El Paso Electric 10-Q 2 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 31, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	ee
Entity Registrant Name	EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/
Entity Central Index Key	31,978
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,691,951

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Utility plant:
Electric plant in service	$ 4,089,896	$ 3,982,095
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,375,721)	(1,320,175)
Net plant in service	2,714,175	2,661,920
Construction work in progress	207,514	146,059
Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $70,778 and $59,689, respectively	205,991	194,933
Net nuclear fuel	123,151	120,458
Net utility plant	3,044,840	2,928,437
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	15,965	6,990
Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,275 and $2,300, respectively	117,950	88,585
Inventories, at cost	53,078	50,910
Prepayments and other	13,838	10,307
Total current assets	200,831	156,792
Deferred charges and other assets:
Decommissioning trust funds	297,030	286,866
Regulatory assets	83,764	96,036
Other	17,728	16,232
Total deferred charges and other assets	398,522	399,134
Total assets	3,644,193	3,484,363
Capitalization:
Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,672,747 and 65,694,829 shares issued, and 155,941 and 133,859 restricted shares, respectively	65,829	65,829
Capital in excess of stated value	327,320	326,117
Retained earnings	1,257,397	1,159,667
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(34,633)	11,058
Total stockholders' equity subtotal before treasury stock	1,615,913	1,562,671
Treasury stock, 25,136,737 and 25,244,350 shares, respectively, at cost	(418,713)	(420,506)
Common stock equity	1,197,200	1,142,165
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,385,254	1,195,988
Total capitalization	2,582,454	2,338,153
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility	19,362	173,533
Accounts payable, principally trade	73,537	59,270
Taxes accrued	42,054	35,660
Interest accrued	20,961	12,470
Over-collection of fuel revenues, regulatory liability	9,905	6,225
Other	38,252	29,067
Total current liabilities	204,071	316,225
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes	325,383	305,023
Accrued pension liability	77,261	83,838
Accrued post-retirement benefit liability	28,130	26,417
Asset retirement obligation	99,144	93,029
Regulatory liabilities	299,431	296,685
Other	28,319	24,993
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	857,668	829,985
Commitments and contingencies
Total capitalization and liabilities	3,644,193	3,484,363
Nuclear Fuel
Utility plant:
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (82,840)	$ (74,475)

Balance Sheets Parenthetical

Balance Sheets Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Nuclear fuel; fuel in process	$ 70,778	$ 59,689
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 2,275	$ 2,300
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	65,672,747	65,694,829
Common stock, Restricted shares	155,941	133,859
Treasury Stock, Shares	25,136,737	25,244,350

Statements Of Operations

Statements Of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating revenues	$ 300,271	$ 297,470	$ 712,780	$ 720,648	$ 908,929	$ 908,685
Operating expenses:
Fuel and purchased power	71,086	75,319	176,737	191,492	229,996	245,425
Operations and maintenance	83,355	74,685	252,370	236,145	336,506	315,677
Depreciation and amortization	24,169	22,565	71,941	66,994	95,790	88,214
Taxes other than income taxes	21,728	21,213	54,616	54,208	71,271	69,444
Utilities operating expense	200,338	193,782	555,664	548,839	733,563	718,760
Operating income	99,933	103,688	157,116	171,809	175,366	189,925
Other income (deductions):
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	824	668	2,462	2,209	3,278	3,365
Investment and interest income, net	16,815	8,989	33,042	30,308	41,587	39,281
Miscellaneous non-operating income	3,037	3,075	9,245	8,867	12,428	11,901
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions	(3,263)	(3,180)	(8,775)	(8,677)	(11,677)	(11,542)
Nonoperating income	17,413	9,552	35,974	32,707	45,616	43,005
Interest charges (credits):
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	19,603	18,215	55,785	54,989	73,766	73,312
Other interest	4,127	4,673	13,896	13,746	18,320	17,757
Capitalized interest	(1,488)	(1,193)	(4,067)	(3,831)	(5,258)	(5,083)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(881)	(671)	(2,551)	(2,173)	(3,353)	(2,992)
Interest expense	21,361	21,024	63,063	62,731	83,475	82,994
Income before income taxes	95,985	92,216	130,027	141,785	137,507	149,936
Income tax expense	22,714	32,532	30,427	50,024	31,407	52,519
Net income	$ 73,271	$ 59,684	$ 99,600	$ 91,761	$ 106,100	$ 97,417
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.80	$ 1.470	$ 2.450	$ 2.26	$ 2.61	$ 2.40
Diluted earnings per share	1.79	1.470	2.440	2.26	2.60	2.40
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.360	$ 0.335	$ 1.055	$ 0.980	$ 1.390	$ 1.290
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	40,535,489	40,427,589	40,514,961	40,408,100	40,494,482	40,398,022
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding	40,697,047	40,551,315	40,644,493	40,516,777	40,630,758	40,498,642

Statements Of Comprehensive Ope

Statements Of Comprehensive Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net income	$ 73,271	$ 59,684	$ 99,600	$ 91,761	$ 106,100	$ 97,417
Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs:
Net gain (loss) arising during period	0	0	0	0	12,634	(20,053)
Prior service benefit	0	0	0	0	0	32,697
Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:
Prior service benefit	(2,413)	(2,414)	(7,243)	(7,243)	(9,657)	(9,657)
Net loss	1,640	1,695	4,790	5,083	6,483	6,516
Net unrealized gains/loss on marketable securities:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during period	(948)	5,945	(4,909)	18,124	2,242	17,275
Reclassification adjustments for net (gains) losses included in net income	443	(1,765)	1,108	(9,122)	(396)	(11,192)
Net losses on cash flow hedges:
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income	144	134	423	396	559	523
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	(1,134)	3,595	(5,831)	7,238	11,865	16,109
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs	174	262	520	716	(3,811)	(3,539)
Net unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities	105	(825)	761	(1,814)	(347)	(1,163)
Losses on cash flow hedges	(32)	(49)	(113)	(174)	(162)	(220)
Total income tax benefit (expense)	247	(612)	1,168	(1,272)	(4,320)	(4,922)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(887)	2,983	(4,663)	5,966	7,545	11,187
Comprehensive income	$ 72,384	$ 62,667	$ 94,937	$ 97,727	$ 113,645	$ 108,604

Statements Of Cash Flows

Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 99,600	$ 91,761
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service	71,941	66,994
Amortization of Nuclear Fuel	29,822	32,494
Deferred income taxes, net	24,369	47,457
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	(2,462)	(2,209)
Other amortization and accretion	15,427	14,934
Net gains on decommissioning trust funds	(9,683)	(9,122)
Other operating activities	31	(762)
Change in:
Accounts receivable	(33,958)	(39,298)
Inventories	(1,480)	(2,988)
Prepayments and other	(5,716)	(5,120)
Accounts payable	4,920	525
Taxes accrued	7,632	6,539
Interest accrued	8,491	5,741
Net over-collection of fuel revenues	3,680	13,888
Other current liabilities	9,185	(138)
Deferred charges and credits	(321)	(1,950)
Net cash provided by operating activities	221,478	218,746
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment	(171,433)	(148,436)
Cash additions to nuclear fuel	(28,769)	(31,618)
Insurance proceeds received for equipment	5,351	8,069
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:
Utility property, plant and equipment	(5,013)	(4,382)
Nuclear fuel and other	(4,067)	(3,831)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	2,462	2,209
Decommissioning trust funds:
Purchases, including funding of $1.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively	(74,438)	(80,785)
Sales and maturities	70,156	76,498
Other investing activities	3,639	(204)
Net cash used for investing activities	(202,112)	(182,480)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(42,898)	(39,747)
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:
Proceeds	504,707	532,332
Payments	(658,878)	(446,005)
Other financing activities	(3,322)	(906)
Net cash used by financing activities	(10,391)	(37,626)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,975	(1,360)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	6,990	8,420
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	15,965	7,060
4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	125,000	0
4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	65,000	0
4.47% Senior Notes, Series B, due 2017
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment on maturing senior notes	0	(50,000)
1.875% 2012 Series A Refunding Bonds, due 2032
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment on maturing pollution control bonds	$ 0	$ (33,300)

Statements Of Cash Flows Parent

Statements Of Cash Flows Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Payments to fund Decommissioning Fund	$ 1.6	$ 3.4

Principles Of Preparation

Principles Of Preparation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles Of Preparation	Principles of Preparation These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the Annual Report of El Paso Electric Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (" 2017 Form 10-K"). Capitalized terms used in this report and not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the 2017 Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 ; the results of its operations and comprehensive operations for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 ; and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The results of operations and comprehensive operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , and the cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full calendar year. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States ("U.S.") Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"), certain financial information has been condensed and certain footnote disclosures have been omitted. Such information and disclosures are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Reclassification . Certain amounts in the financial statements for 2017 have been reclassified to conform with the 2018 presentation. The Company implemented Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, and ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, in the first quarter of 2018, retrospective to all periods presented in the Company's financial statements. See "New Accounting Standards Adopted" below for further details. Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to depreciation, unbilled revenue, income taxes, fuel costs, pension and other post-retirement obligations and asset retirement obligations ("AROs"). Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenues . The Company recognizes revenue associated with contracts with customers when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Unbilled revenues are recorded for estimated amounts of energy delivered in the period following the customer's last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kilowatt-hour ("kWh") to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $31.0 million at September 30, 2018 and $22.2 million at December 31, 2017 . The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its statements of operations. Depreciation. The Company routinely evaluates the depreciable service lives, cost of removal and salvage values of its property, plant and equipment. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the assets (ranging in average from 5 to 48 years). When property subject to composite depreciation is retired or otherwise disposed of in the normal course of business, its cost together with the cost of removal, less salvage is charged to accumulated depreciation. For other property dispositions, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the balance sheet accounts and a gain or loss is recognized. New Accounting Standards Adopted In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards either as equity or liabilities, and classification on the statements of cash flows. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The cumulative effect of the adoption of the new standard was to increase net operating loss carryforward ("NOL carryforward") deferred tax assets and retained earnings by $0.2 million on January 1, 2017. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to provide a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance, and has since modified the standard with several ASUs. The standard provides that an entity should recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard using the modified retrospective method. There was no cumulative effect adjustment at the initial application of the new standard. In addition, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company expects the ongoing impact of the new standard to be immaterial to net income. As required by the standard, revenues of $5.9 million related to reimbursed costs of energy efficiency programs approved by the Company's regulators are reported in year-to-date operating revenues from customers prospectively, as opposed to being offset with associated costs within operations and maintenance. Related expenses of an equal amount are reported in operations and maintenance expenses. See Note B, Revenues, for additional information. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities, to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments by addressing certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 eliminates the requirements to classify investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values into trading or available for sale and requires entities to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in the Statements of Operations. ASU 2016-01 requires a modified retrospective approach and therefore comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Upon adoption of the new standard, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to increase retained earnings by $41.0 million with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). In addition, the Company recorded net gains of $3.7 million related to equity securities still held at September 30, 2018 . In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04, Investments - Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980), which provides clarification to ASU 2016-01. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. ASU 2016-15 was applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Accordingly, the Company presented in the Statement of Cash Flows insurance proceeds received for equipment of $5.4 million and $8.1 million , respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 as cash inflows from investing activities. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, to require companies to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the income statement line items where compensation cost is reported. Companies will present all other components of net benefit cost separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 were applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient and used the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the 2017 comparative period as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. See Note J, Employee Benefits, for additional information. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), to add various SEC paragraphs for clarification due to the federal legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("TCJA"). The Company adopted ASU 2018-05 upon issuance and implemented SAB 118 in December of 2017 in conjunction with the enactment of the TCJA. 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 (Topic 350). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for a cloud computing arrangement with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for an internal use software license. Implementation costs for a cloud computing arrangement will be capitalized or expensed based on the nature of the costs and the project’s stage in which they are incurred by applying the existing guidance for internal use software implementation costs. Capitalized costs for a cloud computing arrangement will be presented on the same line of the balance sheet as any related prepaid amounts for the arrangement, while amortization of those costs will be presented on the same line of the income statement as the related hosting fees. Early adoption is permitted, and entities may apply the guidance either prospectively to eligible costs incurred on or after the effective date or retrospectively. The Company early-adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2018, on a prospective basis, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. New Accounting Standards to be Adopted in the Future In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring qualitative and quantitative disclosures on leasing agreements. ASU 2016-02 maintains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases similar to the distinction under previous lease guidance for capital leases and operating leases. The impact of leases reported in the Company's operating results and statement of cash flows is expected to be similar to previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition in the statement of financial position, by the lessee, of a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. How leases are recorded in regard to financial position represents a significant change from previous GAAP guidance. The lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases. Adoption of the new lease accounting standard will require the Company to apply the new standard to the earliest period using a modified retrospective approach. The Company continues to monitor activities of the FASB, including the impact of ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical expedient for Transition to Topic 842, ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, and the proposed update related to narrow scope improvements for lessors. ASU 2018-11 allows entities to adopt the standard with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the adoption year, while maintaining prior year comparative financial information and disclosures as reported. ASU 2018-01 provides an optional practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under Topic 842, if those land easements were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC Topic 840. The Company currently anticipates that it will apply the practical expedient under ASU 2018-01 to its existing or expired land easements as part of its transition to Topic 842. The Company's implementation process is continuing and includes finalizing the following activities: the analysis of the Company's lease population, the implementation of a new lease accounting system, the determination of the transition method and practical expedients that will be applied, and evaluating the impact, if any, on changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 changes how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets that are in the scope of the standard. The ASU also makes targeted amendments to the current impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. ASU 2016-13 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. ASU 2016-13 will be applied in a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is implemented. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of ASU 2016-13. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), as a result of concerns raised due to the TCJA. More specifically, because the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the change in the federal corporate income tax rate is required to be included in income from continuing operations, the tax effects of items within AOCI (referred to as stranded tax effects) do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. ASU 2018-02 generally allows companies to reclassify stranded taxes from AOCI to retained earnings. The amount of the adjustment would be the difference between the historical federal corporate income tax rate of 35% and the newly enacted 21% federal corporate income tax rate. The provisions of ASU 2018-02 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within that reporting period beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim periods for reporting periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-02 and its impact on regulated utilities. At September 30, 2018 , stranded taxes in AOCI are approximately $7.2 million . Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Cash paid for: Interest on long-term debt and borrowings under the revolving credit facility $ 47,479 $ 47,412 Income tax paid, net 2,480 1,576 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Changes in accrued plant additions 9,347 (6,228 ) Grants of restricted shares of common stock 1,030 1,171 Issuance of performance shares 1,499 932

Revenues

Revenues	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition Disclosure	Revenues On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), for all of its contracts using the modified retrospective method. There was no cumulative effect adjustment at the initial application of the new standard. In addition, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company expects the ongoing impact of the new standard to be immaterial to net income and no significant changes in the Company's business processes and internal controls were necessary upon adoption of the new standard. The following table disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers, for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Retail $ 265,971 $ 633,578 $ 807,626 Wholesale 28,253 63,354 79,456 Wheeling (transmission) 5,145 13,578 17,981 Total revenues from contracts with customers 299,369 710,510 905,063 Other 902 2,270 3,866 Total operating revenues $ 300,271 $ 712,780 $ 908,929 The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company has elected the optional invoice practical expedient for Wholesale and Wheeling revenues, as the invoice amount will correspond directly to the value provided by the Company's performance to date. Retail. Retail contracts represent the Company's primary revenue source. The Company has determined that retail electric service to residential, commercial and industrial, and public authority customers represents an implied daily contract with the customer. The contract is comprised of an obligation to supply and distribute electricity and related capacity. Revenue is recognized, over time, equal to the product of the applicable tariff rates, as approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the "PUCT") and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, (the "NMPRC"), and the volume of the electricity delivered to the customer, or through the passage of time based upon providing the service of standing ready. Unbilled revenues are recognized at month end based on estimated monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue per kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed to customers, and recorded as a receivable for the period following the last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Retail customers receive a bill monthly, with payment due sixteen days after issuance. Wholesale. Wholesale contracts primarily include forward power sales into markets outside the Company’s service territory when the Company has competitive generation capacity available, after meeting its regulated service obligations. Pricing is either fixed or based on an index rate with consideration potentially including variable components. Uncertainties regarding the variable consideration will be resolved when the transaction price is known at the point of delivering the energy. The obligation to deliver the electricity is satisfied over time as the customer receives and consumes the electricity. Wholesale customers are invoiced on the 10 th day of each month, with payment due by the 20 th day of the month. In the case of the sale of renewable energy certificates, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligation to deliver the confirmed quantity of the certificates based on the stand alone selling price of each certificate. Revenue is recognized as control of the certificates is transferred to the customer. The customer is invoiced upon the completed transfer of the certificates, with payment due within ten business days. Wholesale also includes an annual agreement between the Company and one of its wholesale customers, Rio Grande Electric Cooperative ("RGEC"), which involves the provision of full requirements electric service from the Company to RGEC. The rates for this service are recalculated annually and require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") approval. Wheeling (transmission). Wheeling involves the Company providing point-to-point transmission service, which includes the receipt of capacity and energy at designated point(s) and the transfer of such capacity and energy to designated point(s) of delivery on either a firm or non-firm basis for periods of one year or less. The performance obligation to provide capacity and transmit energy is satisfied over time as the Company performs. Transmission customers are invoiced on a monthly basis, with payment due within twenty days of receipt of the invoice. Other. Other includes alternative revenue program revenue relating to the Company’s potential bonus awards from the PUCT and the NMPRC mandated energy efficiency programs. Both the PUCT and the NMPRC allow for the potential to earn an incentive bonus if the Company achieves its approved energy efficiency goals under the applicable programs. The Company recognizes revenue related to the energy efficiency program incentives at the point in time that the amount is objectively determinable generally based upon an approved order from the regulator, is probable of recovery, and if it is expected to be collected within 24 months . Other revenue also includes (i) late payment fees, (ii) leasing income, and (iii) the Company’s allocated share, based on ownership, of sales of surplus effluent water from Palo Verde Generating Station ("Palo Verde"). Accounts receivable. Accounts receivable is principally comprised of revenue from contracts with customers. The Company recognizes expense for accounts that are deemed uncollectible in operating expense. The Company recognized $1.1 million , $2.1 million and $3.0 million of uncollectible expense for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall, the Company recorded, on January 1, 2018, a cumulative effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to increase retained earnings by $41.0 million with an offset to AOCI. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) by component are presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Debt Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (19,124 ) $ (3,478 ) $ (11,144 ) $ (33,746 ) $ (24,915 ) $ 32,296 $ (11,514 ) $ (4,133 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — (764 ) — (764 ) — 4,768 — 4,768 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (599 ) 364 112 (123 ) (457 ) (1,413 ) 85 (1,785 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (17,790 ) $ 40,190 $ (11,342 ) $ 11,058 $ (23,928 ) $ 28,463 $ (11,651 ) $ (7,116 ) Cumulative effect adjustment — (41,028 ) — (41,028 ) — — — — Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — (3,923 ) — (3,923 ) — 14,491 — 14,491 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,933 ) 883 310 (740 ) (1,444 ) (7,303 ) 222 (8,525 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2018 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) $ (31,336 ) $ 30,731 $ (11,732 ) $ (12,337 ) Cumulative effect adjustment — (41,028 ) — (41,028 ) — — — — Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 7,951 1,837 — 9,788 7,363 13,936 — 21,299 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (2,302 ) (338 ) 397 (2,243 ) (1,399 ) (9,016 ) 303 (10,112 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Twelve Months Ended September 30, Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Amortization of pension and post-retirement benefit costs: Prior service benefit $ 2,413 $ 2,414 $ 7,243 $ 7,243 $ 9,657 $ 9,657 Miscellaneous non-operating income Net loss (1,640 ) (1,695 ) (4,790 ) (5,083 ) (6,483 ) (6,516 ) Miscellaneous non-operating deductions 773 719 2,453 2,160 3,174 3,141 Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect (174 ) (262 ) (520 ) (716 ) (872 ) (1,742 ) Income tax (benefit) expense 599 457 1,933 1,444 2,302 1,399 Net income (loss) Marketable securities: Net realized gain (loss) on sale of securities (443 ) 1,765 (1,108 ) 9,122 396 11,192 Investment and interest income, net (443 ) 1,765 (1,108 ) 9,122 396 11,192 Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect 79 (352 ) 225 (1,819 ) (58 ) (2,176 ) Income tax (benefit) expense (364 ) 1,413 (883 ) 7,303 338 9,016 Net income (loss) Loss on cash flow hedge: Amortization of loss (144 ) (134 ) (423 ) (396 ) (559 ) (523 ) Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility (144 ) (134 ) (423 ) (396 ) (559 ) (523 ) Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect 32 49 113 174 162 220 Income tax (benefit) expense (112 ) (85 ) (310 ) (222 ) (397 ) (303 ) Net income (loss) Total reclassifications $ 123 $ 1,785 $ 740 $ 8,525 $ 2,243 $ 10,112

Regulation

Regulation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Regulated Operations [Abstract]
Regulation	Regulation General The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC and the FERC. Municipal orders, ordinances and other agreements regarding rates and services adopted by Texas municipalities are subject to review and approval by the PUCT. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale - full requirement customer) transactions, transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, the NMPRC and the FERC are subject to judicial review. Texas Regulatory Matters 2015 Texas Retail Rate Case Filing. On August 10, 2015, the Company filed with the City of El Paso, other municipalities incorporated in its Texas service territory, and the PUCT in Docket No. 44941, a request for an annual increase in non-fuel base revenues ("2015 Texas Retail Rate Case"). On July 21, 2016, the parties to PUCT Docket No. 44941 filed the Joint Motion to Implement Uncontested Amended and Restated Stipulation and Agreement which was unopposed by the parties. On August 25, 2016, the PUCT issued the PUCT Final Order in Docket No. 44941 ("2016 PUCT Final Order"). Interim rates associated with the annual non-fuel base rate increase became effective on April 1, 2016. The additional surcharges associated with the incremental Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners") costs, rate case expenses and the relate back of rates to consumption on and after January 12, 2016 , through March 31, 2016 , were implemented on October 1, 2016. For financial reporting purposes, the Company deferred any recognition of the Company's request in its 2015 Texas Retail Rate Case until it received the 2016 PUCT Final Order on August 25, 2016. Accordingly, it reported in the third quarter of 2016 the cumulative effect of the 2016 PUCT Final Order, which related back to January 12, 2016. 2017 Texas Retail Rate Case Filing. On February 13, 2017, the Company filed with the City of El Paso, other municipalities incorporated in the Company's Texas service territory and the PUCT in Docket No. 46831, a request for an increase in non-fuel base revenues ("2017 Texas Retail Rate Case"). On November 2, 2017, the Company filed the Joint Motion to Implement Uncontested Stipulation and Agreement with the Administrative Law Judges for the 2017 Texas Retail Rate Case. On December 18, 2017, the PUCT issued the PUCT Final Order in Docket No. 46831 ("2017 PUCT Final Order"), which provides, among other things, for the following: (i) an annual non-fuel base rate increase of $14.5 million ; (ii) a return on equity of 9.65% ; (iii) all new plant in service as filed in the Company's rate filing package was prudent and used and useful and therefore is included in rate base; (iv) recovery of the costs of decommissioning Four Corners in the amount of $5.5 million over a seven year period beginning August 1, 2017; (v) the Company to recover reasonable rate case expenses of approximately $3.4 million through a separate surcharge over a three year period; and (vi) a requirement that the Company file a refund tariff if the federal statutory income tax rate, as it relates to the Company, is decreased before the Company files its next rate case. The 2017 PUCT Final Order also established baseline revenue requirements for recovery of future transmission and distribution investment costs (for which the Company may seek recovery after January 1, 2019, and for which the Company anticipates requesting recovery in the first quarter of 2019) and includes a minimum monthly bill of $30.00 for new residential customers with distributed generation, such as private rooftop solar. Additionally, the 2017 PUCT Final Order allows for the annual recovery of $2.1 million of nuclear decommissioning funding and establishes annual depreciation expense that is approximately $1.9 million lower than the annual amount requested by the Company in its initial filing. Finally, the 2017 PUCT Final Order allows for the Company to recover revenues associated with the relate back of rates to consumption on and after July 18, 2017, through a separate surcharge. New base rates, including additional surcharges associated with rate case expenses and the relate back of rates to consumption on and after July 18, 2017 , through December 31, 2017 , were implemented in January 2018. For financial reporting purposes, the Company deferred any recognition of the Company's request in its 2017 Texas Retail Rate Case until it received the 2017 PUCT Final Order on December 18, 2017. Accordingly, it reported in the fourth quarter of 2017 the cumulative effect of the 2017 PUCT Final Order, which related back to July 18, 2017. The 2017 PUCT Final Order required the Company to file a refund tariff if the federal statutory income tax rate, as it relates to the Company, were decreased before the Company files its next rate case. Following the enactment of the TCJA on December 22, 2017, and in compliance with the 2017 PUCT Final Order, on March 1, 2018, the Company filed with the PUCT and each of its municipalities a proposed refund tariff designed to reduce base charges for Texas customers equivalent to the expected annual decrease of $22.7 million in federal income tax expense resulting from the tax law changes. This filing was assigned PUCT Docket No. 48124. On March 27, 2018, the PUCT approved the Company's proposed refund tariff on an interim basis, subject to refund or surcharge, for customer billing effective April 1, 2018. Each of the Company's municipalities also implemented the Company's proposed tax credits on an interim basis effective April 1, 2018. The refund will be reflected in rates over a period of a year and will be updated annually until new base rates are implemented pursuant to the Company's next rate case filing. No party requested a hearing in the case before the PUCT by the deadline of April 16, 2018, and on April 18, 2018, the PUCT Staff filed its final recommendation supporting approval of the Company's application. The Company filed an agreed proposed order for final approval on behalf of all parties except the City of El Paso on April 30, 2018, and on May 31, 2018, the City of El Paso filed a notice with the PUCT stating that the City Council had authorized agreement with the proposed order. The refund tariff case is pending with the refund tariff subject to a final order from the PUCT. Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor . On May 1, 2017, the Company filed its annual application, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 47125, to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery factor for 2018. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2018 and a reconciliation of collections to prior year actual costs, the Company requested approval of an incentive bonus for the 2016 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT rules. Interim rates were approved effective January 1, 2018. The Company, the PUCT Staff and the City of El Paso reached an agreement that includes an incentive bonus of $0.8 million . The agreement was filed on January 25, 2018, and was approved by the PUCT on February 15, 2018. On May 1, 2018, the Company filed its annual application, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 48332, to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery factor for 2019. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2019 and a reconciliation to prior year actual costs, the Company requested approval of a $1.0 million incentive bonus for the 2017 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT rules. Instead of convening an actual hearing on the merits of this case, the parties agreed to enter into the record the pre-filed testimony of the parties and certain other exhibits and then file briefs on the contested issues. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time. Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recovered from customers through a fixed fuel factor. The PUCT has adopted the fuel cost recovery rule (the "Texas Fuel Rule") that allows the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. The Texas Fuel Rule requires the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT in periodic fuel reconciliation proceedings. On November 30, 2016, the Company filed a request, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 46610, to increase its fixed fuel factor by approximately 28.8% to reflect increased fuel expenses primarily related to an increase in the price of natural gas used to generate power. The increase in the fixed fuel factor was effective on an interim basis January 1, 2017, and approved by the PUCT on January 10, 2017. On October 13, 2017, the Company filed a request, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 47692, to decrease the Texas fixed fuel factor by approximately 19% to reflect decreased fuel expenses primarily related to a decrease in the price of natural gas used to generate power. The decrease in the Texas fixed fuel factor became effective beginning with the November 2017 billing month. On April 13, 2018, the Company filed a request with the PUCT, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 48264, to decrease the Texas fixed fuel factor by approximately 29% to reflect decreased fuel expenses primarily related to a decrease in the price of natural gas used to generate power. On April 25, 2018, the Company's proposed fuel factors were approved on an interim basis effective for the first billing cycle of the May 2018 billing month. The revised factor was approved by the PUCT and the docket closed on May 22, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had a net fuel over-recovery balance of approximately $6.9 million in Texas. On October 15, 2018, the Company filed a request with the PUCT, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 48781, to decrease the Texas fixed fuel factor by approximately 6.99% to reflect decreased fuel expenses primarily related to a decrease in the price of natural gas used to generate power. On October 25, 2018, the Company's fixed fuel factor was approved on an interim basis effective for the first billing cycle of the November 2018 billing month. Once the final approval is received by the PUCT, the Texas fixed fuel factor will continue thereafter until changed by the PUCT. Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding . On September 27, 2016, the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as PUCT Docket No. 46308, to reconcile $436.6 million of Texas fuel and purchased power expenses incurred during the period of April 1, 2013 , through March 31, 2016 . On June 29, 2017, the PUCT approved a settlement in this proceeding. The settlement provides for the reconciliation of fuel and purchased power costs incurred from April 1, 2013 , through March 31, 2016 . Additionally, the settlement modifies and tightens the Palo Verde performance rewards measurement bands beginning with the 2018 performance period. The financial results for the nine and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2017 , include a $5.0 million , pre-tax increase to income reflecting the settlement of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding. This amount represents Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2013 to 2015 performance periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs as approved in the settlement. The April 1, 2016 , through September 30, 2018 , Texas jurisdictional fuel and purchased power costs subject to prudence review total approximately $335.0 million . Community Solar. On June 8, 2015, the Company filed a petition with the PUCT to initiate a community solar program that includes the construction and ownership of a three-megawatt ("MW") solar photovoltaic system located at Montana Power Station ("MPS"). Participation is on a voluntary basis, and customers contract for a set capacity (kilowatt ("kW")) amount and receive all energy produced. This case was assigned PUCT Docket No. 44800. The Company filed a settlement agreement among all parties on July 1, 2016, approving the program, and the PUCT approved the settlement agreement and program on September 1, 2016. On April 19, 2017, the Company announced that the entire three-MW program was fully subscribed by approximately 1,500 Texas customers. The community solar facility began commercial operation on May 31, 2017 . On March 20, 2018, the Company filed a petition with the PUCT and each of its regulatory authorities to expand its community solar program to include two-MW of solar powered generation from the ten-MW solar photovoltaic facility located at Newman Power Station ("Newman") and to reduce rates under the community solar tariff. The case before the PUCT was assigned PUCT Docket No. 48181 and is currently pending with hearings scheduled for December 4, 2018. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the case at this time. Other Required Approvals . The Company has obtained other required approvals for tariffs and other approvals required by the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act and the PUCT. New Mexico Regulatory Matters 2015 New Mexico Rate Case Filing . On May 11, 2015, the Company filed a request with the NMPRC, in Case No. 15-00127-UT, for an annual increase in non-fuel base rates. On June 8, 2016, the NMPRC issued the NMPRC Final Order in Case No. 15-00127-UT (the "NMPRC Final Order"), which approved an annual increase in non-fuel base rates of approximately $0.6 million , an increase of approximately $0.5 million in other service fees and a decrease in the Company's allowed return on equity to 9.48% . The NMPRC Final Order concluded that all of the Company's new plant in service was reasonable and necessary and therefore would be recoverable in rates. The Company's rates were approved by the NMPRC effective July 1, 2016, and implemented at such time. Future New Mexico Rate Case Filing. On April 12, 2017, the NMPRC issued an order in Case No. 15-00109-UT requiring the Company to make a rate filing in New Mexico no later than July 31, 2019, using an appropriate historical test year period. New Mexico Order Commencing Review of the Effects of the TCJA on Regulated New Mexico Utilities. On January 24, 2018, the NMPRC initiated a proceeding in Case No. 18-00016-UT into the impact of the TCJA on New Mexico regulated utilities. On February 23, 2018, the Company responded to a NMPRC Staff inquiry regarding the proceeding. On April 4, 2018, the NMPRC issued an order requiring the Company to file a proposed interim rate rider to adjust the Company’s New Mexico base revenues in amounts equivalent to the Company’s reduced income tax expense for New Mexico customers resulting from the TCJA, to be implemented on or before May 1, 2018. The NMPRC order further requires that the Company record and track a regulatory liability for the excess accumulated deferred income taxes created by the change in the federal corporate income tax rate, consistent with the effective date of the TCJA, and subject to amortization determined by the NMPRC in the Company’s next general rate case. The Company recorded such a regulatory liability during the quarter ended December 31, 2017. On April 16, 2018, after consultation with the New Mexico Attorney General pursuant to the NMPRC order, the Company filed an interim rate rider with a proposed effective date of May 1, 2018. The annualized credits expected to be refunded to New Mexico customers approximate $4.9 million . The Company implemented the interim rate rider in customer bills beginning May 1, 2018 pursuant to the NMPRC order. On September 5, 2018, the NMPRC issued an order in Case No. 17-00255-UT involving Southwestern Public Service Company’s ("SPS’s") request to change rates in which the NMPRC directed SPS to refund the difference in corporate tax rate from January 1, 2018, through the effective date of new rates. SPS appealed the NMPRC order to the New Mexico Supreme Court in Southwestern Public Service Co. v. NMPRC , No. S-1-SC-37248, challenging the refund as prohibited retroactive ratemaking among other reasons. The Court issued a partial and interim stay of the rates on September 26, 2018. On September 12, 2018, the NMPRC in Case No. 18-00016-UT issued an Order Regarding the Disposition of Tax Savings Under the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which put public utilities on notice that all revenue collected through general rates for the purpose of payment of federal income taxes is and will continue to be subject to possible refund upon a subsequent determination to be made in the appropriate pending or future Commission adjudicatory hearing. On October 11, 2018, SPS filed a Notice of Appeal of that NMPRC order to the New Mexico Supreme Court in Southwestern Public Service Co. v. NMPRC , No. S-1-SC-37308. A procedural schedule has not been issued in either case. In the event the NMPRC order in Case No. 17-00255-UT is upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court, the Company would likely be required to record and refund approximately $1.2 million to its New Mexico customers, which represents tax benefits received by the Company for the period January 1, 2018 , through April 30, 2018 . The Company is monitoring the SPS cases and cannot determine the outcome of the cases at this time. Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. Historically, fuel and purchased power costs were recovered through base rates and a Fuel and Purchased Power Cost Adjustment Clause (the "FPPCAC") that accounts for changes in the costs of fuel relative to the amount included in base rates. Effective July 1, 2016, with the implementation of the NMPRC Final Order, fuel and purchased power costs are no longer recovered through base rates but are recovered through the FPPCAC. The Company's request to reconcile its fuel and purchased power costs for the period January 1, 2013 , through December 31, 2014 , also was approved in the NMPRC Final Order. New Mexico jurisdictional costs subject to prudence review are costs from January 1, 2015 , through September 30, 2018 that total approximately $200.1 million . At September 30, 2018 , the Company had a net fuel over-recovery balance of approximately $2.9 million in New Mexico. As required, the Company filed a request to continue use of its FPPCAC with the NMPRC on January 5, 2018, which was assigned Case No. 18-00006-UT. Hearings in the case were held July 30 through August 6, 2018 . The Company cannot predict the outcome of this case at this time. 5-MW Holloman Air Force Base ("HAFB") Facility Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ("CCN") . On October 7, 2015, in Case No. 15-00185-UT, the NMPRC issued a final order approving a CCN for a five-MW solar power generation facility located on HAFB in the Company's service territory in New Mexico. The Company and HAFB negotiated a retail contract, which includes a power sales agreement for the facility, to replace the existing load retention agreement that was approved by NMPRC final order issued October 5, 2016, in Case No. 16-00224-UT. The solar generation facility began commercial operation on October 18, 2018 . New Mexico Efficient Use of Energy Recovery Factor. On July 1, 2016 , the Company filed its annual application requesting approval of its 2017 Energy Efficiency and Load Management Plan and to establish energy efficiency cost recovery factors for 2017. In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2017, the Company requested approval of a $0.4 million incentive for 2017 energy efficiency programs in accordance with NMPRC rules. This application was assigned Case No. 16-00185-UT. On February 22, 2017 , the NMPRC issued a final order approving the Company’s 2017 Energy Efficiency and Load Management Plan and authorizing recovery in 2017 of a base incentive of $0.4 million . The Company’s energy efficiency cost recovery factors were approved and effective in customer bills beginning on March 1, 2017. NMPRC rules authorize continuation of the energy efficiency programs and incentive approved in Case No. 16-00185-UT through 2018. On July 1, 2016 , the Company filed its 2015 Annual Report for Energy Efficiency Programs, which included an incentive for verified 2015 program performance of $0.3 million , which was approved in Case No. 13-00176-UT. The Company recorded the $0.3 million approved incentive in operating revenues in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, on June 30, 2017 , the Company filed its 2016 Annual Report for Energy Efficiency Programs, which included an incentive for verified 2016 program performance of $0.4 million that was approved in Case No. 13-00176-UT. The Company recorded the $0.4 million approved incentive in operating revenues in the third quarter of 2017. On July 2, 2018, the Company filed its required application for approval of its 2019-2021 Energy Efficiency and Load Management Plan and cost recovery factor. The application includes a request for a base incentive of 7.1% of program expenditures, or approximately $0.4 million annually for 2019-2021. The application was assigned Case No. 18-00116-UT and is currently pending with hearings scheduled for November 7, 2018. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this case at this time. Community Solar . On April 24, 2018, the Company filed an application with the NMPRC to initiate a community solar program to include construction and ownership of a two-MW solar photovoltaic system located in Doña Ana County near the City of Las Cruces. Customer participation will be on a voluntary basis, and customers will contract for a set capacity (kW) amount and receive all energy produced by their subscribed capacity. The application was assigned Case No. 18-00099-UT and was dismissed without prejudice on October 31, 2018. Integrated Resource Plan . On September 17, 2018, the Company filed its Integrated Resource Plan for the period 2018-2037 with the NMPRC in Case No. 18-00293-UT as required by regulation and the Joint Stipulation in NMPRC Case No. 15-00241-UT, which was the Company’s prior integrated resource plan filing. The triennial filing requires a public advisory process as part of the development of the plan to identify a cost-effective portfolio of resources. The filed plan is subject to written public comments filed with the NMPRC to which the Company responded on October 29, 2018. The Utility Division Staff of the NMPRC is required to file a written recommendation on or about November 16, 2018, as to whether the NMPRC should accept the proposed plan as filed. The NMPRC may accept the plan as compliant with regulation or determine that the plan is not compliant and return it to the Company with instructions for re-filing. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the NMPRC’s review of the plan or the outcome of this case at this time. Issuance of Long-Term Debt, Securities Financing, and Guarantee of Debt. On October 7, 2015, the Company received approval in NMPRC Case No. 15-00280-UT to guarantee the issuance of up to $65.0 million of long-term debt by the Rio Grande Resources Trust II (the "RGRT") to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations, which remains effective. Under this authorization, on June 28, 2018 , the RGRT completed the sale of $65.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025 , as further described below (the "RGRT Notes"). On October 4, 2017, the Company received additional approval in NMPRC Case No. 17-00217-UT to amend and extend the Company's Revolving Credit Facility (the "RCF"), issue up to $350.0 million in long-term debt and to redeem and refinance the $63.5 million 2009 Series A 7.25% Pollution Control Bonds and the $37.1 million 2009 Series B 7.25% Pollution Control Bonds, which have optional redemptions beginning in 2019. The NMPRC approval to issue $350.0 million in long-term debt supersedes its prior approval. Under this authorization, on June 28, 2018 , the Company issued $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 . Additionally, on September 13, 2018, the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee of the RGRT, entered into a $350.0 million third amended and restated credit agreement. See Note L, Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations. Other Required Approvals . The Company has obtained other required approvals for tariffs and other approvals as required by the New Mexico Public Utility Act and the NMPRC. Federal Regulatory Matters Inquiry Regarding the Effect of the TCJA on Commission-Jurisdictional Rates and Order to Show Cause. On March 15, 2018, the FERC issued two show cause orders under Section 206 of the Federal Power Act and Rule 209(a) of the FERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, directing 48 individual public utilities with stated transmission rates or transmission formula rates with a fixed line item of 35% for the federal income tax component to, within 60 days of the date of the orders, either (1) propose revisions to their transmission rates under their open access transmission tariffs or transmission owner tariffs on file with the FERC, or (2) show cause why they should not be required to do so. The Company was included in the list of public utilities impacted by the FERC orders. On May 14, 2018, the Company submitted its response, as required by the FERC order, which demonstrated that the reduced annual income tax does not cause the Company's total transmission revenues to become excessive and therefore no rate reduction was justified. Instead, the Company stated in its response that it will make preparations for a future filing in which it will seek approval for revised Open Access Transmission Tariff ("OATT") rates that would include the recovery of an increased total transmission revenue requirement from OATT customers based on current circumstances and appropriate forward-looking adjustments. The Company expects to file its request for this approval in the third quarter of 2019. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time. Issuance of Long-Term Debt, Securities Financing, and Guarantee of Debt. On October 31, 2017, the FERC issued an order in Docket No. ES17-54-000 approving the Company’s filing to (i) amend and extend the RCF; (ii) issue up to $350.0 million in long-term debt; (iii) guarantee the issuance of up to $65.0 million of long-term debt by the RGRT; and (iv) redeem and refinance the $63.5 million 2009 Series A 7.25% Pollution Control Bonds and the $37.1 million 2009 Series B 7.25% Pollution Control Bonds, which have optional redemptions beginning in 2019. The order also approved the Company's request to continue to utilize the Company's existing RCF with the ability to amend and extend at a future date. The authorization is effective from November 15, 2017, through November 14, 2019, and supersedes prior FERC approvals. Under this authorization, on June 28, 2018 , the Company issued $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 , and the RGRT completed the sale of $65.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025 . Additionally, on September 13, 2018, the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee of the RGRT, entered into a $350.0 million third amended and restated credit agreement. See Note L, Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations. Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates, tariffs and other approvals as required by the FERC.

Palo Verde

Palo Verde	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Palo Verde Generating Station
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Palo Verde	Palo Verde Spent Fuel and Waste Disposal. Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended in 1987, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is legally obligated to accept and dispose of all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by all domestic power reactors by 1998. The DOE's obligations are reflected in a contract for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or High Level Radioactive Waste with each nuclear power plant. The DOE failed to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel by 1998. Pursuant to the terms of the August 18, 2014 settlement agreement, and as amended with the DOE, Arizona Public Service Company ("APS") files annual claims for the period July 1 of the then-previous year to June 30 of the then-current year on behalf of itself and those utilities that share in power and energy entitlements, and bear certain allocated costs, with respect to Palo Verde pursuant to the Arizona Nuclear Power Project Participation Agreement dated August 23, 1973, as amended ("ANPP Participation Agreement"). Palo Verde Operations and Maintenance Expense . Included in "Operations and maintenance" in the Company's Statements of Operations are expenses associated with Palo Verde as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 Three months ended September 30, $ 20,277 $ 20,441 Nine months ended September 30, 67,429 67,980 Twelve months ended September 30, 98,813 97,380

Common Stock

Common Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Common Stock and Earnings Per Share Information	Common Stock Dividends. The Company paid $14.6 million and $13.6 million in quarterly cash dividends during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The Company paid a total of $42.9 million and $56.5 million in quarterly cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. The Company paid a total of $39.7 million and $52.3 million in quarterly cash dividends during the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share . The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data): Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,535,489 40,427,589 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 161,558 123,726 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,697,047 40,551,315 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 73,271 $ 59,684 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (272 ) (234 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 72,999 $ 59,450 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 73,271 $ 59,684 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (272 ) (234 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 72,999 $ 59,450 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 0.36 $ 0.335 Undistributed earnings 1.44 1.135 Basic net income per common share $ 1.80 $ 1.470 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 0.36 $ 0.335 Undistributed earnings 1.43 1.135 Diluted net income per common share $ 1.79 $ 1.470 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,514,961 40,408,100 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 129,532 108,677 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,644,493 40,516,777 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 99,600 $ 91,761 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (366 ) (354 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 99,234 $ 91,407 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 99,600 $ 91,761 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (366 ) (354 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 99,234 $ 91,407 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.055 $ 0.98 Undistributed earnings 1.395 1.28 Basic net income per common share $ 2.450 $ 2.26 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.055 $ 0.98 Undistributed earnings 1.385 1.28 Diluted net income per common share $ 2.440 $ 2.26 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,494,482 40,398,022 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 136,276 100,620 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,630,758 40,498,642 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 106,100 $ 97,417 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (383 ) (387 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 105,717 $ 97,030 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 106,100 $ 97,417 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (383 ) (387 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 105,717 $ 97,030 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.39 $ 1.29 Undistributed earnings 1.22 1.11 Basic net income per common share $ 2.61 $ 2.40 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.39 $ 1.29 Undistributed earnings 1.21 1.11 Diluted net income per common share $ 2.60 $ 2.40 The number of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted stock awards 74,278 71,052 67,288 69,290 66,238 65,707 Performance shares (a) — — 15,326 — 11,494 — ________________________ (a) Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico jurisdictions for years prior to 2013 . For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate was 23.7% and 35.3% , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate was 23.4% and 35.3% , respectively. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company's effective tax rate was 22.8% and 35.0% , respectively. The federal statutory tax rate is 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017. The Company's effective tax rates for all periods in 2018 and 2017 differ from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to capital gains in the decommissioning trusts which are taxed at the federal rate of 20% , the tax benefit of stock incentive plans, the allowance for equity funds used during construction ("AEFUDC"), and state taxes. The results for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 , contain provisional estimates of the impact of the TCJA. These amounts are considered provisional because they use estimates for which tax returns have not yet been filed and because estimated amounts may be impacted by future regulatory and accounting guidance if and when issued. The Company will adjust these provisional amounts as further information becomes available and as we refine our calculations. As permitted by recent guidance issued by the SEC, these adjustments will occur during a reasonable “measurement period” not to exceed twelve months from the date of enactment. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-02 and its impact on regulated utilities. See Note A, Principles of Preparation - New Accounting Standards to be Adopted in the Future, for additional information.

Commitments, Contingencies And

Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties	Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties For a full discussion of commitments and contingencies, see Note K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2017 Form 10-K. In addition, see Notes D and E above and Notes C and E of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2017 Form 10-K regarding matters related to wholesale power sales contracts and transmission contracts subject to regulation and Palo Verde, including decommissioning, spent nuclear fuel and waste disposal, and liability and insurance matters. Power Purchase and Sale Contracts To supplement its own generation and operating reserve requirements and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company engages in power purchase arrangements that may vary in duration and amount based on an evaluation of the Company's resource needs, the economics of the transactions and specific renewable portfolio requirements. For a discussion of power purchase and sale contracts that the Company has entered into with various counterparties, see Note K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2017 Form 10-K. Environmental Matters General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air and greenhouse gas emissions, water discharges, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup liabilities. These laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change through modification or reinterpretation, or the introduction of new laws and regulations, and as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. National Ambient Air Quality Standards ("NAAQS"). Under the Clean Air Act ("CAA"), the U.S Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") sets NAAQS for six criteria pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and sulfur dioxide. On October 1, 2015, the EPA released a final rule tightening the primary and secondary NAAQS for ground-level ozone from its 2008 standard levels of 75 parts per billion ("ppb") to 70 ppb. The EPA published the Final Rule on June 4, 2018, designating El Paso County, Texas, as “attainment/unclassifiable” under the 2015 ozone NAAQS and designating a section of southern Dona Ana County, New Mexico as “nonattainment.” In August, several petitions for review of the Final Rule were filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. One of these petitions, filed by the City of Sunland Park, New Mexico, specifically challenges the “attainment/unclassifiable” designation of El Paso County, Texas. The Company and other intervenors filed and were granted motions to intervene in the challenges to EPA’s 2015 ozone NAAQS designations. States, including New Mexico, that contain any areas designated as nonattainment are required to complete development of implementation plans in the 2020-2021 timeframe. Most nonattainment areas are expected to have until 2020 or 2023 to meet the primary (health) standard, with the exact attainment date varying based on the ozone level in the area. The Company continues to evaluate what impact these final and proposed NAAQS could have on its operations. If the Company is required to install additional equipment to control emissions at its facilities, the NAAQS, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material impact on its operations and financial results. Climate Change. The U.S. federal government has either considered, proposed and/or finalized legislation or regulations limiting greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, including carbon dioxide. In particular, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation to restrict or regulate GHG emissions. In October 2015, the EPA published a rule establishing guidelines for states to regulate CO2 emissions from existing power plants, known as the Clean Power Plan ("CPP"). Legal challenges to the CPP are ongoing. On August 31, 2018, the EPA published a proposal to replace the CPP called the Affordable Clean Energy ("ACE") rule. At this time the Company cannot determine the impact that the CPP, the ACE rule, and related proposals and legal challenges may have on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Litigation

Litigation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Litigation Matters Disclosure	Litigation The Company is involved in various legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. The Company regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, makes provisions in its financial statements for probable liabilities for the eventual disposition of these matters. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, based upon a review of the matters and applicable insurance coverage, the Company believes that none of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. The Company expenses legal costs, including expenses related to loss contingencies, as they are incurred. See Notes D and H above and Notes C and K of the Notes to Financial Statements in the 2017 Form 10-K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company.

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits, Description [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	Employee Benefits The Company adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, effective January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of the new standard, the service cost is included in "Operations and maintenance" in the Company's Statements of Operations. The expected return on plan assets is included in "Investment and interest income, net". The amortization of prior service benefit and amortization of gains are included in "Miscellaneous non-operating income". The amortization of prior service cost and amortization of losses are included in "Miscellaneous non-operating deductions". The interest cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in "Other interest". The provisions in ASU 2017-07 were applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient and used the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the 2017 comparative period as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The Company reclassified $2.1 million to "Operations and maintenance" in the Company’s Statement of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 by increasing (i) "Investment and interest income, net" by $5.3 million , (ii) "Miscellaneous non-operating income" by $2.8 million , (iii) "Miscellaneous non-operating deductions" by $2.1 million , and (iv) "Other interest" by $3.9 million . As a result of the reclassifications, "Operations and maintenance" increased to $2.7 million in service cost from the $0.6 million in net periodic benefit cost previously reported. The Company reclassified $6.2 million to "Operations and maintenance" in the Company’s Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 by increasing (i) "Investment and interest income, net" by $15.8 million , (ii) "Miscellaneous non-operating income" by $8.5 million , (iii) "Miscellaneous non-operating deductions" by $6.3 million , and (iv) "Other interest" by $11.8 million . As a result of the reclassifications, "Operations and maintenance" increased to $8.1 million in service cost from the $1.9 million in net periodic benefit cost previously reported. The Company reclassified $8.5 million to "Operations and maintenance" in the Company’s Statement of Operations for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017 by increasing (i) "Investment and interest income, net" by $21.0 million , (ii) "Miscellaneous non-operating income" by $11.3 million , (iii) "Miscellaneous non-operating deductions" by $8.2 million , and (iv) "Other interest" by $15.6 million . As a result of the reclassifications, "Operations and maintenance" increased to $10.7 million in service cost from the $2.2 million in net periodic benefit cost previously reported. Retirement Plans The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 2,801 $ 2,129 $ 8,316 $ 6,388 $ 10,446 $ 8,388 Interest cost 3,214 3,264 9,659 9,794 12,924 13,053 Expected return on plan assets (5,176 ) (4,797 ) (15,806 ) (14,392 ) (20,603 ) (19,112 ) Amortization of: Net loss 2,214 2,114 6,414 6,341 8,527 8,175 Prior service benefit (875 ) (877 ) (2,630 ) (2,630 ) (3,506 ) (3,506 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 2,178 $ 1,833 $ 5,953 $ 5,501 $ 7,788 $ 6,998 During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company contributed $8.7 million of its projected $9.4 million 2018 annual contribution to its retirement plans. Other Postretirement Benefits The net periodic benefit recognized for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , is made up of the components listed below (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Components of net periodic benefit: Service cost $ 696 $ 559 $ 2,096 $ 1,677 $ 2,655 $ 2,267 Interest cost 559 680 1,689 2,042 2,370 2,593 Expected return on plan assets (602 ) (477 ) (1,827 ) (1,430 ) (2,304 ) (1,893 ) Amortization of: Prior service benefit (1,538 ) (1,537 ) (4,613 ) (4,613 ) (6,151 ) (6,151 ) Net gain (574 ) (419 ) (1,624 ) (1,258 ) (2,044 ) (1,659 ) Net periodic benefit $ (1,459 ) $ (1,194 ) $ (4,279 ) $ (3,582 ) $ (5,474 ) $ (4,843 ) During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company contributed $0.3 million of its projected $0.5 million 2018 annual contribution to its other postretirement benefits plan.

Financial Instruments And Inves

Financial Instruments And Investments (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Investments	Financial Instruments and Investments The FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company has determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the Company's RCF, accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items. Investments in debt securities and decommissioning trust funds are carried at estimated fair value. Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF. The fair values of the Company's long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Pollution Control Bonds $ 157,746 $ 163,151 $ 157,676 $ 169,186 Senior Notes (1) 1,117,968 1,221,480 993,426 1,211,922 RGRT Senior Notes (1)(2) 109,540 110,535 44,886 47,070 RCF (2) 19,362 19,362 173,533 173,533 Total $ 1,404,616 $ 1,514,528 $ 1,369,521 $ 1,601,711 _______________ (1) On June 28, 2018, the Company issued $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 and guaranteed the issuance by the RGRT of $65 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025. See Note L, Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations. (2) Nuclear fuel financing, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , is funded through $110 million and $45 million RGRT Senior Notes and $19.4 million and $88.5 million , respectively, under the RCF. As of September 30, 2018 , no borrowings were outstanding under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017 , $85.0 million , was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company's borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting c urrent market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value. Marketable Securities. The Company's marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, are reported at fair value which was $297.0 million and $286.9 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The investments in the Company's Palo Verde nuclear decommissioning trust funds ("NDT") are classified as available for sale debt securities, equity securities and cash and cash equivalents. These investments are recorded at their estimated fair value in accordance with FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall, which eliminates the requirements to classify investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values as trading or available for sale and requires entities to recognize changes in fair value for these securities in net income as reported in the Statements of Operations. ASU 2016-01 requires a modified-retrospective approach and therefore, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on securities classified as available for sale whose impairment the Company has deemed to be temporary. The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands): September 30, 2018 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Description of Securities (1) : Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 9,621 $ (246 ) $ 15,417 $ (604 ) $ 25,038 $ (850 ) U.S. Government Bonds 19,828 (516 ) 27,478 (1,969 ) 47,306 (2,485 ) Municipal Debt Obligations 4,327 (153 ) 8,131 (747 ) 12,458 (900 ) Corporate Debt Obligations 27,701 (913 ) 3,978 (388 ) 31,679 (1,301 ) Total $ 61,477 $ (1,828 ) $ 55,004 $ (3,708 ) $ 116,481 $ (5,536 ) _________________ (1) Includes 163 securities. December 31, 2017 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Description of Securities (2) : Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 4,700 $ (46 ) $ 10,099 $ (165 ) $ 14,799 $ (211 ) U.S. Government Bonds 28,866 (416 ) 18,186 (969 ) 47,052 (1,385 ) Municipal Debt Obligations 4,290 (73 ) 9,736 (742 ) 14,026 (815 ) Corporate Debt Obligations 10,685 (107 ) 4,475 (331 ) 15,160 (438 ) Total Debt Securities 48,541 (642 ) 42,496 (2,207 ) 91,037 (2,849 ) Domestic Equity Securities 962 (210 ) — — 962 (210 ) Total $ 49,503 $ (852 ) $ 42,496 $ (2,207 ) $ 91,999 $ (3,059 ) _________________ (2) Includes 146 securities. The Company monitors the length of time specific securities trade below their cost basis along with the amount and percentage of the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value below recorded cost of debt securities classified as available for sale is considered to be other than temporary. The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its available for sale debt securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance with the FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. The Company does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when decommissioning of Palo Verde begins. For the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company did not recognize any other than temporary impairment losses on its available-for-sale securities. Investments categorized as available for sale securities also include gross unrealized gains which have not been recognized in the Company's net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Unrealized Gains Fair Value Unrealized Gains Description of Securities: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 2,169 $ 76 $ 5,933 $ 203 U.S. Government Bonds 1,615 50 11,129 256 Municipal Debt Obligations 2,005 79 2,558 109 Corporate Debt Obligations 8,320 317 19,514 1,067 Total Debt Securities 14,109 522 39,134 1,635 Domestic Equity Securities — — 120,065 45,587 International Equity Securities — — 28,804 5,908 Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 6,864 — Total $ 14,109 $ 522 $ 194,867 $ 53,130 The Company's marketable securities include investments in mortgage backed securities, municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations. The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2018 , is as follows (in thousands): Total 2018 2019 2023 through 2027 2028 and Beyond Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 27,207 $ — $ 8 $ 228 $ 26,971 U.S. Government Bonds 48,921 1,228 27,157 11,148 9,388 Municipal Debt Obligations 14,463 104 5,498 5,716 3,145 Corporate Debt Obligations 39,999 — 17,764 9,968 12,267 The Company's available for sale securities in the NDT are sold from time to time and the Company uses the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify from AOCI into net income. The proceeds from the sale of these securities during the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Proceeds from sales or maturities of available-for-sale securities $ 7,451 $ 13,967 $ 21,816 $ 76,498 $ 42,355 $ 107,601 Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income $ — $ 1,797 $ 9 $ 9,706 $ 2,076 $ 12,231 Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income (443 ) (32 ) (1,117 ) (584 ) (1,680 ) (1,039 ) Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income — — — — — — Net gains (losses) included in pre-tax income $ (443 ) $ 1,765 $ (1,108 ) $ 9,122 $ 396 $ 11,192 Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall, on January 1, 2018, the Company records, on a modified-retrospective basis, changes in fair market value for equity securities held in the NDT in the Statements of Operations. The unrealized gains and losses recognized during the three and nine months ended , September 30, 2018 and related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Net gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 9,533 $ 10,791 Less: Net gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities sold 3,005 7,061 Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities still held at reporting date $ 6,528 $ 3,730 Fair Value Measurements. The FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company's decommissioning trust investments and investments in debt securities which are included in deferred charges and other assets on the Balance Sheets. The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The FASB guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows: • Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the NDT investments in active exchange-traded equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. Treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market. The Institutional Funds are valued using the Net Asset Value ("NAV") provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV price is quoted on a restrictive market although the underlying investments are traded on active markets. The NAV used for determining the fair value of the Institutional Funds-International Equity investments have readily determinable fair values. Accordingly, such fund values are categorized as Level 1. • Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the NDT investments in fixed income securities. The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences. • Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company analysis using models and various other analysis. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs are the Company's investment in debt securities. The securities in the NDT are valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the "market approach" with observable inputs. The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other than temporary. The fair value of the NDT and investments in debt securities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by the FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands): Description of Securities Fair Value as of September 30, 2018 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Trading Securities: Investments in Debt Securities $ 1,681 $ — $ — $ 1,681 Equity Securities: Domestic $ 127,966 $ 127,966 $ — $ — International 28,229 28,229 — — Total Equity Securities 156,195 156,195 — — Available for Sale Debt Securities: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities 27,207 — 27,207 — U.S. Government Bonds 48,921 48,921 — — Municipal Debt Obligations 14,463 — 14,463 — Corporate Debt Obligations 39,999 — 39,999 — Total Available for Sale Debt Securities 130,590 48,921 81,669 — Cash and Cash Equivalents 10,245 10,245 — — Total $ 297,030 $ 215,361 $ 81,669 $ — Description of Securities Fair Value as of December 31, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Trading Securities: Investments in Debt Securities $ 1,735 $ — $ — $ 1,735 Available for Sale: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 20,732 $ — $ 20,732 $ — U.S. Government Bonds 58,181 58,181 — — Municipal Debt Obligations 16,584 — 16,584 — Corporate Debt Obligations 34,674 — 34,674 — Subtotal, Debt Securities 130,171 58,181 71,990 — Domestic 121,027 121,027 — — International 28,804 28,804 — — Subtotal, Equity Securities 149,831 149,831 — — Cash and Cash Equivalents 6,864 6,864 — — Total $ 286,866 $ 214,876 $ 71,990 $ — There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories due to changes in observable inputs during the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . There were no purchases, sales, issuances and settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 .

Long-Term Debt and Financing Ob

Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations $125 Million Senior Notes. On June 28, 2018 , the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with several institutional purchasers under which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 (the "Notes"). The net proceeds from the issuance of these senior notes were used to repay outstanding short-term borrowings under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company will pay interest on the Notes semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year until maturity, beginning on February 15, 2019. The Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed together with the interest on such principal amount accrued to the date of redemption, plus a make-whole amount based on the prevailing market interest rates. $65 Million RGRT Senior Guaranteed Notes. On June 28, 2018 , the RGRT, a Texas grantor trust through which the Company finances its portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde, and the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the "RGRT Agreement") with several institutional purchasers. Under the terms of the RGRT Agreement, the RGRT issued and sold $65 million aggregate principal amount of 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025 (the "RGRT Notes"). The net proceeds from the RGRT Notes were used to repay outstanding short-term borrowings under the RCF to finance nuclear fuel purchases. The Company guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on the RGRT Notes. RGRT’s assets, liabilities and operations are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements and the RGRT Notes are included as long-term debt on the balance sheet. The RGRT will pay interest on the RGRT Notes semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year until maturity, beginning on February 15, 2019. The RGRT may redeem the RGRT Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed together with the interest on such principal amount accrued to the date of redemption, plus a make-whole amount based on the prevailing market interest rates. The issuance sale of both the Notes and the RGRT Notes was made in reliance on a private placement exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Revolving Credit Facility. On September 13, 2018 , the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee of the RGRT, entered into a third amended and restated credit agreement (the "RCF Agreement") with MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as syndication agent, various issuing banks party thereto and various lending banks party thereto. Under the terms of the RCF Agreement, the Company has available a $350 million RCF with a $50 million subfacility for the issuance of letters of credit, and extended the term of the Company's existing $350 million revolving credit agreement from January 14, 2020 to September 13, 2023 (the "Maturity Date"). The Company may increase the RCF by up to $50 million (to a total of $400 million ) during the term of the RCF Agreement, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions more fully set forth in the RCF Agreement, including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party financial institutions. In addition, the Company may extend the Maturity Date up to two times, in each case for an additional one -year period, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions more fully set forth in the RCF Agreement, including requisite lender approval. The RCF Agreement provides that amounts borrowed by the Company may be used for, among other things, working capital and general corporate purposes. Any amounts borrowed by the RGRT may be used, among other things, to finance the acquisition and cost to process nuclear fuel. Amounts borrowed by the RGRT are guaranteed by the Company and the balance borrowed under the RCF Agreement is recorded as short-term borrowings on the balance sheet. The RCF Agreement is unsecured. The RCF Agreement requires compliance with certain covenants, including a total debt to capitalization ratio. The Company is in compliance with these requirements.

Principles Of Preparation (Poli

Principles Of Preparation (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reclassification, Policy	Reclassification . Certain amounts in the financial statements for 2017 have been reclassified to conform with the 2018 presentation. The Company implemented Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, and ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, in the first quarter of 2018, retrospective to all periods presented in the Company's financial statements. See "New Accounting Standards Adopted" below for further details.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company evaluates its estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to depreciation, unbilled revenue, income taxes, fuel costs, pension and other post-retirement obligations and asset retirement obligations ("AROs"). Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition, Policy	Revenues . The Company recognizes revenue associated with contracts with customers when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Unbilled revenues are recorded for estimated amounts of energy delivered in the period following the customer's last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kilowatt-hour ("kWh") to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $31.0 million at September 30, 2018 and $22.2 million at December 31, 2017 . The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its statements of operations. The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company has elected the optional invoice practical expedient for Wholesale and Wheeling revenues, as the invoice amount will correspond directly to the value provided by the Company's performance to date. Retail. Retail contracts represent the Company's primary revenue source. The Company has determined that retail electric service to residential, commercial and industrial, and public authority customers represents an implied daily contract with the customer. The contract is comprised of an obligation to supply and distribute electricity and related capacity. Revenue is recognized, over time, equal to the product of the applicable tariff rates, as approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the "PUCT") and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, (the "NMPRC"), and the volume of the electricity delivered to the customer, or through the passage of time based upon providing the service of standing ready. Unbilled revenues are recognized at month end based on estimated monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue per kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed to customers, and recorded as a receivable for the period following the last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Retail customers receive a bill monthly, with payment due sixteen days after issuance. Wholesale. Wholesale contracts primarily include forward power sales into markets outside the Company’s service territory when the Company has competitive generation capacity available, after meeting its regulated service obligations. Pricing is either fixed or based on an index rate with consideration potentially including variable components. Uncertainties regarding the variable consideration will be resolved when the transaction price is known at the point of delivering the energy. The obligation to deliver the electricity is satisfied over time as the customer receives and consumes the electricity. Wholesale customers are invoiced on the 10 th day of each month, with payment due by the 20 th day of the month. In the case of the sale of renewable energy certificates, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligation to deliver the confirmed quantity of the certificates based on the stand alone selling price of each certificate. Revenue is recognized as control of the certificates is transferred to the customer. The customer is invoiced upon the completed transfer of the certificates, with payment due within ten business days. Wholesale also includes an annual agreement between the Company and one of its wholesale customers, Rio Grande Electric Cooperative ("RGEC"), which involves the provision of full requirements electric service from the Company to RGEC. The rates for this service are recalculated annually and require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") approval. Wheeling (transmission). Wheeling involves the Company providing point-to-point transmission service, which includes the receipt of capacity and energy at designated point(s) and the transfer of such capacity and energy to designated point(s) of delivery on either a firm or non-firm basis for periods of one year or less. The performance obligation to provide capacity and transmit energy is satisfied over time as the Company performs. Transmission customers are invoiced on a monthly basis, with payment due within twenty days of receipt of the invoice.
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization, Policy	Depreciation. The Company routinely evaluates the depreciable service lives, cost of removal and salvage values of its property, plant and equipment. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the assets (ranging in average from 5 to 48 years). When property subject to composite depreciation is retired or otherwise disposed of in the normal course of business, its cost together with the cost of removal, less salvage is charged to accumulated depreciation. For other property dispositions, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the balance sheet accounts and a gain or loss is recognized.
New Accounting Standards, Policy	New Accounting Standards Adopted In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards either as equity or liabilities, and classification on the statements of cash flows. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The cumulative effect of the adoption of the new standard was to increase net operating loss carryforward ("NOL carryforward") deferred tax assets and retained earnings by $0.2 million on January 1, 2017. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to provide a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance, and has since modified the standard with several ASUs. The standard provides that an entity should recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard using the modified retrospective method. There was no cumulative effect adjustment at the initial application of the new standard. In addition, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company expects the ongoing impact of the new standard to be immaterial to net income. As required by the standard, revenues of $5.9 million related to reimbursed costs of energy efficiency programs approved by the Company's regulators are reported in year-to-date operating revenues from customers prospectively, as opposed to being offset with associated costs within operations and maintenance. Related expenses of an equal amount are reported in operations and maintenance expenses. See Note B, Revenues, for additional information. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities, to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments by addressing certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 eliminates the requirements to classify investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values into trading or available for sale and requires entities to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in the Statements of Operations. ASU 2016-01 requires a modified retrospective approach and therefore comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Upon adoption of the new standard, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to increase retained earnings by $41.0 million with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). In addition, the Company recorded net gains of $3.7 million related to equity securities still held at September 30, 2018 . In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-04, Investments - Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980), which provides clarification to ASU 2016-01. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. ASU 2016-15 was applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Accordingly, the Company presented in the Statement of Cash Flows insurance proceeds received for equipment of $5.4 million and $8.1 million , respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 as cash inflows from investing activities. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, to require companies to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the income statement line items where compensation cost is reported. Companies will present all other components of net benefit cost separately from the line item(s) that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 were applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient and used the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the 2017 comparative period as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. See Note J, Employee Benefits, for additional information. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), to add various SEC paragraphs for clarification due to the federal legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("TCJA"). The Company adopted ASU 2018-05 upon issuance and implemented SAB 118 in December of 2017 in conjunction with the enactment of the TCJA. 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 (Topic 350). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for a cloud computing arrangement with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for an internal use software license. Implementation costs for a cloud computing arrangement will be capitalized or expensed based on the nature of the costs and the project’s stage in which they are incurred by applying the existing guidance for internal use software implementation costs. Capitalized costs for a cloud computing arrangement will be presented on the same line of the balance sheet as any related prepaid amounts for the arrangement, while amortization of those costs will be presented on the same line of the income statement as the related hosting fees. Early adoption is permitted, and entities may apply the guidance either prospectively to eligible costs incurred on or after the effective date or retrospectively. The Company early-adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2018, on a prospective basis, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. New Accounting Standards to be Adopted in the Future In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring qualitative and quantitative disclosures on leasing agreements. ASU 2016-02 maintains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases similar to the distinction under previous lease guidance for capital leases and operating leases. The impact of leases reported in the Company's operating results and statement of cash flows is expected to be similar to previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition in the statement of financial position, by the lessee, of a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. How leases are recorded in regard to financial position represents a significant change from previous GAAP guidance. The lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases. Adoption of the new lease accounting standard will require the Company to apply the new standard to the earliest period using a modified retrospective approach. The Company continues to monitor activities of the FASB, including the impact of ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical expedient for Transition to Topic 842, ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, and the proposed update related to narrow scope improvements for lessors. ASU 2018-11 allows entities to adopt the standard with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the adoption year, while maintaining prior year comparative financial information and disclosures as reported. ASU 2018-01 provides an optional practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under Topic 842, if those land easements were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC Topic 840. The Company currently anticipates that it will apply the practical expedient under ASU 2018-01 to its existing or expired land easements as part of its transition to Topic 842. The Company's implementation process is continuing and includes finalizing the following activities: the analysis of the Company's lease population, the implementation of a new lease accounting system, the determination of the transition method and practical expedients that will be applied, and evaluating the impact, if any, on changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 changes how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets that are in the scope of the standard. The ASU also makes targeted amendments to the current impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. ASU 2016-13 will be required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. ASU 2016-13 will be applied in a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is implemented. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of ASU 2016-13. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), as a result of concerns raised due to the TCJA. More specifically, because the remeasurement of deferred taxes due to the change in the federal corporate income tax rate is required to be included in income from continuing operations, the tax effects of items within AOCI (referred to as stranded tax effects) do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. ASU 2018-02 generally allows companies to reclassify stranded taxes from AOCI to retained earnings. The amount of the adjustment would be the difference between the historical federal corporate income tax rate of 35% and the newly enacted 21% federal corporate income tax rate. The provisions of ASU 2018-02 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within that reporting period beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim periods for reporting periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2018-02 and its impact on regulated utilities. At September 30, 2018 , stranded taxes in AOCI are approximately $7.2 million .

Revenue Recognition (Policies)

Revenue Recognition (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition, Policy	Revenues . The Company recognizes revenue associated with contracts with customers when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Unbilled revenues are recorded for estimated amounts of energy delivered in the period following the customer's last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue/kilowatt-hour ("kWh") to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues of $31.0 million at September 30, 2018 and $22.2 million at December 31, 2017 . The Company presents revenues net of sales taxes in its statements of operations. The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer are satisfied. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company receives in exchange for transferring goods or providing services to the customer. Taxes collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company has elected the optional invoice practical expedient for Wholesale and Wheeling revenues, as the invoice amount will correspond directly to the value provided by the Company's performance to date. Retail. Retail contracts represent the Company's primary revenue source. The Company has determined that retail electric service to residential, commercial and industrial, and public authority customers represents an implied daily contract with the customer. The contract is comprised of an obligation to supply and distribute electricity and related capacity. Revenue is recognized, over time, equal to the product of the applicable tariff rates, as approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the "PUCT") and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, (the "NMPRC"), and the volume of the electricity delivered to the customer, or through the passage of time based upon providing the service of standing ready. Unbilled revenues are recognized at month end based on estimated monthly generation volumes and by applying an average revenue per kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed to customers, and recorded as a receivable for the period following the last billing cycle to the end of the reporting period. Retail customers receive a bill monthly, with payment due sixteen days after issuance. Wholesale. Wholesale contracts primarily include forward power sales into markets outside the Company’s service territory when the Company has competitive generation capacity available, after meeting its regulated service obligations. Pricing is either fixed or based on an index rate with consideration potentially including variable components. Uncertainties regarding the variable consideration will be resolved when the transaction price is known at the point of delivering the energy. The obligation to deliver the electricity is satisfied over time as the customer receives and consumes the electricity. Wholesale customers are invoiced on the 10 th day of each month, with payment due by the 20 th day of the month. In the case of the sale of renewable energy certificates, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligation to deliver the confirmed quantity of the certificates based on the stand alone selling price of each certificate. Revenue is recognized as control of the certificates is transferred to the customer. The customer is invoiced upon the completed transfer of the certificates, with payment due within ten business days. Wholesale also includes an annual agreement between the Company and one of its wholesale customers, Rio Grande Electric Cooperative ("RGEC"), which involves the provision of full requirements electric service from the Company to RGEC. The rates for this service are recalculated annually and require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") approval. Wheeling (transmission). Wheeling involves the Company providing point-to-point transmission service, which includes the receipt of capacity and energy at designated point(s) and the transfer of such capacity and energy to designated point(s) of delivery on either a firm or non-firm basis for periods of one year or less. The performance obligation to provide capacity and transmit energy is satisfied over time as the Company performs. Transmission customers are invoiced on a monthly basis, with payment due within twenty days of receipt of the invoice.

Revenues Alternative Revenue Pr

Revenues Alternative Revenue Programs (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition for Alternative Revenue Programs, Policy	alternative revenue program revenue relating to the Company’s potential bonus awards from the PUCT and the NMPRC mandated energy efficiency programs. Both the PUCT and the NMPRC allow for the potential to earn an incentive bonus if the Company achieves its approved energy efficiency goals under the applicable programs. The Company recognizes revenue related to the energy efficiency program incentives at the point in time that the amount is objectively determinable generally based upon an approved order from the regulator, is probable of recovery, and if it is expected to be collected within 24 months .

Principles Of Preparation (Tabl

Principles Of Preparation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Cash paid for: Interest on long-term debt and borrowings under the revolving credit facility $ 47,479 $ 47,412 Income tax paid, net 2,480 1,576 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Changes in accrued plant additions 9,347 (6,228 ) Grants of restricted shares of common stock 1,030 1,171 Issuance of performance shares 1,499 932

Revenues (Table)

Revenues (Table)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers, for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands): September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Retail $ 265,971 $ 633,578 $ 807,626 Wholesale 28,253 63,354 79,456 Wheeling (transmission) 5,145 13,578 17,981 Total revenues from contracts with customers 299,369 710,510 905,063 Other 902 2,270 3,866 Total operating revenues $ 300,271 $ 712,780 $ 908,929

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall, the Company recorded, on January 1, 2018, a cumulative effect adjustment, net of income taxes, to increase retained earnings by $41.0 million with an offset to AOCI. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) by component are presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Debt Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (19,124 ) $ (3,478 ) $ (11,144 ) $ (33,746 ) $ (24,915 ) $ 32,296 $ (11,514 ) $ (4,133 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — (764 ) — (764 ) — 4,768 — 4,768 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (599 ) 364 112 (123 ) (457 ) (1,413 ) 85 (1,785 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (17,790 ) $ 40,190 $ (11,342 ) $ 11,058 $ (23,928 ) $ 28,463 $ (11,651 ) $ (7,116 ) Cumulative effect adjustment — (41,028 ) — (41,028 ) — — — — Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — (3,923 ) — (3,923 ) — 14,491 — 14,491 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,933 ) 883 310 (740 ) (1,444 ) (7,303 ) 222 (8,525 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2018 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2017 Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrecognized Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Costs Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities Net Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at beginning of period as previously reported $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 ) $ (31,336 ) $ 30,731 $ (11,732 ) $ (12,337 ) Cumulative effect adjustment — (41,028 ) — (41,028 ) — — — — Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 7,951 1,837 — 9,788 7,363 13,936 — 21,299 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (2,302 ) (338 ) 397 (2,243 ) (1,399 ) (9,016 ) 303 (10,112 ) Balance at end of period $ (19,723 ) $ (3,878 ) $ (11,032 ) $ (34,633 ) $ (25,372 ) $ 35,651 $ (11,429 ) $ (1,150 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Twelve Months Ended September 30, Affected Line Item in the Statements of Operations 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Amortization of pension and post-retirement benefit costs: Prior service benefit $ 2,413 $ 2,414 $ 7,243 $ 7,243 $ 9,657 $ 9,657 Miscellaneous non-operating income Net loss (1,640 ) (1,695 ) (4,790 ) (5,083 ) (6,483 ) (6,516 ) Miscellaneous non-operating deductions 773 719 2,453 2,160 3,174 3,141 Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect (174 ) (262 ) (520 ) (716 ) (872 ) (1,742 ) Income tax (benefit) expense 599 457 1,933 1,444 2,302 1,399 Net income (loss) Marketable securities: Net realized gain (loss) on sale of securities (443 ) 1,765 (1,108 ) 9,122 396 11,192 Investment and interest income, net (443 ) 1,765 (1,108 ) 9,122 396 11,192 Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect 79 (352 ) 225 (1,819 ) (58 ) (2,176 ) Income tax (benefit) expense (364 ) 1,413 (883 ) 7,303 338 9,016 Net income (loss) Loss on cash flow hedge: Amortization of loss (144 ) (134 ) (423 ) (396 ) (559 ) (523 ) Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility (144 ) (134 ) (423 ) (396 ) (559 ) (523 ) Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax effect 32 49 113 174 162 220 Income tax (benefit) expense (112 ) (85 ) (310 ) (222 ) (397 ) (303 ) Net income (loss) Total reclassifications $ 123 $ 1,785 $ 740 $ 8,525 $ 2,243 $ 10,112

Palo Verde Palo Verde (Tables)

Palo Verde Palo Verde (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Palo Verde Generating Station
Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items]
Schedule of Jointly Owned Utility Plants	Palo Verde Operations and Maintenance Expense . Included in "Operations and maintenance" in the Company's Statements of Operations are expenses associated with Palo Verde as follows (in thousands): 2018 2017 Three months ended September 30, $ 20,277 $ 20,441 Nine months ended September 30, 67,429 67,980 Twelve months ended September 30, 98,813 97,380

Common Stock (Tables)

Common Stock (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share . The basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below (in thousands except for share data): Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,535,489 40,427,589 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 161,558 123,726 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,697,047 40,551,315 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 73,271 $ 59,684 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (272 ) (234 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 72,999 $ 59,450 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 73,271 $ 59,684 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (272 ) (234 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 72,999 $ 59,450 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 0.36 $ 0.335 Undistributed earnings 1.44 1.135 Basic net income per common share $ 1.80 $ 1.470 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 0.36 $ 0.335 Undistributed earnings 1.43 1.135 Diluted net income per common share $ 1.79 $ 1.470 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,514,961 40,408,100 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 129,532 108,677 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,644,493 40,516,777 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 99,600 $ 91,761 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (366 ) (354 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 99,234 $ 91,407 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 99,600 $ 91,761 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (366 ) (354 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 99,234 $ 91,407 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.055 $ 0.98 Undistributed earnings 1.395 1.28 Basic net income per common share $ 2.450 $ 2.26 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.055 $ 0.98 Undistributed earnings 1.385 1.28 Diluted net income per common share $ 2.440 $ 2.26 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic number of common shares outstanding 40,494,482 40,398,022 Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards 136,276 100,620 Diluted number of common shares outstanding 40,630,758 40,498,642 Basic net income per common share: Net income $ 106,100 $ 97,417 Income allocated to participating restricted stock (383 ) (387 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 105,717 $ 97,030 Diluted net income per common share: Net income $ 106,100 $ 97,417 Income reallocated to participating restricted stock (383 ) (387 ) Net income available to common shareholders $ 105,717 $ 97,030 Basic net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.39 $ 1.29 Undistributed earnings 1.22 1.11 Basic net income per common share $ 2.61 $ 2.40 Diluted net income per common share: Distributed earnings $ 1.39 $ 1.29 Undistributed earnings 1.21 1.11 Diluted net income per common share $ 2.60 $ 2.40
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share	The number of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Restricted stock awards 74,278 71,052 67,288 69,290 66,238 65,707 Performance shares (a) — — 15,326 — 11,494 — ________________________ (a) Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period.

Employee Benefits (Tables)

Employee Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	The net periodic benefit cost recognized for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , is made up of the components listed below as determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 2,801 $ 2,129 $ 8,316 $ 6,388 $ 10,446 $ 8,388 Interest cost 3,214 3,264 9,659 9,794 12,924 13,053 Expected return on plan assets (5,176 ) (4,797 ) (15,806 ) (14,392 ) (20,603 ) (19,112 ) Amortization of: Net loss 2,214 2,114 6,414 6,341 8,527 8,175 Prior service benefit (875 ) (877 ) (2,630 ) (2,630 ) (3,506 ) (3,506 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 2,178 $ 1,833 $ 5,953 $ 5,501 $ 7,788 $ 6,998
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	The net periodic benefit recognized for the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , is made up of the components listed below (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Components of net periodic benefit: Service cost $ 696 $ 559 $ 2,096 $ 1,677 $ 2,655 $ 2,267 Interest cost 559 680 1,689 2,042 2,370 2,593 Expected return on plan assets (602 ) (477 ) (1,827 ) (1,430 ) (2,304 ) (1,893 ) Amortization of: Prior service benefit (1,538 ) (1,537 ) (4,613 ) (4,613 ) (6,151 ) (6,151 ) Net gain (574 ) (419 ) (1,624 ) (1,258 ) (2,044 ) (1,659 ) Net periodic benefit $ (1,459 ) $ (1,194 ) $ (4,279 ) $ (3,582 ) $ (5,474 ) $ (4,843 )

Financial Instruments And Inv_2

Financial Instruments And Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Line Items]
Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt And Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF	The fair values of the Company's long-term debt and short-term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Pollution Control Bonds $ 157,746 $ 163,151 $ 157,676 $ 169,186 Senior Notes (1) 1,117,968 1,221,480 993,426 1,211,922 RGRT Senior Notes (1)(2) 109,540 110,535 44,886 47,070 RCF (2) 19,362 19,362 173,533 173,533 Total $ 1,404,616 $ 1,514,528 $ 1,369,521 $ 1,601,711 _______________ (1) On June 28, 2018, the Company issued $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 and guaranteed the issuance by the RGRT of $65 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025. See Note L, Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations. (2) Nuclear fuel financing, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , is funded through $110 million and $45 million RGRT Senior Notes and $19.4 million and $88.5 million , respectively, under the RCF. As of September 30, 2018 , no borrowings were outstanding under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017 , $85.0 million , was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company's borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting c urrent market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.
Unrecognized Gross Unrealized Gains (Losses) And the Fair Value	The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands): September 30, 2018 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Description of Securities (1) : Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 9,621 $ (246 ) $ 15,417 $ (604 ) $ 25,038 $ (850 ) U.S. Government Bonds 19,828 (516 ) 27,478 (1,969 ) 47,306 (2,485 ) Municipal Debt Obligations 4,327 (153 ) 8,131 (747 ) 12,458 (900 ) Corporate Debt Obligations 27,701 (913 ) 3,978 (388 ) 31,679 (1,301 ) Total $ 61,477 $ (1,828 ) $ 55,004 $ (3,708 ) $ 116,481 $ (5,536 ) _________________ (1) Includes 163 securities. December 31, 2017 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Description of Securities (2) : Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 4,700 $ (46 ) $ 10,099 $ (165 ) $ 14,799 $ (211 ) U.S. Government Bonds 28,866 (416 ) 18,186 (969 ) 47,052 (1,385 ) Municipal Debt Obligations 4,290 (73 ) 9,736 (742 ) 14,026 (815 ) Corporate Debt Obligations 10,685 (107 ) 4,475 (331 ) 15,160 (438 ) Total Debt Securities 48,541 (642 ) 42,496 (2,207 ) 91,037 (2,849 ) Domestic Equity Securities 962 (210 ) — — 962 (210 ) Total $ 49,503 $ (852 ) $ 42,496 $ (2,207 ) $ 91,999 $ (3,059 ) _________________ (2) Includes 146 securities.
Marketable Securities Fair Value and Unrecognized Gross Unrealized Gain	The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment category (in thousands): September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Unrealized Gains Fair Value Unrealized Gains Description of Securities: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 2,169 $ 76 $ 5,933 $ 203 U.S. Government Bonds 1,615 50 11,129 256 Municipal Debt Obligations 2,005 79 2,558 109 Corporate Debt Obligations 8,320 317 19,514 1,067 Total Debt Securities 14,109 522 39,134 1,635 Domestic Equity Securities — — 120,065 45,587 International Equity Securities — — 28,804 5,908 Cash and Cash Equivalents — — 6,864 — Total $ 14,109 $ 522 $ 194,867 $ 53,130
Sale of Securities And The Related Effects On Pre-Tax Income	The proceeds from the sale of these securities during the three, nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 Proceeds from sales or maturities of available-for-sale securities $ 7,451 $ 13,967 $ 21,816 $ 76,498 $ 42,355 $ 107,601 Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income $ — $ 1,797 $ 9 $ 9,706 $ 2,076 $ 12,231 Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income (443 ) (32 ) (1,117 ) (584 ) (1,680 ) (1,039 ) Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income — — — — — — Net gains (losses) included in pre-tax income $ (443 ) $ 1,765 $ (1,108 ) $ 9,122 $ 396 $ 11,192
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure	The fair value of the NDT and investments in debt securities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , and the level within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by the FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands): Description of Securities Fair Value as of September 30, 2018 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Trading Securities: Investments in Debt Securities $ 1,681 $ — $ — $ 1,681 Equity Securities: Domestic $ 127,966 $ 127,966 $ — $ — International 28,229 28,229 — — Total Equity Securities 156,195 156,195 — — Available for Sale Debt Securities: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities 27,207 — 27,207 — U.S. Government Bonds 48,921 48,921 — — Municipal Debt Obligations 14,463 — 14,463 — Corporate Debt Obligations 39,999 — 39,999 — Total Available for Sale Debt Securities 130,590 48,921 81,669 — Cash and Cash Equivalents 10,245 10,245 — — Total $ 297,030 $ 215,361 $ 81,669 $ — Description of Securities Fair Value as of December 31, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Trading Securities: Investments in Debt Securities $ 1,735 $ — $ — $ 1,735 Available for Sale: Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 20,732 $ — $ 20,732 $ — U.S. Government Bonds 58,181 58,181 — — Municipal Debt Obligations 16,584 — 16,584 — Corporate Debt Obligations 34,674 — 34,674 — Subtotal, Debt Securities 130,171 58,181 71,990 — Domestic 121,027 121,027 — — International 28,804 28,804 — — Subtotal, Equity Securities 149,831 149,831 — — Cash and Cash Equivalents 6,864 6,864 — — Total $ 286,866 $ 214,876 $ 71,990 $ —
Available-for-sale Securities
Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Line Items]
Contractual Year For Maturity Of Available-For-Sale Securities	The contractual year for maturity of these available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2018 , is as follows (in thousands): Total 2018 2019 2023 through 2027 2028 and Beyond Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities $ 27,207 $ — $ 8 $ 228 $ 26,971 U.S. Government Bonds 48,921 1,228 27,157 11,148 9,388 Municipal Debt Obligations 14,463 104 5,498 5,716 3,145 Corporate Debt Obligations 39,999 — 17,764 9,968 12,267
Equity Securities
Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments	The unrealized gains and losses recognized during the three and nine months ended , September 30, 2018 and related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Net gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 9,533 $ 10,791 Less: Net gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities sold 3,005 7,061 Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities still held at reporting date $ 6,528 $ 3,730

Principles Of Preparation (Accr

Principles Of Preparation (Accrued Unbilled Revenues) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accrued unbilled revenues	$ 31	$ 22.2

Principles Of Preparation (Depr

Principles Of Preparation (Depreciation) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	48 years

Principles Of Preparation Narra

Principles Of Preparation Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of reimbursable expense	$ 299,369		$ 710,510		$ 905,063
Proceeds from insurance settlement, investing activities			$ 5,351	$ 8,069
Federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	21.00%	35.00%		35.00%
Decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (34,633)		$ (34,633)		(34,633)	$ 11,058
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets								$ 200
Increase in retained earnings								$ 200
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of reimbursable expense			5,900
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in retained earnings							$ 41,000
Decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income							$ (41,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Proceeds from insurance settlement, investing activities			5,400	$ 8,100
Potential Impact of Adopting Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income	(7,200)		(7,200)		$ (7,200)
US Treasury and Government
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Unrealized gain on securities	$ 6,528		3,730
Decommisioning Fund Investments | US Treasury and Government | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Unrealized gain on securities			$ 3,700

Principles Of Preparation (Supp

Principles Of Preparation (Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest on long-term debt and borrowings under the revolving credit facility	$ 47,479	$ 47,412
Income tax paid, net	2,480	1,576
Changes in accrued plant additions	9,347	(6,228)
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued	1,030	1,171
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued	$ 1,499	$ 932

Disaggregation of Revenues (Det

Disaggregation of Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	$ 299,369		$ 710,510		$ 905,063
Other	902		2,270		3,866
Total operating revenues	300,271	$ 297,470	712,780	$ 720,648	908,929	$ 908,685
Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	265,971		633,578		807,626
Wholesale
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	28,253		63,354		79,456
Wheeling (transmission)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	$ 5,145		$ 13,578		$ 17,981

Revenues Narrative (Details)

Revenues Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Recovery period per ASC 980-605-25 | Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Surcharge Or Refund Period	24 months
Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer Payment Terms	16 days
Wholesale
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Number Of Customers	1
Wholesale | Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer Payment Terms	10 days
Wheeling (transmission) | Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Customer Payment Terms	20 days
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year

Revenues Accounts Receivable (D

Revenues Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	$ 1.1	$ 2.1	$ 3

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance			$ 11,058
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	$ (34,633)		(34,633)		$ (34,633)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets							$ 0	$ 0
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets							(41,028)	0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets							0	0
AOCI Attributable to Parent
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets							$ (41,028)	$ 0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(19,124)	$ (24,915)	(17,790)	$ (23,928)	(25,372)	$ (31,336)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	0	0	0	0	7,951	7,363
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(599)	(457)	(1,933)	(1,444)	(2,302)	(1,399)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	(19,723)	(25,372)	(19,723)	(25,372)	(19,723)	(25,372)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(3,478)	32,296	40,190	28,463	35,651	30,731
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	(764)	4,768	(3,923)	14,491	1,837	13,936
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	364	(1,413)	883	(7,303)	(338)	(9,016)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	(3,878)	35,651	(3,878)	35,651	(3,878)	35,651
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(11,144)	(11,514)	(11,342)	(11,651)	(11,429)	(11,732)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	0	0	0	0	0	0
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	112	85	310	222	397	303
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	(11,032)	(11,429)	(11,032)	(11,429)	(11,032)	(11,429)
AOCI Attributable to Parent
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	(33,746)	(4,133)	11,058	(7,116)	(1,150)	(12,337)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	(764)	4,768	(3,923)	14,491	9,788	21,299
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(123)	(1,785)	(740)	(8,525)	(2,243)	(10,112)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending balance	$ (34,633)	$ (1,150)	$ (34,633)	$ (1,150)	$ (34,633)	$ (1,150)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amounts Reclassified (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 95,985	$ 92,216	$ 130,027	$ 141,785	$ 137,507	$ 149,936
Income tax expense (benefit)	(22,714)	(32,532)	(30,427)	(50,024)	(31,407)	(52,519)
Net income	73,271	59,684	99,600	91,761	106,100	97,417
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	2,413	2,414	7,243	7,243	9,657	9,657
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(1,640)	(1,695)	(4,790)	(5,083)	(6,483)	(6,516)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	773	719	2,453	2,160	3,174	3,141
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(174)	(262)	(520)	(716)	(872)	(1,742)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	599	457	1,933	1,444	2,302	1,399
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(364)	1,413	(883)	7,303	338	9,016
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(112)	(85)	(310)	(222)	(397)	(303)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	123	1,785	740	8,525	2,243	10,112
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net realized gain (loss) on sale of securities	(443)	1,765	(1,108)	9,122	396	11,192
Income (loss) before income taxes	(443)	1,765	(1,108)	9,122	396	11,192
Income tax expense (benefit)	79	(352)	225	(1,819)	(58)	(2,176)
Net income	(364)	1,413	(883)	7,303	338	9,016
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(144)	(134)	(423)	(396)	(559)	(523)
Income tax expense (benefit)	32	49	113	174	162	220
Net income	(112)	(85)	(310)	(222)	(397)	(303)
Interest Rate Contract | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility	$ (144)	$ (134)	$ (423)	$ (396)	$ (559)	$ (523)

Regulation (Narrative) (Details

Regulation (Narrative) (Details)

Oct. 25, 2018

Oct. 11, 2018USD ($)

Jul. 02, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 28, 2018USD ($)

May 22, 2018

May 01, 2018USD ($)

Apr. 01, 2018

Mar. 15, 2018

Mar. 01, 2018USD ($)

Feb. 15, 2018USD ($)

Jan. 01, 2018

Dec. 18, 2017USD ($)

Nov. 01, 2017

Aug. 01, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)

Jun. 29, 2017USD ($)

Feb. 22, 2017USD ($)

Jan. 10, 2017

Aug. 25, 2016

Jul. 01, 2016USD ($)

Jun. 08, 2016USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)MW

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 13, 2018USD ($)

Apr. 24, 2018MW

Mar. 20, 2018MW

Oct. 31, 2017USD ($)

Oct. 04, 2017USD ($)

Oct. 07, 2015USD ($)

Nuclear Decommissioning Funding, Annual Recovery

$ 74,438,000

$ 80,785,000

Over-collection of fuel revenues, regulatory liability

$ 9,905,000

$ 9,905,000

$ 6,225,000

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent

21.00%

35.00%

21.00%

35.00%

35.00%

NMPRC Case No. 17-00255-UT | Subsequent Event

Potential refund to customers

$ 1,200,000

Tax benefit refund period

4 months

NMPRC Case No. 18-00016-UT

Public Utilities, Approved Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount

$ (4,900,000)

NMPRC Case No. 18-00116-UT

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 400,000

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program, percentage of expenditures

7.10%

NMPRC Case No. 15-00127-UT

Fuel Reconciliation Period

24 months

PUCT Docket No. 46831

Recovery of rate case expenses

$ 3,400,000

Surcharge Or Refund Period

3 years

Minimum Distributive Generation Charge

$ 30

Nuclear Decommissioning Funding, Annual Recovery

2,100,000

Requested Depreciation Expense, Decrease

$ 1,900,000

Public Utilities, Approved Return on Equity, Percentage

9.65%

PUCT Docket No. 46831 | Four Corners decommissioning

Decommissioning Costs Increase (Decrease)

$ 5,500,000

Remaining Recovery Period of Regulatory Assets for which No Return on Investment During Recovery Period is Provided

7 years

PUCT Docket No. 48124

Public Utilities, Requested Rate Decrease, Amount

$ 22,700,000

Surcharge Or Refund Period

1 year

PUCT Docket No. 46308

Reconcilable Fuel Expense

$ 436,600,000

Fuel Reconciliation Period

36 months

Fuel reconciliation effect, net amount

$ 5,000,000

$ 5,000,000

Palo Verde Performance Award Period

3 years

PUCT Docket No. 44800 | Community Solar At Montana Power Station

Electric Capacity | MW

3

Number of customers subscribed

1,500

1,500

Property, Plant and Equipment, Operational Date

May 31, 2017

PUCT Docket No. 48181 | Community Solar at Newman

Electric capacity, requested | MW

2

NMPRC Case No. 18-00099-UT | Community Solar at Doña Ana County

Electric capacity, requested | MW

2

RGRT | NMPRC Case No. 15-00280-UT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 65,000,000

Senior Notes | 4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 125,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.22%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2028

Senior Notes | 4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028 | NMPRC Case No. 17-00217-UT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 125,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.22%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2028

Senior Notes | 4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 65,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.07%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2025

Senior Notes | 4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025 | NMPRC Case No. 15-00280-UT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 65,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.07%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2025

Non-Fuel Base Rate | PUCT Docket No. 46831

Public Utilities, Approved Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount

$ 14,500,000

2016 Energy Efficiency Programs | NMPRC Case No. 13-00176-UT

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 400,000

Public Utilities Approved Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 400,000

2016 Energy Efficiency Programs | PUCT Docket No. 47125

Public Utilities Approved Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 800,000

2017 Energy Efficiency Programs | NMPRC Case No. 16-00185-UT

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 400,000

Public Utilities Approved Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 400,000

2017 Energy Efficiency Programs | PUCT Docket No. 48332

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 1,000,000

Fixed Fuel Factor | PUCT Docket No. 48264

Increase (Decrease) In Fixed Fuel Factor, Percentage

(29.00%)

Fixed Fuel Factor | PUCT Docket No. 48781 | Subsequent Event

Public Utilities, Requested Rate Increase (Decrease), Percentage

(6.99%)

Fixed Fuel Factor | PUCT Docket No. 46610

Increase (Decrease) In Fixed Fuel Factor, Percentage

28.80%

Fixed Fuel Factor | PUCT Docket No. 47692

Increase (Decrease) In Fixed Fuel Factor, Percentage

(19.00%)

2015 Energy Efficiency Programs | NMPRC Case No. 13-00176-UT

Public Utilities Requested Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 300,000

Public Utilities Approved Performance Incentive Bonus Related To Energy Efficiency Program

$ 300,000

PUCT

Over-collection of fuel revenues, regulatory liability

$ 6,900,000

$ 6,900,000

Reconcilable Fuel Expense

$ 335,000,000

Fuel Reconciliation Period

30 months

Fuel Over And Under Materiality Threshold Percentage

4.00%

4.00%

PUCT | Community Solar at Newman

Electric Capacity | MW

10

PUCT | Public Utilities, Regulatory Rate Making Impact

Period To Relate Back New Rates

167 days

80 days

NMPRC

Over-collection of fuel revenues, regulatory liability

$ 2,900,000

$ 2,900,000

Reconcilable Fuel Expense

$ 200,100,000

Fuel Reconciliation Period

45 months

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 350,000,000

$ 350,000,000

NMPRC | Holloman

Electric Capacity | MW

5

Property, Plant and Equipment, Operational Date

Oct. 18, 2018

NMPRC | Public Utilities, Regulatory Rate Making Impact

Public Utilities, Approved Return on Equity, Percentage

9.48%

NMPRC | 7.25% 2009 Series B Refunding Bonds, due 2040 | NMPRC Case No. 17-00217-UT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 37,100,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.25%

NMPRC | 7.25% 2009 Series A Refunding Bonds, due 2040 | NMPRC Case No. 17-00217-UT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 63,500,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.25%

NMPRC | Non-Fuel Base Rate | Public Utilities, Regulatory Rate Making Impact

Public Utilities, Approved Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount

$ 600,000

NMPRC | Utility Cost Of Service | Public Utilities, Regulatory Rate Making Impact

Public Utilities, Approved Rate Increase (Decrease), Amount

$ 500,000

FERC

Debt Issuance Authorization Date Range Start

Nov. 15, 2017

Debt Issuance Authorization Date Range End

Nov. 14, 2019

Show Cause Orders issued, Number

2

Number of public utilities affected

48

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent

35.00%

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 350,000,000

$ 350,000,000

FERC | Maximum

Period to comply with order from regulatory agency

60 days

FERC | RGRT

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

65,000,000

FERC | 7.25% 2009 Series B Refunding Bonds, due 2040

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 37,100,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.25%

FERC | 7.25% 2009 Series A Refunding Bonds, due 2040

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 63,500,000

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.25%

FERC | Senior Notes | 4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 125,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.22%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2028

FERC | Senior Notes | 4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 65,000,000

Debt Instrument, Issuance Date

Jun. 28, 2018

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

4.07%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Aug. 15, 2025

Palo Verde (Narrative) (Detail

Palo Verde (Narrative) (Details) - Suit Against Department of Energy for Spent Fuel - Palo Verde Generating Station	Aug. 18, 2014	Dec. 19, 2012
Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Counterparty's Name		U.S. Department of Energy
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Date	August 18, 2014

Palo Verde Operations and Maint

Palo Verde Operations and Maintenance Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items]
Utilities Operating Expense, Maintenance and Operations	$ 83,355	$ 74,685	$ 252,370	$ 236,145	$ 336,506	$ 315,677
Palo Verde Generating Station
Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items]
Utilities Operating Expense, Maintenance and Operations	$ 20,277	$ 20,441	$ 67,429	$ 67,980	$ 98,813	$ 97,380

Common Stock (Narrative) (Detai

Common Stock (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 14,600	$ 13,600	$ 42,898	$ 39,747	$ 56,500	$ 52,300

Common Stock (Basic And Diluted

Common Stock (Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic number of common shares outstanding	40,535,489	40,427,589	40,514,961	40,408,100	40,494,482	40,398,022
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards	161,558	123,726	129,532	108,677	136,276	100,620
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	40,697,047	40,551,315	40,644,493	40,516,777	40,630,758	40,498,642
Net income	$ 73,271	$ 59,684	$ 99,600	$ 91,761	$ 106,100	$ 97,417
Income allocated to participating restricted stock	(272)	(234)	(366)	(354)	(383)	(387)
Net income available to common shareholders, basic	72,999	59,450	99,234	91,407	105,717	97,030
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock	(272)	(234)	(366)	(354)	(383)	(387)
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted	$ 72,999	$ 59,450	$ 99,234	$ 91,407	$ 105,717	$ 97,030
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Distributed	$ 0.36	$ 0.335	$ 1.055	$ 0.98	$ 1.39	$ 1.29
Earnings Per Share, Basic, Undistributed	1.44	1.135	1.395	1.28	1.22	1.11
Basic net income per common share	1.80	1.470	2.450	2.26	2.61	2.40
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Distributed	0.36	0.335	1.055	0.98	1.39	1.29
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Undistributed	1.43	1.135	1.385	1.28	1.21	1.11
Diluted net income per common share	$ 1.79	$ 1.470	$ 2.440	$ 2.26	$ 2.60	$ 2.40

Common Stock (Antidilutive Secu

Common Stock (Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Performance shares payout based upon performance		0	0	0	0	0	0
Performance shares payout level		100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Restricted Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share, Amount		74,278	71,052	67,288	69,290	66,238	65,707
Performance Shares
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share, Amount	[1]	0	0	15,326	0	11,494	0
[1]	Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have been required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period.

Income Taxes (Income Tax Rates)

Income Taxes (Income Tax Rates) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	23.70%	35.30%	23.40%	35.30%	22.80%		35.00%
Federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	21.00%	35.00%		35.00%
Income Tax Rate Capital Gains	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%		20.00%
Maximum
Income Tax [Line Items]
Period in which adjustments related to the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 needed to be made			12 months

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - Latest Tax Year	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Year Closed	2,012
TEXAS
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Year Closed	2,012
NEW MEXICO
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Year Closed	2,012
ARIZONA
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Year Closed	2,012

Commitments, Contingencies An_2

Commitments, Contingencies And Uncertainties Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of criteria emissions established under the Clear Air Act	6
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Public Utilities, Government Standard Emission Limit	75
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Public Utilities, Government Standard Emission Limit	70

Employee Benefits ASU Narrative

Employee Benefits ASU Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operations and maintenance	$ 83,355	$ 74,685	$ 252,370	$ 236,145	$ 336,506	$ 315,677
Investment and interest income, net	16,815	8,989	33,042	30,308	41,587	39,281
Miscellaneous non-operating income	3,037	3,075	9,245	8,867	12,428	11,901
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions	3,263	3,180	8,775	8,677	11,677	11,542
Other interest	$ 4,127	4,673	$ 13,896	13,746	$ 18,320	17,757
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operations and maintenance		2,100		6,200		8,500
Investment and interest income, net		5,300		15,800		21,000
Miscellaneous non-operating income		2,800		8,500		11,300
Miscellaneous non-operating deductions		2,100		6,300		8,200
Other interest		3,900		11,800		15,600
Service cost component		2,700		8,100		10,700
Net periodic benefit cost previously reported in operating income (including non-service cost components)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operations and maintenance		$ 600		$ 1,900		$ 2,200

Employee Benefits (Retirement P

Employee Benefits (Retirement Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 2,801	$ 2,129	$ 8,316	$ 6,388	$ 10,446	$ 8,388
Interest cost	3,214	3,264	9,659	9,794	12,924	13,053
Expected return on plan assets	(5,176)	(4,797)	(15,806)	(14,392)	(20,603)	(19,112)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	2,214	2,114	6,414	6,341	8,527	8,175
Amortization of prior service benefit	(875)	(877)	(2,630)	(2,630)	(3,506)	(3,506)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)	2,178	1,833	5,953	5,501	7,788	6,998
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	696	559	2,096	1,677	2,655	2,267
Interest cost	559	680	1,689	2,042	2,370	2,593
Expected return on plan assets	(602)	(477)	(1,827)	(1,430)	(2,304)	(1,893)
Amortization of net (gain) loss	(574)	(419)	(1,624)	(1,258)	(2,044)	(1,659)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(1,538)	(1,537)	(4,613)	(4,613)	(6,151)	(6,151)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$ (1,459)	$ (1,194)	$ (4,279)	$ (3,582)	$ (5,474)	$ (4,843)

Employee Benefits (Narrative) (

Employee Benefits (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution	$ 8.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Current Fiscal Year	9.4
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution	0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Current Fiscal Year	$ 0.5

Financial Instruments And Inv_3

Financial Instruments And Investments (Carrying Amount and Fair Value Amounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		$ 1,404,616	$ 1,369,521
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | Pollution Control Bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		157,746	157,676
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[1]	1,117,968	993,426
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | RGRT Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[1],[2]	109,540	44,886
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	19,362	173,533
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		1,514,528	1,601,711
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Pollution Control Bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		163,151	169,186
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[1]	1,221,480	1,211,922
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | RGRT Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[1],[2]	110,535	47,070
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	[2]	$ 19,362	$ 173,533
[1]	On June 28, 2018, the Company issued $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.22% Senior Notes due August 15, 2028 and guaranteed the issuance by the RGRT of $65 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.07% Senior Guaranteed Notes due August 15, 2025. See Note L, Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations.
[2]	Nuclear fuel financing, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, is funded through $110 million and $45 million RGRT Senior Notes and $19.4 million and $88.5 million, respectively, under the RCF. As of September 30, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017, $85.0 million, was outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes. The interest rate on the Company's borrowings under the RCF is reset throughout the quarter reflecting current market rates. Consequently, the carrying value approximates fair value.

Financial Instruments And Inv_4

Financial Instruments And Investments (Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings - Narratives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments	$ 297,030		$ 286,866
Nuclear Fuel Financing
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	19,400		88,500
Working Capital and General Purpose
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		85,000
RGRT Senior Notes
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 110,000		$ 45,000
4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028 | Senior Notes
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 125,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.22%
4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025 | Senior Notes
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 65,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.07%

Financial Instruments And Inv_5

Financial Instruments And Investments (Marketable Securities Fair Value And Unrealized Losses) (Details) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions		163
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	[1]			$ 49,503
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	[1]			(852)
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	[1]			42,496
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	[1]			(2,207)
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	[1]			91,999
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	[1]			$ (3,059)
Number of Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position				146
Debt Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months		$ 61,477	[2]	$ 48,541	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months		(1,828)	[2]	(642)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer		55,004	[2]	42,496	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer		(3,708)	[2]	(2,207)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total		116,481	[2]	91,037	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total		(5,536)	[2]	(2,849)	[1]
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months		9,621	[2]	4,700	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months		(246)	[2]	(46)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer		15,417	[2]	10,099	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer		(604)	[2]	(165)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total		25,038	[2]	14,799	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total		(850)	[2]	(211)	[1]
U.S. Government Bonds
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months		19,828	[2]	28,866	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months		(516)	[2]	(416)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer		27,478	[2]	18,186	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer		(1,969)	[2]	(969)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total		47,306	[2]	47,052	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total		(2,485)	[2]	(1,385)	[1]
Municipal Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months		4,327	[2]	4,290	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months		(153)	[2]	(73)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer		8,131	[2]	9,736	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer		(747)	[2]	(742)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total		12,458	[2]	14,026	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total		(900)	[2]	(815)	[1]
Corporate Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months		27,701	[2]	10,685	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months		(913)	[2]	(107)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer		3,978	[2]	4,475	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer		(388)	[2]	(331)	[1]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total		31,679	[2]	15,160	[1]
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total		$ (1,301)	[2]	(438)	[1]
Domestic Equity Securities | Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Fair Value Less than 12 Months	[1]			962
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Less Than 12 Months	[1]			(210)
Marketable Securities Fair Value 12 Months or Longer	[1]			0
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Longer	[1]			0
Marketable Securities Fair Value Total	[1]			962
Marketable Securities Unrealized Losses Total	[1]			$ (210)
[1]	Includes 146 securities.
[2]	Includes 163 securities.

Financial Instruments And Inv_6

Financial Instruments And Investments (Unrealized Holding Losses Included In Pre-Tax Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments And Investments [Abstract]
Unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Instruments And Inv_7

Financial Instruments And Investments (Marketable Securities Fair Value and Unrecognized Gross Unrealized Gains) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	$ 522
Marketable Securities Fair Value, Total	14,109	$ 194,867
Cash and cash equivalents	15,965	6,990	$ 7,060	$ 8,420
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		53,130
Debt Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	14,109	39,134
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	522	1,635
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	2,169	5,933
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	76	203
U.S. Government Bonds
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	1,615	11,129
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	50	256
Municipal Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	2,005	2,558
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	79	109
Corporate Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	8,320	19,514
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	317	1,067
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	0	120,065
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	45,587
Equity Securities | International Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain Position, Fair Value	0	28,804
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	5,908
Cash | Held in trust Decommissioning Fund Investment
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 6,864

Financial Instruments And Inv_8

Financial Instruments And Investments (Contractual Year For Maturity Of Available-For-Sale Securities ) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Total	$ 27,207
2,018	0
2019 through 2022	8
2023 through 2027	228
2028 and Beyond	26,971
U.S. Government Bonds
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Total	48,921
2,018	1,228
2019 through 2022	27,157
2023 through 2027	11,148
2028 and Beyond	9,388
Municipal Obligations
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Total	14,463
2,018	104
2019 through 2022	5,498
2023 through 2027	5,716
2028 and Beyond	3,145
Corporate Obligations
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Total	39,999
2,018	0
2019 through 2022	17,764
2023 through 2027	9,968
2028 and Beyond	$ 12,267

Financial Instruments And Inv_9

Financial Instruments And Investments (Sale Of Securities And The Related Effects On Pre-Tax Income ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales or maturities of available-for-sale securities	$ 7,451		$ 21,816		$ 42,355
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities		$ 13,967		$ 76,498		$ 107,601
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income	0	1,797	9	9,706	2,076	12,231
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income	(443)	(32)	(1,117)	(584)	(1,680)	(1,039)
Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income	0	0	0	0	0	0
Net gains (losses) included in pre-tax income	$ (443)	$ 1,765	$ (1,108)	$ 9,122	$ 396	$ 11,192

Financial Instruments And In_10

Financial Instruments And Investments Unrealized gains and losses on equity securities (Details) - Equity Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Unrealized Gains and losses recognized [Line Items]
Net gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities	$ 9,533	$ 10,791
Less: Net (gains) and losses recognized on equity securities sold	3,005	7,061
Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized on equity securities still held at reporting date	$ 6,528	$ 3,730

Financial Instruments And In_11

Financial Instruments And Investments (Company's Decommissioning Trust Funds And Investments In Debt Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	$ 297,030
Cash and cash equivalents	15,965	$ 6,990	$ 7,060	$ 8,420
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	215,361
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	81,669
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Cash
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	10,245
Cash | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	10,245
Cash | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Cash | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		286,866
Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		214,876
Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		71,990
Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		20,732
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		20,732
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
U.S. Government Bonds | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		58,181
U.S. Government Bonds | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		58,181
U.S. Government Bonds | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
U.S. Government Bonds | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Municipal Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		16,584
Municipal Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Municipal Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		16,584
Municipal Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Corporate Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		34,674
Corporate Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Corporate Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		34,674
Corporate Obligations | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Debt Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,681	1,735
Debt Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Debt Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Debt Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,681	1,735
Debt Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		130,171
Debt Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		58,181
Debt Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		71,990
Debt Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	156,195
Equity Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	156,195
Equity Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Equity Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	127,966
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	127,966
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Equity Securities | Domestic Equity Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		149,831
Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		149,831
Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Equity Securities | International Equity Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	28,229
Equity Securities | International Equity Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	28,229
Equity Securities | International Equity Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Equity Securities | International Equity Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Cash | Held in trust Decommissioning Fund Investment
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	6,864
Cash | Held in trust Decommissioning Fund Investment | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		6,864
Cash | Held in trust Decommissioning Fund Investment | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		0
Cash | Held in trust Decommissioning Fund Investment | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		0
Available-for-sale Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	130,590
Available-for-sale Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	48,921
Available-for-sale Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	81,669
Available-for-sale Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	27,207
Available-for-sale Securities | Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	27,207
Available-for-sale Securities | Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | U.S. Government Bonds
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	48,921
Available-for-sale Securities | U.S. Government Bonds | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	48,921
Available-for-sale Securities | U.S. Government Bonds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | U.S. Government Bonds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Municipal Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	14,463
Available-for-sale Securities | Municipal Obligations | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Municipal Obligations | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	14,463
Available-for-sale Securities | Municipal Obligations | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Corporate Obligations
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	39,999
Available-for-sale Securities | Corporate Obligations | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities | Corporate Obligations | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	39,999
Available-for-sale Securities | Corporate Obligations | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Decommissioning Fund Investments, Fair Value	$ 0
Domestic Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		121,027
Domestic Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		121,027
Domestic Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Domestic Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
International Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		28,804
International Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		28,804
International Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
International Equity Securities | Decommisioning Fund Investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Financial Instruments and Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 0

Financial Instruments And In_12

Financial Instruments And Investments Transfers Between Levels (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Description	no	no	no	no	no	no
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Description	no	no	no	no	no	no
Fair Value, Asset, Level 3 Purchases, (Sales), Issuances, (Settlements)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Long-Term Debt and Financing _2

Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 13, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 12, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Sep. 13, 2023	Jan. 14, 2020
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	50,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 400,000
Line of Credit Renewal Option, Renewal Times	2
Line of Credit Renewal Term, Year	1 year
Subfacility for the Issuance of Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Senior Notes | 4.22% Senior Notes, due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date			Jun. 28, 2018
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 125,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.22%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Aug. 15, 2028
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Senior Notes | 4.07% RGRT Senior Notes, due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date			Jun. 28, 2018
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 65,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.07%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Aug. 15, 2025
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%