MGE ENERGY INC

MGE Energy and MGE are subject to frequently changing local, state, and federal regulations concerning air quality, water quality, land use, threatened and endangered species, hazardous materials handling, and solid waste disposal. These regulations affect the manner in which we conduct our operations, the costs of those operations, as well as capital and operating expenditures. Regulatory initiatives, proposed rules, and court challenges to adopted rules, have the potential to have a material effect on our capital expenditures and operating costs. In addition to the regulations discussed below, MGE continues to track state and federal initiatives such as potential state and federal regulations governing surface water and/or groundwater containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), potential changes to regulations governing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), potential changes to air and water standards, and potential climate change legislation.

In February 2021, MGE and the other co-owners of Columbia announced plans to retire that facility. The co-owners intend to retire Unit 1 and Unit 2 by June 2026. Final timing and unit retirement dates are subject to change depending on operational, regulatory, and other factors. Effects of the environmental compliance requirements discussed below will depend upon the final Columbia retirement dates approved, applicable regulations at that time, and required compliance dates.

Water Quality

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category

The EPA's promulgated water Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) and standards for steam electric power plants focus on the reduction of metals and other pollutants in wastewater from new and existing power plants. MGE's Columbia plant and Elm Road Units are subject to this rule. In March 2023, the EPA published a proposed update to this rule that would further regulate the wastewater discharges associated with coal-fired power plants. The proposed rule focuses on wastewater discharges from flue gas desulfurization, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate.

See Footnote 16.a. of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for further discussion of compliance plans for Columbia and the Elm Road Units. Based on previous treatment of environmental compliance projects, management believes that any compliance costs will be recovered in future rates.

Cooling Water Intake Rules (Section 316(b))

Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires cooling water intake structures at electric power plants to meet best available technology (BTA) standards to reduce mortality from entrainment (drawing aquatic life into a plant's cooling system) and impingement (trapping aquatic life on screens). The EPA finalized its Section 316(b) rule for existing facilities in 2014. Section 316(b) requirements are implemented in Wisconsin through modifications to plants' WPDES permits, which govern plant wastewater discharges.

Blount received its most recent WPDES permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in October 2023. Blount's latest WPDES permit assumes that the plant meets BTA standards for entrainment for the duration of this permit which expires in 2028. The WDNR included a requirement to conduct an impingement study in the latest permit which needs to be completed in the next three years. Once the WDNR determines the impingement requirements at Blount, MGE will be able to determine any compliance costs of meeting Blount's permit requirements.

Intakes at Columbia are subject to this rule. The Columbia operator's most recent permit required that studies of intake structures be submitted to the WDNR by November 2023 to help determine BTA. Columbia's permit renewal application is due in 2024 and in November 2023 the Columbia operator timely submitted its renewal application to the WDNR. BTA improvements required by the future renewal permit may be coordinated with the owners' plan to retire both units by June of 2026. MGE will continue to work with Columbia's operator to evaluate regulatory requirements in light of the planned retirements. MGE does not expect this rule to have a material effect on Columbia.

Air Quality

Air quality regulations promulgated by the EPA and WDNR in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 impose restrictions on emission of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hazardous air pollutants and other pollutants, and require permits for operation of emission sources. These permits must be renewed periodically. Various newly enacted and/or proposed federal and state initiatives may result in additional operating and capital expenditure costs for fossil-fueled electric generating units.

Ozone NAAQS

The Elm Road Units are located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, a "moderate" nonattainment area for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS. The deadline for moderate classified areas to meet attainment standards is August 2024. At this time, the operator of the Elm Road Units does not expect that the 2015 Ozone NAAQS or the Milwaukee County nonattainment designation to have a material effect on the Units based on final designations.

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) NAAQS

In January 2023, the EPA published a proposed rule to lower the average annual PM2.5 NAAQS from its current level. The EPA has also solicited comments on whether to lower the annual standard further than the proposed level, and whether to lower the maximum 24-hour limit to be consistent with recommendations from its Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). Neither the proposed annual PM2.5 NAAQS nor the 24-hour limit recommended by the CASAC are expected to impact the attainment status of the counties where Columbia and the Elm Road Units are located. However, if the annual PM2.5 NAAQS is lowered further than the EPA's currently proposed value, Milwaukee County may be in nonattainment with the standard. A nonattainment designation would require the State of Wisconsin to develop a plan to get into attainment, which may include additional emission limitations for the Elm Road units. However, we will not know the impact of this rule until it is finalized, the EPA determines the attainment status of Wisconsin counties, and the State of Wisconsin develops an attainment implementation plan. MGE will continue to follow the rule's developments.

Rules regulating nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2) emissions, including the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and Clean Air Visibility Rule

The EPA's CSAPR and its progeny are a suite of interstate air pollution transport rules designed to reduce ozone and PM2.5 ambient air levels in areas that the EPA has determined as being significantly impacted by pollution from upwind states. This is accomplished through a reduction in NOx and SO 2 from qualifying fossil-fuel fired power plants and industrial boilers in upwind "contributing" states. NOx and SO 2 contribute to fine particulate pollution and NOx contributes to ozone formation in downwind areas. Reductions are generally achieved through a cap-and-trade system. Individual plants can meet their caps through reducing emissions and/or buying allowances on the market.

In March 2023, the EPA finalized its Federal Implementation Plan to address state obligations under the Clean Air Act "good neighbor" provisions for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS. See Footnote 16.a. of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for further discussion of the proposed rule. MGE is reviewing the final rule and monitoring lawsuits challenging the final rule. Based on our current evaluation, the 2026 additional emission reductions may impact the Elm Road Units and additional upgrades may be needed to comply, however, we will not know the final impact until evaluations are completed.

Clean Air Visibility Rule

Columbia is subject to the best available retrofit technology (BART) regulations, a subsection of Clean Air Visibility Rule, which may require pollution control retrofits. Columbia's existing pollution control upgrades, and the EPA's stance that compliance with the CSAPR equals compliance with BART, should mean that Columbia will not need to do additional work to meet BART requirements. Wisconsin's 2021 SIP argues that Wisconsin will meet its current regional haze goals based on expected emissions reductions, which include Columbia unit retirements. Given that the Wisconsin SIP recognizes the Columbia unit retirements as part of its emission reduction plan, MGE does not anticipate further obligations with this rule at Columbia. MGE will continue to monitor legal developments and any future updates to this rule.

Global Climate Change

MGE produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily from the fossil fuel generating facilities it uses to meet customers' energy needs, as well as from its natural gas pipeline system and fleet vehicles. Climate change and the regulatory response to it could significantly affect our operations in a number of ways, including increased operating costs and capital expenditures, restrictions on energy supply options, operational limits on our fossil fuel fired plants, permitting difficulties, and emission limits. MGE would expect to seek and receive rate recovery of associated compliance costs, if and when required. MGE continues to monitor proposed climate change legislation and regulation.

MGE has taken steps to address GHG emissions. MGE is targeting net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. In January 2022, MGE built on previously set carbon emissions goals for 2030, announcing a goal to reduce carbon at least 80% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) as MGE works toward achieving net-zero carbon electricity. This goal surpassed MGE's previous expectation to reduce carbon emissions at least 65% by 2030. MGE has an ongoing transition plan to eliminate coal generation with the retirement of Columbia in 2026 and Elm Road transition from coal to natural gas by the end of 2032. Also under the 2030 framework, MGE aims to increase renewable energy to 25% of retail electric sales by 2025 and to 30% by 2030. See "Electric Utility Operations - Fuel supply and generation" above for further information.

Building upon our long-standing commitment to providing affordable, sustainable energy, MGE has set a goal to achieve net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas distribution system by 2035. If MGE can accelerate plans to achieve net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas system – through the evolution of new technologies, such as renewable natural gas – it will. MGE is working to reduce overall emissions from its natural gas distribution system cost-effectively as quickly as possible.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Guidelines under the Clean Air Act 111(d) Rule

In May 2023, the EPA proposed a rule under section 111 of the Clean Air Act to establish New Source Performance Standards and emission guidelines to limit GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units and new, modified, and/or reconstructed fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA anticipates promulgating a final rule in 2024. MGE fossil fuel-fired generation units would be subject to the rule as proposed. MGE expects larger-sized units with long range retirement plans, West Riverside and the Elm Road units, may need to employ technology to achieve the proposed reductions. Columbia may not be impacted due to the owners' planned retirement of the existing fossil fuel fired units by 2026. However, we will not know the impact of this rule with any certainty until the rule is finalized.

Federal Action on Climate Change

President Biden's actions on climate change, including multiple executive orders and the recommitment of the U.S. to the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Paris Agreement), indicate that climate considerations are a broad focus.

In December 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that sets goals for the federal government agencies and operations to have, among other things, 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030, acquisitions of vehicles to be 100% zero-emissions light-duty vehicles by 2027, and all vehicles by 2035, and net-zero emissions from federal operations by 2050. Efforts at the federal level are expected to spur the carbon-neutral economy in the private sector.

In August 2022, the federal government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Included in the IRA are federal funds for investment in infrastructure, transportation, energy, and climate change. MGE is monitoring actions on climate change to determine the impact to MGE's decarbonization plans. In September 2022, President Biden signed an executive order on the Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Act of 2022. The order directs agencies to implement the energy and infrastructure provisions of the 2022 IRA and directs agencies to take actions towards implementing U.S. climate change priorities to be in line with the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement includes progress towards achieving greenhouse gas reductions of 50-52% below 2005 levels in 2030, achieving a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035, and achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050.

MGE is following the development of recommendations and plans developed by agencies as a result of IRA and executive orders, as well as other executive actions taken by the Biden administration, to determine their applicability to MGE's decarbonization plans and to evaluate any potential impact to our operations.

State and Regional Action on Climate Change

In August 2019, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order to establish the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE). The order tasks the OSCE with, among other things, ensuring that the actions of the State of Wisconsin are aligned with the goals and recommendations of the Paris Agreement, verifying that electricity consumed by the State of Wisconsin is 100% carbon-free by 2050, and developing a comprehensive multi-sector clean energy plan for the state. In April 2022, the OSCE released Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan. The plan includes a goal to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. MGE is engaged in this process by participating on a Stakeholder Advisory

Team in a voluntary capacity. MGE will continue to evaluate this plan for its applicability to MGE's decarbonization plans and to evaluate potential impact to our operations.

Solid Waste

Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule

The CCR rule regulates the disposal of solid waste coal ash and defines what ash use activities would be considered generally exempt beneficial reuse of coal ash. The CCR rule also regulates landfills, ash ponds, and other surface impoundments used for coal combustion residuals by regulating their design, location, monitoring, and operation. The CCR rule requires owners and operators of coal-fired power plants to stop transporting CCR and non-CCR wastewater to unlined surface impoundments. Columbia's obligations under this portion of the CCR Rule are now complete. Review of the Elm Road Units has indicated that the costs to comply with this rule are not expected to be significant. See Footnote 16.a. of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for further discussion.

In May 2023, the EPA proposed a CCR Legacy Rule that if finalized as currently written, will apply to previously closed CCR sites. Columbia's operator has evaluated the proposed rule and determined that parts of the rule would likely apply to Columbia's previously closed site. However, we will not know the impact of this rule with any certainty until the rule is finalized.

Renewable Energy Standards

Wisconsin law establishes a minimum amount of energy MGE must supply from renewable sources. MGE currently exceeds the applicable minimum requirement of approximately 8%. The costs to comply with this requirement are being recovered in rates.

Human Capital

MGE Energy and MGE are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a sustainable workforce and aims to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.

As of December 31, 2023, MGE had 719 employees, 317 of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements as described below:

Governance

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of MGE Energy oversees MGE's human resource strategies around diversity, equity and inclusion, workplace environment and culture, employee engagement, talent development, retention and recruitment. It also evaluates performance (reviewing the salaries, fees and other benefits of officers and directors and recommending compensation adjustments to the board), oversees the design and development of new, and revisions to, compensation and benefit plans, and assists the Board and the Board's Governance Committee with policies. Such policies related to Stock Ownership Guidelines, the recovery, or the "clawback" of, excess compensation based on erroneous data, and succession planning.

Development and Training

The energy industry is ever-changing. MGE Energy and MGE believe it is important to continue to engage our human capital resources as our industry evolves. We are committed to sustainable workforce practices such as career development and training. We offer all employees the opportunity to learn and grow—whether the goal is to increase job proficiency, improve decision-making skills, or prepare for new roles and responsibilities. We work to provide our employees with the tools they need to be successful in their careers. This strategy is essential given our aging workforce.

In addition to instructor-led corporate training, all employees have access to an online learning resource containing a vast library of relevant courses, videos, podcasts, articles, and playlists. This resource helps ensure employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate our evolving industry.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We promote an inclusive, respectful work environment where individuals and groups can achieve their full potential. All employees have equitable access to employment and development opportunities. Everyone is responsible for helping to meet the objectives of our diversity and inclusion policy as well as supporting the concepts of equal opportunity and affirmative action. We believe that our diversity makes us stronger.

Our employee-led DEI Steering Team, with representation from various parts of the company, works to engage employees and to identify opportunities and strategies for strengthening our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As of December 31, 2023, women and ethnic minorities represented 27% and 11% of our total workforce, respectively. With the addition of three new directors on March 1, 2024, and retirements occurring at our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, our continuing Board of Directors will be comprised of 40% women and 20% ethnic minorities.

MGE is committed to serving and connecting with our richly diverse communities through a myriad of partnership and engagement strategies. MGE works to advance diversity in the energy industry by partnering with local organizations to provide educational career-oriented programming for area youth. The events, programs and partnerships help to introduce energy-related careers to students with backgrounds underrepresented in the utility industry.

Safe and Healthy Working Conditions

"We power safety. Work safe. Home safe." That is our commitment at MGE, and it is embraced by our employees. Our journey to safety excellence is guided by our Safety Steering Team. The team meets regularly to examine safety topics and to identify and to prioritize continuous improvement opportunities. We go beyond applicable occupational health and safety standards by involving employees from all levels of the organization in the continuous improvement of our company-wide safety culture. Our continuous improvement process incorporates safety perception surveys, improvement projects, and monitoring of leading indicators. Stop Work Authority is an employee-developed program to communicate the right every worker has to stop any unsafe work activity.

We encourage employees across the company to make health and wellness a priority. Good health brings vitality and energy to our work lives and our home lives. MGE's programs to promote health and wellness include hybrid work schedules, the Healthy Rewards program, and access to athletic trainers for sprain and strain prevention and ergonomic assessments.

Financial Information About Segments

See Footnote 22 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for financial information relating to MGE Energy's and MGE's business segments.

Information About our Executive Officers

As of December 31, 2023, the executive officers of the registrants were as follows:

Note: Ages, years of service, and positions as of December 31, 2023.

(a)

Executive officer of MGE Energy and MGE.

(b)

Executive officer of MGE.