate order approved by the PSCW. The positive impact of increased rates from the rate order was offset by an $8.0 million negative impact related to unprotected excess deferred taxes, which we agreed to return to customers over two years and is offset in income taxes. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

The significant factors impacting the lower electric utility margins were:

A $9.6 million quarter-over-quarter negative impact from collections of fuel and purchased power costs compared with costs approved in rates. Under the Wisconsin fuel rules, our margins are impacted by under- or over-collections of certain fuel and purchased power costs that are within a 2% price variance from the costs included in rates, and the remaining variance beyond the 2% price variance is deferred for future recovery or refund to customers.

Lower margins of $5.6 million driven by a decrease in wholesale customers related to the expiration of certain wholesale contracts.

These decreases in margins were partially offset by:

A $1.8 million increase in margins related to higher retail sales volumes. Commercial and industrial retail sales volumes improved during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020, driven by the continued economic recovery in
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q29Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Wisconsin from the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in margins was partially offset by the negative impact of weather. As measured by cooling degree days, the third quarter of 2021 was 17.4% cooler than the same quarter in 2020.

A $1.7 million increase in margins from other revenues, primarily related to higher revenues from third party use of our assets as well as higher late payment charges during the third quarter of 2021. We resumed charging late payment charges in late August 2020 after they were suspended by the PSCW beginning March 24, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

Natural Gas Utility Margins

Natural gas utility margins increased $0.2 million during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was an increase from other revenues, primarily related to higher late payment charges during the third quarter of 2021, as discussed above under Electric Utility Margins.

Other Operating Expenses (includes other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes)

Other operating expenses at the utility segment decreased $0.1 million during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020. The significant factors impacting the decrease in operating expenses were:

A $6.3 million decrease in benefit costs, primarily due to lower stock-based compensation and deferred compensation costs.

A $1.9 million decrease in transmission expense as approved in the PSCW's 2019 rate order, which was effective January 1, 2020. See the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above for more information.

A $1.1 million decrease in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.

These decreases in operating expenses were substantially offset by:

A $3.9 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.

A $3.1 million increase in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, primarily driven by significant summer storms in 2021.

A $1.1 million increase in customer service expenses, primarily related to additional costs from an information technology project created to improve the billing, call center, and credit collection functions, as well as higher metering costs.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased $9.2 million during the third quarter of 2021, compared with the same quarter in 2020. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in 2021 of the amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This item did not impact earnings as it was offset in operating income. Also contributing to this decrease in income tax expense was a decrease in pretax income. See Note 10, Income Taxes, and Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

Other Segment Contribution to Net Income
Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20212020B (W)
Net income$0.3 $0.3 $— 

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q30Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Earnings

Our earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $201.4 million, compared to $192.2 million for the same period in 2020. See below for additional information on the $9.2 million increase in earnings.

Expected 2021 Annual Effective Tax Rate

We expect our 2021 annual effective tax rate to be between 11.0% and 12.0%, which includes an estimated 13.5% effective tax rate benefit due to the amortization of unprotected excess deferred taxes in connection with our 2019 Wisconsin rate order. Excluding this estimated effective tax rate benefit, the expected 2021 range would be between 24.5% and 25.5%.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The discussion below addresses the contribution of our utility segment to net income. The discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margins (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margins (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.

We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.

Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our utility segment operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the threenine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 was $102.8$250.5 million and $78.0$263.1 million, respectively. The operating income discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to utility segment operating income.

Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income

The following table compares our utility segment's contribution to operating income during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019, including favorable or better, "B", and unfavorable or worse, "W", variances.
Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
Electric revenues$328.2 $312.9 $15.3 
Fuel and purchased power88.9 97.3 8.4 
Total electric margins239.3 215.6 23.7 
Natural gas revenues39.5 39.4 0.1 
Cost of natural gas sold16.4 17.2 0.8 
Total natural gas margins23.1 22.2 0.9 
Total electric and natural gas margins262.4 237.8 24.6 
Other operation and maintenance105.2 107.4 2.2 
Depreciation and amortization43.5 42.3 (1.2)
Property and revenue taxes10.9 10.1 (0.8)
Operating income$102.8 $78.0 $24.8 

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q26Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
Operation and maintenance not included in line items below$54.5 $62.6 $8.1 
Transmission (1)
40.0 37.4 (2.6)
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
10.7 7.4 (3.3)
Total other operation and maintenance$105.2 $107.4 $2.2 

(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates, in accordance with the PSCW's approval of escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $37.6 million and $36.3 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.

(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on operating income.

The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Three Months Ended September 30
MWh (in thousands)
Electric Sales Volumes20202019B (W)
Customer class  
Residential875.4 805.7 69.7 
Small commercial and industrial1,080.9 1,071.0 9.9 
Large commercial and industrial950.7 991.8 (41.1)
Other5.9 5.9 — 
Total retail2,912.9 2,874.4 38.5 
Wholesale577.3 595.7 (18.4)
Resale168.3 165.6 2.7 
Total sales in MWh3,658.5 3,635.7 22.8 

Three Months Ended September 30
Therms (in millions)
Natural Gas Sales Volumes20202019B (W)
Customer class  
Residential14.4 11.8 2.6 
Commercial and industrial23.7 19.8 3.9 
Total retail38.1 31.6 6.5 
Transport87.4 85.6 1.8 
Total sales in therms125.5 117.2 8.3 

Three Months Ended September 30
Degree Days
Weather (1)
20202019B (W)
Heating (189 Normal)198 98 102.0 %
Cooling (376 Normal)471 424 11.1 %

(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q27Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Electric Utility Margins

Electric utility margins increased $23.7 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The significant factors impacting the higher electric utility margins were:

A $23.3 million net increase in margins related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes the impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits, which we agreed to return to customers and is offset in income taxes.

A $3.5 million increase in margins related to higher residential sales volumes, primarily driven by the impact of favorable weather. As measured by cooling degree days, the third quarter of 2020 was 11.1% warmer than the same quarter in 2019. As measured by heating degree days, the third quarter of 2020 was 102.0% colder than the same quarter in 2019.

These increases in margins were partially offset by a $1.4 million quarter-over-quarter negative impact from collections of fuel and purchased power costs compared with costs approved in rates. Under the Wisconsin fuel rules, our margins are impacted by under- or over-collections of certain fuel and purchased power costs that are less than a 2% price variance from the costs included in rates, and the remaining variance that exceeds the 2% variance is deferred.

Natural Gas Utility Margins

Natural gas utility margins increased $0.9 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was an increase in margins from higher sales volumes, driven by an increase in heating degree days during the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Operating Income

Operating income at the utility segment increased $24.8 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. This increase was driven by the $24.6 million increase in margins discussed above, in addition to $0.2 million of lower operating expenses (which include other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes).

The significant factor impacting the decrease in operating expenses during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019, was an $8.6 million decrease in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, driven by lower maintenance and storm restoration expense, as well as our focus on operating efficiency.

This decrease in operating expenses was partially offset by:

A $3.3 million increase in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.

A $2.6 million increase in transmission expense as approved in the PSCW's 2019 rate order, which was effective January 1, 2020. See the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above for more information.

A $1.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.

Other Income, Net
 Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
AFUDC – Equity$3.4 $1.8 $1.6 
Non-service components of net periodic benefit costs4.9 4.6 0.3 
Other, net0.4 3.4 (3.0)
Other income, net$8.7 $9.8 $(1.1)

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q28Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Other income, net decreased $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by the 2019 deferral of costs that were offset in other income statement line items and had no impact on net income. This decrease was partially offset by higher AFUDC – Equity during the third quarter of 2020, driven by continued capital investment.

Interest Expense
 Three Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
Interest expense$15.6 $15.8 $0.2 

Income Tax Expense
 Three Months Ended September 30
 20202019B (W)
Effective tax rate20.4 %23.6 %3.2 %

Our effective tax rate decreased by 3.2% during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the 2020 amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This decrease in our effective tax rate was partially offset by the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation. These items did not impact earnings as they were offset in operating income. See Note 8, Income Taxes, and Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Earnings

Our earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $192.2 million, compared to $137.4 million for the same period in 2019. See below for additional information on the $54.8 million increase in earnings.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The discussion below addresses the operating income contribution of our utility segment and includes financial information prepared in accordance withdirectly comparable GAAP as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margin (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margin (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.

We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.

Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our utility segment operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $263.1 million and $198.4 million, respectively. The operating income discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to utility segmentmeasure, operating income.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q2931Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Utility Segment Contribution to OperatingNet Income
Nine Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)20202019B (W)(in millions)20212020B (W)
Electric revenuesElectric revenues$863.9 $855.0 $8.9 Electric revenues$901.2 $863.9 $37.3 
Fuel and purchased powerFuel and purchased power238.0 281.5 43.5 Fuel and purchased power280.6 238.0 (42.6)
Total electric marginsTotal electric margins625.9 573.5 52.4 Total electric margins620.6 625.9 (5.3)
Natural gas revenuesNatural gas revenues186.0 214.0 (28.0)Natural gas revenues226.4 186.0 40.4 
Cost of natural gas soldCost of natural gas sold92.3 126.6 34.3 Cost of natural gas sold132.4 92.3 (40.1)
Total natural gas marginsTotal natural gas margins93.7 87.4 6.3 Total natural gas margins94.0 93.7 0.3 
Total electric and natural gas marginsTotal electric and natural gas margins719.6 660.9 58.7 Total electric and natural gas margins714.6 719.6 (5.0)
Other operation and maintenanceOther operation and maintenance296.3 308.7 12.4 Other operation and maintenance294.0 296.3 2.3 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization129.7 123.4 (6.3)Depreciation and amortization140.0 129.7 (10.3)
Property and revenue taxesProperty and revenue taxes30.5 30.4 (0.1)Property and revenue taxes30.1 30.5 0.4 
Operating incomeOperating income$263.1 $198.4 $64.7 Operating income250.5 263.1 (12.6)
Other income, netOther income, net25.8 24.2 1.6 
Interest expenseInterest expense48.6 47.9 (0.7)
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes227.7 239.4 (11.7)
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense27.3 48.1 20.8 
Net incomeNet income$200.4 $191.3 $9.1 

The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Nine Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)(in millions)20202019B (W)(in millions)20212020B (W)
Operation and maintenance not included in line items belowOperation and maintenance not included in line items below$147.9 $174.6 $26.7 Operation and maintenance not included in line items below$151.4 $147.9 $(3.5)
Transmission (1)
Transmission (1)
119.9 110.2 (9.7)
Transmission (1)
114.0 119.9 5.9 
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
28.5 23.9 (4.6)
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2)
28.6 28.5 (0.1)
Total other operation and maintenanceTotal other operation and maintenance$296.3 $308.7 $12.4 Total other operation and maintenance$294.0 $296.3 $2.3 

(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates, in accordance with the PSCW's approval ofrates. The PSCW has approved escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, $109.4$111.3 million and $105.8$109.4 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.

(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on operatingnet income.

The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Nine Months Ended September 30
MWh (in thousands)
Electric Sales Volumes20202019B (W)
Customer class  
Residential2,306.9 2,165.7 141.2 
Small commercial and industrial2,933.7 3,006.7 (73.0)
Large commercial and industrial2,757.7 2,941.3 (183.6)
Other18.8 19.1 (0.3)
Total retail8,017.1 8,132.8 (115.7)
Wholesale1,554.3 1,691.4 (137.1)
Resale620.8 611.5 9.3 
Total sales in MWh10,192.2 10,435.7 (243.5)

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q3032Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Nine Months Ended September 30
Therms (in millions)
Natural Gas Sales Volumes20202019B (W)
Customer Class  
Residential166.4 181.0 (14.6)
Commercial and industrial127.6 140.0 (12.4)
Total retail294.0 321.0 (27.0)
Transport313.3 316.1 (2.8)
Total sales in therms607.3 637.1 (29.8)
The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Nine Months Ended September 30
MWh (in thousands)
Electric Sales Volumes20212020B (W)
Customer class  
Residential2,307.6 2,306.9 0.7 
Small commercial and industrial3,050.8 2,933.7 117.1 
Large commercial and industrial2,996.9 2,757.7 239.2 
Other18.7 18.8 (0.1)
Total retail8,374.0 8,017.1 356.9 
Wholesale1,330.2 1,554.3 (224.1)
Resale187.3 620.8 (433.5)
Total sales in MWh9,891.5 10,192.2 (300.7)

Nine Months Ended September 30
Degree Days
Weather (1)
20202019B (W)
Heating (4,854 Normal)4,644 4,979 (6.7)%
Cooling (509 Normal)656 502 30.7 %
Nine Months Ended September 30
Therms (in millions)
Natural Gas Sales Volumes20212020B (W)
Customer Class  
Residential163.4 166.4 (3.0)
Commercial and industrial120.1 127.6 (7.5)
Total retail283.5 294.0 (10.5)
Transportation347.5 313.3 34.2 
Total sales in therms631.0 607.3 23.7 

Nine Months Ended September 30
Degree Days
Weather (1)
20212020B (W)
Heating (4,808 Normal)4,450 4,644 (4.2)%
Cooling (526 Normal)631 656 (3.8)%

(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.

Electric Utility Margins

Electric utility margins increased $52.4decreased $5.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019.2020. The significant factorfactors impacting the higherlower electric utility margins waswere:

A $9.8 million period-over-period negative impact from collections of fuel and purchased power costs compared with costs approved in rates. Under the Wisconsin fuel rules, our margins are impacted by under- or over-collections of certain fuel and purchased power costs that are within a $58.72% price variance from the costs included in rates, and the remaining variance beyond the 2% price variance is deferred for future recovery or refund to customers.

Lower margins of $9.2 million driven by a decrease in wholesale customers related to the expiration of certain wholesale contracts.

A $2.9 million decrease in margins driven by higher costs related to the purchase of required capacity.

A $2.2 million net increasedecrease in margins related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes thePSCW. The positive impact of increased rates from our rate order was more than offset by a $23.3 million negative impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits,excess deferred taxes, which we agreed to return to customers over two years and is offset in income taxes.

This increase in margins was partially offset by:

A $2.9 million decrease in margins related to lower wholesale sales volumes, driven by lower sales to UMERC. UMERC's new natural gas-fired generating units in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan began commercial operation on March 31, 2019, at which time we stopped providing wholesale services to UMERC.

A $2.5 million decrease in margins related to other revenues, which included late payment charges and revenues from third party use of our assets.

Natural Gas Utility Margins

Natural gas utility margins increased $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was a $7.8 million increase related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes the impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits, which we agreed to return to customers and is offset in income taxes.

This increase in margins was partially offset by a $2.3 million net reduction in margins related to lower sales volumes, driven by warmer winter weather during 2020. As measured by heating degree days, the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were 6.7% warmer than the same period in 2019. In addition to the weather impact, the decrease in sales volumes See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for our commercial and industrial customers was also driven by business interruptions and closings related to, in large part, a shelter-in-place order issued by the state of Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic.

more information.
Operating Income

Operating income at the utility segment increased $64.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. This increase was driven by the $58.7 million increase in margins discussed above, as well as $6.0 million of lower operating expenses (which include other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes).

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q3133Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
The significant factors impacting the decreaseThese decreases in operating expensesmargins were partially offset by:

A $16.8 million increase in margins related to higher retail sales volumes. Commercial and industrial retail sales volumes improved during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, due to the continued economic recovery in Wisconsin from the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in margins was partially offset by the negative impact of weather. As measured by cooling degree days, the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were 3.8% cooler than the same period in 2020. As measured by heating degree days, the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were 4.2% warmer than the same period in 2020.

A $2.1 million increase in margins from other revenues, primarily related to higher late payment charges as well as higher revenues from third party use of our assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. We resumed charging late payment charges in late August 2020 after they were suspended by the PSCW beginning March 24, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

Natural Gas Utility Margins

Natural gas utility margins increased $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was an increase from other revenues, primarily related to higher late payment charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as discussed above under Electric Utility Margins.

Other Operating Expenses (includes other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes)

Other operating expenses at the utility segment increased $7.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. The significant factors impacting the increase in operating expenses were:

A $15.1$10.3 million decreaseincrease in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.

A $4.5 million increase in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, primarily driven by lower maintenance and storm restoration expense, as well as our focus on operating efficiency.significant summer storms in 2021.

A $4.7$2.1 million decreaseincrease in benefitcustomer service expenses, primarily related to additional costs primarily duefrom an information technology project created to lower deferred compensation costs, stock-based compensation,improve the billing, call center, and medicalcredit collection functions, as well as higher call volumes and metering costs.

A $3.9$1.6 million decreaseincrease in maintenance expense atproperty and liability insurance premiums.

A $1.0 million increase in expenses related to charitable projects supporting our plants, driven bycustomers and the timing of planned outages at the Weston and Columbia power plants.communities within our service territory.

These decreasesincreases in operating expenses were partially offset by:

A $9.7$7.4 million increasedecrease in benefit costs, primarily due to lower stock-based compensation.

A $5.9 million decrease in transmission expense as approved in the PSCW's 2019 rate order, which was effective January 1, 2020. See the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above for more information.

A $6.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.

A $4.6 million increase in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.

Other Income, Net
 Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
AFUDC – Equity$8.3 $3.6 $4.7 
Non-service components of net periodic benefit costs14.6 13.6 1.0 
Other, net2.5 11.8 (9.3)
Other income, net$25.4 $29.0 $(3.6)

Other income, net decreased $3.6increased $1.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily2020, driven by higher net credits from the 2019 deferralnon-service components of costs that were offset in other income statement line itemsour net periodic pension and had no impactOPEB costs. See Note 14, Employee Benefits, for more information on net income.our benefit costs. This decreaseincrease was partially offset by higher AFUDC – Equitya decrease in allowance for funds used during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,construction-equity, driven by continued capital investment.Two Creeks being placed in service in November 2020.

Interest
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q34Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Income Tax Expense
 Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20202019B (W)
Interest expense47.9 $47.2 $(0.7)

InterestIncome tax expense increased $0.7decreased $20.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019, primarily due to higher long-term debt balances. The increase was partially offset by lower short-term debt balances and lower interest rates on short-term debt. The increase in long-term debt balances was primarily related to continued capital investments.

Income Tax Expense
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 20202019B (W)
Effective tax rate20.1 %23.8 %3.7 %

Our effective tax rate decreased by 3.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.2020. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in 2021 of the 2020 amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This decrease in our
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q32Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
effective tax rate was partially offset by the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation. These itemsitem did not impact earnings as they wereit was offset in operating income.

We expect our 2020 annual effective tax rate
Other Segment Contribution to be between 19% and 20%, which includes an estimated 5% effective tax rate benefit due to the amortization of unprotected excess deferred taxes in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. Excluding this estimated effective tax rate benefit, the expected 2020 range would be between 24% and 25%.Operating Income
Nine Months Ended September 30
(in millions)20212020B (W)
Net income$1.0 $0.9 $0.1 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows during the nine months ended September 30:
(in millions)(in millions)20202019Change in 2020 Over 2019(in millions)20212020Change in 2021 Over 2020
Cash provided by (used in):Cash provided by (used in):Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activitiesOperating activities$414.1 $322.6 $91.5 Operating activities$424.9 $414.1 $10.8 
Investing activitiesInvesting activities(373.9)(372.0)(1.9)Investing activities(285.7)(373.9)88.2 
Financing activitiesFinancing activities(40.5)45.5 (86.0)Financing activities(139.0)(40.5)(98.5)

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $91.5$10.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, driven by:

A $67.3$38.6 million increase in cash due to higher collateral received from counterparties, driven by an increase in the fair value of our natural gas derivative assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020.

A $30.4 million increase in cash related to lowerhigher overall collections from customers as a result of an increase in retail sales volumes during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. This increase was driven by the continued economic recovery in Wisconsin from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we received higher collections from customers for late payment charges. See Note 19, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the recovery of late payment charges.

A $25.7 million increase in cash related to higher cash received for income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, driven by an increase in tax credits used.

These increases in net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by:

A $41.7 million decrease in cash related to higher payments for fuel and purchased power at our plants during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019. Our payments for fuel and purchased power decreased due2020. Natural gas costs increased significantly throughout the central part of the country in February 2021 related to lowerextreme weather conditions. In addition to costs related to the extreme weather conditions in February 2021, we incurred higher natural gas costs used to fuel our plants. The average per-unit cost of natural gas sold decreased 20.5% duringthroughout the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared towith the same period in 2019. Lower fuel and purchased power costs were also driven by lower sales volumes, related to warmer winter weather during 2020 as well as business interruptions and closings duringa result of an increase in the COVID-19 pandemic.price of natural gas. Higher coal costs also drove higher payments for fuel used at our plants.

A $24.7$38.5 million increasedecrease in cash from lowerhigher payments for other operation and maintenance expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, our payments were lowerhigher for electricstorm restoration, customer service, and natural gas distribution expenses, benefits, and maintenance at our plants, compared withdue to the same period in 2019. See Resultstiming of Operations – Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Incomepayments for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, for more information.accounts payable.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q35Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $1.9decreased $88.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, driven by an increasea $100.8 million decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures, which is discussed in more detail below.

This decrease in net cash used in investing activities was partially offset by:

Proceeds of $7.1 million received for the cash surrender of life insurance during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Payments of $5.3 million to affiliates for assets transferred related to a customer billing system during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows:
(in millions)(in millions)20202019Change in 2020 Over 2019(in millions)20212020Change in 2021 Over 2020
Capital expendituresCapital expenditures$381.0 $380.0 $1.0 Capital expenditures$280.2 $381.0 $(100.8)

The increasedecrease in cash paid for capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, was driven by an increase inlower payments for capital expenditures related to Badger Hollow I, and upgrades to our electric distribution system, offset by a decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures related to Two Creeks, and upgrades to our natural gas distribution systemof automated meter reading devices during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with2021. These decreases were partially offset by higher payments for capital expenditures related to the same period in 2019.Crane Creek Wind Park during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q33Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
See Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Significant Capital Projects below for more information.

Financing Activities

Net cash related toused in financing activities decreased $86.0increased $98.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, driven by:

A $300.0 million decrease in cash due to the issuance of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. There were no issuances of long-term debt in 2020.

An $80.0$150.0 million decrease in cash related to higher dividends paid to our parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, to balance our capital structure.

These decreases in cash were partially offset by:

A $190.4 million increase in cash related to lower net repayments of commercial paper during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.

A $100.0 million increase in equity contributions received from our parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, compared with the same period in 2019,2020, to balance our capital structure.

A $28.5 million decrease in cash related to higher net repayments of commercial paper during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020.

These increases in net cash used in financing activities were partially offset by an $80.0 million increase in cash due to lower dividends paid to our parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, to balance our capital structure.

For more information on our financing activities, see Note 6,8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit.

Capital Resources and Requirements

Capital Resources

Liquidity

We anticipate meeting our capital requirements for our existing operations through internally generated funds and short-term borrowings, supplemented by the issuance of intermediate or long-term debt securities, depending on market conditions and other factors, and equity contributions from our parent.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q36Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
We currently have access to the capital markets and have been able to generate funds internally and externally to meet our capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is critical to our overall strategic plan. We currently believe that we have adequate capacity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future through our existing borrowing arrangements, access to capital markets, and internally generated cash. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We maintain a bank back-up credit facility, which provides liquidity support for our obligations with respect to commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations. See Note 6,8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, for more information on our credit facility.

Working Capital

Although not the case asAs of September 30, 2020,2021, our current liabilities sometimes exceedexceeded our current assets. If this were to occur, we wouldassets by $396.7 million. We do not expect this to have any impact on our liquidity since we believe we have adequate back-up lines of credit in place for our ongoing operations. We also believe that we can access the capital markets to finance our construction programsprogram and to refinance current maturities of long-term debt, if necessary.

Credit Rating Risk

We do not have any credit agreements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. However, we have certain agreements in the form of commodity contracts that, in the event of a credit rating downgrade, could result in a reduction of our unsecured credit granted by counterparties.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q34Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents

In addition, access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. Any credit ratings downgrade could impact our ability to access capital markets.

Subject to other factors affecting the credit markets as a whole, we believe our current ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agency only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency.

If we are unable to successfully take actions to manage any additional impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or any additional adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation as a result of additional interpretations, regulations, amendments or technical corrections, these potential impacts could result in credit rating agencies placingcould place our credit ratings on negative outlook or downgradingdowngrade our credit ratings. Any such actions by credit rating agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us to issue future debt securities and certain other types of financing and could increase borrowing costs under our credit facility.

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information.

Capital Requirements

Significant Capital Projects

We have several capital projects that will require significant capital expenditures over the next three years and beyond. All projected capital requirements are subject to periodic review and may vary significantly from estimates, depending on a number of factors. These factors include environmental requirements, regulatory restraints and requirements, impacts from the Tax Legislation, additional changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our estimated capital expenditures for the next three years are as follows:
(in millions)(in millions)(in millions)
2020$534.1 
20212021578.8 2021$396.1 (1)
20222022537.6 2022627.2 
20232023537.3 
TotalTotal$1,650.5 Total$1,560.6 

(1)This includes actual capital expenditures already incurred in 2021, as well as estimated capital expenditures for the remainder of the year.

We continue to upgrade our electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the AMI program. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enable two-waytwo-
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q37Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
way communication between utilities and customers. We are also continuing work on the System Modernization and Reliability Project.SMRP. This project involves modernizing parts of our electric distribution system, including burying or upgrading lines. The project focuses on constructing facilities to improve the reliability of the electric service that we provide to our customers. WeIn 2021, we expect to invest approximately $100$50 million between 2020 and 2022 on this project.project at which time it will be substantially complete.

WEC Energy Group is committed to investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and battery storage. As partclean natural gas-fired generation. Below are examples of this commitment, we have received approval to invest in 200 MW of utility-scale solar. projects that are proposed or currently underway.

We have partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct twoa utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin. Two Creeks is located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, andproject, Badger Hollow I, isthat will be located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Upon completion,Once constructed, we will own 100 MW of each project for a total of 200 MW.this project. Our share of the cost of both projectsthis project is estimated to be approximately $260$130 million. Commercial operation was achievedis expected in the first weekfourth quarter of November 20202021.

In February 2021, we, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for Two Creeks,approval to acquire and construct the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 30 MW of solar generation and 17 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is targetedestimated to be approximately $65 million with construction expected to begin in 2022 and completed by the end of 2023.

We, along with WE, received approval to accelerate capital investments in two wind parks. Our share of the investment is expected to be approximately $69 million to repower major components of Crane Creek Wind Park, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

In March 2021, we, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Darien Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 37 MW of solar generation and 12 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $65 million with construction expected to begin in late 2021 and completed by the end of 2023.

In March 2021, we, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 82 MW of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $140 million, with construction expected to begin in early 2022 and completed by the end of 2022.

In April 2021, we, along with WE and an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for Badger Hollow I.approval to acquire the Koshkonong Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Dane County, Wisconsin and once constructed, we will own 45 MW of solar generation and 25 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $97 million, with construction expected to begin in late 2022 and completed by the second quarter of 2024.

In April 2021, we, along with WE, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to construct a natural gas-fired generation facility at our existing Weston power plant site in northern Wisconsin. The new facility will consist of seven reciprocating internal combustion engines. Once constructed, we will own 64 MW of this project. If approved, our share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $85 million, with construction expected to begin in 2022 and completed in 2023.

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019 and Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Market Risks and Other Significant Risks – United States Department of Commerce Complaint, for additional information on the impacts to our capital projects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.pandemic and the DOC complaint that could impact our solar projects, respectively.

09/30/2020 Form 10-Q35Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. We believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. See Note 6,8, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 11,13, Guarantees, for more information.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q38Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Contractual Obligations

For information about our commitments, see Contractual Obligations in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources and Requirements in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no material changes to our commitments outside the ordinary course of business during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.2021.

FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following is a discussion of certain factors that may affect our results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources. The followingThis discussion should be read together with the information in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which provides a more complete discussion of factors affecting us, including market risks and other significant risks, competitive markets, environmental matters, critical accounting policies and estimates, and other matters.

Coronavirus Disease – 2019

The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC and has spread globally, including throughout the United States. There isare still considerable uncertaintyquestions regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will spread and the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic itself, as well as the measures currently in place to try to contain the virus, such as travel bansvirus. Shelter-in-place and restrictions, quarantines, and limitations on business operations. Although the shelter-in-place order that was in effect for Wisconsin has expired, other orders limiting the capacity of various businesses that were in effect for our service territory have been adopted at the state and local levels. In addition, similar or more restrictivenow expired. Similar orders could be adopted in the future depending on how the virus continues to mutate and spread. Such measures haveThe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government responses significantly disrupted economic activity in our service territory in 2020 and have caused disruptions and volatilitycontinue to impact our results in the capital markets. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information on our risks related to COVID-19.2021.

Liquidity and Financial Markets

Volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and global economy have impacted us in a number of ways. Upon the initial enactment of certain COVID-19 related shelter-in-place orders in early to mid-March 2020, commercial paper markets became more expensive and related terms became less flexible. In response to these signs of market instability, the Federal Reserve implemented certain measures, including a reduction in its benchmark Federal Funds rate and the establishment of various programs to restore liquidity and stability into the short-term funding markets. These measures continue to have had a mitigating effect on commercial paper rates and availability. In addition, the initial disruption in the long-term debt markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

Our overall liquidity position remains strong. As of September 30, 2020, we had $382.7 million available under our credit facility, providing sufficient backing for our commercial paper program.

Pensions and Other Benefits

Our pension and OPEB plans were well funded at December 31, 2019, with total plan assets exceeding total benefit obligations by $129.7 million. There has been significant volatility in global capital markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the market losses recorded during the early stages of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 have reversed course in the second and third quarters of 2020 in response to government stimulus and relief efforts and the gradual reopening of businesses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized a $35 million increase in the value of long-term investments held in our pension and OPEB plan trusts as second and third quarter gains more than offset first quarter losses.

We could still see earnings volatility associated with certain other benefit plans maintained by our ultimate parent, WEC Energy Group, primarily related to performance units granted to certain of our employees, and deferred compensation plans. Certain of the
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q36Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
liabilities associated with the deferred compensation plans are indexed to mutual funds and WEC Energy Group common stock, and the liabilities associated with outstanding performance units are indexed to WEC Energy Group common stock. These liabilities are marked to fair value through earnings each period, with earnings increasing as market prices decrease.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in historical reserve percentages are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required. Economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including higher unemployment rates and the inability of some businesses to recover from the pandemic, could causehave caused a higher percentage of accounts receivable to become uncollectible. An increase in credit losses could negatively impactAlthough impacts on our results of operations related to uncollectible receivable balances are mitigated by a regulatory mechanism and could resultcertain COVID-19 specific regulatory orders we have received, the increase in past due receivables we experienced resulted in higher working capital requirements. However, with normal collection practices underway, our working capital position has improved from where we were at the end of the first quarter of 2021.

Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by a regulatory mechanism we have in place. Specifically, our residential tariffs include a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) and foregone revenues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections provided by these COVID-19 specific regulatory orders are still being assessed and will be subject to prudency reviews. See Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, for more information.

09/30/2021 Form 10-Q39Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
Loss of Business

We have seensaw a decrease in the consumption of electricity and natural gas by some of our commercial and industrial customers as they continue to experience lower demand for their products and services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses in our service territory still are not operating at full capacity. TheAlthough many of these customers have started to recover, the extent to which this decrease indecreased consumption willcontinues to impact our results of operations and liquidity is dependent upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of our customers to resume and continue normal operations.

Supply Chain and Capital Projects

We have not yet experienced a significant disruption in our supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if the pandemic significantly impacts our key suppliers’ ability to manufacture or deliver critical equipment and supplies or provide services, we could experience delays in our ability to perform certain maintenance and capital project activities.

The timing of Badger Hollow I has beenwas impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The parties agreed to delay the expected commercial operation date from December 2020 to April 2021 so that initial staffing increases could be minimized in light of state mandated COVID-19 orders. We now expect Badger Hollow I to be placed into commercial operation during the fourth quarter of 2021. We are not currently aware of any other major delays or changes related to our capital plan as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, although we are continuing to monitor potential impacts on an ongoing basis.

Employee Safety

The health and safety of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic is paramount and enables us to continue to provide critical services to our customers.

We are following CDC guidelines and have taken enhanced precautions with regard to employee hygiene and facility cleanliness, imposed travel limitations on our employees, provided additional employee benefits, and implemented remote workremote-work policies where appropriate. We have activated an incident management team and updated our pandemic continuity plan, which includes identifying critical work groups and ensuring safe harborsafe-harbor plans are in place. We have minimized the unnecessary risk of exposure to COVID-19 by implementing self-quarantine measures and have adopted additional precautionary measures for our critical work groups.

Additional protocols have been implemented for our field employees who travel to customer premises in order to protect them, our customers, and the public. We have modified our work protocols to ensure compliance with social distancing and face covering recommendations.

We continue to provide our employees with educational information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and will be providing incentives and imposing surcharges on our medical plan to encourage employees to obtain the vaccine. We are developing return-to-the workplace strategies for those employees currently working remotely, taking into consideration factors such as any updated CDC guidelines, the Delta variant, any increases in COVID-19 cases in our service territory, and the overall level of risk to our employees and customers.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q
37Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
All of these safety measures have caused us to incur additional costs andthat, depending upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

Regulatory Environment

We have takentook actions to ensure that essential utility services arewere available to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the PSCW has issued written orders requiring certain actions by all public utilities in the state of Wisconsin. See Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, for more information on these orders and the potential recovery of expenditures incurred as a result of the measures being taken.

Market Risks and Other Significant Risks

We are exposed to market and other significant risks as a result of the nature of our business and the environment in which we operate. These risks include, but are not limited to, the regulatory matter described below. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of other significant risks applicable to us.
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q40Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents

United States Department of Commerce Complaint

In August 2021, a group of anonymous domestic solar manufacturers filed a petition with the DOC seeking to impose new tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from several countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The petitioners claim that Chinese solar manufacturers are shifting products to these countries to avoid the tariffs required on products imported from China. In September 2021, the DOC asked that the anonymous group amend its petition to provide more detail and asked the group to identify its members. On October 13, 2021, in its response to the DOC, the anonymous group refused and argued that identifying its members could expose them to retribution from the Chinese solar industry, which dominates the global solar supply chain for critical solar panel components. The DOC has indicated it will make its decision within 45 days of receiving the response. If imposed, the new tariffs are expected to disrupt the United States' supply of solar modules and could impact the cost and timing of our solar projects.

Environmental Matters

See Note 15,17, Commitments and Contingencies, for a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, including rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, land quality, and climate change.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have reviewed our critical accounting policies and considered whether any new critical accounting estimates or other significant changes to our accounting policies require any additional disclosures. We have found that the disclosures made in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K are still current and that there have been no significant changes, except as follows:

Goodwill Impairment

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for our utility reporting unit as of July 1, 2020.2021. No impairment was recorded as a result of this test. At July 1, 2020,2021, our reporting unit had $36.4 million of goodwill.

The fair value of our reporting unit calculated in step one of the test was greater than its carrying value. The fair value of our reporting unit was calculated using a combination of the income approach and the market approach.

For the income approach, we used internal forecasts to project cash flows. Any forecast contains a degree of uncertainty, and changes in these cash flows could significantly increase or decrease the fair value of a reporting unit. Since our reporting unit is regulated, a fair recovery of and return on costs prudently incurred to serve customers is assumed. An unfavorable outcome in a rate case could cause the fair value of our reporting unit to decrease.

Key assumptions used in the income approach included ROE, the long-term growth rate used to determine the terminal value at the end of the discrete forecast period, and the discount rate. The discount rate is applied to estimated future cash flows and is one of the most significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the income approach. As interest rates rise, the calculated fair value will decrease. The discount rate is based on the weighted-average cost of capital for our reporting unit, taking into account both the after-tax cost of debt and cost of equity. The terminal year ROE is driven by our current allowed ROE. The terminal growth rate is based primarily on a combination of historical and forecasted statistics for real gross domestic product and personal income for our service area.

For the market approach, we used an equal weighting of the guideline public company method and the guideline merged and acquired company method. The guideline public company method uses financial metrics from similar companies to determine fair value. The guideline merged and acquired company method calculates fair value by analyzing the actual prices paid for recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry. We applied multiples derived from these two methods to the appropriate operating metrics for our reporting unit to determine fair value.

The underlying assumptions and estimates used in the impairment test were made as of a point in time. Subsequent changes in these assumptions and estimates could change the result of the test.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q38Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents

The fair value of our reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by over 50%. Based on this result, our reporting unit is not at risk of failing step one of the goodwill impairment test.
09/30/2021 Form 10-Q41Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents

See Note 13,15, Goodwill, for more information.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures presented in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the Form 10-K disclosures, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019 and Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in Item 2 of Part I of this report, as well as Note 9,11, Fair Value Measurements, Note 10,12, Derivative Instruments, and Note 11,13, Guarantees, in this report for information concerning our market risk exposures.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective: (i) in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the third quarter of 20202021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q3942Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following should be read in conjunction with Item 3. Legal Proceedings in Part I of our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 15,17, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, in this report for additional information on material legal proceedings and matters related to us.

In addition to those legal proceedings discussed in Note 15,17, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17,19, Regulatory Environment, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these additional legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risk factor updates and supplements thoseThere were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.10-K.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business functions, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC and has spread globally, including throughout the United States. There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will spread and the extent and duration of measures currently in place to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, and limitations on business operations. Although the shelter-in-place order that was in effect in Wisconsin has expired, other orders limiting the capacity of various businesses have been adopted at the state and local levels. In addition, similar or more restrictive orders could be adopted in the future depending on how the virus continues to spread.

Such measures have significantly disrupted economic activity in our service territory and have caused disruptions and volatility in the capital markets. In addition, we are continuing to temporarily suspend disconnections for non-payment by certain customer classes. The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses have included, and may continue to include, extended disruptions to supply chains and capital markets, reduced labor availability and productivity, and a prolonged reduction in economic activity. These effects could continue to have a variety of adverse impacts on us, including continued reductions in demand for energy, particularly from commercial and industrial customers; impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets; continued decreases in revenue due to the inability to collect late fees; increased bad debt expense; impairment of our ability to develop, construct, and operate facilities; and impaired ability to successfully access funds from credit and capital markets.

Any additional effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. capital markets may significantly impact us. For example, the costs related to our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are based in part on the value of the plans’ assets. Adverse investment performance for these assets or the failure to maintain sustained growth in pension investments over time could increase our plan costs and funding requirements. Similarly, we rely on access to the capital markets to fund some of our operations and capital requirements. To the extent that access to the capital markets is adversely affected by COVID-19, we may need to consider alternative sources of funding for our operations and for working capital, which may increase our cost of, as well as adversely impact our access to, capital.

We have taken precautions with regard to employee hygiene and facility cleanliness, imposed travel limitations on our employees, and implemented remote work policies where appropriate. Additional protocols have been implemented for our field employees who travel to customer premises in order to protect them, our customers, and the public.

Despite our efforts to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which COVID-19 may continue to affect us depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control. Therefore, we are currently unable to determine what additional impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business plans and operations, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, but will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and modify our plans as conditions change.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q40Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
NumberExhibit
31Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications
32Section 1350 Certifications
101Interactive Data Files
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q4143Wisconsin Public Service Corporation

Table of Contents
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



 WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ WILLIAM J. GUC
Date:November 6, 20204, 2021William J. Guc
 Vice President, Controller, and Assistant Corporate Secretary
 (Duly Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

09/30/20202021 Form 10-Q4244Wisconsin Public Service Corporation