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. Several of these environmental rules are subject to legal challenges, reconsideration and/or other uncertainties. Regulatory initiatives, proposed rules, and court challenges to adopted rules could have the potential to have a material effect on our capital expenditures and operating costs. Management believes compliance costs will be recovered in future rates based on the previous treatment of environmental compliance projects. 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 the end of 2029. Final timing and unit retirement dates are subject to change depending on operational, regulatory, capacity needs, and other factors impacting the Columbia co-owners. The 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 May 2024, the EPA finalized the ELG rule that further regulates wastewater discharges associated with coal-fired power plants. The rule focuses on wastewater discharges from flue gas desulfurization, combustion residual leachate, and bottom ash transport water. The rule also regulates legacy wastewater that is discharged from certain surface impoundments.

See Footnote 16.a. of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of 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 that cooling water intake structures at electric power plants 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 of cooling water intake structures). The EPA finalized its Section 316(b) rule for existing facilities in 2014. Section 316(b) requirements are implemented in Wisconsin through modifications to 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 optimization study to demonstrate compliance with impingement BTA standards in the latest permit which needs to be completed by January 2028. Once the WDNR determines the impingement requirements at Blount, MGE will be able to determine any compliance costs of meeting Blount's permit requirements. Based on previous treatment of environmental compliance projects, management believes that any compliance costs will be recovered in future rates.

Intakes at Columbia are subject to this rule. The Columbia operator timely submitted its renewal application to the WDNR. BTA improvements required by the future renewal permit will be coordinated with the owners' plan to retire both units by the end of 2029. 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 the emission of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hazardous air pollutants and other pollutants, and require permits for the 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. Based on previous treatment of environmental compliance projects, management believes that any compliance costs will be recovered in future rates.

Ozone NAAQS

The Elm Road Units are located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, a nonattainment area for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS. At this time, the operator of the Elm Road Units does not expect that the 2015 Ozone NAAQS or the Milwaukee County nonattainment designation will have a direct material effect on the Elm Road Units.

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) NAAQS

In March 2024, the EPA published a final rule to lower the average annual PM2.5 NAAQS from 12 ug/m3 to 9 ug/m3, effective May 2024. The new annual PM2.5 NAAQS could impact Milwaukee County, where the Elm Road units are located, if the county is determined to be in nonattainment. A nonattainment designation would require the State of Wisconsin to develop a plan to get into attainment, which would likely include additional limitations for new and modified plants in the county. With the planned transition of the Elm Road Units to natural gas, there is a low probability for the need of additional emission limitations. However, the final impact of this rule will not be known until PM monitoring data from 2023 and 2024 is evaluated and approved, 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 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. The EPA has temporarily halted the enforcement of the Good Neighbor Plan's requirements for all pollution sources in states affected by the plan, including Wisconsin. This action follows legal challenges to the plan. While the EPA addresses these concerns, interim rules have been implemented. See Footnote 16.a. of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for further discussion of the proposed rule.

Clean Air Visibility Rule

Columbia is subject to the best available retrofit technology (BART) regulations, a subsection of the 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 satisfies the requirements of 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 the planned 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 respect to 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 by the end of 2029 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 MGE's 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 in a quick and cost-effective manner.

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

In May 2024, the EPA published its final performance standards and emission guidelines under section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act for carbon dioxide emissions from new combustion turbines and existing fossil-fuel fired boilers used to produce electricity. The final rule grants some emissions flexibility for existing coal-fired units that retire and/or fuel switch by certain dates. For existing natural gas boiler units, the final rule establishes a process where states must submit plans to the EPA for establishing standards. States will have two years from the publication date of these rules to submit plans to the EPA for review and approval. The EPA has indicated that it is separately developing performance standards and emission guidelines for GHG emissions from existing natural gas-fired combustion turbines. MGE's preliminary evaluation of the final rule shows that MGE meets the requirements for the gas-fired boilers at Blount. Furthermore, MGE will meet the requirements for the coal-fired units at Columbia through planned unit retirements and the Elm Road Units through its transition to natural gas. MGE will monitor for any upcoming rulemaking planned for gas-fired combustion turbines.

Federal Action on Climate Change

In January 2025, President Trump signed several executive orders relating to energy and climate policy, including directing his administration to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords. MGE is following the development of recommendations and plans developed by agencies as a result of executive orders, as well as other executive actions taken by the Trump administration, to determine their applicability to MGE's decarbonization, investment and environmental compliance 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.

In May 2024, the EPA published its final CCR Legacy Rule. The CCR Legacy Rule applies to previous closed disposal sites. Columbia's operator has evaluated the rule and determined that parts of the rule apply to Columbia's previously closed site.

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

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 aim to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.

As of December 31, 2024, MGE Energy and its subsidiaries had 717 employees, 314 of whom were covered by collective bargaining agreements as described below:

As of December 31, 2024, women and ethnic minorities represented 25% and 10% of our total workforce, respectively.

Governance

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of MGE Energy oversees MGE Energy's human resource strategies. 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 believes it is important to continue to engage human capital resources as the industry evolves. MGE is committed to sustainable workforce practices such as career development and training. MGE offers 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. MGE works to provide employees with the tools they need to be successful in their careers. This strategy is essential given MGE's aging workforce. All employees have access to a variety of learning resources to help ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the evolving utility industry.

Workplace Culture

MGE supports an inclusive, respectful work environment where individuals and groups can achieve their full potential. MGE seeks to attract and retain the best people to do the job. A wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences strengthens MGE's work environment. MGE's goal is to create a healthy, inclusive, and productive work environment for all MGE employees. MGE has an employee-led steering team that works to engage employees and identify opportunities for supporting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the workforce. As a community energy company, this commitment creates value-added partnerships with the broader community.

Safe and Healthy Working Conditions

"We power safety. Work safe. Home safe." That is the commitment at MGE, and it is embraced by employees. MGE's journey to safety excellence is guided by the Safety Steering Team. The team meets regularly to examine safety topics and to identify and to prioritize continuous improvement opportunities. MGE goes beyond applicable occupational health and safety standards by involving employees from all levels of the organization in the continuous improvement of the company-wide safety culture. MGE's 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.

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

Financial Information About Segments

See Footnote 22 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Report for financial information relating to MGE Energy's and MGE's business segments.

Information About our Executive Officers

The names, ages, and positions of MGE Energy and MGE's executive officers are listed below along with their business experience during the past five years.

(a)

Executive officer of MGE Energy and MGE.

(b)

Executive officer of MGE.