def14a
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OMB APPROVAL |
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OMB Number:
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3235-0059 |
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Expires:
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February 28, 2006 |
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Estimated average burden hours per
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12.75 |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
MGE ENERGY, INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (02-02) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF MGE ENERGY, INC.
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Date: |
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 |
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Time: |
11:00 a.m., local time |
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Place: |
Marriott Madison West
1313 John Q. Hammons Drive
Middleton, Wisconsin |
Purpose:
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To elect three Class II directors to terms of office
expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
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To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2006;
and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on
March 17, 2006, are entitled to vote at the meeting. Your
vote is important to us. Even if you plan to attend the meeting
in person, please cast your vote by signing, dating and
returning your proxy card; calling the toll-free number or
logging on the Internet.
The matters to be acted upon at the meeting are described in the
accompanying proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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TERRY A. HANSON |
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Vice President, Chief Financial |
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Officer and Secretary |
April 17, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-1 |
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Audit Committee Charter
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A-1 |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Q: |
Why am I receiving this proxy statement? |
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A: |
We are sending this document to you because our Board of
Directors is seeking your proxy to vote your shares at our
annual meeting. The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement
and accompanying proxy card are first being mailed on or about
April 17, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of
business on March 17, 2006. |
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Q: |
When and where will the annual meeting take place? |
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A: |
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at
11:00 a.m., local time, at the Marriott Madison West, 1313
John Q. Hammons Drive, Middleton, Wisconsin. |
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Q: |
What is the purpose of the meeting? |
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A: |
The purpose of the meeting is: |
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To elect three Class II directors to terms of office
expiring at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders; |
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To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2006;
and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting. |
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Q: |
Do I need a ticket to attend the meeting? |
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A: |
No; however, if you plan to attend the meeting, please fill out
the enclosed reservation form and return it with your proxy card
so we may have an indication of the number of shareholders
planning to attend the meeting. If your shares are held
through a broker or its nominee and you would like to attend the
meeting, please contact Shareholder Services at
(800) 356-6423 to
make a reservation. |
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Q: |
Why did I receive more than one copy of this proxy
statement? |
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A: |
If you own our common stock in more than one account, such as
individually and also jointly with your spouse, you may receive
more than one copy of this document. To assist us in saving
money and to provide you with better shareholder service, we
encourage you to have any duplicate accounts registered in the
same name and address. You may do this by contacting our
Shareholder Services Department
toll-free at
(800) 356-6423 if
you are calling from within the continental United States, or at
(608) 252-4744 if
you are calling from the Madison area. |
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Q: |
What is MGE Energy, Inc.? |
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A: |
We (MGEE) are an investor-owned public utility holding
company formed in August of 2002. Our headquarters are in
Madison, Wisconsin, and we are the parent company of Madison Gas
and Electric Company (MGE), our principal subsidiary. Our
principal executive offices are located at 133 South Blair
Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. |
VOTING
Number of Votes Per Share
Each share of common stock issued and outstanding as of the
record date for the meeting is entitled to one vote at the
meeting, except as described below for shareholders who own more
than a specified percentage of the common stock.
The record date for the meeting is March 17, 2006. Holders
of record as of such date can vote in person at the meeting or
by proxy. By giving us your proxy, you are authorizing the
individuals named on the proxy card (the proxies) to vote your
shares in the manner you indicate. On March 17, 2006, there
were 20,454,496 shares of our common stock issued and
outstanding.
1
Our Articles of Incorporation contain a provision limiting the
voting power of any shareholder who acquires more than
10 percent of our outstanding voting stock. In addition,
under the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, the voting power
of shares held by any person in excess of 20 percent of the
voting power in the election of directors is limited to
10 percent of the full voting power of the excess shares.
To our knowledge, neither of these limitations currently applies
to any shareholder.
How Street Name Holders May Vote
If you own shares through a broker, the registered holder of
those shares is your broker or its nominee. If you receive our
proxy materials from your broker, you should vote your shares by
following the procedures specified by your broker. Your broker
will tabulate the votes it has received from its customers and
submit a proxy card to us reflecting those votes. If you plan to
attend the annual meeting and vote your shares in person, you
should contact your broker to obtain a brokers proxy card
and our Shareholder Services Department
(800) 356-6423 to
make a reservation for the meeting.
How Registered Holders May Vote
If you personally hold a certificate for your shares or have
shares held by us in the Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock
Purchase Plan, then you are the registered holder. Shares you
have accumulated in the Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock
Purchase Plan are held by the administrator under the nominee
name of Madge & Co. Those shares, including your certificate
shares, will be voted in accordance with the direction given by
you on your proxy.
As a convenience to you, we are providing you with the option to
vote by proxy via the Internet or via toll-free touch-tone
telephone. Refer to your proxy card for more information and
instructions. If you prefer, you may cast your vote by returning
your signed and dated proxy card. Instructions regarding all
three methods of voting are included on the proxy card. The
signature on the proxy card should correspond exactly with the
name of the shareholder as it appears on the proxy card. Where
stock is registered in the name of two or more persons, each of
them should sign the proxy card. If you sign a proxy card as an
attorney, officer, personal representative, administrator,
trustee, guardian or in a similar capacity, please indicate your
full title in that capacity.
In voting for the election of directors in Proposal 1, you
may vote for the election of all of the nominees or you may
withhold your votes as to all or specific nominees. In voting on
the ratification of the selection of our independent registered
public accounting firm in Proposal 2, you can specify
whether you approve, disapprove or abstain. If you sign and
return the proxy card without specifying any instructions and
without indicating expressly that you are not voting some or all
of your shares on a particular proposal, your shares will be
voted for the proposal.
Holders Needed to Establish a Quorum
A quorum is necessary to hold a valid meeting of shareholders.
If holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock are present in person or by proxy for a particular
proposal, a quorum will exist for that proposal. In order to
assure the presence of a quorum, please vote via the Internet,
telephone or sign and return your proxy card promptly in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope even if you plan to attend the
meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present
for establishing a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a
broker votes on one or more matters on the proxy card, but not
on others because the broker does not have the authority to do
so.
The Vote Necessary for Action to be Taken
The three persons receiving the greatest number of votes will be
elected to serve as Class II directors. More than one-half
of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote
at the annual meeting must vote for the ratification of the
selection of auditors in order for that proposal to be approved.
Accordingly, withholding authority to vote for a director,
abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of
the election of directors or the approval of any proposal.
2
Revocation of Proxies
If you are a registered holder of our common stock, you may
revoke your proxy by giving a written notice of revocation to
our Corporate Secretary at any time before your proxy is voted,
by executing a later-dated proxy card that is voted at the
meeting, or by attending the meeting and voting your shares in
person. If your shares are held by a broker, you must contact
your broker to revoke your proxy. Attendance at the meeting will
not automatically revoke your proxy.
Electronic Access to Proxy Materials and Annual Report
Shareholders can elect to view future proxy statements and
annual reports over the Internet instead of receiving paper
copies in the mail. If you received a paper copy of the proxy
statement and annual report and would prefer to access these via
the Internet in the future, call Shareholder Services at
(800) 356-6423
(toll-free) or complete and mail the electronic access sign-up
form enclosed with your proxy materials.
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As described below, the Board of Directors consists of eight
directors divided into three classes, with one class having two
directors and two classes having three directors, with one class
being elected each year for a term of three years. Accordingly,
it is proposed that the three nominees listed below be elected
to serve as Class II directors for three-year terms, to
expire at the 2009 annual meeting and upon the election and
qualification of their successors.
All of our directors serve concurrently as directors of MGE. Our
Board of Directors has determined that all of our directors,
other than Mr. Wolter, are independent as defined in the
applicable Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., listing standards.
Mr. Swanson, Mr. Nevin and Mr. Wolter are
currently Class II directors whose terms expire at the 2006
annual meeting of shareholders and who have been nominated by
the Board for reelection.
Each of the nominees has indicated a willingness to serve if
elected, and the Board has no reason to believe that any nominee
will be unavailable. If any nominee should become unable to
serve, it is presently intended that your proxy will be voted
for a substitute nominee designated by the Board. Under the
Companys retirement guidelines for directors, directors
who have served as the chief executive officer or who have been
retained as a salaried consultant shall resign from the Board no
later than the date and time of the annual meeting of
shareholders following their 70th birthday.
3
The following table sets forth information about the nominees
and the current directors who will continue in office after the
meeting.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES.
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MGEE** | |
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Director | |
Names (Ages)* and Business Experience |
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Since | |
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Nominees Class II Term Expiring in
2009
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H. Lee Swanson (67), Cross Plains, Wisconsin
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1988 |
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Chairman of the Board and President, SBCP Bancorp, Inc., and
Chairman of the Board of the State Bank of Cross Plains, with
which he has been associated for more than 40 years; also
director and trustee of Cornell College. |
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John R. Nevin (62), Madison, Wisconsin
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1998 |
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Executive Director, Center for Brand and Product Management,
Executive Director, Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management,
and Grainger Wisconsin Distinguished Professor, School of
Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has been a
faculty member for 35 years. |
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Gary J. Wolter (51), Madison, Wisconsin
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2000 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief
Executive Officer of MGEE and MGE, of which he has been an
Officer since 1989 and an employee since 1984; also director of
Meriter Hospital and Meriter Health Services, member of the
Board of Trustees of the University of Wisconsin Research Park
and director of National Guardian Life Insurance Company. |
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Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office
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Class I Term Expiring in 2008
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Regina M. Millner (61), Madison, Wisconsin
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1996 |
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Attorney, analyst and commercial real estate broker for more
than 27 years; President, RMM Enterprises, Inc., which
specializes in complex real estate projects and provides legal,
consulting and brokerage services for private clients and
governmental agencies; director of Meriter Hospital and Meriter
Health Services and director of Physicians Plus Insurance
Company. |
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Donna K. Sollenberger (56), Verona, Wisconsin
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2000 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer of UW Hospital and
Clinics since December 1999 and director of Inacom, a privately
held company. |
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Class III Term Expiring in 2007
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Richard E. Blaney (69), Madison, Wisconsin
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1974 |
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Retired President of Richard Blaney Seeds Inc. and Blaney Farms,
Inc., retail sales of hybrid seed corn, with which he was
associated for more than 30 years; former President of
Blaney Agri-Research Foundation and former director of the
Wisconsin Agri-Business Council. |
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Frederic E. Mohs (68), Madison, Wisconsin
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1975 |
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Partner in the law firm of Mohs, MacDonald, Widder &
Paradise, of which he has been a member since 1968; also Regent
Emeritus of the UW System, retired director of the UW Hospital
and Clinics and retired member of the Board of Trustees of the
University of Wisconsin Research Park. |
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F. Curtis Hastings (60), Madison, Wisconsin
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1999 |
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Chairman of J. H. Findorff & Son, Inc., commercial and
industrial general contractors and design builders, with which
he has been associated for 35 years; also director of
National Guardian Life Insurance Co. |
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Ages as of December 31, 2005. |
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Directors of MGE Energy, Inc., since becoming the holding
company of MGE in August 2002. |
4
PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The second proposal to be considered at the annual meeting is
the ratification of our selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2006.
If the shareholders do not ratify the selection or if
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP declines to act or otherwise becomes
incapable of acting or if their appointment is otherwise
discontinued, we will appoint other independent accountants.
We selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit our consolidated
financial statements for 2005. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our
independent registered public accountant in 2005, is expected to
have a representative present at the 2006 annual meeting who may
make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Our Audit Committee approves each engagement of the independent
registered public accounting firm to render any audit or
non-audit services before the firm is engaged to render those
services. The Chairman of the Audit Committee or other
designated Audit Committee member may represent the entire Audit
Committee for purposes of this approval. Any services approved
by the Chairman or other designated Audit Committee members are
reported to the full Audit Committee at the next scheduled Audit
Committee meeting.
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees Disclosure |
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2005 Fees | |
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2004 Fees | |
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Audit Fees
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Audit of financial statements and internal controls(1)
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$ |
865,400 |
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$ |
824,250 |
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Review of SEC filings and comfort letters
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
44,000 |
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Total Audit Fees
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$ |
865,400 |
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$ |
868,250 |
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Audit Related Fees
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Financial accounting and reporting standards consultation
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
40,000 |
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Fee to access online accounting standards library
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$ |
1,500 |
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$ |
1,500 |
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Total Audit Related Fees
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$ |
1,500 |
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$ |
41,500 |
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Tax Fees
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Review of federal and state income tax returns
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$ |
18,000 |
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$ |
16,000 |
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Total Tax Fees
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$ |
18,000 |
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$ |
16,000 |
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All Other Fees
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Financial analysis for generation projects
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$ |
34,600 |
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$ |
87,500 |
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Total All Other Fees
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$ |
34,600 |
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$ |
87,500 |
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(1) |
Fees for 2005 include $116,400 for work performed, billed and
paid in 2005 for the internal control review related to our
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. |
No de minimis exceptions to this approval process are allowed
under the Audit Committee Charter; and thus, none of the
services described in the preceding table were approved pursuant
to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2006.
5
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
Our Board of Directors does not intend to present any business
for action by our shareholders at the meeting except the matters
referred to in this document. If any other matters should be
properly presented at the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote thereon
in accordance with the recommendations of our Board of Directors.
Please complete and sign the accompanying form of proxy whether
or not you expect to be present at the meeting and promptly
return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
The following table lists the beneficial ownership of our common
stock as of December 31, 2005 (except as otherwise noted)
of each director and nominee, the individuals named in the
summary compensation table and the directors and executive
officers as a group. In each case, the indicated owner has sole
voting power and sole investment power with respect to the
shares shown except as noted. To our knowledge, there is no
beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the outstanding
shares of our common stock.
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Percent of | |
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Number of Shares | |
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Outstanding | |
Name |
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Beneficially Owned | |
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Common Stock | |
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Richard E. Blaney
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2,023 |
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* |
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Kristine A. Euclide
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1,567 |
(1) |
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* |
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F. Curtis Hastings
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3,191 |
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* |
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Terry A. Hanson
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5,912 |
(1)(2) |
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* |
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Mark T. Maranger
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1,310 |
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* |
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Regina M. Millner
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1,237 |
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* |
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Frederic E. Mohs
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12,408 |
(3) |
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* |
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Scott A. Neitzel
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2,768 |
(1) |
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* |
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John R. Nevin
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1,535 |
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* |
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Donna K. Sollenberger
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1,233 |
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* |
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H. Lee Swanson
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7,000 |
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* |
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Gary J. Wolter
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9,051 |
(1)(2) |
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* |
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All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons)
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65,549 |
(2) |
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* |
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(1) |
K. Euclide, T. Hanson, S. Neitzel, and G. Wolter
are directors of Madison Gas and Electric Foundation, Inc., and
as such have shared voting and investment power in an additional
12,000 shares of our common stock held by the Foundation.
The Foundation was formed by, and receives contributions
primarily from, MGE, which contributions are used for charitable
purposes. |
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(2) |
Includes common stock held under two employee stock ownership
plans for the account of executive officers of MGE with respect
to which those persons have sole voting but no investment power:
T. Hanson, 609 shares; G. Wolter,
126 shares; and directors and executive officers as a
group, 5,445 shares. |
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(3) |
Includes 628 shares of common stock with respect to which
Mr. Mohs is trustee of a trust for the benefit of his
children. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own
more than 10 percent of our common stock to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Those persons are also required to
furnish us with copies of all such reports. Based solely on our
review of the copies of the reports received by us and
6
written representations from certain reporting persons, we note
that all but one of our directors and executive officers (we do
not have any greater than 10 percent shareholders) filed
all required reports during or with respect to the year ended
December 31, 2005, on a timely basis. Kristine A.
Euclide filed a Form 4 report late to report the
acquisition of 275 shares of our common stock made by her
son on August 15, 2005, at a time when the son shared the
same residence.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION
Meetings and Committees
The Boards of Directors of MGEE and MGE each met 12 times during
2005. Each director attended at least 75 percent of the
aggregate number of meetings of the Boards and the committees on
which the director served.
We have an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, an
Executive Committee and a Corporate Governance Committee.
The following table sets forth the current membership of each
committee and the number of meetings held during 2005:
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|
Corporate | |
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|
Audit | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Executive | |
|
Governance | |
Name |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee* | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
| |
Richard E. Blaney
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|
X |
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|
X |
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|
|
X |
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|
X |
|
F. Curtis Hastings
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|
X |
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|
X |
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Regina M. Millner
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|
X |
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|
|
|
X |
|
Frederic E. Mohs
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|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
** |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
** |
John R. Nevin
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|
X |
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|
X |
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Donna K. Sollenberger
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|
X |
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|
X |
|
H. Lee Swanson
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|
X |
** |
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|
X |
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|
X |
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|
X |
|
Gary J. Wolter
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X |
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Number of Meetings
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4 |
*** |
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3 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
The Corporate Governance Committee was formed on
December 16, 2005. A number of its functions had previously
been performed by the Personnel Committee, which was eliminated. |
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** |
Committee Chairperson. |
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*** |
In addition, quarterly discussions were held with external
auditors and management for Form 10-Q and Form 10-K
filings. |
The function of our Audit Committee is to meet with our internal
auditors and independent registered public accounting firm and
discuss with them the scope and results of their audits,
accounting practices and the adequacy of our internal controls.
Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Swanson is
an audit committee financial expert, as defined by
applicable SEC rules. Mr. Swanson and the other members of
the Audit Committee are independent as defined in applicable
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. listing standards.
The function of the Compensation Committee is to review the
salaries, fees and other benefits of officers and directors and
recommend compensation adjustments to the Board. Each of the
committee members is independent as defined in applicable Nasdaq
Stock Market, Inc. listing standards.
The Executive Committee acts in lieu of the full Board and
between meetings of the Board. The Executive Committee has the
powers of the Board in the management of our business and
affairs, except action with respect to dividends to
shareholders, election of principal officers or the filling of
vacancies on the Board or committees created by the Board.
7
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for taking a
leadership role in shaping corporate governance of the Company.
The Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board
regarding corporate governance principles applicable to the
Company and concerning Board and committee organization,
membership, function and effectiveness. The Committee has a
written charter, which is posted on our Web site at
www.mgeenergy.com. More information regarding our
corporate governance practices can be found at our Web site.
Each of the members of the Committee are independent as defined
in applicable Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., listing standards.
The Corporate Governance Committee also reviews candidates for
our Board and makes nominations of appropriate candidates for
election to the Board. The candidate review criteria includes
characteristics such as integrity, business experience,
knowledge and independence of judgment, as well as diversity in
business backgrounds in order to bring different experiences and
perspectives to the Board. Diversity in personal background,
race, gender, age and nationality, for the Board as a whole, may
be taken into account in considering candidates. While screening
candidates, the Committee will examine potential conflicts of
interest, including interlocking directorships and substantial
business, civic and social relationships with other members of
the Board that could impair a prospective Board members
ability to act independently.
The Corporate Governance Committee also considers qualified
director candidates suggested by our shareholders. Shareholders
can suggest candidates by writing to MGE Energy, Inc., Post
Office Box 1231, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1231, Attention:
Corporate Secretary. Submissions should describe the
candidates background, experience and ownership of our
shares and otherwise address the factors considered by the
committee as described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines
located on our Web site, www.mgeenergy.com. The Corporate
Governance Committee will apply the same standards in
considering candidates recommended by shareholders as it applies
to other candidates.
Policy Regarding Annual Meeting Attendance
Our policy is to encourage our directors to attend the annual
meeting of shareholders. For the past five years, all of
our directors were present at each of the annual meetings.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on
behalf of our Board. The Audit Committee consists of seven
independent directors. Its duties and responsibilities are set
forth in the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board. The
Audit Committee Charter is included in this proxy statement as
Exhibit A. The Audit Committee has issued the following
report:
In the course of fulfilling its responsibilities, we have:
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Reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2005; |
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Discussed with the representatives of our independent registered
public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), all
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees
(as supplemented); |
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|
Received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees; |
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Discussed with PwC their independence from the Company and
management; and |
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Considered whether the provision by PwC of non-audit services is
compatible with maintaining their independence. |
8
Based on the foregoing, we have recommended to the Board that
the audited financial statements referred to above be included
in our annual report on Form 10-K and the annual report to
shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
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Richard E. Blaney
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Frederic E. Mohs |
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H. Lee Swanson, Chairperson |
|
F. Curtis Hastings
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John R. Nevin |
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Regina M. Millner
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Donna K. Sollenberger |
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|
Director Compensation
MGEE directors who are not employees of MGE receive an annual
retainer of $16,000, plus $1,200 for each Board meeting attended
and $750 for each Audit, Compensation, Executive, or Corporate
Governance Committee meeting attended. Mr. Wolter receives
no additional compensation for serving as a director. The
chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional
$10,000 retainer. The chairperson of the Compensation Committee
receives an additional $5,000 retainer.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth compensation information for
2003, 2004, and 2005 for our Chief Executive Officer and our
four other most highly compensated executive officers serving as
such on December 31, 2005, whose salary exceeded $100,000
for 2005.
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Annual Compensation | |
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Long-Term Compensation | |
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| |
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Awards | |
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Payouts | |
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| |
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| |
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Securities | |
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Other Annual | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Underlying | |
|
LTIP | |
|
All Other | |
|
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|
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Stock | |
|
Options | |
|
Payouts | |
|
Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
($)(1) | |
|
Awards($) | |
|
(#) | |
|
($) | |
|
($)(2) | |
|
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
Gary J. Wolter (CEO)
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2005 |
|
|
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407,252 |
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77,000 |
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|
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19,367 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,096 |
|
|
Chairman, President and
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|
2004 |
|
|
|
389,672 |
|
|
|
158,000 |
|
|
|
11,232 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
40,282 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
376,492 |
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
5,578 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
18,836 |
|
Mark T. Maranger
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,996 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,180 |
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
195,640 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,209 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
190,644 |
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,819 |
|
Kristine A. Euclide
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
191,028 |
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
2,988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,893 |
|
|
Vice President and
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
180,768 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6,394 |
|
|
General Counsel
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
170,616 |
|
|
|
61,000 |
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6,424 |
|
Terry A. Hanson
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
187,848 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
2,549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,240 |
|
|
Vice President,
|
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2004 |
|
|
|
177,756 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
1,289 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
20,122 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
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|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
170,080 |
|
|
|
47,000 |
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,830 |
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and Secretary
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Scott A. Neitzel
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
188,056 |
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,599 |
|
|
Vice President-Energy
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
174,128 |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
18,148 |
|
|
Supply Policy
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
157,584 |
|
|
|
57,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
7,965 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Amounts shown reflect interest at above-market rates credited to
deferred compensation accounts. |
|
(2) |
Amounts shown for all other compensation for 2005 are company
contributions to a 401(k) defined contribution plan, $150 for a
holiday bonus, and pay for unused vacation. The 401(k) company
contribution for 2005 was $6,300 for Mr. Wolter, $6,030 for
Mr. Maranger, $5,061 for Ms. Euclide, $5,475 for
Mr. Hanson and $5,362 for Mr. Neitzel. Pay for unused
vacation in 2005 was $14,646 for Mr. Wolter, $1,682 for
Ms. Euclide, $6,616 for Mr. Hanson, and $5,087 for
Mr. Neitzel. |
9
Pension Plan and Supplemental Retirement Plan
MGE has a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan
covering its salaried employees. The amount of pension is based
upon years of service and high 60-month average earnings in the
ten years prior to retirement.
The following table indicates the estimated maximum retirement
benefits payable (unreduced for survivor protection) at the
normal retirement age of 65 for specified compensation and years
of service classifications. All compensation shown in the salary
and bonus columns of the summary compensation table is included
in compensation under the pension plan, subject to any statutory
restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.
Information in this table is based on the pension plan formula
for years of service credit earned in 1986 and subsequent years.
The retirement benefits are not subject to any reduction for
Social Security benefits received by the employees or for any
other offset amounts.
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|
Annual Pension at Normal Retirement Age of 65 After | |
|
|
Years of Service Indicated Below(1) | |
|
|
| |
High Five-Year |
|
|
|
30 Years or | |
Average Annual Salary |
|
10 Years | |
|
15 Years | |
|
20 Years | |
|
25 Years | |
|
More(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
$150,000
|
|
$ |
21,000 |
|
|
$ |
31,500 |
|
|
$ |
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
52,500 |
|
|
$ |
63,000 |
|
$175,000
|
|
$ |
24,500 |
|
|
$ |
36,750 |
|
|
$ |
49,000 |
|
|
$ |
61,250 |
|
|
$ |
73,500 |
|
$200,000
|
|
$ |
28,000 |
|
|
$ |
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
56,000 |
|
|
$ |
70,000 |
|
|
$ |
84,000 |
|
$220,000(3)
|
|
$ |
30,800 |
|
|
$ |
46,200 |
|
|
$ |
61,600 |
|
|
$ |
77,000 |
|
|
$ |
92,400 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The pension plan table does not reflect service credit prior to
1986 when the pension plan required employee contributions. The
normal retirement pension for employees with service credits
prior to 1986 will exceed the amounts shown in the pension plan
table, depending on their years of pre-1986 service and
contributions made to the pension plan. |
|
(2) |
Maximum service credit under the Madison Gas and Electric
Company Retirement Plan is 30 years. |
|
(3) |
$220,000 is the 2006 limit imposed on covered compensation by
the Internal Revenue Code. |
The estimated annual retirement benefit payable at normal
retirement age of 65 under the pension plan formula (assuming
continuation of 2005 compensation levels through retirement and
taking into account employee contributions and service credits
for 1985 and prior years) is $114,146 to Mr. Wolter,
$37,166 to Mr. Maranger, $41,932 to Ms. Euclide,
$96,564 to Mr. Hanson and $86,295 to Mr. Neitzel.
The full credited years of service under the pension plan are 22
for Mr. Wolter, five for Mr. Maranger, four for
Ms. Euclide, 24 for Mr. Hanson and eight for
Mr. Neitzel.
Officers of MGE are covered under separate nonqualified
supplemental retirement agreements which provide a supplemental
retirement benefit to the pension plan. Under the terms of the
agreements covering Mr. Wolter, Mr. Hanson and
Mr. Neitzel, the supplemental retirement benefit is a
designated percentage ranging from 55 to 70 percent of the
final 60-month average earnings less the benefit payable from
the pension plan. Under the terms of the agreements covering
Mr. Maranger and Ms. Euclide, the supplemental
retirement benefit is a designated percentage ranging from 20 to
40 percent of the final 60-month average earnings less the
benefit payable from the pension plan. In all of the agreements,
the designated percentage is based on the officers age at
retirement. The estimated supplemental annual retirement benefit
payable at normal retirement age of 65 under the supplemental
retirement agreements (assuming continuation of 2005
compensation levels through retirement) for MGEs executive
officers is $224,935 to Mr. Wolter, $53,292 to
Mr. Maranger, $47,539 to Ms. Euclide, $56,034 to
Mr. Hanson and $68,199 to Mr. Neitzel.
10
Deferred Compensation Plan
Officers of MGE are permitted to defer a portion of their
current salary under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan
initiated in 1984. Six officers contributed to the plan during
2005. Participants in the plan are entitled to receive deferred
compensation upon termination of active employment. Deferred
compensation under this plan does not constitute compensation as
defined under the pension plan described above, but is
considered compensation under the supplemental retirement
agreements.
MGE has entered into a trust agreement for the purpose of
assuring the payment of its obligations under the supplemental
retirement agreements and deferred compensation plan. Under the
trust agreement, in the event of a change in control or
potential change in control of MGE, MGE will be obligated to
deliver to the trustee cash or marketable securities having a
value equal to the present value of the amounts which MGE is
obligated to pay under the supplemental retirement agreements
and the deferred compensation plan and the costs of maintaining
the trust. Change in control is defined generally as
the acquisition by any person, subject to certain exceptions, of
beneficial ownership of 20 percent or more of our common
stock; a change in the majority of the Board of Directors;
certain mergers or similar transactions involving MGEs
assets where, among other conditions, the current shareholders
do not constitute at least 60 percent of the shareholders
of the resulting or acquiring entity; or a liquidation of MGE.
Severance Plans
MGE has entered into individual severance agreements with
certain key employees, including Mr. Wolter,
Mr. Maranger, Ms. Euclide, Mr. Hanson, and
Mr. Neitzel. Under these agreements, the employee is
entitled to a severance payment following a change in control of
MGE as defined above if, within 24 months after the change
in control, employment with MGE is terminated by (i) MGE,
(ii) the employee for good reason, or (iii) the
employee for any reason during the 30-day period commencing one
year after the date of the change in control. Each agreement has
a three-year initial term, but on the first anniversary of
execution and each anniversary thereafter, the agreement is
extended for an additional year, unless either MGE or the
employee gives notice not to extend the agreement or a change in
control of MGE has occurred. Severance payments to
Mr. Wolter, Mr. Hanson, or Mr. Neitzel will be
equal to three times the employees annual base salary plus
three times the highest bonus paid during any of the five years
preceding a change in control. Severance payments to
Mr. Maranger will be equal to one times his annual base
salary plus one times the highest bonus paid during any of the
five years preceding a change in control. Severance payments to
Ms. Euclide will be equal to two times her annual base
salary plus two times the highest bonus paid during any of the
five years preceding a change in control. If the employee
receives severance benefits following a change in control, the
employees health, life, and disability benefits are
continued for up to one, two, or three years (depending on the
individual agreement), and the employee also will be grossed up
for any excise taxes the employee may incur. In circumstances
not involving a change in control of MGE, Mr. Wolter,
Mr. Maranger, Ms. Euclide, Mr. Hanson, and
Mr. Neitzel, like other salaried employees, are entitled
under MGEs general severance plan to a payment equal to
two weeks of compensation plus the employees weekly
compensation multiplied by the number of years of employment,
not to exceed 24 years.
Report on Executive Compensation
The principal goal of the compensation program is to pay
employees, including executive officers, at levels which are:
|
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|
Reflective of how well we are achieving our corporate mission; |
|
|
|
Consistent with our current financial condition, earnings, rates
and total shareholder return and the projected Consumer Price
Index; |
|
|
|
Reflective of individual performance and experience; and |
|
|
|
Competitive in the marketplace. |
11
We strive to administer our compensation program in a fair and
consistent manner.
We periodically hire outside consultants to do compensation
studies. Executive salaries are established within a range that
reflects competitive salary levels for similar positions in
similar-sized gas and electric utilities, similar-sized
companies outside of the utility industry and other Wisconsin
utilities. The utilities used for salary comparison are not the
same companies included in the performance graph peer group in
this proxy statement. When examining compensation peer groups,
it was determined more appropriate to consider similar-sized
utilities, other similar-sized companies and other Wisconsin
utilities.
The midpoint (or middle) of an executives salary range is
approximately equal to the median salary level of the surveyed
utilities. An executives position in the range reflects
his or her performance over a period of years in that position,
the executives experience in that position and our
performance.
Specific individual or company performance targets are not set.
Instead, an executives salary within the salary range is
determined by subjectively evaluating the individuals
performance and experience and our performance.
While our current compensation program has functional adequacy
to retain and fairly compensate executives, the Compensation
Committee and the full Board review the objectives of the
executive compensation program on a continuing basis. Each year,
the Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board
annual salaries and the overall salary program design for
executives.
From time to time the Compensation Committee considers awarding
bonuses to executives. These bonuses may be made for
extraordinary company or individual performance, because of a
desire to retain an executive by making that executives
compensation more competitive, to align the long-term interests
of executives with shareholders and for other reasons.
Executive
Compensation
Performance factors such as earnings, rates, shareholder return
and other available financial criteria were used in determining
the CEOs and other executive officers positions in
his or her salary range. Other criteria such as gas and electric
reliability, customer service and responsiveness to industry
change were also examined.
Officer salaries were set effective May 1, 2005, and a cash
bonus was granted to officers after year-end based on 2005
performance. Among the significant achievements considered in
setting the salaries and bonuses of the CEO and other senior
executives were the following: Successfully completing the West
Campus Cogeneration Facility on time and on budget; lowest
purchased gas costs in the state for the winter of 2004-2005;
negotiating contracts and exercising an option for coal-fired
generation; responding to the MISO Day-2 market; passing
Sarbanes-Oxley review with no material weaknesses; reaffirming
the highest bond rating in the country for a combination gas and
electric utility; successful debt financing; high customer
satisfaction rating and community leadership.
In May of 2005, the CEOs annual salary was set at
$413,820. The CEO was awarded a bonus of $77,000 based on 2005
performance. The CEOs total compensation for 2005 remains
below the midpoint of the market total compensation for both
general industry and similar-sized utilities in the compensation
study.
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Richard E. Blaney |
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Frederic E. Mohs, Chairperson |
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H. Lee Swanson |
12
Company Performance
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative
total returns for us, the Russell 2000 Index and the EEI
Investor-Owned Electrics Index, weighted according to each
companys market capitalization as of the beginning of each
year.
MGE Energy, Inc.
Financial Performance
Cumulative Five-Year Total Return Comparison
Assumes $100 invested on Dec. 31, 2000, in each of
MGEEs common stock,
the Russell 2000 Index and the EEI Index.
Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
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Russell | |
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EEI | |
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MGEE | |
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2000 | |
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Index | |
2000
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
100 |
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2001
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$ |
123 |
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$ |
102 |
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$ |
91 |
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2002
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$ |
131 |
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$ |
81 |
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$ |
78 |
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2003
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$ |
161 |
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$ |
120 |
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$ |
96 |
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2004
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$ |
193 |
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$ |
142 |
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$ |
118 |
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2005
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$ |
188 |
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$ |
148 |
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$ |
137 |
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13
MGE Energy, Inc.
Financial Performance
MGEE versus Wisconsin Peer Group
NOTE: This graph is for comparison purposes only. It is to show
how our Five-Year Total Return compares to the other
Investor-Owned Wisconsin utilities.
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2000, in each of
MGEEs common stock and the
Wisconsin Peer Group average. The Wisconsin Peer Group average
is weighted
based on market capitalization at the beginning of the year.
Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
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WI | |
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Peer | |
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MGEE | |
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Group | |
2000
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
100 |
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2001
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$ |
123 |
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$ |
105 |
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2002
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$ |
131 |
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$ |
98 |
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2003
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$ |
161 |
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$ |
137 |
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2004
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$ |
193 |
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$ |
151 |
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2005
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$ |
188 |
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$ |
169 |
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Wisconsin Peer Group:
Alliant Energy Corp.
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
WPS Resources Corp.
14
OTHER INFORMATION
Expenses of Solicitation
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies for the annual
meeting. Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be solicited
personally by our directors, officers, or employees who will not
receive special compensation for such services. We have retained
Morrow & Co., Inc., to solicit proxies at a fee of $6,000
plus expenses.
Shareholder Proposals for 2007 Annual Meeting
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2007
annual meeting of shareholders must be received in writing at
our principal executive offices (133 South Blair Street, Post
Office Box 1231, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1231, Attention:
Secretary) prior to December 5, 2006, in order to be
considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy
related to that meeting. Any proposal submitted must be in
compliance with
Rule 14a-8 of
Regulation 14A of the SEC.
Our Bylaws set forth additional requirements and procedures
regarding the submission by shareholders of matters for
consideration at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders,
including a requirement that those proposals be given to the
Secretary not later than the close of business on the 75th day
and not earlier than the close of business on the 100th day
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years
annual meeting. Accordingly, a shareholder proposal intended to
be considered at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders must be
received by the Secretary at the address set forth above after
the close of business on January 31, 2007, and on or prior
to the close of business on February 25, 2007.
Contacting our Directors
A shareholder who desires to contact members of our Board of
Directors may do so by sending an e-mail to
directors@mgeenergy.com or by writing to: Board of
Directors, MGE Energy, Inc., Post Office Box 1231, Madison,
Wisconsin 53701-1231.
The correspondence should identify the shareholder and his, her,
or its address and shareholdings. That correspondence is
received by our Corporate Secretarys office. Our Corporate
Secretarys office will forward matters within the
Boards purview to them. Ordinary business matters, such as
issues relating to customer service, employment, or commercial
transactions, will be directed to the appropriate areas within
our company for handling. Comments or concerns regarding
financial reporting, legal compliance, or other ethical issues
should be directed to EthicsPoint at www.ethicspoint.com
or phone
1-866-384-4277, a third
party we have selected for receiving and handling such
communications from shareholders as well as our employees.
Communications to EthicsPoint may be sent anonymously.
EthicsPoint will forward those communications directly to the
Chairman of our Audit Committee.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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GARY J. WOLTER |
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Chairman of the Board, |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dated: April 17, 2006
15
MAP TO MEETING
If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please fill out
the reservation form and return it with your proxy card so that
we may have an indication of the number of shareholders planning
to attend the meeting. If your shares are held through a
broker or its nominee and you would like to attend the
meeting, please contact shareholder services at (800)356-6423 to
make a reservation
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our
Shareholder Services toll-free number. Call (800)356-6423 if you
are calling from within the Continental United States and
252-4744 if calling from the Madison area.
16
APPENDIX A
MGE Energy Audit Committee Charter
The charter identifies the purpose, authority, composition, and
responsibilities of the MGE Energy, Inc. Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors (Committee).
Purpose
The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board of Directors
(Board) of MGE Energy, Inc. (Company) in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities to the shareholders, potential
shareholders, and the investment community relating to the
integrity of financial reporting and accounting practices; the
system of internal controls; the independence and performance of
the internal and external audit processes; and the
Companys process for monitoring compliance with laws and
regulations and the Companys Code of Conduct.
Authority
The Committee reports to the Board and has unrestricted access
and authorization to obtain assistance from Company personnel to
accomplish its purpose. In addition, the Committee has the
discretion to initiate and supervise investigations within the
scope of its duties as it may deem appropriate and to employ
whatever additional advisors and consultants it deems necessary
for the fulfillment of its duties. The Company shall provide to
the Committee the funding necessary and appropriate to discharge
its duties and responsibilities as set forth in this charter.
Composition
The Committee shall consist of three or more outside directors,
as determined by the Board. Each member shall be an independent
director, defined as a person other than an officer or employee
of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual
having a relationship which, in the opinion of the
Companys Board, would interfere with the exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. Committee members may not receive any consulting,
advisory, or other fees from the Company other than in the
members capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the
Board, or any other Board committee. Applicable laws and
regulations shall be followed in evaluating a Committee
members independence.
All members of the Committee shall have a working familiarity
with basic finance and accounting practices and be able to read
and understand balance sheet, income and cash flow statements.
At least one member of the Committee shall have accounting
or related financial management expertise.
General responsibilities
1. The Committee shall provide open avenues of
communication with the director internal audit, the
independent accountants, management, and the Board.
2. The Committee shall report committee actions to the
Board and may make appropriate recommendations.
3. The Committee shall meet at least two times each year.
The Chair of the Committee has the power to call a committee
meeting whenever he or she thinks there is a need. A Committee
member should not vote on any matter in which he or she is not
independent. The Committee may ask members of management or
others to attend the meeting and is authorized to receive all
pertinent information from management.
4. The role of the Committee is oversight, except as
otherwise provided in the Charter.
5. The Committee shall establish procedures for the
receipt, retention, and handling of complaints received by the
Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or
auditing matters; and the confidential, anonymous submission by
employees of the Company and its affiliates of concerns
regarding questionable accounting, internal control or auditing
matters.
A-1
Responsibilities for engaging independent accountants and
appointing the director internal audit
1. The ultimate accountability of the independent
accountants shall be to the Board and the Committee, as
representatives of the shareholders. The Committee shall have
direct responsibility to select, compensate, evaluate, and
replace the independent accountants.
2. The Committee shall approve the engagement of
independent accountants.
3. The Committee shall pre-approve any audit and non-audit
services and relationships with the independent accountants. The
Chair of the Committee or other designated Committee member may
represent the entire Committee for purposes of this
pre-approval. Any services approved by the Chair or other
designated Committee member shall be reported to the full
Committee at the next scheduled Committee meeting.
4. The Committee shall ensure that all partner rotation
requirements are complied with by the independent accountants.
5. The Committee shall resolve any disagreements between
management and the independent accountants regarding financial
reporting.
6. The Committee shall ensure that the Company has clear
hiring policies for employees or former employees of the
independent accountants.
7. The Committee shall review and have veto power over the
appointment, compensation, replacement, reassignment or
dismissal of the director internal audit.
8. The Committee shall assure the objectivity of the
director internal audit and the independence, as
defined by Independence Standards Board (ISB) Standard
No. 1, of the independent accountants, including:
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a. Receipt from the independent accountants of a formal
written statement delineating all relationships between them and
the Company, and |
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b. A review of management consulting services provided by
the independent accountants and the fees paid for them. |
9. The Committee shall consider, in consultation with the
independent accountants and the director internal
audit, the audit scope and plan of the director
internal audit and the independent accountants. Any changes to
the audit plans shall be reviewed with the Chair of the
Committee.
10. The Committee shall make sure that the
director internal audit and the independent
accountants coordinate the internal and external audits.
Responsibilities for reviewing internal audits, the annual
external audit and the review of quarterly and annual financial
statements
1. The Committee shall ensure that the independent
accountants are available to the Board at least annually, and
shall provide the Committee with a timely analysis of
significant financial reporting issues.
2. The Committee shall discuss with the independent
accountants:
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a. All critical accounting policies and practices. |
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b. All discussions with management regarding alternative
accounting treatments of financial information within generally
accepted accounting principles, including the impact of using
the alternative treatments and disclosures and the treatment
preferred by the accounting firm. |
3. The independent accountants shall provide the Committee
with all material written communications with management.
4. The Committee shall ask management, the
director internal audit, and the independent
accountants about significant risks and exposures and shall
assess managements responses to address them.
A-2
5. The Committee shall review with the independent
accountants and the director internal audit the
adequacy of the Companys internal controls, including
computerized information system controls and security.
6. Shortly after the annual external audit is completed by
the independent accountants, the Committee shall review the
following with management and the independent accountants:
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a. The Companys annual financial statements. |
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b. Any major issues regarding accounting principles and
financial statement presentations, including any significant
changes in the Companys selection or application of
accounting principles. |
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c. The independent accountants audit of and report on
the annual financial statements. |
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d. The independent accountants qualitative judgment
about the appropriateness, not just the acceptability, of
accounting principles and financial disclosures, and about the
degree of aggressiveness or conservatism of the Companys
accounting principles and underlying estimates. |
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e. Any serious difficulties or disputes with management
encountered during the course of the audit. |
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f. Anything else about the audit procedures or findings
that is required to be discussed with the Committee by Statement
on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 61 and No. 90, as
may be modified or supplemented. |
7. It is the responsibility of the director
internal audit, not the Committee, to plan and conduct audits.
The Committee shall review the following with management and the
director internal audit:
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a. Any significant findings during the year and
managements responses to them. |
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b. Any difficulties the director internal audit
encountered while conducting audits, including any restrictions
on the scope of his or her work or access to required
information. |
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c. The internal auditing departments budget and
staffing. |
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d. The internal auditing departments charter. |
8. It is the responsibility of management, not the
Committee, to determine that the Companys financial
statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The Committee shall:
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a. Review with management annual filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other
published documents containing the Companys annual
financial statements and shall consider whether the information
in the filings is consistent with the information in the
financial statements. The Chair of the Committee may represent
the entire Committee for purposes of this review. |
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b. Review the interim financial reports with management and
the independent accountants prior to filing with the SEC. The
Chair of the Committee may represent the entire Committee for
purposes of this review. |
9. The Committee shall review and approve the Audit
Committee report for inclusion in the Companys proxy
statement.
Periodic Committee responsibilities
1. The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of,
and update as necessary, the Committees charter at least
annually. The annual review will include a review of the charter
by SEC outside counsel for compliance with NASDAQ and SEC
requirements.
2. The Committee shall review with the director
internal audit the results of his or her examination of
compliance with the Companys code of conduct.
A-3
3. The Committee shall resolve corporate disclosure
disputes that are unresolved by the Companys Disclosure
Committee.
4. The Committee shall review with the Companys
general counsel, legal and regulatory matters that may have a
material effect on the Companys financial statements,
compliance policies, and programs.
5. The Committee shall meet regularly in separate executive
session and also in separate private sessions with the
director internal audit, the independent
accountants, and management to discuss any matters that the
Committee or these groups believe should be discussed privately
with the Committee.
6. The Committee reviews and approves all related
party transactions. A related party
transaction is a transaction required to be disclosed
pursuant to item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
7. The Committee shall conduct a periodic self-evaluation
of the Committees performance and processes.
APPROVED BY MGE ENERGY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THEIR DECEMBER 16,
2005 MEETING
A-4
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MGE
Energy, Inc.
Post Office Box 1231
Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1231
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
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VOTE BY
INTERNET AND
VIEW PROXY
MATERIALS
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Have this voting form in hand, access our web site http://www.proxyvoting.com/mgee and follow the instructions. IF
YOU ELECTED TO VIEW PROXY MATERIALS VIA THE INTERNET, THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT THE VOTING
WEB SITE ABOVE. |
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VOTE
BY
TELEPHONE
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Have this voting form in hand, call the Toll-Free Number 1-800-678-8548 and follow the instructions.
(You will not be charged for this call.) |
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Option A: To vote as the Board of Directors recommends on ALL proposals, press 1.
Option B: If you choose to vote on each item separately, press 0. |
If you vote by phone or Internet DO NOT mail the proxy card. Thank you for voting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
Fold and Detach Here.
Indicate your vote by placing an (X) in the appropriate box.
Proposal 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
01 H. Lee Swanson
02 John R. Nevin
03 Gary J. Wolter
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o
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For All
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o
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Withhold
for all
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For all
except* |
*To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, strike a line through the nominees name
in the list above and mark an (X) in the For all
except box.
Proposal 2. RATIFICATION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
LLP FOR 2006
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For
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Against
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Abstain |
In their discretion upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE,
THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears above and
date this proxy. If joint account, each should sign.
Executors, Administrators, Trustees, etc., indicate
the capacity in which you are signing.
This proxy revokes any previous proxies given. (continued on reverse side)
2006 Annual Shareholder Meeting Reservation
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting,
please sign and return with your proxy vote.
(If you do not plan to attend, do
not return this portion of the form.)
o I/we will attend the annual meeting.
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PROXY
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 23, 2006
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors |
I/we appoint Richard E. Blaney, Frederic E. Mohs, and Terry A. Hanson, as proxies with power of
substitution, to represent and to vote all shares of stock I/we would be entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting to be held at the Marriott-Madison West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive, Greenway
Center, Middleton, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 11 a.m., local time, and at all
adjournments thereof.
Shares represented by all properly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with instructions
appearing on the proxy. IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY
HOLDERS AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Please sign exactly as name(s) appears on this proxy card and date this proxy. If joint account,
each joint owner should sign. Executors, Administrators, Trustee, etc., indicate the capacity in
which you are signing.