ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
All Registrants
None.
Generation
The following table describes Generation’s interests in net electric generating capacity by station at December 31, 2018:
__________
(a)
All nuclear stations are boiling water reactors except Braidwood, Byron, Calvert Cliffs, Ginna, Salem and Three Mile Island, which are pressurized water reactors.
(b)
100%, unless otherwise indicated.
(c)
Base-load units are plants that normally operate to take all or part of the minimum continuous load of a system and, consequently, produce electricity at an essentially constant rate. Intermediate units are plants that normally operate to take load of a system during the daytime higher load hours and, consequently, produce electricity by cycling on and off daily. Peaking units consist of lower-efficiency, quick response steam units, gas turbines and diesels normally used during the maximum load periods.
(d)
For nuclear stations, capacity reflects the annual mean rating. Fossil stations reflect a summer rating. Wind and solar facilities reflect name plate capacity.
(e)
Net generation capacity is stated at proportionate ownership share.
(f)
Reflects Generation’s 50.01% interest in CENG, a joint venture with EDF. For Nine Mile Point, the co-owner owns 18% of Unit 2. Thus, Exelon’s ownership is 50.01% of 82% of Nine Mile Point Unit 2.
(g)
Reflects the sale of 49% of EGRP to a third party on July 6, 2017. See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(h)
EGRP owns 100% of the Class A membership interests and a tax equity investor owns 100% of the Class B membership interests of the entity that owns the Bluestem generating assets.
(i)
Generation directly owns a 50% interest in the Albany Green Energy station and an additional 49% through the consolidation of a Variable Interest Entity.
(j)
Generation has announced it will permanently cease generation operations at TMI on or about September 30, 2019. See Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(k)
Generation has agreed to retire and cease generation operations at the Gould Street, Fairless Hills, Eastern, Bethlehem, Southeast Chicago, Notch Cliff, Riverside (unit 8), Westport and Pennsbury units on or before June 1, 2020.
(l)
Generation plans to retire and cease generation operation at Riverside (unit 7) on or about March 14, 2019.
(m)
Generation plans to retire and cease generation operation at the Mystic 7 and Mystic Jet units on or about June 1, 2022.
The net generation capability available for operation at any time may be less due to regulatory restrictions, transmission congestion, fuel restrictions, efficiency of cooling facilities, level of water supplies or generating units being temporarily out of service for inspection, maintenance, refueling, repairs or modifications required by regulatory authorities.
Generation maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its principal plants and properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For additional information regarding nuclear insurance of generating facilities, see ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Exelon Generation Company, LLC. For its insured losses, Generation is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in Generation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
ComEd
ComEd’s electric substations and a portion of its transmission rights of way are located on property that ComEd owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. ComEd believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements, licenses and franchise rights; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
ComEd’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
ComEd’s electric distribution system includes 35,398 circuit miles of overhead lines and 32,010 circuit miles of underground lines.
First Mortgage and Insurance
The principal properties of ComEd are subject to the lien of ComEd’s Mortgage dated July 1, 1923, as amended and supplemented, under which ComEd’s First Mortgage Bonds are issued.
ComEd maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, ComEd is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of ComEd.
PECO
PECO’s electric substations and a significant portion of its transmission lines are located on property that PECO owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. PECO believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
PECO’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
__________
(a)
In addition, PECO has a 22.00% ownership interest in 127 miles of 500 kV lines located in Pennsylvania and a 42.55% ownership interest in 131 miles of 500 kV lines located in Delaware and New Jersey.
PECO’s electric distribution system includes 12,957 circuit miles of overhead lines and 9,367 circuit miles of underground lines.
Gas
The following table sets forth PECO’s natural gas pipeline miles at December 31, 2018:
PECO has an LNG facility located in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania that has a storage capacity of 1,200 mmcf and a send-out capacity of 160 mmcf/day and a propane-air plant located in Chester, Pennsylvania, with a tank storage capacity of 105 mmcf and a peaking capability of 25 mmcf/day. In addition, PECO owns 30 natural gas city gate stations and direct pipeline customer delivery points at various locations throughout its gas service territory.
First Mortgage and Insurance
The principal properties of PECO are subject to the lien of PECO’s Mortgage dated May 1, 1923, as amended and supplemented, under which PECO’s first and refunding mortgage bonds are issued.
PECO maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, PECO is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of PECO.
BGE
BGE’s electric substations and a significant portion of its transmission lines are located on property that BGE owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. BGE believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
BGE’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
BGE’s electric distribution system includes 9,191 circuit miles of overhead lines and 17,295 circuit miles of underground lines.
Gas
The following table sets forth BGE’s natural gas pipeline miles at December 31, 2018:
BGE has an LNG facility located in Baltimore, Maryland that has a storage capacity of 1,056 mmcf and a send-out capacity of 332 mmcf/day and a propane-air plant located in Baltimore, Maryland, with a storage capacity of 550 mmcf and a send-out capacity of 85 mmcf/day. In addition, BGE owns 12 natural gas city gate stations and 20 direct pipeline customer delivery points at various locations throughout its gas service territory.
Property Insurance
BGE owns its principal headquarters building located in downtown Baltimore. BGE maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, BGE is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of BGE.
Pepco
Pepco’s electric substations and a significant portion of its transmission lines are located on property that Pepco owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. Pepco believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
Pepco’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
Pepco’s electric distribution system includes approximately 4,127 circuit miles of overhead lines and 7,039 circuit miles of underground lines. Pepco also operates a distribution system control center in Bethesda, Maryland. The computer equipment and systems contained in Pepco’s control center are financed through a sale and leaseback transaction.
First Mortgage and Insurance
The principal properties of Pepco are subject to the lien of Pepco’s mortgage dated July 1, 1935, as amended and supplemented, under which Pepco First Mortgage Bonds are issued.
Pepco maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, Pepco is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Pepco.
DPL
DPL’s electric substations and a significant portion of its transmission lines are located on property that DPL owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. DPL believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
DPL’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
DPL’s electric distribution system includes approximately 6,031 circuit miles of overhead lines and 6,298 circuit miles of underground lines. DPL also owns and operates a distribution system control center in New Castle, Delaware.
Gas
The following table sets forth DPL’s natural gas pipeline miles at December 31, 2018:
___________
(a)
DPL has a 10% undivided interest in approximately 8 miles of natural gas transmission mains located in Delaware which are used by DPL for its natural gas operations and by 90% owner for distribution of natural gas to its electric generating facilities.
DPL owns a liquefied natural gas facility located in Wilmington, Delaware, with a storage capacity of approximately 250 mmcf and an emergency sendout capability of 36 mmcf/day. DPL owns 4 natural gas city gate stations at various locations in New Castle County, Delaware. These stations have a total primary delivery point contractual entitlement of 158 mmcf/day.
First Mortgage and Insurance
The principal properties of DPL are subject to the lien of DPL’s mortgage dated October 1, 1947, as amended and supplemented, under which DPL First Mortgage Bonds are issued.
DPL maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, DPL is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of DPL.
ACE
ACE’s electric substations and a significant portion of its transmission lines are located on property that ACE owns. A significant portion of its electric transmission and distribution facilities is located above or underneath highways, streets, other public places or property that others own. ACE believes that it has satisfactory rights to use those places or property in the form of permits, grants, easements and licenses; however, it has not necessarily undertaken to examine the underlying title to the land upon which the rights rest.
Transmission and Distribution
ACE’s high voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
ACE’s electric distribution system includes approximately 7,378 circuit miles of overhead lines and 2,927 circuit miles of underground lines. ACE also owns and operates a distribution system control center in Mays Landing, New Jersey.
First Mortgage and Insurance
The principal properties of ACE are subject to the lien of ACE’s mortgage dated January 15, 1937, as amended and supplemented, under which ACE First Mortgage Bonds are issued.
ACE maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For its insured losses, ACE is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of ACE.
Exelon
Security Measures
The Registrants have initiated and work to maintain security measures. On a continuing basis, the Registrants evaluate enhanced security measures at certain critical locations, enhanced response and recovery plans, long-term design changes and redundancy measures. Additionally, the energy industry has strategic relationships with governmental authorities to ensure that emergency plans are in place and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities are addressed in order to maintain the reliability of the country’s energy systems.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
All Registrants
The Registrants are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of their respective businesses. For information regarding material lawsuits and proceedings, see Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such descriptions are incorporated herein by these references.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
All Registrants
Not Applicable to the Registrants.
PART II
(Dollars in millions except per share data, unless otherwise noted)
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Exelon
Exelon’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (trading symbol: EXC). As of January 31, 2019, there were 969,745,933 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 99,857 record holders of common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
The performance graph below illustrates a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns based on an initial investment of $100 in Exelon common stock, as compared with the S&P 500 Stock Index and the S&P Utility Index, for the period 2014 through 2018.
This performance chart assumes:
•
$100 invested on December 31, 2013 in Exelon common stock, in the S&P 500 Stock Index and in the S&P Utility Index; and
•
All dividends are reinvested.
Generation
As of January 31, 2019, Exelon indirectly held the entire membership interest in Generation.
ComEd
As of January 31, 2019, there were 127,021,331 outstanding shares of common stock, $12.50 par value, of ComEd, of which 127,002,904 shares were indirectly held by Exelon. At January 31, 2019, in addition to Exelon, there were 294 record holders of ComEd common stock. There is no established market for shares of the common stock of ComEd.
PECO
As of January 31, 2019, there were 170,478,507 outstanding shares of common stock, without par value, of PECO, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.
BGE
As of January 31, 2019, there were 1,000 outstanding shares of common stock, without par value, of BGE, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.
PHI
As of January 31, 2019, Exelon indirectly held the entire membership interest in PHI.
Pepco
As of January 31, 2019, there were 100 outstanding shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, of Pepco, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.
DPL
As of January 31, 2019, there were 1,000 outstanding shares of common stock, $2.25 par value, of DPL, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.
ACE
As of January 31, 2019, there were 8,546,017 outstanding shares of common stock, $3.00 par value, of ACE, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.
All Registrants
Dividends
Under applicable Federal law, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE can pay dividends only from retained, undistributed or current earnings. A significant loss recorded at Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL or ACE may limit the dividends that these companies can distribute to Exelon.
ComEd has agreed in connection with a financing arranged through ComEd Financing III that ComEd will not declare dividends on any shares of its capital stock in the event that: (1) it exercises its right to extend the interest payment periods on the subordinated debt securities issued to ComEd Financing III; (2) it defaults on its guarantee of the payment of distributions on the preferred trust securities of ComEd Financing III; or (3) an event of default occurs under the Indenture under which the subordinated debt securities are issued. No such event has occurred.
PECO has agreed in connection with financings arranged through PEC L.P. and PECO Trust IV that PECO will not declare dividends on any shares of its capital stock in the event that: (1) it exercises its right to extend the interest payment periods on the subordinated debentures which were issued to PEC L.P. or PECO Trust IV; (2) it defaults on its guarantee of the payment of distributions on the Series D Preferred Securities of PEC L.P. or the preferred trust securities of PECO Trust IV; or (3) an event of default occurs under the Indenture under which the subordinated debentures are issued. No such event has occurred.
BGE is subject to restrictions established by the MDPSC that prohibit BGE from paying a dividend on its common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, BGE’s equity ratio would be below 48% as calculated pursuant to the MDPSC’s ratemaking precedents or (b) BGE’s senior unsecured credit rating is rated by two of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade. No such event has occurred.
Pepco is subject to certain dividend restrictions established by settlements approved in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Pepco is prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, Pepco's equity ratio would be 48% as equity levels are calculated under the ratemaking precedents of the MDPSC and DCPSC or (b) Pepco’s senior unsecured credit rating is rated by one of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade. No such event has occurred.
DPL is subject to certain dividend restrictions established by settlements approved in Delaware and Maryland. DPL is prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, DPL's equity ratio would be 48% as equity levels are calculated under the ratemaking precedents of the DPSC and MDPSC or (b) DPL’s
senior unsecured credit rating is rated by one of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade. No such event has occurred.
ACE is subject to certain dividend restrictions established by settlements approved in New Jersey. ACE is prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, ACE's equity ratio would be 48% as equity levels are calculated under the ratemaking precedents of the NJBPU or (b) ACE's senior unsecured credit rating is rated by one of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade. ACE is also subject to a dividend restriction which requires ACE to obtain the prior approval of the NJBPU before dividends can be paid if its equity as a percent of its total capitalization, excluding securitization debt, falls below 30%. No such events have occurred.
Exelon’s Board of Directors approved an updated dividend policy providing an increase of 5% each year for the period covering 2018 through 2020, beginning with the March 2018 dividend.
At December 31, 2018, Exelon had retained earnings of $14,766 million, including Generation’s undistributed earnings of $3,724 million, ComEd’s retained earnings of $1,337 million consisting of retained earnings appropriated for future dividends of $2,976 million, partially offset by $1,639 million of unappropriated accumulated deficits, PECO’s retained earnings of $1,242 million, BGE’s retained earnings of $1,640 million, and PHI's undistributed earnings of $62 million.
The following table sets forth Exelon’s quarterly cash dividends per share paid during 2018 and 2017:
The following table sets forth Generation's and PHI's quarterly distributions and ComEd’s, PECO’s, BGE's, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's quarterly common dividend payments:
First Quarter 2019 Dividend
On February 5, 2019, the Exelon Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2019 regular quarterly dividend of $0.3625 per share on Exelon’s common stock payable on March 8, 2019, to shareholders of record of Exelon at the end of the day on February 20, 2019.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Exelon
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Exelon. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with Exelon’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
The 2016 financial results include the activity of PHI from the merger effective date of March 24, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
(b)
On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2014 financial results include CENG’s results of operations on a fully consolidated basis.
(c)
Amounts have been recasted to reflect the Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost guidance adopted as of January 1, 2018. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(d)
Amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been recasted to reflect the Revenue from Contracts with Customers guidance adopted as of January 1, 2018. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The 2015 and 2014 balances are not recasted for this guidance and are not comparative.
(a)
Amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been recasted to reflect the Revenue from Contracts with Customers guidance adopted as of January 1, 2018. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The 2015 and 2014 balances are not recasted for this guidance and are not comparative.
Generation
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Generation. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with Generation’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2014 financial results include CENG’s results of operations on a fully consolidated basis.
(b)
Amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been recasted to reflect the Revenue from Contracts with Customers guidance adopted as of January 1, 2018. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The 2015 and 2014 balances are not recasted for this guidance and are not comparative.
(a)
Amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been recasted to reflect the Revenue from Contracts with Customers guidance adopted as of January 1, 2018. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The 2015 and 2014 balances are not recasted for this guidance and are not comparative.
ComEd
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of ComEd. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with ComEd’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
PECO
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of PECO. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with PECO’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
BGE
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of BGE. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with BGE’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
PHI
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of PHI. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with PHI’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
As a result of the PHI Merger in 2016, Exelon has elected to present PHI's selected financial data for the periods reflected above.
Pepco
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Pepco. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with Pepco’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
As a result of the PHI Merger in 2016, Exelon has elected to present Pepco's selected financial data for the periods reflected above.
DPL
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of DPL. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with DPL’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
As a result of the PHI Merger in 2016, Exelon has elected to present DPL's selected financial data for the periods reflected above.
ACE
The selected financial data presented below has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of ACE. This data is qualified in its entirety by reference to and should be read in conjunction with ACE’s Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
__________
(a)
As a result of the PHI Merger in 2016, Exelon has elected to present ACE's selected financial data for the periods reflected above.
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Exelon
Executive Overview
Exelon is a utility services holding company engaged in the generation, delivery, and marketing of energy through Generation and the energy distribution and transmission businesses through ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE.
Exelon has twelve reportable segments consisting of Generation’s six reportable segments (Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions), ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE. During the first quarter of 2019, due to a change in economics in our New England region, Generation is changing the way that information is reviewed by the CODM. The New England region will no longer be regularly reviewed as a separate region by the CODM nor will it be presented separately in any external information presented to third parties. Information for the New England region will be reviewed by the CODM as part of Other Power Regions. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2019, Generation will disclose five reportable segments consisting of Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies and Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Exelon's principal subsidiaries and reportable segments.
Through its business services subsidiary, BSC, Exelon provides its subsidiaries with a variety of support services at cost, including legal, human resources, financial, information technology and supply management services. PHI also has a business services subsidiary, PHISCO, which provides a variety of support services at cost, including legal, accounting, engineering, customer operations, distribution and transmission planning, asset management, system operations, and power procurement, to PHI operating companies. The costs of BSC and PHISCO are directly charged or allocated to the applicable subsidiaries. Additionally, the results of Exelon’s corporate operations include interest costs and income from various investment and financing activities.
Exelon’s consolidated financial information includes the results of its eight separate operating subsidiary registrants, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE, which, along with Exelon, are collectively referred to as the Registrants. The following combined Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is separately filed by Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE. However, none of the Registrants makes any representation as to information related solely to any of the other Registrants.
Financial Results of Operations
GAAP Results of Operations. The following table sets forth Exelon's GAAP consolidated Net Income attributable to common shareholders by Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 and December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. For additional information regarding the financial results for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 see the discussions of Results of Operations by Registrant.
__________
(a)
Includes the consolidated results of Pepco, DPL and ACE.
(b)
Primarily includes eliminating and consolidating adjustments, Exelon’s corporate operations, shared service entities and other financing and investing activities.
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income attributable to common shareholders decreased by $1,776 million and diluted earnings per average common share decreased to $2.07 in 2018 from $3.99 in 2017 primarily due to:
•
Impacts associated with the one-time remeasurement of deferred income taxes in 2017 as a result of the TCJA;
•
Net unrealized losses on NDT funds in 2018 compared to net gains in 2017;
•
Lower realized energy prices;
•
Accelerated depreciation and amortization due to the decision to early retire the Oyster Creek and TMI nuclear facilities;
•
The gain associated with the FitzPatrick acquisition in 2017;
•
Decrease in reserves for uncertain tax positions in 2017 related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments associated with the 2012 Constellation and 2016 PHI acquisitions;
•
Increased mark-to-market losses;
•
The gain recorded upon deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities in 2017;
•
The absence of EGTP earnings resulting from its deconsolidation in the fourth quarter of 2017;
•
Long-lived asset impairments of certain merchant wind assets in West Texas; and
•
Increased storm costs at PECO and BGE.
The decreases were partially offset by;
•
The impact of the New York and Illinois ZEC revenue (including the impact of zero emission credits generated in Illinois from June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017);
•
Long-lived asset impairments primarily related to the EGTP assets held for sale in 2017;
•
Increased capacity prices;
•
The impact of lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA at Generation;
•
Net realized gains on NDT funds;
•
The gain on the settlement of a long-term gas supply agreement;
•
Decreased nuclear outage days;
•
Increased electric distribution and energy efficiency formula rate earnings at ComEd;
•
Regulatory rate increases at PECO, BGE and PHI;
•
The impact of favorable weather at PECO, DPL and ACE; and
•
The absences of a 2017 impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets at ComEd, BGE and PHI.
The decrease in diluted earnings per share was also due to the increase in Exelon’s average diluted shares outstanding as a result of the June 2017 common stock issuance.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income attributable to common shareholders increased by $2,665 million and diluted earnings per average common share increased to $3.99 in 2017 from $1.21 in 2016 primarily due to:
•
Impacts associated with the one-time remeasurement of deferred income taxes as a result of the TCJA;
•
The gain associated with the FitzPatrick acquisition;
•
Accelerated depreciation and amortization due to the decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility in 2017 compared to the previous decision in 2016 to early retire the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear facilities;
•
Higher net unrealized and realized gains on NDT funds;
•
The impact of the New York ZEC revenue;
•
The gain recorded upon deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities;
•
Increased capacity prices;
•
Decreased nuclear outage days;
•
Decrease in reserves for uncertain tax positions in 2017 related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments associated with the 2012 Constellation and 2016 PHI acquisitions compared to costs incurred as part of the settlement orders approving the PHI acquisition and a charge related to a 2012 CEG merger commitment in 2016;
•
Increased electric distribution and transmission formula rate earnings at ComEd;
•
Regulatory rate increases at BGE and PHI; and
•
Penalties and associated interest expense as a result of a tax court decision on Exelon's like-kind exchange position in 2016.
The increases were partially offset by;
•
Long-lived asset impairments primarily related to the EGTP assets held for sale;
•
Lower realized energy prices;
•
The conclusion of the Ginna Reliability Support Services Agreement;
•
Increased costs related to the acquisition of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility;
•
Increased mark-to-market losses;
•
The impact of unfavorable weather at ComEd, PECO, DPL and ACE; and
•
The impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets at ComEd, BGE and PHI.
The net increase in diluted earnings per share from the items listed above was partially offset by the impact of the increase in Exelon’s average diluted shares outstanding as a result of the June 2017 common stock issuance.
Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings. In addition to net income, Exelon evaluates its operating performance using the measure of Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings because management believes it represents earnings directly related to the ongoing operations of the business. Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items. This information is intended to enhance an investor’s overall understanding of year-to-year operating results and provide an indication of Exelon’s baseline operating performance excluding items that are considered by management to be not directly related to the ongoing operations of the business. In addition, this information is among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for evaluating performance, allocating resources, setting incentive compensation targets and planning and forecasting of future periods. Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings is not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.
The following table provides a reconciliation between Net income attributable to common shareholders as determined in accordance with GAAP and Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 and 2016:
__________
Note:
Unless otherwise noted, the income tax impact of each reconciling item between GAAP Net Income and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings is based on the marginal statutory federal and state income tax rates for each Registrant, taking into account whether the income or expense item is taxable or deductible, respectively, in whole or in part. For all items except the unrealized gains and losses related to NDT funds, the marginal statutory income tax rates for 2018, 2017 and 2016 ranged from 26.0 percent to 29.0 percent, 39.0 percent to 41.0 percent and 39.0 percent to 41.0 percent, respectively. Under IRS regulations, NDT fund returns are taxed at different rates for investments if they are in qualified or non-qualified funds. The effective tax rates for the unrealized gains and losses related to NDT funds were 46.2 percent, 47.4 percent and 48.7 percent for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(a)
Reflects the impact of net losses on economic hedging activities. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to hedging activities.
(b)
Reflects the impact of net unrealized gains and losses on Generation’s NDT funds for Non-Regulatory and Regulatory Agreement Units. The impacts of the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the associated income taxes, are contractually eliminated, resulting in no earnings impact.
(c)
Represents the non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, primarily related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value related to, in 2016, the Integrys and ConEdison Solutions acquisitions, and in 2017, the ConEdison Solutions and FitzPatrick acquisitions.
(d)
Reflects certain costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, including, if and when applicable, professional fees, employee-related expenses and integration activities. In 2016 and 2017, reflects costs related to the PHI and FitzPatrick acquisitions, partially offset in 2016 at ComEd, and in 2017, at PHI, by the anticipated recovery of previously incurred PHI acquisition costs. In 2018, reflects costs related to the PHI acquisition. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(e)
Represents costs incurred as part of the settlement orders approving the PHI acquisition, and in 2016, a charge related to a 2012 CEG merger commitment, and in 2017, primarily a decrease in reserves for uncertain tax positions related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments associated with the 2012 CEG and 2016 PHI acquisitions.
(f)
In 2016, primarily reflects the impairment of upstream assets and certain wind projects at Generation. In 2017, primarily reflects the impairment of the EGTP assets held for sale and PHI District of Columbia sponsorship intangible asset. In 2018, primarily reflects the impairment of certain wind projects at Generation.
(g)
In 2016, primarily reflects accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses through December 2016 and construction work in progress impairments associated with Generation’s previous decision to early retire the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear facilities, partially offset by a gain associated with Generation’s sale of the New Boston generating site. In 2017, primarily reflects accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses and one-time charges associated with Generation's previous decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility. In 2018, primarily reflects accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses and one-time charges associated with Generation's decision to early retire the Oyster Creek nuclear facility, a charge associated with a remeasurement of the Oyster Creek ARO and accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses associated with the previous decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility, partially offset by a gain associated with Generation's sale of its electrical contracting business.
(h)
Primarily represents severance and reorganization costs related to a cost management program.
(i)
For Pepco, reflects an increase related to asbestos identified at its Buzzard Point property.
(j)
Represents the reversal of previously accrued vacation expenses as a result of a change in Exelon's vacation vesting policy.
(k)
Represents the excess of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price for the FitzPatrick acquisition.
(l)
Represents the gain recorded upon deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities, which included the previously impaired assets and related debt, as a result of the November 2017 bankruptcy filing.
(m)
Represents the gain on the settlement of a long-term gas supply agreement at Generation.
(n)
Represents in 2016 the recognition of a penalty and associated interest expense as a result of a tax court decision on Exelon’s like-kind exchange tax position, and in 2017, adjustments to income tax, penalties and interest expenses as a result of the finalization of the IRS tax computation related to Exelon’s like-kind exchange tax position.
(o)
Reflects the one-time recognition for a loss on sale of assets and asset impairment charges pursuant to Generation’s strategic decision in the fourth quarter of 2016 to narrow the scope and scale of its growth and development activities.
(p)
Reflects in 2016 the non-cash impact of the remeasurement of deferred income taxes as a result of changes in forecasted apportionment related to the PHI acquisition. In 2017, one-time non-cash impacts associated with remeasurements of deferred income taxes as a result of the TCJA (including impacts on pension obligations contained within Other), changes in the Illinois and District of Columbia statutory tax rates and changes in forecasted apportionment. In 2018, reflects an adjustment to the remeasurement of deferred income taxes as a result of the TCJA and changes in forecasted apportionment.
(q)
Reflects benefits related to the favorable settlement of certain income tax positions related to PHI's unregulated business interests.
(r)
Represents elimination from Generation’s results of the noncontrolling interests related to certain exclusion items, primarily related to the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT funds at CENG.
Significant 2018 Transactions and Recent Developments
Regulatory Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)
The Utility Registrants have made filings with their respective State regulators to begin passing back to customers the ongoing annual tax savings resulting from the TCJA. The amounts being proposed to be passed back to customers reflect the annual benefit of lower income tax rates and the settlement of a portion of deferred income tax regulatory liabilities established upon enactment of the TCJA. The Utility Registrants have identified over $675 million in ongoing annual savings to be returned to customers related to TCJA from their distribution utility operations. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Utility Rates and Base Rate Proceedings
The Utility Registrants file base rate cases with their regulatory commissions seeking increases or decreases to their electric transmission and distribution, and gas distribution rates to recover their costs and earn a fair return on their investments. The outcomes of these regulatory proceedings impact the Utility Registrants’ current and future results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
The following tables show the Utility Registrants’ completed and pending distribution base rate case proceedings in 2018. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on other regulatory proceedings.
Completed Utility Distribution Base Rate Case Proceedings
__________
(a)
Includes the annual ongoing TCJA tax savings further discussed above.
Pending Distribution Base Rate Case Proceedings
__________
(a)
Includes the annual ongoing TCJA tax savings further discussed above.
Transmission Formula Rate
The following total (decreases)/increases were included in ComEd's, BGE's, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's 2018 annual electric transmission formula rate updates.
__________
(a)
The time period for any challenges to the annual transmission formula rate update flings expired with no challenges submitted.
(b)
The initial revenue requirement changes reflect the annual benefit of lower income tax rates effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the enactment of the TCJA of $69 million, $18 million, $13 million, $12 million and $11 million for ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE, respectively. They do not reflect the pass back or recovery of income tax-related regulatory liabilities or assets, including those established upon enactment of the TCJA. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(c)
BGE's transmission revenue requirement includes a FERC approved dedicated facilities charge of $12 million to recover the costs of providing transmission service to specifically designated load by BGE.
(d)
Represents the weighted average debt and equity return on transmission rate bases.
(e)
As part of the FERC-approved settlement of ComEd’s 2007 transmission rate case, the rate of return on common equity is 11.50%, inclusive of a 50-basis-point incentive adder for being a member of a RTO, and the common equity component of the ratio used to calculate the weighted average debt and equity return for the transmission formula rate is currently capped at 55%. As part of the FERC-approved settlement of the ROE complaint against BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE, the rate of return on common equity is 10.50%, inclusive of a 50-basis-point incentive adder for being a member of a RTO.
PECO Transmission Formula Rate
On May 1, 2017, PECO filed a request with FERC seeking approval to update its transmission rates and change the manner in which PECO’s transmission rate is determined from a fixed rate to a formula rate. The formula rate will be updated annually to ensure that under this rate customers pay the actual costs of providing transmission services. The formula rate filing includes a requested increase of $22 million to PECO’s annual transmission revenues and a requested rate of return on common equity of 11%, inclusive of a 50 basis point adder for being a member of a regional transmission organization. PECO requested that the new transmission rate be effective as of July 2017. On June 27, 2017, FERC issued an Order accepting the filing and suspending the proposed rates until December 1, 2017, subject to refund, and set the matter for hearing and settlement judge procedures. On May 4, 2018, the Chief Administrative Law Judge terminated settlement judge procedures and designated a new presiding judge. PECO cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, or the transmission formula FERC may approve.
On May 11, 2018, pursuant to the transmission formula rate request discussed above, PECO made its first annual formula rate update, which included a revenue decrease of $6 million. The revenue decrease of $6 million included
an approximately $20 million reduction as a result of the tax savings associated with the TCJA. The updated transmission rate was effective June 1, 2018, subject to refund.
Illinois ZEC Procurement
Pursuant to FEJA, on January 25, 2018, the ICC announced that Generation’s Clinton Unit 1, Quad Cities Unit 1 and Quad Cities Unit 2 nuclear plants were selected as the winning bidders through the IPA's ZEC procurement event. Generation executed the required ZEC procurement contracts with Illinois utilities, including ComEd, effective January 26, 2018 and began recognizing revenue, with compensation for the sale of ZECs retroactive to the June 1, 2017 effective date of FEJA. During the year ended December 31, 2018, Generation recognized revenue of $373 million, of which $150 million related to ZECs generated from June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
Early Plant Retirements
On February 2, 2018, Exelon announced that Generation will permanently cease generation operations at Oyster Creek at the end of its current operating cycle and permanently ceased generation operations in September 2018. Because of the decision to early retire Oyster Creek in 2018, Exelon and Generation recognized certain one-time charges in the first quarter of 2018 related to a materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustment, employee-related costs and construction work-in-progress impairments, among other items.
On July 31, 2018, Generation entered into an agreement with Holtec International and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Oyster Creek Environmental Protection, LLC, for the sale and decommissioning of Oyster Creek. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
On May 30, 2017, Generation announced it will permanently cease generation operations at Three Mile Island Generating Station (TMI) on or about September 30, 2019. The plant is currently committed to operate through May 2019. As a result of the early nuclear plant retirement decisions at Oyster Creek and TMI, Exelon and Generation will also recognize annual incremental non-cash charges to earnings stemming from shortening the expected economic useful lives primarily related to accelerated depreciation of plant assets (including any ARC), accelerated amortization of nuclear fuel, and additional ARO accretion expense associated with the changes in decommissioning timing and cost assumptions were also recorded. The following table summarizes the actual incremental non-cash expense item incurred in 2018 and the estimated amount of incremental non-cash expense items expected to be incurred in 2019 due to the early retirement decisions.
_________
(a)
Actual results may differ based on incremental future capital additions, actual units of production for nuclear fuel amortization, future revised ARO assumptions, etc.
(b)
Reflects incremental accelerated depreciation and amortization for TMI and Oyster Creek for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Oyster Creek year-to-date amounts are from February 2, 2018 through September 17, 2018.
(c)
Reflects incremental accelerated depreciation of plant assets, including any ARC.
(d)
Primarily includes materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustments, employee-related costs and CWIP impairments.
In 2017, PSEG made public similar financial challenges facing its New Jersey nuclear plants including Salem, of which Generation owns a 42.59% ownership interest. PSEG is the operator of Salem and also has the decision making authority to retire Salem.
On May 23, 2018, New Jersey enacted legislation that established a ZEC program, similar to that in Illinois and New York, that will provide compensation for nuclear plants that demonstrate to the NJBPU that they meet certain requirements, including that they make a significant contribution to air quality in the state and that their revenues are insufficient to cover their costs and risks. The NJBPU must complete its processes for determining eligibility for,
and participation in, the ZEC program by April 18, 2019. On December 19, 2018, PSEG submitted its application for Salem. Assuming the successful implementation of the New Jersey ZEC program and the selection of Salem as one of the qualifying facilities, the New Jersey ZEC program has the potential to mitigate the heightened risk of earlier retirement for Salem. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Generation’s Dresden, Byron, and Braidwood nuclear plants in Illinois are also showing increased signs of economic distress, which could lead to an early retirement, in a market that does not currently compensate them for their unique contribution to grid resiliency and their ability to produce large amounts of energy without carbon and air pollution. The May 2018 PJM capacity auction for the 2021-2022 planning year resulted in the largest volume of nuclear capacity ever not selected in the auction, including all of Dresden, and portions of Byron and Braidwood. Exelon continues to work with stakeholders on state policy solutions, while also advocating for broader market reforms at the regional and federal level.
On March 29, 2018, based on ISO-NE capacity auction results for the 2021 - 2022 planning year in which Mystic Unit 9 did not clear, Generation notified grid operator ISO-NE of its plans to early retire its Mystic Generating Station assets absent regulatory reforms on June 1, 2022, at the end of the current capacity commitment for Mystic Units 7 and 8. As a result of these developments, Generation completed a comprehensive review of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the New England asset group during the first quarter of 2018 and no impairment charge was required.
The ISO-NE announced that it would take a three-step approach to fuel security.
•
First, on May 1, 2018, ISO-NE made a filing with FERC requesting waiver of certain tariff provisions to allow it to retain Mystic Units 8 and 9 for fuel security for the 2022 - 2024 planning years. FERC denied the waiver request on procedural grounds on July 2, 2018 and ordered ISO-NE to (i) make a filing within 60 days providing for the filing of a short-term cost-of-service agreement to address fuel security concerns and (ii) make a filing by July 1, 2019 proposing permanent tariff revisions that would improve its market design to better address regional fuel security concerns.
•
Second, in accordance with FERC's July 2, 2018 order, on August 31, 2018, ISO-NE made a filing with FERC proposing short-term tariff changes to permit it to retain a resource for fuel security reliability reasons, which FERC accepted on December 3, 2018.
•
Third, ISO-NE stated its intention to work with stakeholders to develop long-term market rule changes to address system resiliency considering significant reliability risks identified in ISO-NE’s January 2018 fuel security report. Changes to market rules are necessary because critical units to the region, such as Mystic Units 8 and 9, cannot recover future operating costs including the cost of procuring fuel. In its July 2, 2018 order, FERC ordered ISO-NE to make a filing by July 1, 2019 proposing permanent tariff revisions that would improve its market design to better address regional fuel security concerns. In January 2019, ISO-NE indicated that it intends to seek an extension of the deadline for this filing to November 15, 2019.
On May 16, 2018, Generation made a filing with FERC to establish cost-of-service compensation and terms and conditions of service for Mystic Units 8 and 9 for the period between June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024. On December 20, 2018, FERC issued an order accepting the cost of service agreement reflecting a number of adjustments to the annual fixed revenue requirement and allowing for recovery of a substantial portion of the costs associated with the Everett Marine Terminal. On January 4, 2019, Generation notified ISO-NE that it will participate in the Forward Capacity Market auction for the 2022 - 2023 capacity commitment period. In addition, on January 22, 2019, Exelon and several other parties filed requests for rehearing of certain findings of the December 20, 2018 order. The request for rehearing does not alter Generation's commitment to participate in the Forward Capacity Auction for the 2022-2023 capacity commitment period. Further developments such as the failure of ISO-NE to adopt long-term solutions for reliability and fuel security could potentially result in future impairments of the New England asset group, which could be material. See Note 7 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles and Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Pension Plan Merger
Effective January 1, 2019, Exelon is merging the Exelon Corporation Cash Balance Pension Plan (CBPP) into the Exelon Corporation Retirement Program (ECRP). The merging of the plans is not changing the benefits offered to the plan participants and, thus, has no impact on Exelon's pension obligation. However, beginning in 2019, actuarial
losses and gains related to the CBPP and ECRP will be amortized over participants’ average remaining service period of the merged ECRP rather than each individual plan, which will lower Exelon’s 2019 pre-tax pension cost by approximately $90 million.
Winter Storm-Related Costs
During March 2018 there were powerful nor'easter storms that brought a mix of heavy snow, ice and high sustained winds and gusts to the region that interrupted electric service delivery to customers in PECO's, BGE's, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's service territories. Restoration efforts included significant costs associated with employee overtime, support from other utilities and incremental equipment, contracted tree trimming crews and supplies, which resulted in incremental operating and maintenance expense and incremental capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2018 for PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE. In addition, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE recorded regulatory assets for amounts that are probable of recovery through customer rates. The impacts recorded by the Registrants for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 are presented below:
________
(a)
PHI reflects the consolidated customer outages, incremental operating & maintenance and incremental capital expenditures of Pepco, DPL and ACE.
(b)
Excludes amounts that were deferred and recognized as regulatory assets at Exelon, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE of $27 million, $27 million, $5 million, $1 million and $21 million, respectively.
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC Bankruptcy
On March 29, 2017, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Westinghouse) and its affiliated debtors filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On January 4, 2018, Westinghouse announced its agreement to be purchased by an affiliate of Brookfield Business Partners, LLC (Brookfield) for approximately $4.6 billion. On March 28, 2018, the Bankruptcy Court entered an Order confirming the Debtor's Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization which provides for the transaction with Brookfield. The transaction closed on August 1, 2018. Exelon had contracts with Westinghouse primarily related to Generation's purchase of nuclear fuel, as well as a variety of services and equipment purchases associated with the operation and maintenance of nuclear generating stations. In conjunction with the confirmation hearing, Exelon had filed a reservation of rights regarding reorganizing Westinghouse's assumption of all Exelon contracts. Exelon reached an agreement with Brookfield, and all Exelon contracts were assumed by Brookfield on the closing date.
Exelon’s Strategy and Outlook for 2019 and Beyond
Exelon’s value proposition and competitive advantage come from its scope and its core strengths of operational excellence and financial discipline. Exelon leverages its integrated business model to create value. Exelon’s regulated and competitive businesses feature a mix of attributes that, when combined, offer shareholders and customers a unique value proposition:
•
The Utility Registrants provide a foundation for steadily growing earnings, which translates to a stable currency in our stock.
•
Generation’s competitive businesses provide free cash flow to invest primarily in the utilities and in long-term, contracted assets and to reduce debt.
Exelon believes its strategy provides a platform for optimal success in an energy industry experiencing fundamental and sweeping change.
Exelon’s utility strategy is to improve reliability and operations and enhance the customer experience, while ensuring ratemaking mechanisms provide the utilities fair financial returns. The Utility Registrants only invest in rate base where it provides a benefit to customers and the community by improving reliability and the service experience or otherwise meeting customer needs. The Utility Registrants make these investments at the lowest reasonable cost to customers. Exelon seeks to leverage its scale and expertise across the utilities platform through enhanced standardization and sharing of resources and best practices to achieve improved operational and financial results. Additionally, the Utility Registrants anticipate making significant future investments in smart grid technology, transmission projects, gas infrastructure, and electric system improvement projects, providing greater reliability and improved service for our customers and a stable return for the company.
Generation’s competitive businesses create value for customers by providing innovative energy solutions and reliable, clean and affordable energy. Generation’s electricity generation strategy is to pursue opportunities that provide stable revenues and generation to load matching to reduce earnings volatility. Generation leverages its energy generation portfolio to deliver energy to both wholesale and retail customers. Generation’s customer-facing activities foster development and delivery of other innovative energy-related products and services for its customers. Generation operates in well-developed energy markets and employs an integrated hedging strategy to manage commodity price volatility. Its generation fleet, including its nuclear plants which consistently operate at high capacity factors, also provide geographic and supply source diversity. These factors help Generation mitigate the current challenging conditions in competitive energy markets.
Exelon’s financial priorities are to maintain investment grade credit metrics at each of the Registrants, to maintain optimal capital structure and to return value to Exelon’s shareholders with an attractive dividend throughout the energy commodity market cycle and through stable earnings growth. Exelon’s Board of Directors approved a dividend policy providing a raise of 5% each year for the period covering 2018 through 2020, beginning with the March 2018 dividend.
Various market, financial, regulatory, legislative and operational factors could affect the Registrants' success in pursuing their strategies. Exelon continues to assess infrastructure, operational, commercial, policy, and legal solutions to these issues. One key issue is ensuring the ability to properly value nuclear generation assets in the market, solutions to which Exelon is actively pursuing in a variety of jurisdictions and venues. See ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS for additional information regarding market and financial factors.
Continually optimizing the cost structure is a key component of Exelon’s financial strategy. In August 2015, Exelon announced a cost management program focused on cost savings of approximately $400 million at BSC and Generation, which was fully realized in 2018. Approximately 75% of the savings were related to Generation, with the remaining amount related to the Utility Registrants. In November 2017, Exelon announced a commitment for an additional $250 million of cost savings, primarily at Generation, to be achieved by 2020. In November 2018, Exelon announced the elimination of an approximately additional $200 million of annual ongoing costs, through initiatives primarily at Generation and BSC, by 2021. Approximately $150 million is expected to be related to Generation, with the remaining amount related to the Utility Registrants. These actions are in response to the continuing economic challenges confronting all parts of Exelon’s business and industry, necessitating continued focus on cost management through enhanced efficiency and productivity.
Growth Opportunities
Management continually evaluates growth opportunities aligned with Exelon’s businesses, assets and markets, leveraging Exelon’s expertise in those areas and offering sustainable returns.
Regulated Energy Businesses. The PHI merger enhances Exelon’s regulated growth to provide stable cash flows, earnings accretion, and dividend support. Additionally, the Utility Registrants anticipate investing approximately $29 billion over the next five years in electric and natural gas infrastructure improvements and modernization projects, including smart grid technology, storm hardening, advanced reliability technologies, and transmission projects, which is projected to result in an increase to current rate base of approximately $16 billion by the end of 2023. The Utility Registrants invest in rate base where beneficial to customers and the community by
increasing reliability and the service experience or otherwise meeting customer needs. These investments are made at the lowest reasonable cost to customers.
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments and infrastructure development and enhancement programs.
Competitive Energy Businesses. Generation continually assesses the optimal structure and composition of its generation assets as well as explores wholesale and retail opportunities within the power and gas sectors. Generation’s long-term growth strategy is to ensure appropriate valuation of its generation assets, in part through public policy efforts, identify and capitalize on opportunities that provide generation to load matching as a means to provide stable earnings, and identify emerging technologies where strategic investments provide the option for significant future growth or influence in market development.
Liquidity Considerations
Each of the Registrants annually evaluates its financing plan, dividend practices and credit line sizing, focusing on maintaining its investment grade ratings while meeting its cash needs to fund capital requirements, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and OPEB obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. A broad spectrum of financing alternatives beyond the core financing options can be used to meet its needs and fund growth including monetizing assets in the portfolio via project financing, asset sales, and the use of other financing structures (e.g., joint ventures, minority partners, etc.). The Registrants expect cash flows to be sufficient to meet operating expenses, financing costs and capital expenditure requirements.
Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE have unsecured syndicated revolving credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $0.6 billion, $5.3 billion, $1.0 billion, $0.6 billion, $0.6 billion, $0.3 billion, $0.3 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively. Generation also has bilateral credit facilities with aggregate maximum availability of $0.5 billion. See Liquidity and Capital Resources - Credit Matters - Exelon Credit Facilities below and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
For additional information regarding the Registrants' liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2018, see Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion below.
Project Financing
Project financing is used to help mitigate risk of specific generating assets. Project financing is based upon a nonrecourse financial structure, in which project debt is paid back from the cash generated by the specific asset or portfolio of assets. Borrowings under these agreements are secured by the assets and equity of each respective project. The lenders do not have recourse against Exelon or Generation in the event of a default. If a specific project financing entity does not maintain compliance with its specific debt financing covenants, there could be a requirement to accelerate repayment of the associated debt or other project-related borrowings earlier than the stated maturity dates. In these instances, if such repayment was not satisfied, or restructured, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project-specific assets and related collateral. The potential requirement to satisfy its associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated could lead to impairments due to a higher likelihood of disposing of the respective project-specific assets significantly before the end of their useful lives. Additionally, project finance has credit facilities of $0.2 billion as of December 31, 2018. See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on nonrecourse debt.
Other Key Business Drivers and Management Strategies
Utility Rates and Rate Proceedings
The Utility Registrants file rate cases with their regulatory commissions seeking increases or decreases to their electric transmission and distribution, and gas distribution rates to recover their costs and earn a fair return on their investments. The outcomes of these regulatory proceedings impact the Utility Registrants’ current and future results
of operations, cash flows and financial positions. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these regulatory proceedings.
Power Markets
Price of Fuels
The use of new technologies to recover natural gas from shale deposits is increasing natural gas supply and reserves, which places downward pressure on natural gas prices and, therefore, on wholesale and retail power prices, which results in a reduction in Exelon’s revenues. Forward natural gas prices have declined significantly over the last several years; in part reflecting an increase in supply due to strong natural gas production (due to shale gas development).
FERC Inquiry on Resiliency
On August 23, 2017, the DOE staff released its report on the reliability of the electric grid. One aspect of the wide-ranging report is the DOE’s recognition that the electricity markets do not currently value the resiliency provided by base-load generation, such as nuclear plants. On September 28, 2017, the DOE issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) that would entitle certain eligible resilient generating units (i.e., those located in organized markets, with a 90-day supply of fuel on site, not already subject to state cost of service regulation and satisfying certain other requirements) to recover fully allocated costs and earn a fair return on equity on their investment. On January 8, 2018, FERC issued an order terminating the rulemaking docket that it initiated to address the proposed rule in the DOE NOPR, concluding the proposed rule did not sufficiently demonstrate there is a resiliency issue and that it proposed a remedy that did not appear to be just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory as required under the Federal Power Act. At the same time, FERC initiated a new proceeding to consider resiliency challenges to the bulk power system and evaluate whether additional FERC action to address resiliency would be appropriate. FERC directed each RTO and ISO to respond within 60 days to 24 specific questions about how they assess and mitigate threats to resiliency. Thereafter, interested parties submitted reply comments on May 9, 2018, and a few parties submitted further replies. Exelon has been and will continue to be an active participant in these proceedings but cannot predict the final outcome or its potential financial impact, if any, on Exelon or Generation.
Complaints and PJM Filing at FERC Seeking to Mitigate ZEC Programs
PJM and NYISO capacity markets include a Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) that is intended to preclude buyers from exercising buyer market power. If a resource is subjected to a MOPR, its offer is adjusted to effectively remove the revenues it receives through a government-provided financial support program - resulting in a higher offer that may not clear the capacity market. Currently, the MOPRs in PJM and NYISO apply only to certain new gas-fired resources.
On January 9, 2017, EPSA filed two requests with FERC: one seeking to amend a prior complaint against PJM and another seeking expedited action on a pending NYISO compliance filing in an existing proceeding. A similar complaint also against PJM was filed at FERC on May 31, 2018. These complaints generally allege that the relevant MOPR should be expanded to also apply to existing resources including those receiving ZEC compensation under the New York CES and Illinois ZES programs. Exelon filed protests at FERC in response to each filing, arguing generally that ZEC payments provide compensation for an environmental attribute that is distinct from the energy and capacity sold in the FERC-jurisdictional markets, and therefore, are no different than other renewable support programs like the PTC and RPS programs that have generally not been subject to a MOPR. However, if successful, for Generation’s facilities in PJM and NYISO that are currently receiving ZEC compensation (Quad Cities, Ginna, Fitzpatrick and Nine Mile Point), an expanded MOPR could require exclusion of ZEC compensation when bidding into future capacity auctions such that these facilities would have an increased risk of not clearing in future capacity auctions and thus no longer receiving capacity revenues during the respective ZEC programs. Any mitigation of these generating resources could have a material effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s future cash flows and results of operations. The same risk would also exist for the Salem facility if Salem is selected as an eligible facility under the New Jersey ZEC program.
Separately, PJM submitted two proposed alternative capacity market reforms in April 2018 for FERC’s consideration. PJM argued that either alternative will resolve any conflict between state policy support for certain resources and the need to ensure reasonable prices for non-supported resources. The first alternative was to implement a twice-run capacity clearing mechanism (known as the repricing proposal) and, if not acceptable to FERC, a second
alternative that would expand the existing MOPR to both new and existing generating resources, subject to certain exemptions (known as MOPREx).
In June 2018, FERC issued an order rejecting both of PJM’s proposed alternatives, finding both to be unjust and unreasonable. In the same order, FERC also addressed one of the MOPR complaints involving PJM and concluded based on that complaint and PJM’s filing that PJM’s existing tariff allows resources receiving out-of-market support to affect capacity prices in a manner that will cause unjust and unreasonable and unduly discriminatory rates in PJM regardless of the intent motivating the support. FERC suggested that modifying two elements of PJM’s existing tariff could produce a just and reasonable replacement and asked for initial comments on its proposal by August 28, 2018, later extended to October 2, 2018. First, FERC found that an expansion of the current MOPR mechanism to cover all existing generating resources, regardless of resource type, including those receiving either ZEC or REC compensation, could protect the capacity markets from unwanted price suppression. Second, FERC preliminarily found that a modified version of PJM’s existing Fixed Resource Requirement (FRR) option could enable state subsidized resources and a corresponding amount of load to be removed from the capacity market, thereby alleviating their price suppressive effects on capacity clearing prices. Under this alternative, state supported generating resources would potentially be compensated through mechanisms other than through PJM’s existing market mechanism. FERC established March 21, 2016 as the refund effective date and also allowed PJM to delay its next capacity auction from May 2019 to August 2019 to allow parties time to develop and file proposals in the FERC proceeding, FERC time to determine the appropriate solution and PJM time to implement FERC's solution. On October 2, 2018, Exelon, along with several ratepayer advocates, environmental organizations and other nuclear generators, submitted shared principles supporting a workable new FRR mechanism (as suggested by FERC) and detailing how such a mechanism should be implemented. Exelon also submitted individual comments covering matters not addressed in the shared principles. FERC has not yet issued a decision on the second MOPR complaint involving PJM or the MOPR complaint involving NYISO. It is too early to predict the final outcome of each of these proceedings or their potential financial impact, if any, on Exelon or Generation.
Section 232 Uranium Petition
On January 16, 2018, two Canadian-owned uranium mining companies with operations in the U.S. jointly submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) seeking relief under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (as amended) from imports of uranium products, alleging that these imports threaten national security (the Petition). The Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (the Act) was promulgated by Congress to protect essential national security industries whose survival is threatened by imports. As such, the Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to conduct investigations to evaluate the effects of imports of any item on the national security of the U.S. The Petition alleges that the loss of a viable U.S. uranium mining industry would have a significant detrimental impact on the national, energy, and economic security of the U.S. and the ability of the country to sustain an independent nuclear fuel cycle.
On July 18, 2018, the Secretary announced that the DOC has initiated an investigation in response to the petition. The Secretary has 270 days to prepare and submit a report to President Trump, who then has 90 days to act on the Secretary's recommendations. Exelon and Generation cannot currently predict the outcome of this investigation. The relief sought by the petitioners would require U.S. nuclear reactors to purchase at least 25% of their uranium needs from domestic mines over the next 10 years, although the DOC will make an independent determination regarding an appropriate remedy should it find that imports impair national security. It is reasonably possible that if this petition is successful the resulting increase in nuclear fuel costs in future periods could have a material, unfavorable impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial statements.
Potential DOE Order Pursuant to Defense Production Act and Federal Power Act
The DOE is considering an Order directing ISOs, for 24 months, to purchase electric energy or generation capacity from a designated list of coal and nuclear generation facilities. Based on a draft memorandum, the Order would be pursuant to DOE's authorities under the Defense Production Act and Federal Power Act, and would forestall any further actions towards retiring, decommissioning, or deactivating coal and nuclear facilities during the term of the Order. The Order would emphasize the importance of grid resiliency, in addition to grid reliability, noting that fuel security and diversity are critical components of resiliency. The DOE recognizes that the underlying economic and regulatory issues are complex and will take time resolve. The Order's 24-month duration would enable DOE to conduct additional analyses to gain a detailed understanding of location-specific vulnerabilities in U.S. energy delivery systems, while preserving certain generation facilities. Exelon has been and will continue to be an active
participant in these proceedings but cannot predict the final outcome or its potential financial impact, if any, on Exelon or Generation.
Energy Demand
Modest economic growth partially offset by energy efficiency initiatives is resulting in relatively flat load growth in electricity for the Utility Registrants. ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE are projecting load volumes to increase (decrease) by (0.2)%, (0.1)%, 0.3%, (0.3)% and (1.5)%, respectively, in 2019 compared to 2018. PECO is projecting load volumes to be flat in 2019 compared to 2018.
Retail Competition
Generation’s retail operations compete for customers in a competitive environment, which affect the margins that Generation can earn and the volumes that it is able to serve. Forward natural gas and power prices are expected to remain low and thus we expect retail competitors to stay aggressive in their pursuit of market share, and that wholesale generators (including Generation) will continue to use their retail operations to hedge generation output.
Strategic Policy Alignment
As part of its strategic business planning process, Exelon routinely reviews its hedging policy, dividend policy, operating and capital costs, capital spending plans, strength of its balance sheet and credit metrics, and sufficiency of its liquidity position, by performing various stress tests with differing variables, such as commodity price movements, increases in margin-related transactions, changes in hedging practices, and the impacts of hypothetical credit downgrades.
Exelon's Board of Directors declared first, second, third and fourth quarter 2018 dividends of $0.3450 per share each on Exelon's common stock, and the first quarter 2019 dividends declared was $0.3625. The dividends for the first, second, third and fourth quarter 2018 were paid on March 9, 2018, June 8, 2018, September 10, 2018 and December 10, 2018, respectively. The first quarter 2019 dividend is payable on March 8, 2019.
Exelon’s Board of Directors approved an updated dividend policy providing an increase of 5% each year for the period covering 2018 through 2020, beginning with the March 2018 dividend.
Hedging Strategy
Exelon’s policy to hedge commodity risk on a ratable basis over three-year periods is intended to reduce the financial impact of market price volatility. Generation is exposed to commodity price risk associated with the unhedged portion of its electricity portfolio. Generation enters into non-derivative and derivative contracts, including financially-settled swaps, futures contracts and swap options, and physical options and physical forward contracts, all with credit-approved counterparties, to hedge this anticipated exposure. Generation has hedges in place that significantly mitigate this risk for 2019 and 2020. However, Generation is exposed to relatively greater commodity price risk in the subsequent years with respect to which a larger portion of its electricity portfolio is currently unhedged. As of December 31, 2018, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York and ERCOT reportable segments is 89%-92%, 56%-59% and 32%-35% for 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. The percentage of expected generation hedged is the amount of equivalent sales divided by the expected generation. Expected generation is the volume of energy that best represents our commodity position in energy markets from owned or contracted generating facilities based upon a simulated dispatch model that makes assumptions regarding future market conditions, which are calibrated to market quotes for power, fuel, load following products, and options. Equivalent sales represent all hedging products, such as wholesale and retail sales of power, options and swaps. Generation has been and will continue to be proactive in using hedging strategies to mitigate commodity price risk in subsequent years as well.
Generation procures oil and natural gas through long-term and short-term contracts and spot-market purchases. Nuclear fuel is obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrate supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. The supply markets for uranium concentrates and certain nuclear fuel services, coal, oil and natural gas are subject to price fluctuations and availability restrictions. Supply market conditions may make Generation’s procurement contracts subject to credit risk related to the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver the contracted commodity or service at the contracted prices. Approximately 62% of Generation’s uranium concentrate requirements from 2019 through 2023 are supplied by three producers. In the event of non-performance by these
or other suppliers, Generation believes that replacement uranium concentrate can be obtained, although at prices that may be unfavorable when compared to the prices under the current supply agreements. Non-performance by these counterparties could have a material adverse impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations, cash flows and financial positions.
The Utility Registrants mitigate commodity price risk through regulatory mechanisms that allow them to recover procurement costs from retail customers.
Environmental Legislative and Regulatory Developments
Exelon was actively involved in the Obama Administration’s development and implementation of environmental regulations for the electric industry, in pursuit of its business strategy to provide reliable, clean, affordable and innovative energy products. These efforts have most frequently involved air, water and waste controls for fossil-fueled electric generating units, as set forth in the discussion below. These regulations have had a disproportionate adverse impact on coal-fired power plants, requiring significant expenditures of capital and variable operating and maintenance expense, and have resulted in the retirement of older, marginal facilities. Due to its low emission generation portfolio, Generation has not been significantly affected by these regulations, representing a competitive advantage relative to electric generators that are more reliant on fossil fuel plants.
Through the issuance of a series of Executive Orders (EO), President Trump has initiated review of a number of EPA and other regulations issued during the Obama Administration, with the expectation that the Administration will seek repeal or significant revision of these rules. Under these EOs, each executive agency is required to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations regarding repeal, replacement, or modification. The Administration’s actions are intended to result in less stringent compliance requirements under air, water, and waste regulations. The exact nature, extent, and timing of the regulatory changes are unknown, as well as the ultimate impact on Exelon’s and its subsidiaries results of operations and cash flows.
In particular, the Administration has targeted existing EPA regulations for repeal, including notably the Clean Power Plan, as well as revoking many Executive Orders, reports, and guidance issued by the Obama Administration on the topic of climate change or the regulation of greenhouse gases. The Executive Order also disbanded the Interagency Working Group that developed the social cost of carbon used in rulemakings, and withdrew all technical support documents supporting the calculation. Other regulations that have been specifically identified for review are the Clean Water Act rule relating to jurisdictional waters of the U.S., the Steam Electric Effluent Guidelines relating to waste water discharges from coal-fired power plants, and the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. The review of final rules could extend over several years as formal notice and comment rulemaking process proceeds.
Air Quality
Mercury and Air Toxics Standard Rule (MATS). On December 16, 2011, the EPA signed a final rule to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from power plants and signed revisions to the NSPS for electric generating units. The final rule, known as MATS, requires coal-fired electric generation plants to achieve high removal rates of mercury, acid gases and other metals, and to make capital investments in pollution control equipment and incur higher operating expenses. The initial compliance deadline to meet the new standards was April 16, 2015; however, facilities may have been granted an additional one or two-year extension in limited cases. Numerous entities challenged MATS in the D.C. Circuit Court, and Exelon intervened in support of the rule. In April 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court issued an opinion upholding MATS in its entirety. On appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in June 2015 that the EPA unreasonably refused to consider costs in determining whether it is appropriate and necessary to regulate hazardous air pollutants emitted by electric utilities. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, did not vacate the rule; rather, it was remanded to the D.C. Circuit Court to take further action consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion on this single issue. On April 27, 2017, the D.C. Circuit granted EPA’s motion to hold the litigation in abeyance, pending EPA’s review of the MATS rule pursuant to President Trump’s EO discussed above. Following EPA’s review and determination of its course of action for the MATS rule, the parties will have 30 days to file motions on future proceedings. Notwithstanding the Court’s order to hold the litigation in abeyance, the MATS rule remains in effect. Exelon will continue to participate in the remanded proceedings before the D.C. Circuit Court as an intervenor in support of the rule. On December 28, 2018, the EPA proposed to revoke the "appropriate and necessary" finding underpinning the MATS rule. While the proposal would leave in place the rule, it would leave it vulnerable to future legal challenge.
Clean Power Plan. On April 28, 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court issued orders in separate litigation related to the EPA’s actions under the Clean Power Plan (CPP) to amend Clean Air Act Section 111(d) regulation of existing fossil-fired electric generating units and Section 111(b) regulation of new fossil-fired electric generating units. In both cases, the Court has determined to hold the litigation in abeyance pending a determination whether the rule should be remanded to the EPA. On October 10, 2017, EPA issued a proposed rule to repeal the CPP in its entirety, based on a proposed change in the Agency’s legal interpretation of Clean Air Act Section 111(d) regarding actions that the Agency can consider when establishing the Best System of Emission Reduction (“BSER”) for existing power plants. Under the proposed interpretation, the Agency exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act by regulating beyond individual sources of GHG emissions. Subsequently, on August 31, 2018, EPA proposed its Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACE), which would replace the CPP with revised emission guidelines based on heat rate improvement measures that could be achieved within the fence line of existing power plants.
2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). On April 11, 2017, the D.C. Circuit ordered that the consolidated 2015 ozone NAAQS litigation be held in abeyance pending EPA’s further review of the 2015 Rule. EPA did not meet the October 1, 2017 deadline to promulgate initial designations for areas in attainment or non-attainment of the standard. A number of states and environmental organizations have notified the EPA of their intent to file suit to compel EPA to issue the designations.
Climate Change. Exelon supports comprehensive climate change legislation or regulation, including a cap-and-trade program for GHG emissions, which balances the need to protect consumers, business and the economy with the urgent need to reduce national GHG emissions. In the absence of Federal legislation, the EPA is moving forward with the regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act. In addition, there have been recent developments in the international regulation of GHG emissions pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (“UNFCCC” or “Convention”). See ITEM 1. BUSINESS, "Global Climate Change" for additional information.
Water Quality
Section 316(b) requires that the cooling water intake structures at electric power plants reflect the best technology available to minimize adverse environmental impacts and is implemented through state-level NPDES permit programs. All of Generation’s power generation facilities with cooling water systems are subject to the regulations. Facilities without closed-cycle recirculating systems (e.g., cooling towers) are potentially most affected by recent changes to the regulations. For Generation, those facilities are Calvert Cliffs, Clinton, Dresden, Eddystone, Fairless Hills, FitzPatrick, Ginna, Gould Street, Handley, Mystic 7, Nine Mile Point Unit 1, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, and Salem. See ITEM 1. BUSINESS, "Water Quality" for additional information.
Solid and Hazardous Waste
In October 2015, the first federal regulation for the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) from power plants became effective. The rule classifies CCR as non-hazardous waste under RCRA. Under the regulation, CCR will continue to be regulated by most states subject to coordination with the federal regulations. Generation has previously recorded accruals consistent with state regulation for its owned coal ash sites, and as such, the regulation is not expected to impact Exelon’s and Generation’s financial results. Generation does not have sufficient information to reasonably assess the potential likelihood or magnitude of any remediation requirements that may be asserted under the new federal regulations for coal ash disposal sites formerly owned by Generation. For these reasons, Generation is unable to predict whether and to what extent it may ultimately be held responsible for remediation and other costs relating to formerly owned coal ash disposal sites under the new regulations.
See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to environmental matters, including the impact of environmental regulation.
Other Legislative and Regulatory Developments
Delaware Distribution System Investment Charge
On June 14, 2018, the Governor of Delaware signed new Distribution System Investment Charge (DSIC) legislation, which establishes a system improvement charge that provides a mechanism to recover infrastructure investments, allowing for gradual rate increases and limiting frequency of distribution base rate cases. On November 30, 2018, DPL filed its first electric and gas filing in Delaware with the new rates being put into effect on January 1, 2019. This legislation supports needed infrastructure investment and allows for more timely recovery of those investments, however Exelon, PHI and DPL do not expect a material impact on the financial statements.
Pennsylvania Alternative Ratemaking
On June 28, 2018, the Governor of Pennsylvania signed Act 58 of 2018, which authorizes the PAPUC to review and approve utility-proposed alternative rate mechanisms, including options such as decoupling mechanisms, formula rates, multi-year rate plans, and performance based rates. Exelon and PECO cannot predict the outcome or the potential financial impact, if any, on Exelon or PECO.
District of Columbia Clean Energy Bill
On December 18, 2018, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the Clean Energy District of Columbia Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 (the Act), which was subsequently signed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia on January 18, 2019. The Act is expected to take effect in February 2019 following the expiration of a 30-day review process by the U.S. House of Representatives. Among other things, the Act would increase electric load by requiring all public buses, taxis and other specified fleets to be solely zero-emissions vehicles by 2045. The Act would also clarify that, under certain circumstances, the gas and electric utilities may offer and receive cost recovery including a return on investment on capital and related costs for energy efficiency programs in the District of Columbia.
Employees
In January 2017, an election was held at BGE which resulted in union representation for approximately 1,284 employees. BGE and IBEW Local 410 are negotiating an initial agreement which could result in some modifications to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. Negotiations have been productive and continue. No agreement has been finalized to date and management cannot predict the outcome of such negotiations. Negotiations that began in 2017 for a first collective bargaining agreement with a small unit of employees represented by Local 501 of Operating Engineers at Exelon’s Hyperion Solutions facility are complete and the new CBA will expire in 2021. During 2017, Generation finalized CBAs with the Security Officer unions at LaSalle, Limerick and Quad Cities, which all will expire in 2020 and Dresden expiring in 2021. Additionally, during 2017, Generation acquired and combined two CBAs at Fitzpatrick into one CBA covering both craft and security employees, which will expire in 2023. Generation also successfully finalized the CBA with the IBEW union at TMI, which will expire in 2022. During 2018, Generation finalized its CBA with the Security Officer’s union at Braidwood, which will expire in 2021. Additionally, ACE successfully finalized two contract renewals with the IBEW Local 210, and the new BAs will expire in 2023. As previously reported, there was an organizing effort over approximately 18 ACE control room System Operators. While an election was held with an outcome favorable to Local 210, collective bargaining over this small segment of employees will not commence until the issue of whether the System Operators are NLRA statutory supervisors is determined, and that matter is currently before the NLRB. Furthermore, there was an organizing effort at PECO over approximately 150 Working Foreperson positions. In October 2018, the Working Foreperson group overwhelmingly rejected unionization in an election held by the NLRB. Lastly, on December 27, 2018 a representation petition was filed by the LEOSU Union seeking to represent security officers at Clinton Power station who are currently represented by SEIU Local 1. The current collective bargaining agreement between Exelon Nuclear Security and the SEIU Local 1 has been extended, so that the matter between the two rival labor organizations can be resolved. No election or determination has been held and it is anticipated that this matter will be resolved in 2019.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect results of operations and the amounts of assets and liabilities reported in the financial statements. Management believes that the accounting policies described below require significant judgment in their application, or incorporate estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. Additional information of the application of these accounting policies can be found in the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations (Exelon and Generation)
Generation’s ARO associated with decommissioning its nuclear units was $10.0 billion at December 31, 2018. The authoritative guidance requires that Generation estimate its obligation for the future decommissioning of its nuclear generating plants. To estimate that liability, Generation uses an internally-developed, probability-weighted, discounted cash flow model which, on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple decommissioning outcome scenarios.
As a result of recent nuclear plant retirements in the industry, nuclear operators and third-party service providers are obtaining more information about costs associated with decommissioning activities. At the same time, regulators are gaining more information about decommissioning activities which could result in changes to existing decommissioning requirements. In addition, as more nuclear plants are retired, it is possible that technological advances will be identified that could create efficiencies and lead to a reduction in decommissioning costs. The availability of NDT funds could impact the timing of the decommissioning activities. Additionally, certain factors such as changes in regulatory requirements during plant operations or the profitability of a nuclear plant could impact the timing of plant retirements. These factors could result in material changes to Generation’s current estimates as more information becomes available and could change the timing of plant retirements and the probability assigned to the decommissioning outcome scenarios.
The nuclear decommissioning obligation is adjusted on a regular basis due to the passage of time and revisions to the key assumptions for the expected timing and/or estimated amounts of the future undiscounted cash flows required to decommission the nuclear plants, based upon the following methodologies and significant estimates and assumptions:
Decommissioning Cost Studies. Generation uses unit-by-unit decommissioning cost studies to provide a marketplace assessment of the expected costs (in current year dollars) and timing of decommissioning activities, which are validated by comparison to current decommissioning projects within the industry and other estimates. Decommissioning cost studies are updated, on a rotational basis, for each of Generation’s nuclear units at least every five years, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates. As part of the annual cost study update process, Generation evaluates newly assumed costs or substantive changes in previously assumed costs to determine if the cost estimate impacts are sufficiently material to warrant application of the updated estimates to the AROs across the nuclear fleet outside of the normal five-year rotating cost study update cycle.
Cost Escalation Factors. Generation uses cost escalation factors to escalate the decommissioning costs from the decommissioning cost studies discussed above through the assumed decommissioning period for each of the units. Cost escalation studies, updated on an annual basis, are used to determine escalation factors, and are based on inflation indices for labor, equipment and materials, energy, LLRW disposal and other costs. All of the nuclear AROs are adjusted each year for the updated cost escalation factors.
Probabilistic Cash Flow Models. Generation’s probabilistic cash flow models include the assignment of probabilities to various scenarios for decommissioning cost levels, decommissioning approaches, and timing of plant shutdown on a unit-by-unit basis. Probabilities assigned to cost levels include an assessment of the likelihood of costs 20% higher (high-cost scenario) or 15% lower (low-cost scenario) than the base cost scenario. The assumed decommissioning scenarios include the following three alternatives: (1) DECON which assumes decommissioning activities begin shortly after the cessation of operation, (2) Shortened SAFSTOR generally has a 30-year delay prior to onset of decommissioning activities, and (3) SAFSTOR which assumes the nuclear facility is placed and maintained in such condition that the nuclear facility can be safely stored and subsequently decontaminated generally within 60 years after cessation of operations. In each decommissioning scenario, spent fuel is transferred to dry cask storage as soon as possible until DOE acceptance for disposal.
The actual decommissioning approach selected once a nuclear facility is shutdown will be determined by Generation at the time of shutdown and may be influenced by multiple factors including the funding status of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund at the time of shutdown.
The assumed plant shutdown timing scenarios include the following four alternatives: (1) the probability of operating through the original 40-year nuclear license term, (2) the probability of operating through an extended 60-year nuclear license term (regardless of whether such 20-year license extension has been received for each unit), (3) the probability of a second, 20-year license renewal for some nuclear units, and (4) the probability of early plant retirement for certain sites due to changing market conditions and regulatory environments. The successful operation of nuclear plants in the U.S. beyond the initial 40-year license terms has prompted the NRC to consider regulatory and technical requirements for potential plant operations for an 80-year nuclear operating term. As power market and regulatory environment developments occur, Generation evaluates and incorporates, as necessary, the impacts of such developments into its nuclear ARO assumptions and estimates.
Generation’s probabilistic cash flow models also include an assessment of the timing of DOE acceptance of SNF for disposal. Generation currently assumes DOE will begin accepting SNF in 2030. The SNF acceptance date assumption is based on management’s estimates of the amount of time required for DOE to select a site location
and develop the necessary infrastructure for long-term SNF storage. For additional information regarding the estimated date that DOE will begin accepting SNF, see Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Discount Rates. The probability-weighted estimated future cash flows for the various assumed scenarios are discounted using credit-adjusted, risk-free rates (CARFR) applicable to the various businesses in which each of the nuclear units originally operated. Generation initially recognizes an ARO at fair value and subsequently adjusts it for changes to estimated costs, timing of future cash flows and modifications to decommissioning assumptions. The ARO is not required or permitted to be re-measured for changes in the CARFR that occur in isolation. Increases in the ARO as a result of upward revisions in estimated undiscounted cash flows are considered new obligations and are measured using a current CARFR as the increase creates a new cost layer within the ARO. Any decrease in the estimated undiscounted future cash flows relating to the ARO are treated as a modification of an existing ARO cost layer and, therefore, is measured using the average historical CARFR rates used in creating the initial ARO cost layers. If Generation’s future nominal cash flows associated with the ARO were to be discounted at current prevailing CARFR, the obligation would increase from approximately $10.0 billion to approximately $10.1 billion.
The following table illustrates the significant impact that changes in the CARFR, when combined with changes in projected amounts and expected timing of cash flows, can have on the valuation of the ARO (dollars in millions):
ARO Sensitivities. Changes in the assumptions underlying the ARO could materially affect the decommissioning obligation. The impact to the ARO of a change in any one of these assumptions is highly dependent on how the other assumptions may correspondingly change.
The following table illustrates the effects of changing certain ARO assumptions while holding all other assumptions constant (dollars in millions):
__________
(a)
Excludes any sites in which management has committed to a specific decommissioning approach.
(b)
Excludes any retired site or sites for which an early plant retirement has been announced.
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies, Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements and Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding accounting for nuclear decommissioning obligations.
Goodwill (Exelon, ComEd and PHI)
As of December 31, 2018, Exelon’s $6.7 billion carrying amount of goodwill consists of $2.6 billion at ComEd, $4 billion at PHI and immaterial amounts at Generation and DPL. These entities are required to perform an assessment for possible impairment of their goodwill at least annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances
change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting units below their carrying amount. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (known as a component) and is the level at which goodwill is tested for impairment. ComEd has a single operating segment and reporting unit. PHI’s operating segments and reporting units are Pepco, DPL and ACE. See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Exelon's and ComEd’s goodwill has been assigned entirely to the ComEd reporting unit. Exelon's and PHI’s goodwill has been assigned to the Pepco, DPL and ACE reporting units in the amounts of $2.1 billion, $1.4 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively. See Note 10 - Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Entities assessing goodwill for impairment have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. As part of the qualitative assessments, Exelon, ComEd and PHI evaluate, among other things, management's best estimate of projected operating and capital cash flows for their businesses, outcomes of recent regulatory proceedings, changes in certain market conditions, including the discount rate and regulated utility peer EBITDA multiples, and the passing margin from their last quantitative assessments performed.
Exelon’s, ComEd’s and PHI’s accounting policy is to perform a quantitative test of goodwill at least once every three years, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.
Application of the goodwill impairment test requires management judgment, including the identification of reporting units and determining the fair value of the reporting unit, which management estimates using a weighted combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market multiples analysis. Significant assumptions used in these fair value analyses include discount and growth rates, utility sector market performance and transactions, projected operating and capital cash flows for ComEd’s, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's businesses and the fair value of debt. In applying the second step (if needed), management must estimate the fair value of specific assets and liabilities of the reporting unit.
While the annual assessments indicated no impairments, certain assumptions used in the assessment are highly sensitive to changes. Adverse regulatory actions or changes in significant assumptions could potentially result in future impairments of Exelon’s, ComEd's or PHI’s goodwill, which could be material. Based on the results of the last annual quantitative goodwill tests performed as of November 1, 2016 and November 1, 2018 for ComEd and PHI, respectively, the estimated fair values of the ComEd, Pepco, DPL and ACE reporting units would have needed to decrease by more than 30%, 30%, 20% and 30%, respectively, for ComEd and PHI to fail the first step of their respective impairment tests.
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies and Note 10 - Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Purchase Accounting (Exelon, Generation and PHI)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquired business are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of acquisition. The difference between the purchase price amount and the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill on the balance sheet if the purchase price exceeds the estimated net fair value or as a bargain purchase gain on the income statement if the purchase price is less than the estimated net fair value. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment, often utilizes independent valuation experts and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amounts of future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, market prices and asset lives, among other items. The judgments made in the determination of the estimated fair value assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the estimated useful life of each asset and the duration of each liability, could significantly impact the financial statements in periods after acquisition, such as through depreciation and amortization expense. The allocation of the purchase price may be modified up to one year after the acquisition date as more information is obtained about the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the transaction is determined to be an asset acquisition the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed and no goodwill or bargain purchase gain would be recorded. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Unamortized Energy Contract Assets and Liabilities (Exelon, Generation and PHI)
Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities represent the remaining unamortized balances of non-derivative energy contracts that Generation has acquired and the electricity contracts Exelon has acquired as part of the PHI merger. The initial amount recorded represents the fair value of the contracts at the time of acquisition. At Exelon and PHI, offsetting regulatory assets or liabilities were also recorded for those energy contract costs that are probable of recovery or refund through customer rates. The unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities and any corresponding regulatory assets or liabilities, respectively, are amortized over the life of the contract in relation to the expected realization of the underlying cash flows. Amortization of the unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities is recorded through purchased power and fuel expense or operating revenues, depending on the nature of the underlying contract. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters, Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions and Note 10 - Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets (All Registrants)
All Registrants regularly monitor and evaluate their long-lived assets and asset groups, excluding goodwill, for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. Indicators of potential impairment may include a deteriorating business climate, including declines in energy prices, condition of the asset, an asset remaining idle for more than a short period of time, specific regulatory disallowance, advances in technology, plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life, and financial distress of a third party for assets contracted with them on a long-term basis, among others.
The review of long-lived assets and asset groups for impairment utilizes significant assumptions about operating strategies and estimates of future cash flows, which require assessments of current and projected market conditions. For the generation business, forecasting future cash flows requires assumptions regarding forecasted commodity prices for the sale of power and purchases of fuel and the expected operations of assets. A variation in the assumptions used could lead to a different conclusion regarding the recoverability of an asset or asset group and, thus, could have a significant impact in the consolidated financial statements. An impairment evaluation is based on an undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level at which cash flows of the long-lived assets or asset groups are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For the generation business, the lowest level of independent cash flows is determined by the evaluation of several factors, including the geographic dispatch of the generation units and the hedging strategies related to those units as well as the associated intangible assets or liabilities recorded on the balance sheet. The cash flows from the generating units are generally evaluated at a regional portfolio level with cash flows generated from the customer supply and risk management activities, including cash flows from related intangible assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. In certain cases, generating assets may be evaluated on an individual basis where those assets are contracted on a long-term basis with a third party and operations are independent of other generating assets (typically contracted renewables). For such assets the financial viability of the third party, including the impact of bankruptcy on the contract, may be a significant assumption in the assessment.
On a quarterly basis, Generation assesses its long-lived assets or asset groups for indicators of impairment. If indicators are present for a long-lived asset or asset group, a comparison of the undiscounted expected future cash flows to the carrying value is performed. When the undiscounted cash flow analysis indicates the carrying value of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable, the amount of the impairment loss is determined by measuring the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group over its fair value. The fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group is dependent upon a market participant’s view of the exit price of the assets. This includes significant assumptions of the estimated future cash flows generated by the assets and market discount rates. Events and circumstances often do not occur as expected and there will usually be differences between prospective financial information and actual results, and those differences may be material. The determination of fair value is driven by both internal assumptions that include significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) such as revenue and generation forecasts, projected capital, and maintenance expenditures and discount rates, as well as information from various public, financial and industry sources.
See Note 7 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of asset impairment evaluations made by Exelon.
Depreciable Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment (All Registrants)
The Registrants have significant investments in electric generation assets and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution assets. These assets are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis, using the group, composite or unitary methods of depreciation. The group approach is typically for groups of similar assets that have
approximately the same useful lives and the composite approach is used for heterogeneous assets that have different lives. Under both methods, a reporting entity depreciates the assets over the average life of the assets in the group. The estimation of asset useful lives requires management judgment, supported by formal depreciation studies of historical asset retirement experience. Depreciation studies are generally completed every five years, or more frequently if required by a rate regulator or if an event, regulatory action, or change in retirement patterns indicate an update is necessary.
For the Utility Registrants, depreciation studies generally serve as the basis for amounts allowed in customer rates for recovery of depreciation costs. Generally, the Utility Registrants adjust their depreciation rates for financial reporting purposes concurrent with adjustments to depreciation rates reflected in customer rates, unless the depreciation rates reflected in customer rates do not align with management’s judgment as to an appropriate estimated useful life or have not been updated on a timely basis. Depreciation expense and customer rates for ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE includes an estimate of the future costs of dismantling and removing plant from service upon retirement. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding regulatory liabilities and assets recorded by ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE related to removal costs.
PECO’s removal costs are capitalized to accumulated depreciation when incurred, and recorded to depreciation expense over the life of the new asset constructed consistent with PECO’s regulatory recovery method. Estimates for such removal costs are also evaluated in the periodic depreciation studies.
At Generation, along with depreciation study results, management considers expected future energy market conditions and generation plant operating costs and capital investment requirements in determining the estimated service lives of its generating facilities. See Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Changes in estimated useful lives of electric generation assets and of electric and natural gas transmission and distribution assets could have a significant impact on the Registrants’ future results of operations. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding depreciation and estimated service lives of the property, plant and equipment of the Registrants.
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits (All Registrants)
Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement employee benefit plans for substantially all current employees. The measurement of the plan obligations and costs of providing benefits involves various factors, including the development of valuation assumptions and inputs and accounting policy elections. When developing the required assumptions, Exelon considers historical information as well as future expectations. The measurement of benefit obligations and costs is affected by several assumptions including the discount rate applied to benefit obligations, the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets, the anticipated rate of increase of health care costs, Exelon’s expected level of contributions to the plans, the incidence of participant mortality, the expected remaining service period of plan participants, the level of compensation and rate of compensation increases, employee age, length of service, and the long-term expected investment rate credited to employees of certain plans, among others. The assumptions are updated annually and upon any interim remeasurement of the plan obligations. Exelon amortizes actuarial gains or losses in excess of a corridor of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value (MRV) of plan assets over the expected average remaining service period of plan participants.
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets include equity securities, including U.S. and international securities, and fixed income securities, as well as certain alternative investment classes such as real estate, private equity and hedge funds.
Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets. In determining the EROA, Exelon considers historical economic indicators (including inflation and GDP growth) that impact asset returns, as well as expectation regarding future long-term capital market performance, weighted by Exelon’s target asset class allocations. Exelon calculates the amount of expected return on pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets by multiplying the EROA by the MRV of plan assets at the beginning of the year, taking into consideration anticipated contributions and benefit payments to be made during the year. In determining MRV, the authoritative guidance for pensions and postretirement benefits allows the use of either fair value or a calculated value that recognizes changes in fair value in a systematic and rational manner over not more than five years. For the majority of pension plan assets, Exelon uses a calculated
value that adjusts for 20% of the difference between fair value and expected MRV of plan assets. Use of this calculated value approach enables less volatile expected asset returns to be recognized as a component of pension cost from year to year. For other postretirement benefit plan assets and certain pension plan assets, Exelon uses fair value to calculate the MRV.
Discount Rate. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the discount rates were determined by developing a spot rate curve based on the yield to maturity of a universe of high-quality non-callable (or callable with make whole provisions) bonds with similar maturities to the related pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. The spot rates are used to discount the estimated future benefit distribution amounts under the pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The discount rate is the single level rate that produces the same result as the spot rate curve. Exelon utilizes an analytical tool developed by its actuaries to determine the discount rates.
Mortality. The mortality assumption is composed of a base table that represents the current expectation of life expectancy of the population adjusted by an improvement scale that attempts to anticipate future improvements in life expectancy. Exelon’s mortality assumption is supported by an actuarial experience study of Exelon's plan participants and utilizes the IRS's RP-2000 base table and the Scale BB 2-Dimensional improvement scale with long-term improvements of 0.75%.
Sensitivity to Changes in Key Assumptions. The following tables illustrate the effects of changing certain of the actuarial assumptions discussed above, while holding all other assumptions constant (dollars in millions):
__________
(a)
In general, the discount rate will have a larger impact on the pension and other postretirement benefit cost and obligation as the rate moves closer to 0%. Therefore, the discount rate sensitivities above cannot necessarily be extrapolated for larger increases or decreases in the discount rate. Additionally, Exelon utilizes a liability-driven investment strategy for its pension asset portfolio. The sensitivities shown above do not reflect the offsetting impact that changes in discount rates may have on pension asset returns.
See Note 16 - Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the accounting for the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.
Regulatory Accounting (Exelon and Utility Registrants)
For their regulated electric and gas operations, Exelon and the Utility Registrants reflect the effects of cost-based rate regulation in their financial statements, which is required for entities with regulated operations that meet the following criteria: (1) rates are established or approved by a third-party regulator; (2) rates are designed to recover the entities’ cost of providing services or products; and (3) a reasonable expectation that rates designed to recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent (1) revenue or gains that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates; or (2) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs. If it is concluded in a future period that a separable portion of operations no longer meets the criteria discussed above, Exelon and the Utility Registrants would be required to eliminate any associated regulatory assets and liabilities and the impact would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and could be material.
The following table illustrates the gains (losses) that could result from the elimination of regulatory assets and liabilities and charges against OCI (dollars in millions before taxes) related to deferred costs associated with Exelon's pension and other postretirement benefit plans that are recorded as regulatory assets in Exelon's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
___________
(a)
Exelon's charge against OCI (before taxes) consists of up to $2.4 billion, $529 million, $157 million, $413 million, $208 million and $105 million related to ComEd's, BGE's, PHI's, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's respective portions of the deferred costs associated with Exelon's pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Exelon also has a net regulatory liability of $(47) million (before taxes) related to PECO’s portion of the deferred costs associated with Exelon’s other postretirement benefit plans that would result in an increase in OCI if reversed.
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding regulatory matters, including the regulatory assets and liabilities tables of Exelon and the Utility Registrants.
For each regulatory jurisdiction in which they conduct business, Exelon and the Utility Registrants assess whether the regulatory assets and liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement at each balance sheet date and when regulatory events occur. This assessment includes consideration of recent rate orders, historical regulatory treatment for similar costs in each Registrant's jurisdictions, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. If the assessments and estimates made by Exelon and the Utility Registrants for regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are ultimately different than actual regulatory outcomes, the impact in their consolidated financial statements could be material.
Refer to the revenue recognition discussion below for additional information on the annual revenue reconciliations associated with ICC-approved electric distribution and energy efficiency formula rates for ComEd, and FERC transmission formula rate tariffs for the Utility Registrants.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments (All Registrants)
The Registrants use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk related to ongoing business operations. The Registrants’ derivative activities are in accordance with Exelon’s Risk Management Policy (RMP). See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Registrants account for derivative financial instruments under the applicable authoritative guidance. Determining whether a contract qualifies as a derivative requires that management exercise significant judgment, including assessing market liquidity as well as determining whether a contract has one or more underlyings and one or more notional quantities. Changes in management’s assessment of contracts and the liquidity of their markets, and changes in authoritative guidance, could result in previously excluded contracts becoming in scope to new authoritative guidance.
Under current authoritative guidance, all derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value, except for certain derivatives that qualify for, and are elected under, the normal purchases and normal sales exception. Derivatives entered into for economic hedging and for proprietary trading purposes are recorded at fair value through earnings. For economic hedges that are not designated for hedge accounting for the Utility Registrants, changes in the fair value each period are generally recorded with a corresponding offsetting regulatory asset or liability given likelihood of recovering the associated costs through customer rates.
Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Exception. As part of Generation’s energy marketing business, Generation enters into contracts to buy and sell energy to meet the requirements of its customers. These contracts include short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and energy-related products in the retail and wholesale markets with the intent and ability to deliver or take delivery. While some of these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments under the authoritative guidance, certain of these qualifying transactions have been designated by Generation as normal purchases and normal sales transactions, which are thus not required to be
recorded at fair value, but rather on an accrual basis of accounting. Determining whether a contract qualifies for the normal purchases and normal sales exception requires judgment on whether the contract will physically deliver and requires that management ensure compliance with all of the associated qualification and documentation requirements. Revenues and expenses on contracts that qualify as normal purchases and normal sales are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is completed. Contracts that qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception are those for which physical delivery is probable, quantities are expected to be used or sold in the normal course of business over a reasonable period of time and the contract is not financially settled on a net basis. The contracts that ComEd has entered into with suppliers as part of ComEd’s energy procurement process, PECO’s full requirement contracts under the PAPUC-approved DSP program, most of PECO’s natural gas supply agreements, all of BGE’s full requirement contracts and natural gas supply agreements that are derivatives and certain Pepco, DPL and ACE full requirement contracts qualify for and are accounted for under the normal purchases and normal sales exception.
Commodity Contracts. Identification of a commodity contract as an economic hedge requires Generation to determine that the contract is in accordance with the RMP. Generation reassesses its economic hedges on a regular basis to determine if they continue to be within the guidelines of the RMP.
As a part of the authoritative guidance, the Registrants make estimates and assumptions concerning future commodity prices, load requirements, interest rates, the timing of future transactions and their probable cash flows, the fair value of contracts and the expected changes in the fair value in deciding whether or not to enter into derivative transactions, and in determining the initial accounting treatment for derivative transactions. Under the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, the Registrants categorize these derivatives under a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
Derivative contracts are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based derivatives that are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets are generally categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
Certain derivatives’ pricing is verified using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. The price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point from markets that the Registrants believe provide the most liquid market for the commodity. The price quotations are reviewed and corroborated to ensure the prices are observable and representative of an orderly transaction between market participants. The Registrant’s derivatives are traded predominately at liquid trading points. The remaining derivative contracts are valued using models that consider inputs such as contract terms, including maturity, and market parameters, and assumptions of the future prices of energy, interest rates, volatility, credit worthiness and credit spread. For derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, the model inputs are generally observable. Such instruments are categorized in Level 2.
For derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, the model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs and are categorized in Level 3.
The Registrants consider nonperformance risk, including credit risk in the valuation of derivative contracts, including both historical and current market data in its assessment of nonperformance risk, including credit risk. The impacts of nonperformance and credit risk to date have generally not been material to the financial statements.
Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Derivative Instruments. The Registrants may utilize fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to achieve the targeted level of variable-rate debt as a percent of total debt. Additionally, the Registrants may use forward-starting interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks to lock in interest-rate levels and floating to fixed swaps for project financing. In addition, Generation enters into interest rate derivative contracts to economically hedge risk associated with the interest rate component of commodity positions. Generation does not utilize interest rate derivatives with the objective of benefiting from shifts or changes in market interest rates. To manage foreign exchange rate exposure associated with international energy purchases in currencies other than U.S. dollars, Generation utilizes foreign currency derivatives, which are typically designated as economic hedges. The fair value of the agreements is calculated by discounting the future net cash flows to the present value based on observable inputs and are primarily categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain exchange based interest rate derivatives that are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
See ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK and Note 11 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Registrants’ derivative instruments.
Taxation (All Registrants)
Significant management judgment is required in determining the Registrants’ provisions for income taxes, primarily due to the uncertainty related to tax positions taken, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities and valuation allowances. The Registrants account for uncertain income tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach including a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management evaluates each position based solely on the technical merits and facts and circumstances of the position, assuming the position will be examined by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Significant judgment is required to determine whether the recognition threshold has been met and, if so, the appropriate amount of tax benefits to be recorded in the Registrants’ consolidated financial statements.
The Registrants evaluate quarterly the probability of realizing deferred tax assets by reviewing a forecast of future taxable income and their intent and ability to implement tax planning strategies, if necessary, to realize deferred tax assets. The Registrants also assess negative evidence, such as the expiration of historical operating loss or tax credit carryforwards, that could indicate the Registrant's inability to realize its deferred tax assets. Based on the combined assessment, the Registrants record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not such benefit will not be realized in future periods.
Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including future changes in income tax laws, the Registrants’ forecasted financial condition and results of operations, failure to successfully implement tax planning strategies, as well as results of audits and examinations of filed tax returns by taxing authorities. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Accounting for Loss Contingencies (All Registrants)
In the preparation of their financial statements, the Registrants make judgments regarding the future outcome of contingent events and record liabilities for loss contingencies that are probable and can be reasonably estimated based upon available information. The amount recorded may differ from the actual expense incurred when the uncertainty is resolved. Such difference could have a significant impact in the Registrants' consolidated financial statements.
Environmental Costs. Environmental investigation and remediation liabilities are based upon estimates with respect to the number of sites for which the Registrants will be responsible, the scope and cost of work to be performed at each site, the portion of costs that will be shared with other parties, the timing of the remediation work and changes in technology, regulations and the requirements of local governmental authorities. Annual studies and/or reviews are conducted at ComEd, PECO, BGE and DPL to determine future remediation requirements for MGP sites and estimates are adjusted accordingly. In addition, periodic reviews are performed at each of the Registrants to assess the adequacy of other environmental reserves. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a significant impact in the Registrants’ consolidated financial statements. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other, Including Personal Injury Claims. The Registrants are self-insured for general liability, automotive liability, workers’ compensation, and personal injury claims to the extent that losses are within policy deductibles or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. The Registrants have reserves for both open claims asserted and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (IBNR). The IBNR reserve is estimated based on actuarial assumptions and analysis and is updated annually. Future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of claims, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding litigation and possible state and national legislative measures could cause the actual costs to be higher or lower than estimated. Accordingly, these claims, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a material impact in the Registrants’ consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition (All Registrants)
Sources of Revenue and Determination of Accounting Treatment. The Registrants earn revenues from various business activities including: the sale of power and energy-related products, such as natural gas, capacity, and other commodities in non-regulated markets (wholesale and retail); the sale and delivery of power and natural gas in regulated markets; and the provision of other energy-related non-regulated products and services.
The accounting treatment for revenue recognition is based on the nature of the underlying transaction and applicable authoritative guidance. The Registrants primarily apply the Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Derivative and Alternative Revenue Program (ARP) guidance to recognize revenue as discussed in more detail below.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under the Revenue from Contracts with Customers guidance, the Registrants recognize revenues in the period in which the performance obligations within contracts with customers are satisfied, which generally occurs when power, natural gas, and other energy-related commodities are physically delivered to the customer. Transactions of the Registrants within the scope of Revenue from Contracts with Customers generally include non-derivative agreements, contracts that are designated as normal purchases and normal sales (NPNS), sales to utility customers under regulated service tariffs, and spot-market energy commodity sales, including settlements with independent system operators.
The determination of Generation’s and the Utility Registrants' retail power and natural gas sales to individual customers is based on systematic readings of customer meters, generally on a monthly basis. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading are estimated, and corresponding unbilled revenue is recorded. The measurement of unbilled revenue is affected by the following factors: daily customer usage measured by generation or gas throughput volume, customer usage by class, losses of energy during delivery to customers and applicable customer rates. Increases or decreases in volumes delivered to the utilities’ customers and favorable or unfavorable rate mix due to changes in usage patterns in customer classes in the period could be significant to the calculation of unbilled revenue. In addition, revenues may fluctuate monthly as a result of customers electing to use an alternate supplier, since unbilled commodity revenues are not recorded for these customers. Changes in the timing of meter reading schedules and the number and type of customers scheduled for each meter reading date also impact the measurement of unbilled revenue; however, total operating revenues would remain materially unchanged. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Derivative Revenues. The Registrants record revenues and expenses using the mark-to-market method of accounting for transactions that are accounted for as derivatives. These derivative transactions primarily relate to commodity price risk management activities. Mark-to-market revenues and expenses include: inception gains or losses on new transactions where the fair value is observable, unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of open contracts, and realized gains and losses.
Alternative Revenue Program Accounting. Certain of the Utility Registrants’ ratemaking mechanisms qualify as Alternative Revenue Programs (ARPs) if they (i) are established by a regulatory order and allow for automatic adjustment to future rates, (ii) provide for additional revenues (above those amounts currently reflected in the price of utility service) that are objectively determinable and probable of recovery, and (iii) allow for the collection of those additional revenues within 24 months following the end of the period in which they were recognized. For mechanisms that meet these criteria, which include the Utility Registrants’ formula rate and revenue decoupling mechanisms, the Utility Registrants adjust revenue and record an offsetting regulatory asset or liability once the condition or event allowing additional billing or refund has occurred. The ARP revenues presented in the Utility Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income include both: (i) the recognition of “originating” ARP revenues (when the regulator-specified condition or event allowing for additional billing or refund has occurred) and (ii) an equal and offsetting reversal of the “originating” ARP revenues as those amounts are reflected in the price of utility service and recognized as Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
ComEd records ARP revenue for its best estimate of the electric distribution, energy efficiency, and transmission revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that ComEd believes are probable of approval by the ICC and FERC in accordance with its formula rate mechanisms. BGE, Pepco and DPL record ARP revenue for their best estimate of the electric and natural gas distribution revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that they believe are probable of approval by the MDPSC and/or DCPSC in accordance with their revenue decoupling mechanisms. PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE record ARP revenue for their best estimate of the transmission revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that they believe are probable of approval by FERC in
accordance with their formula rate mechanisms. Estimates of the current year revenue requirement are based on actual and/or forecasted costs and investments in rate base for the period and the rates of return on common equity and associated regulatory capital structure allowed under the applicable tariff. The estimated reconciliation can be affected by, among other things, variances in costs incurred, investments made, allowed ROE, and actions by regulators or courts.
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Utility Registrants)
Utility Registrants estimate the allowance for uncollectible accounts on customer receivables by applying loss rates developed specifically for each company to the outstanding receivable balance by customer risk segment. Risk segments represent a group of customers with similar credit quality indicators that are comprised based on various attributes, including delinquency of their balances and payment history. Loss rates applied to the accounts receivable balances are based on a historical average of charge-offs as a percentage of accounts receivable in each risk segment. The Utility Registrants' customer accounts are generally considered delinquent if the amount billed is not received by the time the next bill is issued, which normally occurs on a monthly basis. Utility Registrants' customer accounts are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. Utility Registrants' allowances for uncollectible accounts will continue to be affected by changes in volume, prices and economic conditions as well as changes in ICC, PAPUC, MDPSC, DCPSC, DPSC and NJBPU regulations.
Results of Operations by Registrant
The Registrants' Results of Operations includes discussion of RNF, which is a financial measure not defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies' presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. The CODMs for Exelon and Generation evaluate the performance of Generation's electric business activities and allocate resources based on RNF. Generation believes that RNF is a useful measure because it provides information that can be used to evaluate its operational performance. For the Utility Registrants, their Operating revenues reflect the full and current recovery of commodity procurement costs given the rider mechanisms approved by their respective state regulators. The commodity procurement costs, which are recorded in Purchased power and fuel expense, and the associated revenues can be volatile. Therefore, the Utility Registrants believe that RNF is a useful measure because it excludes the effect on Operating revenues caused by the volatility in these expenses.
Results of Operations-Generation
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income attributable to membership interest decreased by $2,340 million primarily due to:
•
Impacts associated with the one-time remeasurement of deferred income taxes in 2017 as a result of the TCJA;
•
Net unrealized losses on NDT funds in 2018 compared to net gains in 2017;
•
Lower realized energy prices;
•
Accelerated depreciation and amortization due to the decision to early retire the Oyster Creek and TMI nuclear facilities;
•
The gain associated with the FitzPatrick acquisition in 2017;
•
Increased mark-to-market losses;
•
The gain recorded upon deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities in 2017;
•
The absence of EGTP earnings resulting from its deconsolidation in the fourth quarter of 2017; and
•
Long-lived asset impairments of certain merchant wind assets in West Texas.
The decreases were partially offset by;
•
The impact of the New York and Illinois ZEC revenue (including the impact of zero emission credits generated in Illinois from June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017);
•
Long-lived asset impairments primarily related to the EGTP assets held for sale in 2017;
•
Increased capacity prices;
•
The impact of lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA at Generation;
•
Net realized gains on NDT funds; and
•
Decreased nuclear outage days.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income attributable to membership interest increased by $2,227 million primarily due to:
•
Impacts associated with the one-time remeasurement of deferred income taxes as a result of the TCJA;
•
The gain associated with the FitzPatrick acquisition;
•
Accelerated depreciation and amortization due to the decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility in 2017 compared to the previous decision in 2016 to early retire the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear facilities;
•
Higher net unrealized and realized gains on NDT funds;
•
The impact of the New York ZEC revenue;
•
The gain recorded upon deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities;
•
Increased capacity prices; and
•
Decreased nuclear outage days.
These increases were partially offset by:
•
Long-lived asset impairments primarily related to the EGTP assets held for sale;
•
Lower realized energy prices;
•
The conclusion of the Ginna Reliability Support Services Agreement;
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Increased costs related to the acquisition of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility; and
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Increased mark-to-market losses.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense. The basis for Generation’s reportable segments is the integrated management of its electricity business that is located in different geographic regions, and largely representative of the footprints of ISO/RTO and/or NERC regions, which utilize multiple supply sources to provide electricity through various distribution channels (wholesale and retail). Generation's hedging strategies and risk metrics are also aligned with these same geographic regions. Generation's six reportable segments are Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, ERCOT and Other Power Regions. During the first quarter of 2019, due to a change in economics in our New England region, Generation is changing the way that information is reviewed by the CODM. The New England region will no longer be regularly reviewed as a separate region by the CODM nor will it be presented separately in any external information presented to third parties. Information for the New England region will be reviewed by the CODM as part of Other Power Regions. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2019, Generation will disclose five reportable segments consisting of Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT and
Other Power Regions. See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these reportable segments.
The following business activities are not allocated to a region, and are reported under Other: natural gas, as well as other miscellaneous business activities that are not significant to overall operating revenues or results of operations. Further, the following activities are not allocated to a region, and are reported in Other: amortization of certain intangible assets relating to commodity contracts recorded at fair value from mergers and acquisitions; accelerated nuclear fuel amortization associated with nuclear decommissioning; and other miscellaneous revenues.
Generation evaluates the operating performance of electric business activities using the measure of RNF. Operating revenues include all sales to third parties and affiliated sales to the Utility Registrants. Purchased power costs include all costs associated with the procurement and supply of electricity including capacity, energy and ancillary services. Fuel expense includes the fuel costs for owned generation and fuel costs associated with tolling agreements.
For the years ended December 31, 2018 compared to 2017 and December 31, 2017 compared to 2016, RNF by region were as follows:
_________
(a)
Includes results of transactions with PECO and BGE in the Mid-Atlantic region and results of transactions with ComEd in the Midwest region. As a result of the PHI merger, includes results of transactions with Pepco, DPL and ACE in the Mid-Atlantic region beginning on March 24, 2016.
(b)
Other represents activities not allocated to a region. Includes amortization of intangible assets related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value of a $54 million decrease to RNF and a $57 million decrease to RNF for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, accelerated nuclear fuel amortization associated with announced early plant retirements, as discussed in Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, of $57 million, $12 million and $60 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and gain on the settlement of a long-term gas supply agreement of $75 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(c)
Includes the ownership of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility from March 31, 2017.
Generation’s supply sources by region are summarized below:
__________
(a)
Includes the proportionate share of output where Generation has an undivided ownership interest in jointly-owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated (e.g. CENG).
(b)
Includes affiliate sales to PECO and BGE in the Mid-Atlantic region and affiliate sales to ComEd in the Midwest region. As a result of the PHI Merger, includes affiliate sales to Pepco, DPL and ACE in the Mid-Atlantic region beginning on March 24, 2016.
(c)
Includes the ownership of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility from March 31, 2017.
For the years ended December 31, 2018 compared to 2017 and December 31, 2017 compared to 2016, changes in RNF by region were as follows:
Nuclear Fleet Capacity Factor. The following table presents nuclear fleet operating data for the Generation-operated plants, which reflects ownership percentage of stations operated by Exelon, excluding Salem, which is operated by PSEG Nuclear, LLC and including the ownership of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility from March 31, 2017. The nuclear fleet capacity factor presented in the table is defined as the ratio of the actual output of a plant over a period of time to its output if the plant had operated at full average annual mean capacity for that time period. Generation considers capacity factor to be a useful measure to analyze the nuclear fleet performance between periods. Generation has included the analysis below as a complement to the financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. However, these measures are not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or be more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense, consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Includes the ownership of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility from March 31, 2017.
(b)
Primarily reflects the impairment of certain wind projects in 2018 and charges to earnings related to impairments as a result of the EGTP assets in 2017.
(c)
Primarily reflects merger and integration costs associated with the PHI and FitzPatrick acquisitions, including, if and when applicable, professional fees, employee-related expenses and integration activities.
(d)
Primarily represents the announcement to early retire the Oyster Creek nuclear facility, a charge associated with a remeasurement of the Oyster Creek ARO compared to the previous decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility in 2017.
(e)
Primarily reflects decreased spending related to energy efficiency projects and decreased costs related to the sale of Generation's electrical contracting business.
(f)
Primarily reflects the reversal of previously accrued vacation expenses as a result of a change in Exelon's vacation vesting policy.
__________
(a)
Includes the ownership of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility from March 31, 2017.
(b)
Primarily reflects charges to earnings related to impairments as a result of the EGTP assets in 2017 and impairment of Upstream assets and certain wind projects in 2016.
(c)
Primarily reflects the non-cash benefit pursuant to the annual update of the nuclear decommissioning obligation related to the non-regulatory units in 2017 compared to 2016.
(d)
Primarily represents the announcement of the early retirement of the TMI nuclear facility in 2017 compared to the previous decision to early retire the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear facilities in 2016.
(e)
Reflects the impact of increased accretion expenses primarily due to the acquisition of FitzPatrick on March 31, 2017.
(f)
Primarily reflects an increase in the number of nuclear outage days during 2017 compared to 2016.
(g)
Primarily represents costs incurred as part of the settlement orders approving the PHI merger during 2016.
(h)
Reflects increased salaries, wages and contracting costs primarily related to the acquisition of the FitzPatrick nuclear facility beginning on March 31, 2017.
(i)
Reflects the one-time recognition for a loss on sale of assets and asset impairment charges pursuant to Generation's strategic decision in the fourth quarter of 2016 to narrow the scope and scale of its growth and development activities.
(j)
Represents the reversal of previously accrued vacation expenses as a result of a change in Exelon's vacation vesting policy.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 increased primarily due to accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses associated with the decision to early retire the Oyster Creek nuclear facility in 2018 compared to the previous decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility in 2017.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased primarily due to accelerated depreciation and increased nuclear decommissioning amortization related to the previous decision to early retire the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear facilities in 2016 compared to the decision to early retire the TMI nuclear facility in 2017.
Gain (loss) on sales of assets and businesses for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 increased due to Generation's 2018 sale of its electrical contracting business.
Gain (loss) on sales of assets and businesses for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 increased primarily due to certain Generation projects and contracts being terminated or renegotiated in 2016, partially offset by a gain associated with Generation's sale of the retired New Boston generating site in 2016.
Bargain purchase gain for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. decreased as a result of the gain associated with the FitzPatrick acquisition. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Gain on deconsolidation of business for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased due to the deconsolidation of EGTP's net liabilities, which included the previously impaired assets and related debt, as a result of the November 2017 bankruptcy filing. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other, Net decreased primarily due to the net decrease in unrealized gains related to the NDT funds of Generation’s Non-Regulatory Agreement Units as described in the table below. Other, net also reflects $45 million, $209 million and $80 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively, related to the contractual elimination of income tax expense (benefit) associated with the NDT funds of the Regulatory Agreement Units. See Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding NDT funds.
The following table provides unrealized and realized gains (losses) on the NDT funds of the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units:
Effective income tax rates were (29.5)%, (94.6)% and 32.9% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase is primarily related to impacts associated with the one-time remeasurement of deferred income taxes in 2017 as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the change in the effective income tax rate.
Results of Operations-ComEd
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income increased by $97 million primarily due to higher electric distribution and energy efficiency formula rate earnings (reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment). The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income as the favorable income tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from the pass back of the tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income increased $189 million primarily due to the recognition of the penalty and the after-tax interest due on the asserted penalty related to the Tax Court's decision on Exelon's like-kind exchange tax position in 2016 and increased electric distribution and transmission formula rate earnings (reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment and higher allowed electric distribution ROE). The higher Net income was partially offset by the impact of weather conditions in 2016. See Revenue Decoupling discussion below for additional information on the impact of weather.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power Expense. There are certain drivers of Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power expense, such as commodity, REC and ZEC procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. ComEd recovers electricity, REC and ZEC procurement costs from customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have no impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier. Customer choice programs do not impact the volume of deliveries, but do impact Operating revenues related to supplied electricity.
The changes in RNF consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
For the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, the changes reflect the 2016 impacts of weather, volume and pricing and customer mix. Pursuant to the revenue decoupling provision in FEJA, ComEd began recording an adjustment to revenue in the first quarter of 2017 to eliminate the favorable or unfavorable impacts associated with variations in delivery volumes associated with above or below normal weather, number of customers or usage per customer.
(b)
Beginning June 1, 2017, ComEd is deferring energy efficiency costs as a regulatory asset that will be recovered through the energy efficiency formula rate over the weighted average useful life of the related energy efficiency measures.
Revenue Decoupling. The demand for electricity is affected by weather and customer usage. However, beginning January 1, 2017, Operating revenues are not impacted by abnormal weather, usage per customer or number of customers as a result of a change to the electric distribution formula rate pursuant to FEJA.
Distribution Revenue. EIMA and FEJA provide for a performance-based formula rate, which requires an annual reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect to the actual costs that the ICC determines are prudently and reasonably incurred in a given year. Electric distribution revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, investments being recovered and allowed ROE. During the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, electric distribution revenue decreased $127 million, primarily due to the impact of the lower federal income tax rate, partially offset by increased revenues due to higher rate base and increased Depreciation expense. During the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, electric distribution revenue increased $170 million, primarily due to increased capital investment, increased Depreciation expense, higher allowed ROE due to an increase in treasury rates and revenue decoupling impacts (as described above). See Operating and Maintenance Expense below and Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Transmission Revenue. Under a FERC-approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, capital investments being recovered and the highest daily peak load, which is updated annually in January based on the prior calendar year. Generally, increases/decreases in the highest daily peak load will result in higher/lower transmission revenue. Transmission revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to decreased peak load and the impact of the lower federal tax rate, partially offset by increased revenues due to higher rate base and increased Depreciation expense. Transmission revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to increased capital investment, higher Depreciation expense, and increased highest daily peak load. See Operating and Maintenance Expense below and Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Energy Efficiency Revenue. Beginning June 1, 2017, FEJA provides for a performance-based formula rate, which requires an annual reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect to the actual costs that the ICC determines are prudently and reasonably incurred in a given year. Under FEJA, energy efficiency revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, investments being recovered, and allowed ROE. See Depreciation and amortization expense discussions below and Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved rate riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as purchased power administrative costs and energy efficiency and demand response through June 1, 2017 pursuant to FEJA. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery. The costs of such programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense. Revenues from regulatory programs decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to the fact that beginning on June 1, 2017, ComEd is deferring energy efficiency costs as a regulatory asset that will be recovered through the energy efficiency formula rate over the weighted average useful life of the related energy efficiency measures.
Uncollectible Accounts Recovery, Net represents recoveries under the uncollectible accounts tariff. See Operating and maintenance expense discussion below for additional information on this tariff.
Other revenue includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues and recoveries of environmental costs associated with MGP sites. The increase in Other revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017 primarily reflects mutual assistance revenues associated with hurricane and winter storm restoration efforts. An equal and offsetting amount has been included in Operating and maintenance expense and Taxes other than income.
See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of ComEd's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Includes costs associated with mutual assistance provided to other utilities in 2018. An equal and offsetting increase has been recognized in Operating revenues for the period presented.
(b)
ComEd is allowed to recover from or refund to customers the difference between its annual uncollectible accounts expense and the amounts collected in rates annually through a rider mechanism. An equal and offsetting amount has been recognized in Operating revenues for the periods presented.
(c)
For the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily reflects increased information technology support services from BSC and includes the $8 million write-off of a regulatory asset related to Constellation merger and integration costs for which recovery is no longer expected.
(d)
Beginning June 1, 2017 ComEd is deferring energy efficiency costs as a regulatory asset that will be recovered through the energy efficiency over the weighted average useful life of the related energy efficiency measures.
The increases in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Primarily reflects ongoing capital expenditures.
(b)
Beginning in June 2017, includes amortization of ComEd's energy efficiency formula rate regulatory asset.
The decrease in Interest expense, net, for the year ended 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Primarily reflects the recognition of after-tax interest related to the Tax Court's decision on Exelon's like-kind exchange tax position in the 2016 and 2017. See Note 14-Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The increase in Other, net, for the year ended 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Primarily reflects the recognition of the penalty related to the Tax Court's decision on Exelon's like-kind exchange tax position in 2016.
Effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were 20.2%, 42.4% and 44.3%, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017 is primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016 is primarily due to the recognition of a non-deductible penalty related to the Tax Court's decision on Exelon's like-kind exchange tax position in the third quarter of 2016. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the effective income tax rates.
Results of Operations-PECO
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income was higher due to favorable weather and volumes. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net Income as the favorable income tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from the requirement to pass back the tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income was lower primarily due to unfavorable weather. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net Income as the favorable income tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from the requirement to pass back the tax savings through customer rates.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense. There are certain drivers of Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power and fuel expenses such as commodity and REC procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. PECO's recovers electricity, natural gas and REC procurement costs from customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have no impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity and natural gas from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers. Customer choice programs do not impact the volume of deliveries or RNF, but impact Operating revenues related to supplied electricity and natural gas.
The changes in RNF consisted of the following:
Weather. The demand for electricity and natural gas is affected by weather conditions. With respect to the electric business, very warm weather in summer months and, with respect to the electric and natural gas businesses, very cold weather in winter months are referred to as “favorable weather conditions” because these weather conditions result in increased deliveries of electricity and natural gas. Conversely, mild weather reduces demand. For the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 RNF was increased by the impact of favorable weather conditions in PECO's service territory. For the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 RNF was reduced by the impact of unfavorable weather conditions in PECO’s service territory.
Heating and cooling degree days are quantitative indices that reflect the demand for energy needed to heat or cool a home or business. Normal weather is determined based on historical average heating and cooling degree days for a 30-year period in PECO’s service territory. The changes in heating and cooling degree days in PECO’s service territory for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and normal weather consisted of the following:
Volume. Delivery volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, was driven by electric and primarily reflects the impact of moderate economic and customer growth partially offset by the impact of energy efficiency initiatives on customer usages primarily in the residential class. Additionally, the increase represents a shift in the volume profile across classes from the commercial and industrial classes to the residential class.
Delivery volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, was driven by electric and primarily reflects the impact of energy efficiency initiatives on customer usages for residential and small commercial and industrial electric classes, partially offset by solid customer growth. Additionally, the decrease represents a shift in the volume profile across classes from residential and small commercial and industrial to large commercial and industrial.
__________
(a)
Reflects delivery volumes and revenue from customers purchasing electricity directly from PECO and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges.
__________
(a)
Reflects delivery volumes and revenue from customers purchasing electricity directly from PECO and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges.
Pricing for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 reflects the anticipated pass back of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax savings through customer rates.
The increase in Operating revenues net of purchased power and fuel expense as a result of pricing for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 reflects higher overall effective rates due to decreased usage in the residential and small commercial and industrial customer classes. Operating revenues net of fuel expense as a result of pricing remained relatively consistent. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as smart meter, energy efficiency and the GSA. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery as well as a return. The costs of these programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Depreciation and amortization expense and Income taxes.
Other revenue includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues and wholesale transmission revenue.
See Note 24-Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of PECO's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a) Reflects increased costs incurred from the Q1 2018 winter storms.
The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a) Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures.
Taxes other than income increased for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to an increase in gross receipts tax driven by increased electric revenue.
Taxes other than income decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in gross receipts tax driven by decreases in electric revenue.
Effective income tax rates were 1.3%, 19.3% and 25.4% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the change in effective income tax rates.
Results of Operations-BGE
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income attributable to common shareholder increased by $6 million primarily due to an increase in transmission formula rate revenues and the absence of the 2017 impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets offset by increased storm restoration costs as a result of storms in March 2018 and September 2018. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income attributable to common shareholder as the favorable income tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from the pass back of the tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income attributable to common shareholder increased by $21 million primarily due to the impacts of the electric and natural gas distribution rate orders issued by the MDPSC in June 2016 and July 2016, an increase in transmission formula rate revenues, the absence of cost disallowances resulting from the 2016 distribution rate orders issued by the MDPSC, and decreased storm costs in 2017. These increases were partially offset by the favorable 2016 settlement of the Baltimore City conduit fee dispute, the initiation of cost recovery of the AMI programs under the distribution rate orders and increased capital investment, higher income tax expense primarily resulting from higher taxable income as well as a 2016 favorable adjustment, and the 2017 impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense. There are certain drivers to Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power and fuel expense, such as commodity procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. BGE recovers electricity, natural gas and other procurement costs from customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have no impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity and natural gas from electric generation and natural gas competitive suppliers. Customer choice programs do not impact the volume of deliveries or RNF but impact Operating revenues related to supplied electricity and natural gas.
The changes in RNF consisted of the following:
Revenue Decoupling. The demand for electricity and natural gas is affected by weather and customer usage. However, Operating revenues are not impacted by abnormal weather or usage per customer as a result of a bill stabilization adjustment (BSA) that provides for a fixed distribution charge per customer by customer class. While Operating revenues are not impacted by abnormal weather or usage per customer, they are impacted by changes in the number of customers.
Distribution Revenues decreased during the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to the impact of reduced distribution rates to reflect the lower federal income tax rate and increased during the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to the impact of the electric and natural gas distribution rate changes that became effective in June 2016 in accordance with the electric and natural gas distribution rate case orders in June 2016 and July 2016. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as conservation, demand response, STRIDE, and the POLR mechanism. The riders are
designed to provide full and current cost recovery, as well as a return in certain instances. The costs of these programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Depreciation and amortization expense and Taxes other than income.
Transmission Revenue. Under a FERC approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, capital investments being recovered and the highest daily peak load, which is updated annually in January based on the prior calendar year. Generally, increases/decreases in the highest daily peak load will result in higher/lower transmission revenue. Transmission revenue increased during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 primarily due to increases in capital investment and operating and maintenance expense recoveries. See Operating and maintenance expense below and Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other revenue includes revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues, off-system sales and service application fees.
See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of BGE's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments.
(b)
Reflects increased storm restoration costs incurred from storms in Q1 2018 and Q3 2018.
(c)
See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures.
(b)
Regulatory asset amortization decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to certain regulatory assets that became fully amortized as of December 31, 2017 and increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to energy efficiency programs and the initiation of cost recovery of the AMI programs under the final electric and natural gas distribution rate case order issued by the MDPSC in June 2016. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Taxes other than income increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in property taxes.
Effective income tax rates were 19.1%, 41.5% and 37.2% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Income taxes decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the effective income tax rates.
Results of Operations-PHI
PHI’s results of operations include the results of its three reportable segments, Pepco, DPL and ACE. PHI also has a business services subsidiary, PHISCO, which provides a variety of support services and the costs are directly charged or allocated to the applicable subsidiaries. Additionally, the results of PHI's corporate operations include interest costs from various financing activities. For "Predecessor" reporting periods, PHI's results of operations also include the results of PES and PCI. See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding PHI's reportable segments. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The following tables sets forth PHI's GAAP Net Income (Loss) by Registrant. As a result of the PHI Merger, the tables present two separate reporting periods for 2016. The "Predecessor" reporting periods represent PHI's results of operations for the period of January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The "Successor" reporting periods represents PHI's results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as well as March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016. See the results of operations for Pepco, DPL, and ACE for additional information by segment.
_________
(a)
Primarily includes eliminating and consolidating adjustments, PHI’s corporate operations, shared service entities and other financing activities. Not included for 2016 due to PHI Predecessor periods not being comparable.
Successor Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Successor Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income increased by $36 million primarily due to distribution rate increases (not reflecting the impact of the TCJA), favorable weather and volume, the absence of 2017 impairments of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets and the DC sponsorship intangible asset, partially offset by an increase in asset retirement obligations primarily related to asbestos identified at the Buzzard Point property and the deferral of accumulated merger integration cost as regulatory assets in 2017. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income as the favorable tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from the pass back of the tax savings through customer rates.
Successor Period of March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Net loss for the Successor period of March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016 was $61 million. There were no significant changes in the underlying trends affecting PHI's results of operations during the Successor period March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016 except for the pre-tax recording of $392 million of non-recurring merger-related costs including merger integration and merger commitments within Operating and maintenance expense.
Predecessor Period of January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016. Net income for the Predecessor period of January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016 was $19 million. There were no significant changes in the underlying trends affecting PHI's results of operations during the Predecessor period of January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016 except for the pre-tax recording of $29 million of non-recurring merger-related costs within Operating and maintenance expense and $18 million of preferred stock derivative expense within Other, net.
Results of Operations-Pepco
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income increased by $5 million primarily due to higher electric distribution base rates (not reflecting the impact of the TCJA) in Maryland that became effective October 2017 and June 2018 and higher electric distribution base rates (not reflecting the impact of the TCJA) in the District of Columbia that became effective August 2017 and August 2018, partially offset by an increase in asset retirement obligations related primarily to the Buzzard Point property, deferral of accumulated merger integration costs as regulatory assets in 2017 and higher regulatory asset amortization due to additional regulatory assets related to rate case activity. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income as the favorable tax impacts were predominantly offset by lower revenues resulting from pass back of tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income increased by $163 million primarily due to a decrease in Operating and maintenance expense due to merger-related costs recognized in March 2016, higher electric distribution base rates in Maryland that became effective November 2016 and October 2017 and higher electric distribution base rates in the District of Columbia that became effective August 2017, partially offset by higher depreciation expense due to increased depreciation rates in Maryland effective November 2016. Income taxes expense included unrecognized tax benefits of $21 million for uncertain tax positions related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was offset by an increase in income taxes due to the $14 million December 2017 impairment of certain transmission related income tax regulatory assets.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power Expense. There are certain drivers of Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power expense, such as commodity and REC procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. Pepco recovers electricity and REC procurement costs from customers with a slight mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have minimal impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity from competitive electric generation suppliers. Customer choice programs do not impact the volume of deliveries or RNF, but impact Operating revenues related to supplied electricity.
The changes in RNF consisted of the following:
Revenue Decoupling. The demand for electricity is affected by weather and customer usage. However, Operating revenues from electric distribution in both Maryland and the District of Columbia are not impacted by abnormal weather or usage per customer as a result of a bill stabilization adjustment (BSA) that provides for a fixed distribution charge per customer by customer class. While Operating revenues are not impacted by abnormal weather or usage per customer, they are impacted by changes in the number of customers.
Volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to the impact of residential customer growth.
Distribution Revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the impact of reduced distribution rates to reflect the lower federal income tax rate, partially offset by higher electric distribution rates in Maryland that became effective in October 2017 and June 2018 and higher electric distribution rates in the District of Columbia that became effective August 2017 and August 2018. Distribution revenues increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher electric distribution rates in Maryland that became effective in November 2016 and October 2017 and higher electric distribution rates in the District of Columbia that became effective August 2017. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as energy efficiency programs, DC PLUG and SOS administrative costs. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery as well as a return in certain instances. The costs of these programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Depreciation and amortization expense and Taxes other than income. Revenues from regulatory required programs increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to increases in the Maryland and District of Columbia surcharge rates and sales due to higher volumes, as well as the DC PLUG surcharge which became effective in February 2018. Revenues from regulatory required programs decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period
in 2016 primarily due to lower demand-side management program surcharge revenue due to a decrease in kWh sales and a rate decrease effective January 2017.
Transmission Revenues. Under a FERC approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, capital investments being recovered and the highest daily peak load, which is updated annually in January based on the prior calendar year. Generally, increases/decreases in the highest daily peak load will result in higher/lower transmission revenue. Transmission revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to higher rates effective June 2017.
Other revenue includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues and recoveries of other taxes. Other revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to lower pass-through revenue primarily the result of lower sales that resulted in a decrease in utility taxes that are collected by Pepco on behalf of the jurisdiction.
See Note 24 - Segment Information for the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of Pepco's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Reflects an increase primarily related to asbestos identified at the Buzzard Point property. See Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(b)
Decrease in 2017 primarily due to merger-related commitments for customer rate credits and charitable contributions recognized in 2016. Increase in 2018 primarily due to a deferral of accumulated merger integration costs as regulatory assets in 2017.
(c)
Decrease in 2017 primarily related to merger severance and compensation costs recognized in 2016.
(d)
Primarily resulting from a review of capital projects during the fourth quarter of 2016.
(e)
Related to a remeasurement of a regulatory asset for legacy meters recognized in 2016.
The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
_________
(a)
Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures and higher depreciation rates in Maryland effective November 2016.
(b)
Regulatory asset amortization increased due to additional regulatory assets related to rate case activity.
(c)
Regulatory required programs increased as a result of higher amortization of the DC PLUG regulatory asset.
Taxes other than income for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 increased primarily due to an increase in utility taxes that are collected and passed through by Pepco (which is substantially offset in Operating revenues). Taxes other than income for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 decreased primarily due to lower utility taxes that are collected and passed through by Pepco (which is substantially offset in Operating revenues), partially offset by higher property taxes.
Gain on sales of assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 decreased primarily due to the sale of land in May 2016.
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 increased primarily due to higher outstanding debt. Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 decreased primarily due to the recording of interest expense for an uncertain tax position in 2016, partially offset by higher outstanding debt.
Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 decreased primarily due to the September 2016 reversal of contributions in aid of construction tax gross-up reserves due to the determination that there is no legal obligation to refund customers per contract term.
Effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were 5.8%, 33.9%, and 49.4%, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 is primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the change in effective income tax rates
Results of Operations-DPL
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income remained relatively consistent. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income as the favorable tax impacts were predominately offset by lower revenues resulting from the pass back of the tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net income increased $130 million primarily due to merger-related costs recognized in March 2016, higher distribution base rates in Delaware that became effective July and December 2016 and higher distribution base rates in Maryland that became effective February 2017, partially offset by higher depreciation expense due to increased depreciation rates in Maryland effective February 2017. Income taxes expense included unrecognized tax benefits of $16 million for uncertain tax positions related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was offset by an increase in income taxes due to the $6 million December 2017 impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense. There are certain drivers to Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power and fuel expense, such as commodity and REC procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. DPL recovers electricity and REC procurement costs from customers with a slight mark-up and natural gas costs from customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have minimal impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity from competitive electric generation suppliers. Customer choice programs do not impact the volume of deliveries or RNF, but impact Operating revenues related to supplied electricity.
The changes in RNF consisted of the following:
Revenue Decoupling. The demand for electricity is affected by weather and customer usage. However, Operating revenues from electric distribution customers in Maryland are not affected by unseasonably warmer or colder weather because a bill stabilization adjustment (BSA) that provides for a fixed distribution charge per customer by customer class. While Operating revenues from electric distribution customers in Maryland are not impacted by abnormal weather or usage per customer, they are impacted by changes in the number of customers.
Weather. The demand for electricity and natural gas in Delaware is affected by weather conditions. With respect to the electric business, very warm weather in summer months and, with respect to the electric and natural gas businesses, very cold weather in winter months are referred to as "favorable weather conditions” because these weather conditions result in increased deliveries of electricity and natural gas. Conversely, mild weather reduces demand. During the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, RNF related to weather was higher due to the impact of favorable weather conditions in DPL's Delaware service territory. During the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, RNF related to weather was lower due to the impact of unfavorable weather conditions in DPL's Delaware service territory.
Heating and cooling degree days are quantitative indices that reflect the demand for energy needed to heat or cool a home or business. Normal weather is determined based on historical average heating and cooling degree days for a 20-year period in DPL's Delaware electric service territory and a 30-year period in DPL's Delaware natural gas service territory. The changes in heating and cooling degree days in DPL’s Delaware service territory for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 compared to same periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and normal weather consisted of the following:
Volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the impact of increased average residential customer usage in DPL's Delaware service territory and overall customer growth. Volume increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to the impact of customer growth.
__________
(a)
Reflects delivery volumes and revenues from customers purchasing electricity directly from DPL and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges.
_________
(a)
Reflects delivery volumes and revenues from customers purchasing natural gas directly from DPL and customers purchasing natural gas from a competitive natural gas supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges.
Distribution Revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to reduced electric distribution rates and gas distribution rates in Delaware that were put into effect in March 2018 which reflect the impact of the lower federal income tax rate. Distribution revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher electric distribution and natural gas distribution base rates in Delaware that became effective in July and December 2016 and higher electric distribution base rates in Maryland that became effective in February 2017. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as energy efficiency programs, DE Renewable Portfolio Standards, SOS administrative costs and GCR costs. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery as well as a return in certain instances. The costs of these programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Depreciation and amortization expense and Taxes other than income.
Transmission Revenues. Under a FERC approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, capital investments being recovered, the highest daily peak load, which is updated annually in January based on the prior calendar years. Generally, increases/decreases in the highest daily peak load will result in higher/lower transmission revenue. Transmission revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 and for the year ended 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to higher rates effective June 2018 and June 2017.
Other revenue includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues, and recoveries of other taxes.
See Note 24 - Segment Information for the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of DPL's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
_________
(a)
Decrease in 2017 primarily due to merger-related commitments for customer rate credits and charitable contributions recognized in 2016. Increase in 2018 primarily due to a deferral of accumulated merger integration costs as regulatory assets in 2017.
(b)
Related to EmPower Maryland energy efficiency customer credits.
(c)
Decrease in 2017 primarily related to merger severance and compensation costs recognized in 2016.
(d)
Decrease in 2017 primarily related to a review of capital projects in 2016.
The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
_________
(a)
Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures and higher depreciation rates in Maryland effective February 2017.
(b)
Regulatory asset amortization increased due to additional regulatory assets related to rate case activity.
(c)
Regulatory required programs decreased primarily due to an EmPower Maryland surcharge rate decrease effective January 2018 and 2017.
Gain on sales of assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 decreased primarily due to the sale of land in July and December 2016.
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 increased primarily due to higher outstanding debt.
Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 decreased primarily due to lower income from AFUDC equity.
Effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were 15.5%, 37.0% and 169.2%, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 is primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the change in effective income tax rates
Results of Operations-ACE
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017. Net income remained relatively consistent. The TCJA did not significantly impact Net income as the favorable income tax impacts were predominately offset by lower revenues resulting from the pass back of the tax savings through customer rates.
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016. Net Income increased by $119 million primarily due to merger-related costs recognized in March 2016 and higher electric distribution base rates effective August 2016 and October 2017 and an increase in transmission formula rate revenues, partially offset by lower customer usage. Income taxes expense included unrecognized tax benefits of $22 million for uncertain tax positions related to the deductibility of certain merger commitments in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was offset by an increase in income taxes due to the December 2017 impairment of certain transmission-related income tax regulatory assets of $7 million.
Revenues Net of Purchased Power Expense. There are certain drivers of Operating revenues that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power expense, such as commodity and REC procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. ACE recovers electricity and REC procurement costs from customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in these costs have no impact on RNF.
Customers have the choice to purchase electricity from competitive electric generation suppliers. Customer choice programs of supplier do not impact the volume of deliveries or RNF, but impact revenues related to supplied electricity.
The changes in RNF, consisted of the following:
Weather. The demand for electricity is affected by weather conditions. With respect to the electric business, very warm weather in summer months and very cold weather in winter months are referred to as “favorable weather conditions” because these weather conditions result in increased deliveries of electricity. Conversely, mild weather reduces demand. During the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, RNF related to weather was higher due to the impact of favorable weather conditions in ACE's service territory. During the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, RNF related to weather was lower due to the impact of unfavorable winter weather conditions.
Heating and cooling degree days are quantitative indices that reflect the demand for energy needed to heat or cool a home or business. Normal weather is determined based on historical average heating and cooling degree days for a 20-year period in ACE’s service territory. The changes in heating and cooling degree days in ACE’s service territory for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 compared to same periods in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and normal weather consisted of the following:
Volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to higher average residential and commercial usage. Volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to lower average customer usage, partially offset by the impact of customer growth.
__________
(a)
Reflects delivery volumes and revenues from customers purchasing electricity directly from ACE and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges.
Distribution Revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to higher electric distribution base rates that became effective in November 2017, partially offset by the impact of reduced distribution rates to reflect the lower federal income tax rate. Distribution revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher electric distribution base rates that became effective in August 2016 and October 2017. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Regulatory Required Programs represent revenues collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as energy efficiency programs, Societal Benefits Charge, Transition Bonds and BGS administrative costs. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery as well as a return in certain instances. The costs of these programs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Depreciation and amortization expense and Taxes other than income. Revenues from regulatory programs decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, and for the year ended 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to rate decreases effective October 2017 and 2016 respectively for the ACE Transition Bonds.
Transmission Revenues. Under a FERC-approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, capital investments being recovered, the highest daily peak load, which is updated annually in January based on the prior calendar year. Generally, increases/decreases in the highest daily peak load will result in higher/lower transmission revenue. Transmission revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the impact of the lower federal income tax rate. Transmission revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to higher rates effective June 2017 and June 2016 related to increases in transmission plant investment and operating expenses.
Other revenue includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, mutual assistance revenues and recoveries of other taxes.
See Note 24 - Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the presentation of ACE's revenue disaggregation.
The changes in Operating and maintenance expense consisted of the following:
_________
(a)
Decrease in 2017 primarily related to merger severance and compensation costs recognized in 2016.
(b)
Decrease in 2017 primarily related to merger-related commitments for customer rate credits and charitable contributions recognized in 2016. Increase in 2018 primarily related to a deferral of accumulated merger integration costs as regulatory assets in 2017.
(c)
ACE is allowed to recover from or refund to customers the difference between its annual uncollectible accounts expense and the amounts collected in rates annually through a rider mechanism. An equal and offsetting amount has been recognized in Operating revenues for the periods presented.
The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
_________
(a)
Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures.
(b)
Regulatory asset amortization increased due to additional regulatory assets related to rate case activity.
(c)
Regulatory required programs decreased due to rate decreases effective October 2017 and 2016 respectively for the ACE Transition Bonds.
Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 decreased primarily due to lower income from AFUDC equity.
Effective income tax rates were 13.8%, 25.2%, and 8.7% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the lower federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA. See Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the change in effective income tax rates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Exelon activity presented below includes the activity of PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE, from the PHI Merger effective date of March 24, 2016 through December 31, 2018. Exelon prior year activity is unadjusted for the effects of the
PHI Merger. Due to the application of push-down accounting to the PHI entity, PHI's activity is presented in two separate reporting periods, the legacy PHI activity through March 23, 2016 (Predecessor), and PHI activity for the remainder of the period after the PHI merger date (Successor). For each of Pepco, DPL and ACE the activity presented below include its activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. All results included throughout the liquidity and capital resources section are presented on a GAAP basis.
The Registrants’ operating and capital expenditures requirements are provided by internally generated cash flows from operations as well as funds from external sources in the capital markets and through bank borrowings. The Registrants’ businesses are capital intensive and require considerable capital resources. Each Registrant’s access to external financing on reasonable terms depends on its credit ratings and current overall capital market business conditions, including that of the utility industry in general. If these conditions deteriorate to the extent that the Registrants no longer have access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, the Registrants have access to unsecured revolving credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $9 billion. In addition, Generation has $545 million in bilateral facilities with banks which have various expirations between October 2019 and April 2021 and $159 in credit facilities for project finance. The Registrants utilize their credit facilities to support their commercial paper programs, provide for other short-term borrowings and to issue letters of credit. See the “Credit Matters” section below for additional information. The Registrants expect cash flows to be sufficient to meet operating expenses, financing costs and capital expenditure requirements.
The Registrants primarily use their capital resources, including cash, to fund capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. The Registrants spend a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE operate in rate-regulated environments in which the amount of new investment recovery may be delayed or limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time. See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the Registrants’ debt and credit agreements.
NRC Minimum Funding Requirements
NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that sufficient funds will be available in certain minimum amounts to decommission the facility. These NRC minimum funding levels are based upon the assumption that decommissioning activities will commence after the end of the current licensed life of each unit. If a unit fails the NRC minimum funding test, then the plant’s owners or parent companies would be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional cash contributions to the NDT fund to ensure sufficient funds are available. See Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the NRC minimum funding requirements.
If a nuclear plant were to early retire there is a risk that it will no longer meet the NRC minimum funding requirements due to the earlier commencement of decommissioning activities and a shorter time period over which the NDT funds could appreciate in value. A shortfall could require that Generation address the shortfall by, among other things, obtaining a parental guarantee for Generation’s share of the funding assurance. However, the amount of any guarantees or other assurance will ultimately depend on the decommissioning approach, the associated level of costs, and the NDT fund investment performance going forward. Within two years after shutting down a plant, Generation must submit a post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR) to the NRC that includes the planned option for decommissioning the site. As discussed in Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Generation filed its annual decommissioning funding status report with the NRC on March 28, 2018 for shutdown reactors and reactors within five years of shutdown. As of December 31, 2018, across the alternative decommissioning approaches available, Exelon would not be required to post a parental guarantee for TMI or Oyster Creek. In the event PSEG decides to early retire Salem, Generation estimates a parental guarantee of up to $30 million from Exelon could be required for Salem, dependent upon the ultimate decommissioning approach selected.
Upon issuance of any required financial guarantees, each site would be able to utilize the respective NDT funds for radiological decommissioning costs, which represent the majority of the total expected decommissioning costs. However, the NRC must approve an additional exemption in order for the plant’s owner(s) to utilize the NDT fund to pay for non-radiological decommissioning costs (i.e., spent fuel management and site restoration costs). If a unit does not receive this exemption, the costs would be borne by the owner(s). While the ultimate amounts may vary
greatly and could be reduced by alternate decommissioning scenarios and/or reimbursement of certain costs under the DOE reimbursement agreements or future litigation, across the alternative decommissioning approaches available, if TMI were to fail to obtain the exemption, Generation estimates it could incur spent fuel management and site restoration costs over the next ten years of up to $125 million net of taxes, dependent upon the ultimate decommissioning approach selected. In the event PSEG decides to early retire Salem and Salem were to fail to obtain the exemption, Generation estimates it could incur spent fuel management and site restoration costs over the next ten years of up to $90 million net of taxes. On October 19, 2018, the NRC granted Generation's exemption request to use the Oyster Creek NDT funds for non-radiological decommissioning costs.
On July 31, 2018, Generation entered into an agreement for the sale of Oyster Creek which is expected to occur in the second half of 2019. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information on the sale of Oyster Creek to Holtec.
Junior Subordinated Notes
In June 2014, Exelon issued $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes in the form of 23 million equity units at a stated amount of $50.00 per unit. Each equity unit represented an undivided beneficial ownership interest in Exelon’s $1.15 billion of 2.50% junior subordinated notes due in 2024 (“2024 notes”) and a forward equity purchase contract. As contemplated in the June 2014 equity unit structure, in April 2017, Exelon completed the remarketing of the 2024 notes into $1.15 billion of 3.497% junior subordinated notes due in 2022 (“Remarketing”). Exelon conducted the Remarketing on behalf of the holders of equity units and did not directly receive any proceeds therefrom. Instead, the former holders of the 2024 notes used debt remarketing proceeds towards settling the forward equity purchase contract with Exelon on June 1, 2017. Exelon issued approximately 33 million shares of common stock from treasury stock and received $1.15 billion upon settlement of the forward equity purchase contract. When reissuing treasury stock Exelon uses the average price paid to repurchase shares to calculate a gain or loss on issuance and records gains or losses directly to retained earnings. A loss on reissuance of treasury shares of $1.05 billion was recorded to retained earnings as of December 31, 2017. See Note 20 - Earnings Per Share of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the issuance of common stock.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
General
Generation’s cash flows from operating activities primarily result from the sale of electric energy and energy-related products and services to customers. Generation’s future cash flows from operating activities may be affected by future demand for and market prices of energy and its ability to continue to produce and supply power at competitive costs as well as to obtain collections from customers.
The Utility Registrants' cash flows from operating activities primarily result from the transmission and distribution of electricity and, in the case of PECO, BGE and DPL, gas distribution services. The Utility Registrants' distribution services are provided to an established and diverse base of retail customers. The Utility Registrants' future cash flows may be affected by the economy, weather conditions, future legislative initiatives, future regulatory proceedings with respect to their rates or operations, competitive suppliers, and their ability to achieve operating cost reductions.
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of regulatory and legal proceedings and proposed legislation.
The following table provides a summary of the major items affecting Exelon’s cash flows from operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
__________
(a)
Represents depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion, net fair value changes related to derivatives, deferred income taxes, provision for uncollectible accounts, pension and non-pension postretirement benefit expense, equity in earnings and losses of unconsolidated affiliates and investments, decommissioning-related items, stock compensation expense, impairment of long-lived assets, gain on sale of assets and businesses and other non-cash charges. See Note 23 -Supplemental Financial Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on non-cash operating activity.
(b)
Changes in working capital and other noncurrent assets and liabilities exclude the changes in commercial paper, income taxes and the current portion of long-term debt.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Management considers various factors when making pension funding decisions, including actuarially determined minimum contribution requirements under ERISA, contributions required to avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the Act), management of the pension obligation and regulatory implications. The Act requires the attainment of certain funding levels to avoid benefit restrictions (such as an inability to pay lump sums or to accrue benefits prospectively), and at-risk status (which triggers higher minimum contribution requirements and participant notification). The projected contributions below reflect a funding strategy of contributing the greater of (1) $300 million until all the qualified plans are fully funded on an ABO basis, and (2) the minimum amounts under ERISA to meet minimum contribution requirements and/or avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status. This level funding strategy helps minimize volatility of future period required pension contributions. Unlike the qualified pension plans, Exelon’s non-qualified pension plans are not funded, given that they are not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements.
While other postretirement plans are also not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements, Exelon does fund certain of its plans. For Exelon's funded OPEB plans, contributions generally equal accounting costs, however, Exelon’s management has historically considered several factors in determining the level of contributions to its other postretirement benefit plans, including liabilities management, levels of benefit claims paid and regulatory implications (amounts deemed prudent to meet regulatory expectations and best assure continued rate recovery). The amounts below include benefit payments related to unfunded plans.
The following table provides all registrants' planned contributions to the qualified pension plans, planned benefit payments to non-qualified pension plans, and planned contributions to other postretirement plans in 2019:
To the extent interest rates decline significantly or the pension and OPEB plans earn less than the expected asset returns, annual pension contribution requirements in future years could increase. Conversely, to the extent interest rates increase significantly or the pension and OPEB plans earn greater than the expected asset returns, annual pension and OPEB contribution requirements in future years could decrease. Additionally, expected contributions could change if Exelon changes its pension or OPEB funding strategy.
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
Changes in Registrants' cash flows from operations for 2018, 2017, and 2016 were generally consistent with changes in each Registrant’s respective results of operations, as adjusted by changes in working capital in the normal course of business. In addition, significant operating cash flow impacts for the Registrants for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
Generation
•
Depending upon whether Generation is in a net mark-to-market liability or asset position, collateral may be required to be posted with or collected from its counterparties. In addition, the collateral posting and collection requirements differ depending on whether the transactions are on an exchange or in the OTC
markets. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, Generation had net collections (payments) of counterparty cash collateral of $64 million, $(129) million and $923 million, respectively, primarily due to market conditions that resulted in changes to Generation’s net mark-to-market position.
•
During 2018, 2017 and 2016, Generation had net (payments) collections of approximately $(43) million, $28 million and $(66) million, respectively, related to purchases and sales of options. The level of option activity in a given year may vary due to several factors, including changes in market conditions as well as changes in hedging strategy.
For additional information regarding changes in non-cash operating activities, see Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
Significant investing cash flow impacts for the Registrants for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
Exelon
•
During 2016, Exelon had expenditures of $6.6 billion related to the PHI merger.
•
During 2016, Exelon had proceeds of $360 million as a result of early termination of direct financing leases.
Exelon and Generation
•
During 2018, Exelon and Generation had expenditures of $81 million and $57 related to the acquisitions of the Everett Marine Terminal and the Handley generating station, respectively.
•
During 2018, Exelon and Generation had proceeds of $85 million relating to the sale of Generation’s interest in an electrical contracting business that primarily installs, maintains and repairs underground and high-voltage cable transmission and distribution services.
•
During 2017, Exelon and Generation had additional expenditures of $23 million and $178 million related to the acquisitions of ConEdison Solutions and the FitzPatrick nuclear generating station, respectively.
•
During 2017, Exelon and Generation had proceeds of $218 million from sales of long-lived assets, primarily related to the sale back of turbine equipment.
•
During 2016, Exelon and Generation had expenditures of $235 million and $58 million related to the acquisitions of ConEdison Solutions and the FitzPatrick nuclear generating station, respectively.
Capital Expenditure Spending
Capital expenditures by Registrant for 2018, 2017 and 2016 and projected amounts for 2019 are as follows:
__________
(a)
Total projected capital expenditures do not include adjustments for non-cash activity. Amounts are rounded to the nearest $25 million.
(b)
Includes corporate operations, BSC and PHISCO.
(c)
Includes PHISCO.
Projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision to reflect changes in economic conditions and other factors.
Generation
Approximately 43% and 8% of the projected 2019 capital expenditures at Generation are for the acquisition of nuclear fuel, and the construction of new natural gas plants and solar facilities, respectively, with the remaining amounts reflecting investment in renewable energy and additions and upgrades to existing facilities (including material condition improvements during nuclear refueling outages). Generation anticipates that it will fund capital expenditures with internally generated funds and borrowings.
ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE
Projected 2019 capital expenditures at the Utility Registrants are for continuing projects to maintain and improve operations, including enhancing reliability and adding capacity to the transmission and distribution systems such as the Utility Registrants' construction commitments under PJM’s RTEP.
The Utility Registrants as transmission owners are subject to NERC compliance requirements. NERC provides guidance to transmission owners regarding assessments of transmission lines. The results of these assessments could require the Utility Registrants to incur incremental capital or operating and maintenance expenditures to ensure their transmission lines meet NERC standards. In 2010, NERC provided guidance to transmission owners that recommended the Utility Registrants perform assessments of their transmission lines. ComEd, PECO and BGE submitted their final bi-annual reports to NERC in January 2014. ComEd and PECO will be incurring incremental capital expenditures associated with this guidance following the completion of the assessments. Specific projects and expenditures are identified as the assessments are completed. ComEd’s and PECO’s forecasted 2019 capital expenditures above reflect capital spending for remediation to be completed through 2019. BGE, DPL and ACE are complete with their assessments and Pepco has substantially completed its assessment and thus do not expect significant capital expenditures related to this guidance in 2019.
The Utility Registrants anticipate that they will fund their capital expenditures with a combination of internally generated funds and borrowings and additional capital contributions from parent.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
Debt
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the Registrants’ debt issuances and retirements. Debt activity for 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant was as follows:
During 2018, the following long-term debt was issued:
__________
(a)
For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.
During 2017, the following long term debt was issued:
__________
(a)
For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.
(b)
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.
(c)
As a result of the bankruptcy filing for EGTP on November 7, 2017, the nonrecourse debt was deconsolidated from Exelon's and Generation's consolidated financial statements. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
During 2016, the following long term-debt was issued:
__________
(a)
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.
(b)
For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.
During 2018, the following long-term debt was retired and/or redeemed:
__________
(a)
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.
During 2017, the following long-term debt was retired and/or redeemed:
__________
(a)
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.
(b)
As a result of the bankruptcy filing for EGTP on November 7, 2017, the nonrecourse debt was deconsolidated from Exelon's and Generation's consolidated financial statements. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information.
During 2016, the following long-term debt was retired and/or redeemed:
__________
(a)
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.
(b)
As a result of the bankruptcy filing for EGTP on November 7, 2017, the nonrecourse debt was deconsolidated from Exelon's and Generation's consolidated financial statements. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information.
From time to time and as market conditions warrant, the Registrants may engage in long-term debt retirements via tender offers, open market repurchases or other viable options to reduce debt on their respective balance sheets.
Dividends
Cash dividend payments and distributions for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
__________
(a)
Includes dividends paid on BGE's preference stock during 2016.
Quarterly dividends declared by the Exelon Board of Directors during the year ended December 31, 2018 and for the first quarter of 2019 were as follows:
___________
(a)
Exelon's Board of Directors approved an updated dividend policy providing an increase of 5% each year for the period covering 2018 through 2020, beginning with the March 2018 dividend.
Short-Term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings incurred (repaid) during 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
Retirement of Long-Term Debt to Financing Affiliates
On August 28, 2017, BGE redeemed all of the outstanding shares of BGE Capital Trust II 6.20% Preferred Securities.
Contributions from Parent/Member
Contributions from Parent/Member (Exelon) during 2018, 2017 and 2016 by Registrant were as follows:
__________
(a)
Additional contributions from parent or external debt financing may be required as a result of increased capital investment in infrastructure improvements and modernization pursuant to EIMA, transmission upgrades and expansions and Exelon's agreement to indemnify ComEd for any unfavorable after-tax impacts associated with ComEd's LKE tax matter.
(b)
Contribution paid by Exelon.
(c)
Contribution paid by PHI.
Pursuant to the orders approving the PHI merger, Exelon made equity contributions of $73 million, $46 million and $49 million to Pepco, DPL and ACE, respectively, in the second quarter of 2016 to fund the after-tax amount of the customer bill credit and the customer base rate credit.
Redemptions of Preference Stock. BGE had $190 million of cumulative preference stock that was redeemable at its option at any time after October 1, 2015 for the redemption price of $100 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. On July 3, 2016, BGE redeemed all 400,000 shares of its outstanding 7.125% Cumulative Preference Stock, 1993 Series and all 600,000 shares of its outstanding 6.990% Cumulative Preference Stock, 1995 Series for $100 million, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. On September 18, 2016, BGE redeemed the remaining 500,000 shares of its outstanding 6.970% Cumulative Preference Stock, 1993 Series and the remaining 400,000 shares of its outstanding 6.700% Cumulative Preference Stock, 1993 Series for $90 million, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As of December 31, 2018, BGE no longer has any preferred stock outstanding.
Other
For the year ended December 31, 2018, other financing activities primarily consists of debt issuance costs. See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements’ for additional information.
Credit Matters
Market Conditions
The Registrants fund liquidity needs for capital investment, working capital, energy hedging and other financial commitments through cash flows from continuing operations, public debt offerings, commercial paper markets and large, diversified credit facilities. The credit facilities include $9.7 billion (including bilateral credit facilities and credit facilities for project finance) in aggregate total commitments of which $8.0 billion was available as of December 31, 2018, and of which no financial institution has more than 7% of the aggregate commitments for the Registrants. The Registrants had access to the commercial paper market during 2018 to fund their short-term liquidity needs, when necessary. The Registrants routinely review the sufficiency of their liquidity position, including appropriate sizing of credit facility commitments, by performing various stress test scenarios, such as commodity price movements, increases in margin-related transactions, changes in hedging levels and the impacts of hypothetical credit downgrades. The Registrants have continued to closely monitor events in the financial markets and the financial institutions associated with the credit facilities, including monitoring credit ratings and outlooks, credit default swap levels, capital raising and merger activity. See PART I. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS for additional information regarding the effects of uncertainty in the capital and credit markets.
The Registrants believe their cash flow from operating activities, access to credit markets and their credit facilities provide sufficient liquidity. If Generation lost its investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2018, it would have been required to provide incremental collateral of $2.1 billion to meet collateral obligations for derivatives, non-derivatives, normal purchases and normal sales contracts and applicable payables and receivables, net of the contractual right of offset under master netting agreements, which is well within the $4.1 billion of available credit capacity of its revolver.
The following table presents the incremental collateral that each Utility Registrant would have been required to provide in the event each Utility Registrant lost its investment grade credit rating at December 31, 2018 and available credit facility capacity prior to any incremental collateral at December 31, 2018:
__________
(a)
Represents incremental collateral related to natural gas procurement contracts.
Exelon Credit Facilities
Exelon Corporate, ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE meet their short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper. Generation and PECO meet their short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings from the intercompany money pool. PHI Corporate meets its short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of short-term notes and the Exelon intercompany money pool. The Registrants may use their respective credit facilities for general corporate purposes, including meeting short-term funding requirements and the issuance of letters of credit.
See Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the Registrants’ credit facilities and short term borrowing activity.
Other Credit Matters
Capital Structure. At December 31, 2018, the capital structures of the Registrants consisted of the following:
__________
(a)
Includes approximately $390 million, $205 million and $184 million owed to unconsolidated affiliates of Exelon, ComEd, and PECO respectively. These special purpose entities were created for the sole purposes of issuing mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities of ComEd and PECO. See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the authoritative guidance for VIEs.
Security Ratings
The Registrants’ access to the capital markets, including the commercial paper market, and their respective financing costs in those markets, may depend on the securities ratings of the entity that is accessing the capital markets.
The Registrants’ borrowings are not subject to default or prepayment as a result of a downgrading of securities, although such a downgrading of a Registrant’s securities could increase fees and interest charges under that Registrant’s credit agreements.
As part of the normal course of business, the Registrants enter into contracts that contain express provisions or otherwise permit the Registrants and their counterparties to demand adequate assurance of future performance when there are reasonable grounds for doing so. In accordance with the contracts and applicable contracts law, if the Registrants are downgraded by a credit rating agency, it is possible that a counterparty would attempt to rely on such a downgrade as a basis for making a demand for adequate assurance of future performance, which could include the posting of collateral. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on collateral provisions.
Intercompany Money Pool
To provide an additional short-term borrowing option that will generally be more favorable to the borrowing participants than the cost of external financing, both Exelon and PHI operate an intercompany money pool. Maximum amounts contributed to and borrowed from the money pool by participant and the net contribution or borrowing as of December 31, 2018, are presented in the following tables:
Investments in NDT Funds. Exelon, Generation and CENG maintain trust funds, as required by the NRC, to fund certain costs of decommissioning nuclear plants. The mix of securities in the trust funds is designed to provide returns to be used to fund decommissioning and to offset inflationary increases in decommissioning costs. Generation actively monitors the investment performance of the trust funds and periodically reviews asset allocations in accordance with Generation’s NDT fund investment policy. Generation’s and CENG's investment policies establish limits on the concentration of holdings in any one company and also in any one industry. See Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the trust funds, the NRC’s minimum funding requirements and related liquidity ramifications.
Shelf Registration Statements. Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE have a currently effective combined shelf registration statement unlimited in amount, filed with the SEC, that will expire in August 2019. The ability of each Registrant to sell securities off the shelf registration statement or to access the private placement markets will depend on a number of factors at the time of the proposed sale, including other required regulatory approvals, as applicable, the current financial condition of the Registrant, its securities ratings and market conditions.
Regulatory Authorizations. ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE are required to obtain short-term and long-term financing authority from Federal and State Commissions as follows:
__________
(a)
Generation currently has blanket financing authority it received from FERC in connection with its market-based rate authority.
(b)
ComEd had $440 million available in long-term debt refinancing authority and $1,093 million available in new money long-term debt financing authority from the ICC as of December 31, 2018 and has an expiration date of June 1, 2019 and August 1, 2021, respectively.
(c)
ACE is currently in the process of requesting its long-term debt financing authority.
Exelon’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock depends on the receipt of dividends paid by its operating subsidiaries. The payments of dividends to Exelon by its subsidiaries in turn depend on their results of operations and cash flows and other items affecting retained earnings.
•
ComEd is subject to restrictions in the event that (1) it exercises its right to extend the interest payment periods on the subordinated debt securities issued to ComEd Financing III; (2) it defaults on its guarantee of the payment of distributions on the preferred trust securities of ComEd Financing III; or (3) an event of default occurs under the Indenture under which the subordinated debt securities are issued.
•
PECO is subject to restrictions in the event that (1) it exercises its right to extend the interest payment periods on the subordinated debentures which were issued to PEC L.P. or PECO Trust IV; (2) it defaults on its guarantee of the payment of distributions on the Series D Preferred Securities of PEC L.P. or the preferred trust securities of PECO Trust IV; or (3) an event of default occurs under the Indenture under which the subordinated debentures are issued.
•
BGE is subject to restrictions established by the MDPSC that prohibit BGE from paying a dividend on its common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, BGE’s equity ratio would be below 48% as calculated pursuant to the MDPSC’s ratemaking precedents or (b) BGE’s senior unsecured credit rating is rated by two of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade.
•
Pepco, DPL and ACE are subject to certain dividend restrictions established by settlements approved in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Pepco, DPL and ACE are prohibited from paying a dividend on their common shares if (a) after the dividend payment, Pepco's, DPL's or ACE's equity ratio would be below 48% as equity levels are calculated under the ratemaking precedents of the DCPSC, MDPSC, DPSC, and NJBPU or (b) Pepco's, DPL's or ACE's senior unsecured credit rating is rated by one of the three major credit rating agencies below investment grade. ACE is also subject to a dividend restriction which requires ACE to obtain the prior approval of the NJBPU before dividends can be paid if its equity as a percent of its total capitalization, excluding securitization debt, falls below 30%.
At December 31, 2018, Exelon had retained earnings of $14,766 million, including Generation’s undistributed earnings of $3,724 million, ComEd’s retained earnings of $1,337 million consisting of retained earnings appropriated for future dividends of $2,976 million partially offset by $1,639 million of unappropriated retained deficit, PECO’s retained earnings of $1,242 million, BGE’s retained earnings $1,640 million, and PHI's undistributed earnings of $62 million. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding fund transfer restrictions.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following tables summarize the Registrants’ future estimated cash payments as of December 31, 2018 under existing contractual obligations, including payments due by period. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Registrants’ commercial and other commitments, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events.
Exelon
__________
(a)
Includes $390 million due after 2024 to ComEd and PECO financing trusts.
(b)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances. Variable rate interest obligations are estimated based on rates as of December 31, 2018. Includes estimated interest payments due to ComEd and PECO financing trusts.
(c)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(d)
Excludes Generation's contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements. These amounts are included within purchase power obligations.
(e)
Purchase power obligations include contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements. Amounts presented represent Generation’s expected payments under these arrangements at December 31, 2018. Expected payments include certain fixed capacity charges which may be reduced based on plant availability. Expected payments exclude renewable PPA contracts that are contingent in nature. Contained within Purchase power obligations are Net Capacity Purchases of $126 million, $56 million, $35 million, $26 million, $20 million and $155 million for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and thereafter, respectively.
(f)
Represents commitments to purchase nuclear fuel, natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric supply, and purchase AECs and curtailment services.
(g)
Primarily related to ComEd 20-year contracts for renewable energy and RECs beginning in June 2012. ComEd is permitted to recover its renewable energy and REC costs from retail customers with no mark-up. The commitments represent the earliest and maximum settlements with suppliers for renewable energy and RECs under the existing contract terms.
(h)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(i)
Related to DC PLUG project costs for assets funded by the District of Columbia for which the District of Columbia has assessed a charge on Pepco. Pepco will recover this charge from customers through a volumetric distribution rider. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(j)
Represents commitments for Generation's ongoing investments in new natural gas generation construction. As of December 31, 2018, the commitments relate to the construction of a new dual fuel, natural peaking facility in Massachusetts. Achievement of commercial operation related to this project is expected in 2019.
(k)
Under their operating agreements with PJM, ComEd, PECO, BGE, DPL and ACE are committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent ComEd, PECO, BGE, DPL and ACE’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
(l)
See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding SNF obligations.
(m)
Annual ZEC commitment amounts will be published by the IPA each May prior to the start of the subsequent planning year. Amounts presented in the table represent management's estimate of ComEd's obligation based on forward energy prices and load forecasts. ComEd is permitted to recover its ZEC costs from retail customers with no mark-up.
(n)
These amounts represent Exelon’s expected contributions to its qualified pension plans. The projected contributions reflect a funding strategy of contributing the greater of $300 million until all the qualified plans are fully funded on an ABO basis, and the minimum amounts under ERISA to avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status. This level funding strategy helps minimize volatility of future period required pension contributions. These amounts represent estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change. Qualified pension contributions for years after 2024 are not included. See Note 16 - Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding estimated future pension benefit payments.
Generation
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances. Variable rate interest obligations are estimated based on rates as of December 31, 2018.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Excludes Generation's contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements. These amounts are included within purchase power obligations.
(d)
Purchase power obligations include contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements. Amounts represent Generation’s expected payments under these arrangements at December 31, 2018. Expected payments include certain fixed capacity charges which may be reduced based on plant availability. Expected payments exclude renewable PPA contracts that are contingent in nature. Contained within Purchase power obligations are Net Capacity Purchases of $126 million, $56 million, $35 million, $26 million, $20 million and $155 million for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and thereafter, respectively.
(e)
Primarily represents commitments to purchase fuel supplies for nuclear and fossil generation, including those related to CENG.
(f)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(g)
Represents commitments for Generation's ongoing investments in new natural gas generation construction. As of December 31, 2018, the commitments relate to the construction of a new dual fuel, natural peaking facility in Massachusetts. Achievement of commercial operation related to this project is expected in 2019.
(h)
See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding SNF obligations.
ComEd
__________
(a)
Includes $206 million due after 2024 to a ComEd financing trust.
(b)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances. Variable rate interest obligations are estimated based on rates as of December 31, 2018. Includes estimated interest payments due to the ComEd financing trust.
(c)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(d)
Primarily related to ComEd 20-year contracts for renewable energy and RECs beginning in June 2012. ComEd is permitted to recover its renewable energy and REC costs from retail customers with no mark-up. The commitments represent the maximum and earliest settlements with suppliers for renewable energy and RECs under the existing contract terms.
(e)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(f)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, ComEd is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent ComEd’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
(g)
Annual ZEC commitment amounts will be published by the IPA each May prior to the start of the subsequent planning year. Amounts presented in the table represent management's estimate of ComEd's obligation based on forward energy prices and load forecasts. ComEd is permitted to recover its ZEC costs from retail customers with no mark-up.
PECO
__________
(a)
Includes $184 million due after 2024 to PECO financing trusts.
(b)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(c)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(d)
Amounts related to certain real estate leases and railroad licenses effectively have indefinite payment periods. As a result, PECO has excluded these payments from the remaining years as such amounts would not be meaningful. PECO’s average annual obligation for these arrangements, included in each of the years 2019 - 2023, was $5 million. Also includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(e)
Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric supply, and purchase AECs.
(f)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(g)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, PECO is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent PECO’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
BGE
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Amounts related to certain real estate leases and railroad licenses effectively have indefinite payment periods. As a result, BGE has excluded these payments from the remaining years as such amounts would not be meaningful. BGE’s average annual obligation for these arrangements, included in each of the years 2019 - 2023, was $1 million. Also includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(d)
Includes all future lease payments on a 99-year real estate lease that expires in 2106.
(e)
The BGE table above includes minimum future lease payments associated with a 6-year lease for the Baltimore City conduit system that became effective during the fourth quarter of 2016. BGE's total commitments under the lease agreement are $26 million, $28 million, $28 million, and $14 million related to years 2019 - 2022, respectively.
(f)
Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric supply, and curtailment services.
(g)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the BGE and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(h)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, BGE is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent BGE’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
PHI
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric renewable energy and RECs, procure electric supply, and curtailment services.
(d)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(e)
Related to DC PLUG project costs for assets funded by the District of Columbia for which the District of Columbia has assessed a charge on Pepco. Pepco will recover this charge from customers through a volumetric distribution rider. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(f)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, PHI is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent PHI’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
Pepco
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Represents commitments to purchase procure electric supply and curtailment services.
(d)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(e)
Related to DC PLUG project costs for assets funded by the District of Columbia for which the District of Columbia has assessed a charge on Pepco. Pepco will recover this charge from customers through a volumetric distribution rider. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
DPL
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric renewable energy and RECs, procure electric supply, and curtailment services.
(d)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(e)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, DPL is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent DPL’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
ACE
__________
(a)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2018 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(b)
Includes amounts related to shared use land arrangements.
(c)
Represents commitments to procure electric supply and curtailment services.
(d)
Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2018 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into between the Registrants and third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.
(e)
Under its operating agreement with PJM, ACE is committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent ACE’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects.
See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of the Registrants’ other commitments potentially triggered by future events.
For additional information regarding:
•
commercial paper, see Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
long-term debt, see Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, see Note 14 - Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
capital lease obligations, see Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
operating leases and rate relief commitments, see Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
the nuclear decommissioning and SNF obligations, see Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations and Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
regulatory commitments, see Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
variable interest entities, see Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
nuclear insurance, see Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
new accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Registrants are exposed to market risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, counterparty credit, interest rates and equity prices. Exelon’s RMC approves risk management policies and objectives for risk assessment, control and valuation, counterparty credit approval, and the monitoring and reporting of risk exposures. The RMC is chaired by the chief executive officer and includes the chief risk officer, chief strategy officer, chief executive officer of Exelon Utilities, chief commercial officer, chief financial officer and chief executive officer of Constellation. The RMC reports to the Finance and Risk Committee of the Exelon Board of Directors on the scope of the risk management activities.
Commodity Price Risk (All Registrants)
Commodity price risk is associated with price movements resulting from changes in supply and demand, fuel costs, market liquidity, weather conditions, governmental regulatory and environmental policies and other factors. To the extent the total amount of energy Exelon generates and purchases differs from the amount of energy it has contracted to sell, Exelon is exposed to market fluctuations in commodity prices. Exelon seeks to mitigate its commodity price risk through the sale and purchase of electricity, fossil fuel and other commodities.
Generation
Electricity available from Generation’s owned or contracted generation supply in excess of Generation’s obligations to customers, including portions of the Utility Registrants' retail load, is sold into the wholesale markets. To reduce commodity price risk caused by market fluctuations, Generation enters into non-derivative contracts as well as derivative contracts, including swaps, futures, forwards and options, with approved counterparties to hedge anticipated exposures. Generation uses derivative instruments as economic hedges to mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. Generation expects the settlement of the majority of its economic hedges will occur during 2019 through 2021.
In general, increases and decreases in forward market prices have a positive and negative impact, respectively, on Generation’s owned and contracted generation positions which have not been hedged. Exelon's hedging program involves the hedging of commodity price risk for Exelon's expected generation, typically on a ratable basis over three-year periods. As of December 31, 2018, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York and ERCOT reportable segments is 89%-92%, 56%-59% and 32%-35% for 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The percentage of expected generation hedged is the amount of equivalent sales divided by the expected generation. Expected generation is the volume of energy that best represents our commodity position in energy markets from owned or contracted generating facilities based upon a simulated dispatch model that makes assumptions regarding future market conditions, which are calibrated to market quotes for power, fuel, load following products and options. Equivalent sales represent all hedging products, which include economic hedges and certain non-derivative contracts, including Generation’s sales to ComEd, PECO and BGE to serve their retail load.
A portion of Generation’s hedging strategy may be accomplished with fuel products based on assumed correlations between power and fuel prices, which routinely change in the market. Market price risk exposure is the risk of a change in the value of unhedged positions. The forecasted market price risk exposure for Generation’s entire economic hedge portfolio associated with a $5 reduction in the annual average around-the-clock energy price based on December 31, 2018 market conditions and hedged position would be decreases in pre-tax net income of approximately $57 million, $383 million and $618 million, respectively, for 2019, 2020 and 2021. Power price sensitivities are derived by adjusting power price assumptions while keeping all other price inputs constant. Generation actively manages its portfolio to mitigate market price risk exposure for its unhedged position. Actual
results could differ depending on the specific timing of, and markets affected by, price changes, as well as future changes in Generation’s portfolio. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Proprietary Trading Activities
Proprietary trading portfolio activity for the year ended December 31, 2018, resulted in pre-tax gains of $42 million due to net mark-to-market gains of $17 million and realized gains of $25 million. Generation has not segregated proprietary trading activity within the following discussion because of the relative size of the proprietary trading portfolio in comparison to Generation’s total Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Fuel Procurement
Generation procures natural gas through long-term and short-term contracts, and spot-market purchases. Nuclear fuel assemblies are obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrate supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. The supply markets for uranium concentrates and certain nuclear fuel services are subject to price fluctuations and availability restrictions. Supply market conditions may make Generation’s procurement contracts subject to credit risk related to the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver the contracted commodity or service at the contracted prices. Approximately 62% of Generation’s uranium concentrate requirements from 2019 through 2023 are supplied by three producers. In the event of non-performance by these or other suppliers, Generation believes that replacement uranium concentrates can be obtained, although at prices that may be unfavorable when compared to the prices under the current supply agreements. Non-performance by these counterparties could have a material adverse impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial statements.
ComEd
ComEd entered into 20-year contracts for renewable energy and RECs beginning in June 2012. ComEd is permitted to recover its renewable energy and REC costs from retail customers with no mark-up. The annual commitments represent the maximum settlements with suppliers for renewable energy and RECs under the existing contract terms. Pursuant to the ICC’s Order on December 19, 2012, ComEd’s commitments under the existing long-term contracts were reduced for the June 2013 through May 2014 procurement period. In addition, the ICC’s December 18, 2013 Order approved the reduction of ComEd’s commitments under those contracts for the June 2014 through May 2015 procurement period, and the amount of the reduction was approved by the ICC in March 2014.
ComEd has block energy contracts to procure electric supply that are executed through a competitive procurement process, which is further discussed in Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The block energy contracts are considered derivatives and qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception under current derivative authoritative guidance, and as a result are accounted for on an accrual basis of accounting. ComEd does not execute derivatives for speculative or proprietary trading purposes. For additional information on these contracts, see Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE
PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE have contracts to procure electric supply that are executed through a competitive procurement process, which are further discussed in Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE have certain full requirements contracts, which are considered derivatives and qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception under current derivative authoritative guidance, and as a result are accounted for on an accrual basis of accounting. Other full requirements contracts are not derivatives.
PECO, BGE and DPL have also executed derivative natural gas contracts, which either qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception or have no mark-to-market balances because the derivatives are index priced, to hedge their long-term price risk in the natural gas market. The hedging programs for natural gas procurement have no direct impact on their financial statements.
PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE do not execute derivatives for speculative or proprietary trading purposes. For additional information on these contracts, see Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Trading and Non-Trading Marketing Activities
The following table detailing Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s trading and non-trading marketing activities are included to address the recommended disclosures by the energy industry’s Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO).
The following table provides detail on changes in Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s commodity mark-to-market net asset or liability balance sheet position from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2018. It indicates the drivers behind changes in the balance sheet amounts. This table incorporates the mark-to-market activities that are immediately recorded in earnings. This table excludes all NPNS contracts and does not segregate proprietary trading activity. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the balance sheet classification of the mark-to-market energy contract net assets (liabilities) recorded as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
__________
(a)
Amounts are shown net of collateral paid to and received from counterparties.
(b)
For ComEd, the changes in fair value are recorded as a change in regulatory assets or liabilities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, ComEd recorded a regulatory liability of $256 million and $249 million, respectively, related to its mark-to-market derivative liabilities with Generation and unaffiliated suppliers. ComEd recorded $18 million of decreases in fair value and an increase for realized losses due to settlements of $20 million in purchased power expense associated with floating-to-fixed energy swap suppliers for the year ended December 31, 2017. ComEd recorded $24 million of decreases in fair value
and realized losses due to settlements of $17 million recorded in purchased power expense associated with floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(c)
Includes derivative contracts acquired or sold by Generation through upfront payments or receipts of cash, excluding option premiums, and the associated amortizations.
(d)
As a result of the bankruptcy filing for EGTP on November 7, 2017, the net mark-to-market commodity contracts were deconsolidated from Exelon's and Generation's consolidated financial statements.
(e)
Includes fair value from contracts received at acquisition of the Everett Marine Terminal.
Fair Values
The following tables present maturity and source of fair value for Exelon, Generation and ComEd mark-to-market commodity contract net assets (liabilities). The tables provide two fundamental pieces of information. First, the tables provide the source of fair value used in determining the carrying amount of the Registrants’ total mark-to-market net assets (liabilities), net of allocated collateral. Second, the tables show the maturity, by year, of the Registrants’ commodity contract net assets (liabilities) net of allocated collateral, giving an indication of when these mark-to-market amounts will settle and either generate or require cash. See Note 11 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy.
Exelon
__________
(a)
Mark-to-market gains and losses on other economic hedge and trading derivative contracts that are recorded in results of operations.
(b)
Amounts are shown net of collateral paid to and received from counterparties (and offset against mark-to-market assets and liabilities) of $357 million at December 31, 2018.
(c)
Includes ComEd’s net assets (liabilities) associated with the floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.
Generation
__________
(a)
Mark-to-market gains and losses on other economic hedge and trading derivative contracts that are recorded in the results of operations.
(b)
Amounts are shown net of collateral paid to and received from counterparties (and offset against mark-to-market assets and liabilities) of $357 million at December 31, 2018.
ComEd
__________
(a)
Represents ComEd’s net liabilities associated with the floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.
Credit Risk, Collateral and Contingent Related Features (All Registrants)
The Registrants would be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties that execute derivative instruments. The credit exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented by the fair value of contracts at the reporting date. See Note 12-Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of credit risk, collateral, and contingent related features.
Generation
The following tables provide information on Generation’s credit exposure for all derivative instruments, normal purchases and normal sales agreements, and applicable payables and receivables, net of collateral and instruments that are subject to master netting agreements, as of December 31, 2018. The tables further delineate that exposure by credit rating of the counterparties and provide guidance on the concentration of credit risk to individual counterparties and an indication of the duration of a company’s credit risk by credit rating of the counterparties. The figures in the tables below exclude credit risk exposure from individual retail customers, uranium procurement contracts, and exposure through RTOs, ISOs and commodity exchanges, which are discussed below. Additionally, the figures in the tables below exclude exposures with affiliates, including net receivables with ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE of $43 million, $30 million, $24 million, $28 million, $7 million and $5 million respectively. See Note 25 - Related Party Transactions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
__________
(a)
As of December 31, 2018, credit collateral held from counterparties where Generation had credit exposure included $17 million of cash and $35 million of letters of credit.
The Utility Registrants
Credit risk for the Utility Registrants is governed by credit and collection policies, which are aligned with state regulatory requirements. The Utility Registrants are currently obligated to provide service to all electric customers within their franchised territories. The Utility Registrants record a provision for uncollectible accounts, based upon historical experience, to provide for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers. The Utility Registrants will monitor nonpayment from customers and will make any necessary adjustments to the provision for uncollectible accounts. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the allowance for uncollectible accounts policy. The Utility Registrants did not have any customers representing over 10% of their revenues as of December 31, 2018. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
As of December 31, 2018, ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE's net credit exposure to suppliers was immaterial. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Collateral (All Registrants)
Generation
As part of the normal course of business, Generation routinely enters into physical or financial contracts for the sale and purchase of electricity, natural gas and other commodities. In accordance with the contracts and applicable law, if Generation is downgraded by a credit rating agency, especially if such downgrade is to a level below investment grade, it is possible that a counterparty would attempt to rely on such a downgrade as a basis for making a demand for adequate assurance of future performance. Depending on Generation’s net position with a counterparty, the demand could be for the posting of collateral. In the absence of expressly agreed-to provisions that specify the collateral that must be provided, collateral requested will be a function of the facts and circumstances of the situation at the time of the demand. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding collateral requirements. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the letters of credit supporting the cash collateral.
Generation transacts output through bilateral contracts. The bilateral contracts are subject to credit risk, which relates to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations. Any failure to collect these
payments from counterparties could have a material impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial statements. As market prices rise above or fall below contracted price levels, Generation is required to post collateral with purchasers; as market prices fall below contracted price levels, counterparties are required to post collateral with Generation. To post collateral, Generation depends on access to bank credit facilities, which serve as liquidity sources to fund collateral requirements. See ITEM 7. Liquidity and Capital Resources - Credit Matters - Exelon Credit Facilities for additional information.
The Utility Registrants
As of December 31, 2018, ComEd held $38 million in collateral from suppliers in association with energy procurement contracts, approximately $31 million in collateral from suppliers for REC contract obligations and approximately $19 million in collateral from suppliers for long-term renewable energy contracts. BGE is not required to post collateral under its electric supply contracts but was holding an immaterial amount of collateral under its electric supply procurement contracts. BGE was not required to post collateral under its natural gas procurement contracts, but was holding an immaterial amount of collateral under its natural gas procurement contracts. Pepco and DPL were not required to post collateral under their energy and/or natural gas procurement contracts, but were holding an immaterial amount of collateral under their respective electric supply procurement contracts. PECO and ACE were not required to post collateral under their energy and/or natural gas procurement contracts. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
RTOs and ISOs (All Registrants)
All Registrants participate in all, or some, of the established, wholesale spot energy markets that are administered by PJM, ISO-NE, ISO-NY, CAISO, MISO, SPP, AESO, OIESO and ERCOT. ERCOT is not subject to regulation by FERC but performs a similar function in Texas to that performed by RTOs in markets regulated by FERC. In these areas, power is traded through bilateral agreements between buyers and sellers and on the spot energy markets that are administered by the RTOs or ISOs, as applicable. In areas where there is no spot energy market, electricity is purchased and sold solely through bilateral agreements. For sales into the spot markets administered by an RTO or ISO, the RTO or ISO maintains financial assurance policies that are established and enforced by those administrators. The credit policies of the RTOs and ISOs may, under certain circumstances, require that losses arising from the default of one member on spot energy market transactions be shared by the remaining participants. Non-performance or non-payment by a major counterparty could result in a material adverse impact on the Registrants’ financial statements.
Exchange Traded Transactions (Exelon, Generation, PHI and DPL)
Generation enters into commodity transactions on NYMEX, ICE, NASDAQ, NGX and the Nodal exchange ("the Exchanges"). DPL enters into commodity transactions on ICE. The Exchange clearinghouses act as the counterparty to each trade. Transactions on the Exchanges must adhere to comprehensive collateral and margining requirements. As a result, transactions on Exchanges are significantly collateralized and have limited counterparty credit risk.
Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Risk (All Registrants)
The Registrants use a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage interest rate exposure. The Registrants may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage their interest rate exposure. At December 31, 2018, Exelon had $800 million of notional amounts of fixed-to-floating hedges outstanding and Exelon and Generation had $622 million of notional amounts of floating-to-fixed hedges outstanding. A hypothetical 50 basis point increase in the interest rates associated with unhedged variable-rate debt (excluding Commercial Paper) and fixed-to-floating swaps would result in approximately a $6 million decrease in Exelon Consolidated pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2018. To manage foreign exchange rate exposure associated with international energy purchases in currencies other than U.S. dollars, Generation utilizes foreign currency derivatives, which are typically designated as economic hedges. See Note 12-Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Equity Price Risk (Exelon and Generation)
Exelon and Generation maintain trust funds, as required by the NRC, to fund certain costs of decommissioning its nuclear plants. As of December 31, 2018, Generation’s NDT funds are reflected at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The mix of securities in the trust funds is designed to provide returns to be used to fund decommissioning and to compensate Generation for inflationary increases in decommissioning costs; however, the equity securities in the trust funds are exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets, and the value of fixed-rate, fixed-income securities are exposed to changes in interest rates. Generation actively monitors the investment performance of the trust funds and periodically reviews asset allocation in accordance with Generation’s NDT fund investment policy. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates and decrease in equity prices would result in a $529 million reduction in the fair value of the trust assets. This calculation holds all other variables constant and assumes only the discussed changes in interest rates and equity prices. See ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for additional information of equity price risk as a result of the current capital and credit market conditions.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Generation
General
Generation’s integrated business consists of the generation, physical delivery and marketing of power across multiple geographical regions through its customer-facing business, Constellation, which sells electricity and natural gas to both wholesale and retail customers. Generation also sells renewable energy and other energy-related products and services. Generation has six reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions. These segments are discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Exelon Generation Company, LLC of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to Generation’s executive overview is set forth under ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Exelon Corporation - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of Generation’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-Generation in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Generation’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. Generation’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper, participation in the intercompany money pool or capital contributions from Exelon. Generation’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. If these conditions deteriorate to where Generation no longer has access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, Generation has credit facilities in the aggregate of $5.3 billion that currently support its commercial paper program and issuances of letters of credit.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund Generation’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. Generation spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Generation’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Generation’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Generation’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to Generation is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of Generation’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of Generation’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Generation
Generation is exposed to market risks associated with commodity price, credit, interest rates and equity price. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk - Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ComEd
General
ComEd operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services to retail customers in northern Illinois, including the City of Chicago. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS-ComEd of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to ComEd’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION-Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of ComEd’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-ComEd in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
ComEd’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. ComEd’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper or credit facility borrowings. ComEd’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. At December 31, 2018, ComEd had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $1 billion.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund ComEd’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. ComEd spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, ComEd operates in rate-regulated environments in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ComEd’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ComEd’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ComEd’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to ComEd is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of ComEd’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of ComEd’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ComEd
ComEd is exposed to market risks associated with commodity price, credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk- Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
PECO
General
PECO operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services in southeastern Pennsylvania including the City of Philadelphia, and the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of distribution service in Pennsylvania in the counties surrounding the City of Philadelphia. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS-PECO of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to PECO’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION-Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of PECO’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-PECO in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PECO’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. PECO’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper or participation in the intercompany money pool. PECO’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. If these conditions deteriorate to where PECO no longer has access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, PECO has access to a revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2018, PECO had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $600 million.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund PECO’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. PECO spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, PECO operates in a rate-regulated environment in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PECO’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PECO’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PECO’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to PECO is set forth under Credit Matters in “EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of PECO’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of PECO’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
PECO
PECO is exposed to market risks associated with credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
BGE
General
BGE operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore, and the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of distribution service in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS-BGE of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to BGE’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of BGE’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-BGE in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
BGE’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. BGE’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt or commercial paper. BGE’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. If these conditions deteriorate to where BGE no longer has access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, BGE has access to a revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2018, BGE had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $600 million.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund BGE’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. BGE spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, BGE operates in a rate-regulated environment in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to BGE’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to BGE’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to BGE’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to BGE is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of BGE’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of BGE’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
BGE
BGE is exposed to market risks associated with credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
PHI
General
PHI has three reportable segments Pepco, DPL, and ACE. Its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services, and to a lesser extent, the purchase and regulated retail sale and supply of natural gas in Delaware. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS - PHI of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to PHI’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Successor Period Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017, Successor Period of March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and Predecessor Period of January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016
A discussion of PHI’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017, March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-PHI in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PHI’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. PHI’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt or commercial paper, borrowings from the Exelon money pool or capital contributions from Exelon. PHI’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund PHI’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. PHI spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PHI’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PHI’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to PHI’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to PHI is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of PHI’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of PHI’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
PHI
PHI is exposed to market risks associated with commodity price, credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk - Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Pepco
General
Pepco operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services to retail customers in District of Columbia and major portions of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Pepco of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to Pepco’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of Pepco’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-Pepco in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Pepco’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. Pepco’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper or credit facility borrowings. Pepco’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. At December 31, 2018, Pepco had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $300 million.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund Pepco’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. Pepco spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, Pepco operates in rate-regulated environments in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Pepco’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Pepco’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to Pepco’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to Pepco is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of Pepco’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of Pepco’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Pepco
Pepco is exposed to market risks associated with credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk- Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
DPL
General
DPL operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services in portions of Maryland and Delaware, and the purchase and regulated retail sale and supply of natural gas in New Castle County, Delaware. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS - DPL of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to DPL’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of DPL’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-DPL in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
DPL’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. DPL’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt or commercial paper. DPL’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. If these conditions deteriorate to where DPL no longer has access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, DPL has access to a revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2018, DPL had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $300 million.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund DPL’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. DPL spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, DPL operates in a rate-regulated environment in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to DPL’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to DPL’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to DPL’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to DPL is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of DPL’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of DPL’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
DPL
DPL is exposed to market risks associated with commodity price, credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Exelon.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ACE
General
ACE operates in a single business segment and its operations consist of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services to retail customers in portions of southern New Jersey. This segment is discussed in further detail in ITEM 1. BUSINESS - ACE of this Form 10-K.
Executive Overview
A discussion of items pertinent to ACE’s executive overview is set forth under EXELON CORPORATION - Executive Overview of this Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
A discussion of ACE’s results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and for 2017 compared to 2016 is set forth under Results of Operations-ACE in EXELON CORPORATION - Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
ACE’s business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. ACE’s capital resources are primarily provided by internally generated cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, external financing, including the issuance of long-term debt, commercial paper or credit facility borrowings. ACE’s access to external financing at reasonable terms is dependent on its credit ratings and general business conditions, as well as that of the utility industry in general. At December 31, 2018, ACE had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $300 million.
See EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for additional information.
Capital resources are used primarily to fund ACE’s capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and invest in new and existing ventures. ACE spends a significant amount of cash on capital improvements and construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, ACE operates in rate-regulated environments in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ACE’s cash flows from operating activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Operating Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ACE’s cash flows from investing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Investing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
A discussion of items pertinent to ACE’s cash flows from financing activities is set forth under Cash Flows from Financing Activities in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Credit Matters
A discussion of credit matters pertinent to ACE is set forth under Credit Matters in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A discussion of ACE’s contractual obligations, commercial commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements is set forth under Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in EXELON CORPORATION - Liquidity and Capital Resources of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See All Registrants - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of ACE’s critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding new accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ACE
ACE is exposed to market risks associated with credit and interest rates. These risks are described above under Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk- Exelon.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Exelon Corporation (Exelon) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Exelon’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of Exelon’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, Exelon’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, Exelon’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of Exelon’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Generation) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Generation’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of Generation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, Generation’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, Generation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of Generation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
ComEd’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of ComEd’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, ComEd’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, ComEd’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of ComEd’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of PECO Energy Company (PECO) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PECO’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of PECO’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, PECO’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, PECO’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of PECO’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
BGE’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of BGE’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, BGE’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, BGE’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of BGE’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Pepco Holdings LLC (PHI) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PHI’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of PHI’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, PHI’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, PHI’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of PHI’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Pepco’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of Pepco’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, Pepco’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, Pepco’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Delmarva Power & Light Company (DPL) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
DPL’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of DPL’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, DPL’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, DPL’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
February 8, 2019
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Atlantic City Electric Company (ACE) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
ACE’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of ACE’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, ACE’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, ACE’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
February 8, 2019
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Exelon Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1)(i), and the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1)(ii), of Exelon Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2000.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Member of Exelon Generation Company, LLC
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)(ii), of Exelon Generation Company, LLC and its subsidiaries (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Commonwealth Edison Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(3)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(3)(ii), of Commonwealth Edison Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2000.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of PECO Energy Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(4)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(4)(ii), of PECO Energy Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1932.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(5)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(5)(ii), of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1993. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Member of Pepco Holdings LLC
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(6)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(6)(iii), of Pepco Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (Successor) (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and for the period from March 24, 2016 to December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, DC
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Member of Pepco Holdings LLC
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(6)(ii) present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Pepco Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (formerly Pepco Holdings, Inc.) (Predecessor) for the period January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the period January 1, 2016 to March 23, 2016 listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(6)(iv) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, DC
February 13, 2017
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Potomac Electric Power Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(7)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(7)(ii), of Potomac Electric Power Company (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, DC
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since at least 1993. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Delmarva Power & Light Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(8)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(8)(ii), of Delmarva Power & Light Company (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, DC
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since at least 1993. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Atlantic City Electric Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(9)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(9)(ii), of Atlantic City Electric Company and its subsidiary (the "Company") (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, DC
February 8, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1998.
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
__________
(a)
Exelon’s consolidated assets include $9,667 million and $9,597 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of certain VIEs that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Exelon’s consolidated liabilities include $3,548 million and $3,618 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of certain VIEs for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to Exelon. See Note 2-Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
__________
(a)
Generation’s consolidated assets include $9,634 million and $9,556 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of certain VIEs that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Generation’s consolidated liabilities include $3,480 million and $3,516 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of certain VIEs for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to Generation. See Note 2-Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Balance Sheets
_____________
(a)
PHI’s consolidated total assets include $33 million and $41 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of PHI's consolidated VIE that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. PHI’s consolidated total liabilities include $69 million and $102 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of PHI's consolidated VIE for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to PHI. See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
__________
(a)
At March 23, 2016 and December 31, 2015, PHI's (predecessor) shareholders' equity included $3,835 million and $3,829 million of other paid-in capital, and $3 million and $3 million of common stock, respectively.
(b)
The March 24, 2016, beginning balance differs from the PHI Merger total purchase price by $59 million related to an acquisition accounting adjustment recorded at Exelon Corporate to reflect unitary state income tax consequences of the merger.
(c)
Distribution to member includes $235 million of net assets associated with PHI's unregulated business interests and $165 million of cash, each of which were distributed by PHI to Exelon.
(d)
The liabilities assumed include $29 million for PHI stock-based compensation awards and $33 million for a merger related obligation, each assumed by PHI from Exelon. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Potomac Electric Power Company
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Potomac Electric Power Company
Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Potomac Electric Power Company
Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Potomac Electric Power Company
Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Potomac Electric Power Company
Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
_____________
(a)
ACE’s consolidated assets include $23 million and $29 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of ACE’s consolidated VIE that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. ACE’s consolidated liabilities include $59 million and $90 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of ACE’s consolidated VIE for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to ACE. See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Index to Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The notes to the consolidated financial statements that follow are a combined presentation. The following list indicates the Registrants to which the footnotes apply:
Applicable Notes
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (All Registrants)
Description of Business (All Registrants)
Exelon is a utility services holding company engaged in the generation, delivery and marketing of energy through Generation and the energy distribution and transmission businesses through ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE. On March 23, 2016, Exelon completed the merger with PHI, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon. PHI is a utility services holding company engaged through its principal wholly owned subsidiaries, Pepco, DPL and ACE, in the energy distribution and transmission businesses. See Note 5 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions for additional information regarding the merger transaction.
Basis of Presentation (All Registrants)
This is a combined annual report of all Registrants. The Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements apply to the Registrants as indicated above in the Index to Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and parenthetically next to each corresponding disclosure. When appropriate, the Registrants are named specifically for their related activities and disclosures. Each of the Registrant’s Consolidated Financial Statements includes the accounts of its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
As a result of the merger with PHI, Exelon’s financial reporting reflects PHI’s consolidated financial results subsequent to the March 23, 2016, acquisition date. Exelon has accounted for the merger transaction applying the acquisition method of accounting, which it has pushed-down to the consolidated financial statements of PHI such that the assets and liabilities of PHI are recorded at their respective fair values, and goodwill has been established as of the acquisition date. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements of PHI for periods before and after the March 23, 2016, acquisition date reflect different bases of accounting, and the results of operations and the financial positions of the predecessor and successor periods are not comparable. The acquisition method of accounting has not been pushed down to PHI’s wholly owned subsidiary utility registrants, Pepco, DPL and ACE.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
For financial statement purposes, beginning on March 24, 2016, disclosures related to Exelon also apply to PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE, unless otherwise noted.
Through its business services subsidiary, BSC, Exelon provides its subsidiaries with a variety of support services at cost, including legal, human resources, financial, information technology and supply management services. PHI also has a business services subsidiary, PHISCO, which provides a variety of support services at cost, including legal, accounting, engineering, customer operations, distribution and transmission planning, asset management, system operations, and power procurement, to PHI operating companies. The costs of BSC and PHISCO are directly charged or allocated to the applicable subsidiaries. The results of Exelon’s corporate operations are presented as “Other” within the consolidated financial statements and include intercompany eliminations unless otherwise disclosed.
Exelon owns 100% of Generation, PECO, BGE and PHI and more than 99% of ComEd. PHI owns 100% of Pepco, DPL and ACE. Generation owns 100% of its significant consolidated subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for certain consolidated VIEs, including CENG and EGRP, of which Generation holds a 50.01% and 51% interest, respectively. The remaining interests in these consolidated VIEs are included in noncontrolling interests on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information of Exelon’s and Generation’s consolidated VIEs.
The Registrants consolidate the accounts of entities in which a Registrant has a controlling financial interest, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. Where the Registrants do not have a controlling financial interest in an entity, proportionate consolidation, equity method accounting or accounting for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair value is applied. The Registrants apply proportionate consolidation when they have an undivided interest in an asset and are proportionately liable for their share of each liability associated with the asset. The Registrants proportionately consolidate their undivided ownership interests in jointly owned electric plants and transmission facilities. Under proportionate consolidation, the Registrants separately record their proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the undivided interest in the asset. The Registrants apply equity method accounting when they have significant influence over an investee through an ownership in common stock, which generally approximates a 20% to 50% voting interest. The Registrants apply equity method accounting to certain investments and joint ventures, including certain financing trusts of ComEd and PECO. Under equity method accounting, the Registrants report their interest in the entity as an investment and the Registrants’ percentage share of the earnings from the entity as single line items in their financial statements. The Registrants use accounting for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values if they lack significant influence, which generally results when they hold less than 20% of the common stock of an entity. Under accounting for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values, the Registrants report their investments at cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment. Changes in measurement are reported in earnings.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for annual financial statements and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-K and Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
Use of Estimates (All Registrants)
The preparation of financial statements of each of the Registrants in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas in which significant estimates have been made include, but are not limited to, the accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs and other AROs, pension and other postretirement benefits, the application of purchase accounting, inventory reserves, allowance for uncollectible accounts, goodwill and asset impairments, derivative instruments, unamortized energy contracts, fixed asset depreciation, environmental costs and other loss contingencies, taxes and unbilled energy revenues. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Prior Period Adjustments and Reclassifications (All Registrants)
Certain prior year amounts in the Registrants' Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity have been recasted to reflect new accounting standards issued by the FASB and adopted as of January 1, 2018. See New Accounting Standards below for additional information.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Accounting for the Effects of Regulation (Exelon and the Utility Registrants)
For their regulated electric and gas operations, Exelon and the Utility Registrants reflect the effects of cost-based rate regulation in their financial statements, which is required for entities with regulated operations that meet the following criteria: 1) rates are established or approved by a third-party regulator; (2) rates are designed to recover the entities’ cost of providing services or products; and (3) there is a reasonable expectation that rates designed to recover costs can be charged to and collected from customers. Exelon and the Utility Registrants account for their regulated operations in accordance with regulatory and legislative guidance from the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, principally the ICC, PAPUC, MDPSC, DCPSC, DPSC and NJBPU, under state public utility laws and the FERC under various Federal laws. Regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized and the related expense or revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations consistent with the recovery or refund included in customer rates. Exelon's regulatory assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date are probable of being recovered or settled in future rates. If a separable portion of the Registrants' business was no longer able to meet the criteria discussed above, the affected entities would be required to eliminate from their consolidated financial statements the effects of regulation for that portion, which could have a material impact on their financial statements. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters for additional information.
With the exception of income tax-related regulatory assets and liabilities, Exelon and the Utility Registrants classify regulatory assets and liabilities with a recovery or settlement period greater than one year as both current and non-current in their Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the current portion representing the amount expected to be recovered from or settled to customers over the next twelve-month period as of the balance sheet date. Income tax-related regulatory assets and liabilities are classified entirely as non-current in Exelon's and the Utility Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets to align with the classification of the related deferred income tax balances.
Exelon and the Utility Registrants treat the impacts of a final rate order received after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements as a non-recognized subsequent event, as the receipt of a final rate order is a separate and distinct event that has future impacts on the parties affected by the order.
Revenues (All Registrants)
Operating Revenues. The Registrants’ operating revenues generally consist of revenues from contracts with customers involving the sale and delivery of energy commodities and related products and services, utility revenues from alternative revenue programs (ARP), and realized and unrealized revenues recognized under mark-to-market energy commodity derivative contracts. The Registrants recognize revenue from contracts with customers to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entities expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Generation’s primary sources of revenue include competitive sales of power, natural gas, and other energy-related products and services. The Utility Registrants’ primary sources of revenue include regulated electric and natural gas tariff sales, distribution and transmission services. At the end of each month, the Registrants accrue an estimate for the unbilled amount of energy delivered or services provided to customers.
ComEd records ARP revenue for its best estimate of the electric distribution, energy efficiency, and transmission revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that ComEd believes are probable of approval by the ICC and FERC in accordance with its formula rate mechanisms. BGE, Pepco and DPL record ARP revenue for their best estimate of the electric and natural gas distribution revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that they believe are probable of approval by the MDPSC and/or DCPSC in accordance with their revenue decoupling mechanisms. PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE record ARP revenue for their best estimate of the transmission revenue impacts resulting from future changes in rates that they believe are probable of approval by FERC in accordance with their formula rate mechanisms. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.
Option Contracts, Swaps and Commodity Derivatives. Certain option contracts and swap arrangements that meet the definition of derivative instruments are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized as revenue or expense. The classification of revenue or expense is based on the intent of the transaction. To the extent a Utility Registrant receives full cost recovery for energy procurement and related costs from retail customers, it records the fair value of its energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers as well as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Taxes Directly Imposed on Revenue-Producing Transactions. The Registrants collect certain taxes from customers such as sales and gross receipts taxes, along with other taxes, surcharges and fees, that are levied by state or local governments on the sale or distribution of gas and electricity. Some of these taxes are imposed on the customer, but paid by the Registrants, while others are imposed on the Registrants. Where these taxes are imposed on the customer, such as sales taxes, they are reported on a net basis with no impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. However, where these taxes are imposed on the Registrants, such as gross receipts taxes or other surcharges or fees, they are reported on a gross basis. Accordingly, revenues are recognized for the taxes collected from customers along with an offsetting expense. See Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s, BGE’s, Pepco's, DPL's and ACE's utility taxes that are presented on a gross basis.
Income Taxes (All Registrants)
Deferred Federal and state income taxes are recorded on significant temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for tax benefits carried forward. Investment tax credits have been deferred in the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized in book income over the life of the related property. The Registrants account for uncertain income tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach; a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and a measurement approach that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If it is not more-likely-than-not that the benefit of the tax position will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. Uncertain tax positions that relate only to timing of when an item is included on a tax return are considered to have met the recognition threshold. The Registrants recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in Interest expense or Other income and deductions (interest income) and recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Other, net in their Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Pursuant to the IRC and relevant state taxing authorities, Exelon and its subsidiaries file consolidated or combined income tax returns for Federal and certain state jurisdictions where allowed or required. See Note 14 - Income Taxes for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents (All Registrants)
The Registrants consider investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (All Registrants)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents represent funds that are restricted to satisfy designated current liabilities. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Registrants' restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represented the following items:
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents not available to satisfy current liabilities are classified as noncurrent assets. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Registrants' noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represented ComEd’s over-recovered RPS costs and alternative compliance payments received from RES pursuant to FEJA and costs for the remediation of an MGP site, and ACE’s repayment of transition bonds.
See Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (All Registrants)
The allowance for uncollectible accounts reflects the Registrants’ best estimates of losses on the customers' accounts receivable balances. For Generation, the allowance is based on accounts receivable aging historical experience and other currently available information. Utility Registrants estimate the allowance by applying loss rates developed specifically for each company to the outstanding receivable balance by customer risk segment. Utility Registrants' customer accounts are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the regulatory recovery of uncollectible accounts receivable at ComEd and ACE.
Variable Interest Entities (All Registrants)
Exelon accounts for its investments in and arrangements with VIEs based on the following specific requirements:
•
requires an entity to qualitatively assess whether it should consolidate a VIE based on whether the entity has a controlling financial interest,
•
requires an ongoing reconsideration of this assessment instead of only upon certain triggering events, and
•
requires the entity that consolidates a VIE (the primary beneficiary) to disclose (1) the assets of the consolidated VIE, if they can be used to only settle specific obligations of the consolidated VIE, and (2) the liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.
See Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information.
Inventories (All Registrants)
Inventory is recorded at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. Provisions are recorded for excess and obsolete inventory. Fossil fuel, materials and supplies, and emissions allowances are generally included in inventory when purchased. Fossil fuel and emissions allowances are expensed to purchased power and fuel expense when used or sold. Materials and supplies generally includes transmission, distribution and generating plant materials and are expensed to operating and maintenance or capitalized to property, plant and equipment, as appropriate, when installed or used.
Debt and Equity Security Investments (Exelon and Generation)
Debt Security Investments. Debt securities are reported at fair value and classified as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported in OCI.
Equity Security Investments without Readily Determinable Fair Values. Exelon has certain equity securities without readily determinable fair values. Exelon has elected to use the practicability exception to measure these investments, defined as cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment. Changes in measurement are reported in earnings.
Equity Security Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Values. Equity securities held in the NDT funds are classified as equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on Generation’s NDT funds associated with the Regulatory Agreement Units are included in regulatory liabilities at Exelon, ComEd and PECO and in Noncurrent payables to affiliates at Generation and in Noncurrent receivables from affiliates at ComEd and PECO. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on Generation’s NDT funds associated with the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units are included in earnings at Exelon and Generation. Exelon's and Generation's NDT funds are classified as current or noncurrent assets, depending on the timing of the decommissioning activities and income taxes on trust earnings. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding ComEd’s and PECO’s regulatory assets and liabilities and Note 11 -
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding marketable securities held by NDT funds.
Property, Plant and Equipment (All Registrants)
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at original cost. Original cost includes construction-related direct labor and material costs. The Utility Registrants also include indirect construction costs including labor and related costs of departments associated with supporting construction activities. When appropriate, original cost also includes capitalized interest for Generation, Exelon Corporate and PHI and AFUDC for regulated property at the Utility Registrants. The cost of repairs and maintenance, including planned major maintenance activities and minor replacements of property, is charged to Operating and maintenance expense as incurred.
Third parties reimburse the Utility Registrants for all or a portion of expenditures for certain capital projects. Such contributions in aid of construction costs (CIAC) are recorded as a reduction to Property, plant and equipment, net. DOE SGIG and other funds reimbursed to the Utility Registrants have been accounted for as CIAC.
For Generation, upon retirement, the cost of property is generally charged to accumulated depreciation in accordance with the composite and group methods of depreciation. Upon replacement of an asset, the costs to remove the asset, net of salvage, are capitalized to gross plant when incurred as part of the cost of the newly-installed asset and recorded to depreciation expense over the life of the new asset. Removal costs, net of salvage, incurred for property that will not be replaced is charged to Operating and maintenance expense as incurred.
For the Utility Registrants, upon retirement, the cost of property, net of salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation consistent with the composite and group methods of depreciation. Depreciation expense at ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE includes the estimated cost of dismantling and removing plant from service upon retirement. Actual incurred removal costs are applied against a related regulatory liability or recorded to a regulatory asset if in excess of previously collected removal costs. PECO’s removal costs are capitalized to accumulated depreciation when incurred, and recorded to depreciation expense over the life of the new asset constructed consistent with PECO’s regulatory recovery method.
Capitalized Software. Certain costs, such as design, coding, and testing incurred during the application development stage of software projects that are internally developed or purchased for operational use are capitalized within Property, plant and equipment. Such capitalized amounts are amortized ratably over the expected lives of the projects when they become operational, generally not to exceed five years. Certain other capitalized software costs are being amortized over longer lives based on the expected life or pursuant to prescribed regulatory requirements.
Capitalized Interest and AFUDC. During construction, Exelon and Generation capitalize the costs of debt funds used to finance non-regulated construction projects. Capitalization of debt funds is recorded as a charge to construction work in progress and as a non-cash credit to interest expense.
AFUDC is the cost, during the period of construction, of debt and equity funds used to finance construction projects for regulated operations. AFUDC is recorded to construction work in progress and as a non-cash credit to an allowance that is included in interest expense for debt-related funds and other income and deductions for equity-related funds. The rates used for capitalizing AFUDC are computed under a method prescribed by regulatory authorities.
See Note 6 - Property, Plant and Equipment, Note 9 - Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant and Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding property, plant and equipment.
Nuclear Fuel (Exelon and Generation)
The cost of nuclear fuel is capitalized within Property, plant and equipment and charged to fuel expense using the unit-of-production method. Any potential future SNF disposal fees will be expensed through fuel expense. Additionally, certain on-site SNF storage costs are being reimbursed by the DOE since a DOE (or government-owned) long-term storage facility has not been completed. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies for additional information regarding the cost of SNF storage and disposal.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Nuclear Outage Costs (Exelon and Generation)
Costs associated with nuclear outages, including planned major maintenance activities, are expensed to Operating and maintenance expense or capitalized to Property, plant and equipment (based on the nature of the activities) in the period incurred.
Depreciation and Amortization (All Registrants)
Except for the amortization of nuclear fuel, depreciation is generally recorded over the estimated service lives of property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis using the group, composite or unitary methods of depreciation. The group approach is typically for groups of similar assets that have approximately the same useful lives and the composite approach is used for dissimilar assets that have different lives. Under both methods, a reporting entity depreciates the assets over the average life of the assets in the group. The Utility Registrants' depreciation expense includes the estimated cost of dismantling and removing plant from service upon retirement, which is consistent with each utility's regulatory recovery method. The estimated service lives for the Registrants are based on a combination of depreciation studies, historical retirements, site licenses and management estimates of operating costs and expected future energy market conditions. See Note 8 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information on the impacts of expected and potential early plant retirements.
See Note 6 - Property, Plant and Equipment for additional information regarding depreciation.
Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities are recorded over the recovery or refund period specified in the related legislation or regulatory order or agreement. When the recovery or refund period is less than one year, amortization is recorded to the line item in which the deferred cost or income would have originally been recorded in the Utility Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Amortization of ComEd’s electric distribution and energy efficiency formula rate regulatory assets and the Utility Registrants' transmission formula rate regulatory assets is recorded to Operating revenues.
Amortization of income tax related regulatory assets and liabilities is generally recorded to Income tax expense. With the exception of the regulatory assets and liabilities discussed above, when the recovery period is more than one year, the amortization is generally recorded to Depreciation and amortization in the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding Generation’s nuclear fuel and ARC, and the amortization of the Utility Registrants' regulatory assets.
Asset Retirement Obligations (All Registrants)
Generation estimates and recognizes a liability for its legal obligation to perform asset retirement activities even though the timing and/or methods of settlement may be conditional on future events. Generation generally updates its nuclear decommissioning ARO annually, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on its annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to the multiple outcome scenarios within its probability-weighted discounted cash flow models. Generation’s multiple outcome scenarios are generally based on decommissioning cost studies which are updated, on a rotational basis, for each of Generation’s nuclear units at least every five years, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates. AROs are accreted throughout each year to reflect the time value of money for these present value obligations through a charge to Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income or, in the case of the Utility Registrants' accretion, through an increase to regulatory assets. See Note 15 - Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.
Guarantees (All Registrants)
The Registrants recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair market value of the obligations they have undertaken by issuing the guarantee, including the ongoing obligation to perform over the term of the guarantee in the event that the specified triggering events or conditions occur.
The liability that is initially recognized at the inception of the guarantee is reduced as the Registrants are released from risk under the guarantee. Depending on the nature of the guarantee, the release from risk of the Registrant may be recognized only upon the expiration or settlement of the guarantee or by a systematic and rational
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
amortization method over the term of the guarantee. See Note 22 - Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.
Asset Impairments
Long-Lived Assets (All Registrants). The Registrants evaluate the carrying value of their long-lived assets or asset groups, excluding goodwill, when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment may include a deteriorating business climate, including, but not limited to, declines in energy prices, condition of the asset, specific regulatory disallowance, or plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life. The Registrants determine if long-lived assets and asset groups are impaired by comparing the undiscounted expected future cash flows to the carrying value. When the undiscounted cash flow analysis indicates a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable, the amount of the impairment loss is determined by measuring the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group over its fair value. See Note 7 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles for additional information.
Goodwill (Exelon, ComEd and PHI). Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of a business. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. See Note 10 - Intangible Assets for additional information.
Equity Method Investments (Exelon and Generation). Exelon and Generation regularly monitor and evaluate equity method investments to determine whether they are impaired. An impairment is recorded when the investment has experienced a decline in value that is other-than-temporary in nature. Additionally, if the entity in which Generation holds an investment recognizes an impairment loss, Exelon and Generation would record their proportionate share of that impairment loss and evaluate the investment for an other-than-temporary decline in value.
Debt Security Investments (Exelon and Generation). Declines in the fair value of debt security investments below the cost basis are reviewed to determine if such decline is other-than-temporary. If the decline is determined to be other-than-temporary, the amount of the impairment loss is included in earnings.
Equity Security Investments (Exelon and Generation). Equity investments with readily determinable fair values are measured and recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are qualitatively assessed for impairment each reporting period. If it is determined that the equity security is impaired on the basis of the qualitative assessment, an impairment loss will be recognized in earnings to the amount by which the security’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Derivative Financial Instruments (All Registrants)
All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value unless they qualify for certain exceptions, including the normal purchases and normal sales exception. For derivatives intended to serve as economic hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period. Amounts classified in earnings are included in Operating revenue, Purchased power and fuel, Interest expense or Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income based on the activity the transaction is economically hedging. While the majority of the derivatives serve as economic hedges, there are also derivatives entered into for proprietary trading purposes, subject to Exelon’s Risk Management Policy, and changes in the fair value of those derivatives are recorded in revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. At the Utility Registrants, changes in fair value may be recorded as a regulatory asset or liability if there is an ability to recover or return the associated costs. Cash inflows and outflows related to derivative instruments are included as a component of operating, investing or financing cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, depending on the nature of each transaction. On July 1, 2018, Exelon and Generation de-designated its fair value and cash flow hedges. See Note 4 - Regulatory Matters and Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
As part of Generation’s energy marketing business, Generation enters into contracts to buy and sell energy to meet the requirements of its customers. These contracts include short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and energy-related products in the energy markets with the intent and ability to deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts where physical delivery is probable, quantities are expected to be used or sold in the normal course of business over a reasonable period of time and will not be financially settled. Revenues and expenses on derivative contracts that qualify, and are designated, as normal purchases and normal sales are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
completed. While these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments, they are not required to be recorded at fair value, but rather are recorded on an accrual basis of accounting. See Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
Retirement Benefits (All Registrants)
Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for essentially all employees.
The measurement of the plan obligations and costs of providing benefits under these plans involve various factors assumptions, and accounting elections. The impact of assumption changes or experience different from that assumed on pension and other postretirement benefit obligations is recognized over time rather than immediately recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Gains or losses in excess of the greater of ten percent of the projected benefit obligation or the MRV of plan assets are amortized over the expected average remaining service period of plan participants. See Note 16 - Retirement Benefits for additional information.
New Accounting Standards (All Registrants)
New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018: In 2018, the Registrants adopted the following new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures (Issued August 2018). Eliminates existing disclosure requirements related to amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized in Net periodic benefit cost over the next year and the effects of a one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates. In addition, new disclosures were added such as the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and an explanation for the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation. The standard is effective January 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and must be applied retrospectively. Exelon early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of 2018. See Note 16 - Retirement Benefits for additional information.
Fair Value Measurement Disclosures (Issued August 2018). Updates the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements to improve the usefulness of information for financial statement users. The guidance removes the requirements to disclose (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements and adds a requirement to disclose the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The standard is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The amendments to remove disclosures must be applied retrospectively and can be early adopted, while the amendments to add disclosures must be applied prospectively and adoption can be delayed until the effective date. The Registrants early adopted, in the fourth quarter of 2018, the amendments to remove disclosures and will adopt the amendments to add disclosures in the first quarter of 2020. The impact of the new disclosures is not expected to be material to the Registrants’ consolidated financial statements. See Note 11 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities for additional information.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Issued February 2018). Provides an election for a reclassification from AOCI to Retained earnings to eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA. This standard is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospective to each period in which the effects of the TCJA were recognized. Exelon early adopted this standard and elected to apply the guidance retrospectively as of December 31, 2017, which resulted in an increase to Exelon’s Retained earnings and Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $539 million in its Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity related to deferred income taxes associated with Exelon’s pension and OPEB obligations. There was no impact for Generation or the Utility Registrants. Exelon's accounting policy is to release the stranded tax effects from AOCI related to its pension and OPEB plans under a portfolio (or aggregate) approach as an entire pension or OPEB plan is liquidated or terminated. See Note 21- Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income for additional information.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Issued March 2017). Changes the accounting and presentation of pension and OPEB costs at the plan sponsor (i.e., Exelon) level. The guidance requires plan sponsors to report the service cost and other non-service cost components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost (together, net benefit cost) separately. Under the new guidance,
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
service cost is presented as part of income from operations and the other non-service cost components are classified outside of income from operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Additionally, service cost is the only component eligible for capitalization on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018. Under prior GAAP, the total amount of net benefit cost was recorded as part of income from operations and all components were eligible for capitalization. Exelon applied the presentation of the service component and the other non-service cost components of net benefit costs retrospectively and, accordingly, have recasted those amounts, which were not material, in its Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income in prior periods presented. Exelon elected the practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. In Exelon’s consolidated financial statements, non-service cost components of pension and OPEB cost capitalizable under a regulatory framework were prospectively reported as regulatory assets (previously, they were capitalizable under pension and OPEB accounting guidance and reported as PP&E). These regulatory assets are amortized outside of operating income. See Note 16 - Retirement Benefits for additional information.
Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE, BSC, PHI, Pepco, DPL, ACE and PHISCO participate in Exelon’s single employer pension and OPEB plans and apply multi-employer accounting. Multi-employer accounting was not impacted by this standard; therefore, Exelon's subsidiary financial statements did not change upon its adoption.
Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Restricted Cash (Issued November 2016). The standard states that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows (instead of being presented as cash flow activities). The Registrants applied the new guidance using the full retrospective method and, accordingly, have recasted the presentation of restricted cash in their Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the prior periods presented. See Note 23 - Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Issued January 2016). Eliminates the available-for-sale and cost method classification for equity securities and requires that all equity investments (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) be measured and recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded through earnings and, for equity investments without a readily determinable fair value, provides a measurement alternative of cost less impairment plus or minus adjustments for observable price changes in identical or similar assets. In addition, equity investments without readily determinable fair values must be qualitatively assessed for impairment each reporting period and fair value determined if any significant impairment indicators exist. If fair value is less than carrying value, the impairment is recorded through net income immediately in the period in which it is identified. The guidance does not impact the classification or measurement of investments in debt securities. The guidance also amends several disclosure requirements, including requiring i) financial assets and financial liabilities to be presented separately in the balance sheet or note, grouped by measurement category and form, ii) disclosure of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value or a description of the changes in the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value, and iii) for financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost, disclosure of the fair value of the amount that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability. The guidance was applied using a modified retrospective transition approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of adoption. The Registrants recorded an insignificant adjustment to opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 related to unrealized gains/losses on available for sale equity securities. See Note 21- Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income for additional information.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Issued May 2014 and subsequently amended to address implementation questions). Changes the criteria for recognizing revenue from a contract with a customer. The new standard replaces existing guidance on revenue recognition, including most industry specific guidance, with a five-step model for recognizing and measuring revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of the new standard is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across capital markets. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires a number of disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and the related cash flows. The guidance can be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of initial adoption (modified retrospective method). The Registrants applied the new guidance using the full retrospective method
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
and, accordingly, have recasted certain amounts in their Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the prior periods presented. The amounts recasted in the Registrants' 2017 and 2016 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income are shown in the table below. The amounts recasted in the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements were not material. See Note 3 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
New Accounting Standards Adopted as of January 1, 2019: The following new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB was adopted as of January 1, 2019 and will be reflected by the Registrants in their consolidated financial statements beginning in the first quarter of 2019.
Cloud Computing Arrangements (Issued August 2018). Aligns the requirements for capitalizing costs incurred to implement a cloud computing arrangement with the internal-use software guidance. As a result, certain implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that are currently expensed as incurred will be deferred and amortized over the non-cancellable term of the arrangement plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. The standard is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and can be applied using either a prospective or retrospective transition approach. A retrospective approach requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Registrants early adopted this standard using a prospective approach as of January 1, 2019. The new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Registrants’ financial statements.
Leases (Issued February 2016). Increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The Registrants adopted the standard on January 1, 2019.
The new standard requires lessees to recognize both the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities in the balance sheet for most leases, whereas under previous GAAP only finance lease liabilities (referred to as capital leases) were recognized in the balance sheet. In addition, the definition of a lease has been revised which may result in changes to the classification of an arrangement as a lease. Under the new standard, an arrangement that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset by obtaining substantially all of its economic benefits and directing how it is used is a lease, whereas the previous definition focuses on the ability to control the use of the asset or to obtain its output. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures related to the amount, timing and judgments of an entity’s accounting for leases and the related cash flows are expanded. Disclosure requirements apply to both lessees and lessors, whereas previous disclosures related only to lessees. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. Lessor accounting is also largely unchanged.
The new standard provides a number of transition practical expedients, which the Registrants have elected, including:
•
a "package of three" expedients that must be taken together and allow entities to (1) not reassess whether existing contracts contain leases, (2) carryforward the existing lease classification, and (3) not reassess initial direct costs associated with existing leases,
•
an implementation expedient which allows the requirements of the standard in the period of adoption with no restatement of prior periods, and
•
a land easement expedient which allows entities to not evaluate land easements under the new standard at adoption if they were not previously accounted for as leases.
The Registrants have assessed the lease standard and executed a detailed implementation plan in preparation for adoption, which included the following key activities:
•
Developed a complete lease inventory and abstracted the required data attributes into a lease accounting system that supports the Registrants' lease portfolios and integrates with existing systems.
•
Evaluated the transition practical expedients available under the standard.
•
Identified, assessed and documented technical accounting issues, policy considerations and financial reporting implications.
•
Identified and implemented changes to processes and controls to ensure all impacts of the new standard are effectively addressed.
The adoption of the new standard is expected to result in right of use assets and lease obligations for operating leases recorded in the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets on January 1, 2019 of approximately:
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
The impact of adopting the new standard on retained earnings as of January 1, 2019 is expected to be immaterial.
New Accounting Standards Issued and Not Yet Adopted as of December 31, 2018: The following new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB has not yet been adopted and reflected by the Registrants in their consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018. Unless otherwise indicated, the Registrants are currently assessing the impacts such guidance may have (which could be material) in their Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures, as well as the potential to early adopt where applicable. The Registrants have assessed other FASB issuances of new standards which are not listed below given the current expectation that such standards will not significantly impact the Registrants' financial reporting.
Goodwill Impairment (Issued January 2017). Simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the current test, which requires calculation of a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the revised guidance, goodwill impairment will be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill (currently Step 1 of the two-step impairment test). Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PHI and DPL have goodwill as of December 31, 2018. This updated guidance is not currently expected to impact the Registrants’ financial reporting. The standard is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and must be applied on a prospective basis.
Impairment of Financial Instruments (Issued June 2016). Provides for a new Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) impairment model for specified financial instruments including loans, trade receivables, debt securities classified as held-to-maturity investments and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. The standard does not make changes to the existing impairment models for non-financial assets such as fixed assets, intangibles and goodwill. The standard will be effective January 1, 2020 (with early adoption as of January 1, 2019 permitted) and requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Registrants are currently assessing the impacts of this standard.
2. Variable Interest Entities (All Registrants)
A VIE is a legal entity that possesses any of the following characteristics: an insufficient amount of equity at risk to finance its activities, equity owners who do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the entity (or have voting rights that are disproportionate to their ownership interest), or equity owners who do not have the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. Companies are required to consolidate a VIE if they are its primary beneficiary, which is the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, Exelon, Generation, PHI and ACE collectively consolidated five VIEs or VIE groups for which the applicable Registrant was the primary beneficiary (see Consolidated Variable Interest Entities below). As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Exelon and Generation collectively had significant interests in seven other VIEs for which the applicable Registrant does not have the power to direct the entities’ activities and, accordingly, was not the primary beneficiary (see Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities below).
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
The carrying amounts and classification of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities included in the Registrants' consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
__________
(a)
Includes certain purchase accounting adjustments not pushed down to the ACE standalone entity.
Except as specifically noted below, the assets in the table above are restricted for settlement of the VIE obligations and the liabilities in the table can only be settled using VIE resources.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Exelon's and Generation's consolidated VIEs consist of:
Investments in Other Energy Related Companies
During 2015, Generation sold 69% of its equity interest in a company to a tax equity investor. The company holds an equity method investment in a distributed energy company that is an unconsolidated VIE (see unconsolidated VIE section for additional details). Generation and the tax equity investor contributed a total of $227 million of equity in proportion to their ownership interests to the company. The company meets the definition of a VIE because it has a similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick-out rights with respect to the general partner. Generation is the primary beneficiary because Generation manages the day-to-day activities of the entity.
During the fourth quarter of 2017 Generation acquired a controlling financial interest in an energy development company. The company is in the development stage and requires additional subordinated financial support from the equity holders to fund activities. Generation is the majority owner with a 62% equity interest and has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the company.
Renewable Energy Project Companies
In July 2017, Generation sold a 49% interest in EGRP to an outside investor for $400 million of cash plus immaterial working capital and other customary post-closing adjustments. EGRP meets the definition of a VIE because the EGRP has a similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick out rights with respect to the general partner. Generation is the primary beneficiary because Generation manages the day-to-day activities of the entity; therefore, Generation will continue to consolidate EGRP. EGRP is a collection of wind and solar project entities and some of these project entities are VIEs that are consolidated by EGRP. The details relating to these VIEs are discussed below.
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)
Generation owns a number of limited liability companies that build, own, and operate solar and wind power facilities some of which are owned by EGRP. While Generation or EGRP owns 100% of the solar entities and 100% of the majority of the wind entities, it has been determined that certain of the solar and wind entities are VIEs because the entities require additional subordinated financial support in the form of a parental guarantee of debt, loans from the customers in order to obtain the necessary funds for construction of the solar facilities, or the customers absorb price variability from the entities through the fixed price power and/or REC purchase agreements. Generation is the primary beneficiary of these solar and wind entities that qualify as VIEs because Generation controls the design, construction, and operation of the facilities. Generation provides operating and capital funding to the solar and wind entities for ongoing construction, operations and maintenance and there is limited recourse related to Generation related to certain solar and wind entities.
While Generation or EGRP owns 100% of the majority of the wind entities, four of the projects have noncontrolling equity interests of 1% held by third parties and one of the projects has noncontrolling equity interests related to its Class B Membership Interest (see additional details below). The entities with noncontrolling equity interests of 1% held by third parties meet the definition of a VIE because the entities have noncontrolling equity interest holders that absorb variability from the wind projects. Generation’s or the EGRP's current economic interests in three of these projects is significantly greater than its stated contractual governance rights and all of these projects have reversionary interest provisions that provide the noncontrolling interest holder with a purchase option, certain of which are considered bargain purchase prices, which, if exercised, transfers ownership of the projects to the noncontrolling interest holder upon either the passage of time or the achievement of targeted financial returns. The ownership agreements with the noncontrolling interests state that Generation or EGRP are to provide financial support to the projects in proportion to its current 99% economic interests in the projects. Generation provides operating and capital funding to the wind project entities for ongoing construction, operations and maintenance and there is limited recourse to Generation related to certain wind project entities. However, no additional support to these projects beyond what was contractually required has been provided. Generation is the primary beneficiary of these wind entities because Generation controls the design, construction, and operation of the facilities.
In December 2016, Generation sold 100% of the Class B Membership Interests to a tax equity investor and retained 100% of the Class A Membership Interests of its equity interest in one of its wind entities that was previously consolidated under the voting interest model and was subsequently contributed to EGRP in 2017. The wind entity meets the definition of a VIE because the company has a similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick-out rights with respect to the general partner. While Generation is the minority interest holder, Generation is the primary beneficiary, because Generation manages the day-to-day activities of the entity. Therefore, the entity continues to be consolidated by Generation.
In 2017, Generation’s interests in EGRP were contributed to and are pledged for the ExGen Renewables IV non-recourse debt project financing structure. Refer to Note 13 - Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information on ExGen Renewables IV and ITEM 2.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
All Registrants
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
All Registrants-Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the fourth quarter of 2018, each registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of that registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures related to the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of information in that registrant’s periodic reports that it files with the SEC. These disclosure controls and procedures have been designed by each registrant to ensure that (a) information relating to that registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, that is required to be included in filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is accumulated and made known to that registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, by other employees of that registrant and its subsidiaries as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (b) this information is recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated and reported, as applicable, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls could be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people.
Accordingly, as of December 31, 2018, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of each registrant concluded that such registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives.
All Registrants-Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Each registrant continually strives to improve its disclosure controls and procedures to enhance the quality of its financial reporting and to maintain dynamic systems that change as conditions warrant. However, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, any of the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
All Registrants-Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is required to assess and report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. As a result of that assessment, management determined that there were no material weaknesses as of December 31, 2018 and, therefore, concluded that each registrant’s internal control over financial reporting was effective. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
All Registrants
None.
PART III
Exelon Generation Company, LLC, PECO Energy Company, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Pepco Holdings LLC, Potomac Electric Power Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company and Atlantic City Electric Company meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K for a reduced disclosure format. Accordingly, all items in this section relating to Generation, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE are not presented.
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers
The information required by ITEM 10. relating to executive officers is set forth above in ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Executive officers of the Registrants at February 8, 2019.
Directors, Director Nomination Process and Audit Committee
The information required under ITEM 10 concerning directors and nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting of shareholders (Item 401 of Regulation S-K), the director nomination process (Item 407(c)(3)), the audit committee (Item 407(d)(4) and (d)(5)) and the beneficial reporting compliance (Sec. 16(a)) is incorporated herein by reference to information to be contained in Exelon’s definitive 2019 proxy statement (2019 Exelon Proxy Statement) and the ComEd information statement (2019 ComEd Information Statement) to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2019 pursuant to Regulation 14A or 14C, as applicable, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Code of Ethics
Exelon’s Code of Business Conduct is the code of ethics that applies to Exelon’s and ComEd’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller, and other finance organization employees. The Code of Business Conduct is filed as Exhibit 14 to this report and is available on Exelon’s website at www.exeloncorp.com. The Code of Business Conduct will be made available, without charge, in print to any shareholder who requests such document from Carter C. Culver, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Exelon Corporation, P.O. Box 805398, Chicago, Illinois 60680-5398.
If any substantive amendments to the Code of Business Conduct are made or any waivers are granted, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct, to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Corporate Controller, Exelon will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on Exelon’s website, www.exeloncorp.com, or in a report on Form 8-K.
The information required by this item will be set forth under Executive Compensation Data and Report of the Compensation Committee in the Exelon Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or the ComEd 2019 Information Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The additional information required by this item will be set forth under Ownership of Exelon Stock in the 2019 Exelon Proxy Statement or the ComEd 2019 Information Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Exelon Equity Compensation Plans
__________
(1)
Balance includes stock options, unvested performance shares, and unvested restricted shares granted under the Exelon LTIP or predecessor company plans including shares awarded under those plans and deferred into the stock deferral plan, and deferred stock units granted to directors as part of their compensation. Unvested performance shares are subject to performance metrics ranging from 0% to 150% of target award values and to a total shareholder return modifier. For performance shares granted in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the total includes the number of shares that could be issued pursuant to the terms of the Exelon LTIP plan, which provides that final payouts are made 50% in shares of stock and 50% in cash, and if the performance and total shareholder return modifier metrics were both at maximum, representing a best case performance scenario, for a total of 4,942,100 shares. If the performance and total shareholder return modifier metrics were at target, the number of securities to be issued for such awards would be 2,471,000. The deferred stock units granted to directors includes 433,400 shares to be issued upon the conversion of deferred stock units awarded to members of the Exelon Board of Directors. Conversion of the deferred stock units to shares occurs after a director terminates service to the Exelon board or the board of any of its subsidiary companies. See Note 19 - Stock-Based Compensation Plans of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the material features of the plans.
(2)
The weighted-average price reported in column B does not take the performance shares and shares credited to deferred compensation plans into account.
(3)
Includes 18,410,700 shares remaining available for issuance from the employee stock purchase plan.
No ComEd securities are authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The additional information required by this item will be set forth under Related Persons Transactions and Director Independence in the Exelon Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or the ComEd 2019 Information Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item will be set forth under The Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Exelon’s Independent Accountant for 2019 in the Exelon Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the ComEd 2019 Information Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
(1) Exelon
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Condensed Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income
See the Notes to Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
See the Notes to Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Condensed Balance Sheets
See the Notes to Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Condensed Balance Sheets
See the Notes to Financial Statements
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Basis of Presentation
Exelon Corporate is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its business operations through its subsidiaries. These condensed financial statements and related footnotes have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Exelon Corporation.
Exelon Corporate owns 100% of all of its significant subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), of which Exelon Corporate owns more than 99%, and BGE, of which Exelon owns 100% of the common stock but none of BGE’s preferred stock. BGE redeemed all of its outstanding preferred stock in 2016.
2. Mergers
On March 23, 2016, Exelon completed the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement among Exelon, Purple Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon (Merger Sub) and Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI). As a result of that merger, Merger Sub was merged into PHI (the PHI Merger) with PHI surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon and Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC (EEDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon which also owns Exelon's interests in ComEd, PECO and BGE (through a special purpose subsidiary in the case of BGE). See Note 5-Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the PHI Merger.
3. Debt and Credit Agreements
Short-Term Borrowings
Exelon Corporate meets its short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper. Exelon Corporate had no commercial paper borrowings at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Short-Term Loan Agreements
On March 23, 2017, Exelon Corporate entered into a $500 million term loan agreement which expired on March 22, 2018. The loan agreement was renewed on March 22, 2018 and will expire on March 21, 2019. Pursuant to the loan agreement, loans made thereunder bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1% and all indebtedness thereunder is unsecured. The loan agreement is reflected in Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet within Short-Term borrowings.
Credit Agreements
On May 26, 2016, Exelon Corporate amended its syndicated revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $600 million through May 26, 2021. On May 26, 2018, Exelon Corporate had its maturity date extended to May 26, 2023. As of December 31, 2018, Exelon Corporation had available capacity under those commitments of $591 million. See Note 13-Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Exelon Corporation’s credit agreement.
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-Term Debt
The following tables present the outstanding long-term debt for Exelon Corporate as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
__________
(a)
Senior unsecured notes include mirror debt that is held on both Generation and Exelon Corporation's balance sheets.
The debt maturities for Exelon Corporate for the periods 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and thereafter are as follows:
4. Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 22-Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for Exelon Corporate’s commitments and contingencies related to environmental matters and fund transfer restrictions.
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Notes to Financial Statements
5. Related Party Transactions
The financial statements of Exelon Corporate include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)
Notes to Financial Statements
__________
(a)
Exelon Corporate receives a variety of corporate support services from BSC, including legal, human resources, financial, information technology and supply management services. All services are provided at cost, including applicable overhead.
(b)
Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC consists of ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE.
(c)
In connection with the debt obligations assumed by Exelon as part of the Constellation merger, Exelon and subsidiaries of Generation (former Constellation subsidiaries) assumed intercompany loan agreements that mirror the terms and amounts of the third-party debt obligations of Exelon, resulting in intercompany notes payable included in Long-Term Debt to affiliates in Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and intercompany notes receivable at Exelon Corporate, which are eliminated in consolidation in Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Excludes the non-current allowance for uncollectible accounts related to PECO’s installment plan receivables of $13 million, $15 million, and $23 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(b)
Primarily represents the addition of PHI's results as of March 23, 2016, the date of the merger
(c)
Includes charges for late payments and non-service receivables.
(d)
Primarily reflects the reclassification of assets as held for sale.
(e)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
(2) Generation
Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily reflects the reclassification of assets as held for sale.
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
(3) ComEd
Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily charges for late payments and non-service receivables.
(b)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
(4) PECO
PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Excludes the non-current allowance for uncollectible accounts related to PECO’s installment plan receivables of $13 million, $15 million, and $23 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
(b)
Primarily charges for late payments.
(c)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
(5) BGE
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
(6) PHI
Pepco Holdings LLC and Subsidiary Companies
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily charges for late payments.
(b)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Potomac Electric Power Company
(7) Pepco
Potomac Electric Power Company
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily charges for late payments.
(b)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Delmarva Power & Light Company
(8) DPL
Delmarva Power & Light Company
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily charges for late payments.
(b)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
(9) ACE
Atlantic City Electric Company and Subsidiary Company
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
__________
(a)
Primarily charges for late payments.
(b)
Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
Certain of the following exhibits are incorporated herein by reference under Rule 12b-32 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain other instruments which would otherwise be required to be listed below have not been so listed because such instruments do not authorize securities in an amount which exceeds 10% of the total assets of the applicable registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the relevant registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.
__________
*
Compensatory plan or arrangements in which directors or officers of the applicable registrant participate and which are not available to all employees.
(a)
These filings are not available electronically on the SEC website as they were filed in paper previous to the electronic system that is currently in place.
All Registrants
Registrants may voluntarily include a summary of information required by Form 10-K under this Item 16. The Registrants have elected not to include such summary information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
EXELON CORPORATION
By:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Name:
Christopher M. Crane
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
Christopher M. Crane
/s/ JOSEPH NIGRO
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Joseph Nigro
/s/ FABIAN E. SOUZA
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Fabian E. Souza
This annual report has also been signed below by Thomas S. O'Neill, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
Anthony K. Anderson
Ann C. Berzin
Laurie Brlas
Christopher M. Crane
Yves C. de Balmann
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Linda P. Jojo
Paul L. Joskow
Robert J. Lawless
Richard W. Mies
John W. Rogers, Jr.
Mayo A. Shattuck III
Stephen D. Steinour
John F. Young
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC
By:
/s/ KENNETH W. CORNEW
Name:
Kenneth W. Cornew
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ KENNETH W. CORNEW
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Kenneth W. Cornew
/s/ BRYAN P. WRIGHT
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Bryan P. Wright
/s/ MATTHEW N. BAUER
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Matthew N. Bauer
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY
By:
/s/ JOSEPH DOMINGUEZ
Name:
Joseph Dominguez
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ JOSEPH DOMINGUEZ
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
Joseph Dominguez
/s/ JEANNE M. JONES
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Jeanne M. Jones
/s/ GERALD J. KOZEL
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Gerald J. Kozel
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman and Director
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by Joseph Dominguez, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
James W. Compton
Christopher M. Crane
A. Steven Crown
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Peter V. Fazio, Jr.
Michael H. Moskow
Anne R. Pramaggiore
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
PECO ENERGY COMPANY
By:
/s/ MICHAEL A. INNOCENZO
Name:
Michael A. Innocenzo
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ MICHAEL A. INNOCENZO
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
Michael A. Innocenzo
/s/ ROBERT J. STEFANI
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Robert J. Stefani
/s/ SCOTT A. BAILEY
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Scott A. Bailey
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman and Director
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by Michael A. Innocenzo, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
Christopher M. Crane
John S. Grady
M. Walter D’Alessio
Rosemarie B. Greco
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Charisse R. Lillie
Nelson A. Diaz
Anne R. Pramaggiore
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:
/s/ CALVIN G. BUTLER, JR.
Name:
Calvin G. Butler, Jr.
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ CALVIN G. BUTLER, JR.
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director
Calvin G. Butler, Jr.
/s/ DAVID M. VAHOS
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
David M. Vahos
/s/ ANDREW W. HOLMES
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Andrew W. Holmes
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman and Director
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by Calvin G. Butler, Jr., Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
Ann C. Berzin
Joseph Haskins, Jr.
Christopher M. Crane
Anne R. Pramaggiore
Michael E. Cryor
Michael D. Sullivan
James R. Curtiss
Maria Harris Tildon
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
PEPCO HOLDINGS LLC
By:
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
Name:
David M. Velazquez
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
David M. Velazquez
/s/ PHILLIP S. BARNETT
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Phillip S. Barnett
/s/ ROBERT M. AIKEN
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Robert M. Aiken
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman and Director
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by David M. Velazquez, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
Christopher M. Crane
Ernest Dianastasis
Linda W. Cropp
Debra P. DiLorenzo
Michael E. Cryor
Anne R. Pramaggiore
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
By:
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
Name:
David M. Velazquez
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
David M. Velazquez
/s/ PHILLIP S. BARNETT
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Phillip S. Barnett
/s/ ROBERT M. AIKEN
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Robert M. Aiken
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by David M. Velazquez, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
J. Tyler Anthony
Melissa A. Lavinson
Phillip S. Barnett
Kevin M. McGowan
Christopher M. Crane
Anne R. Pramaggiore
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
DELMARVA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
By:
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
Name:
David M. Velazquez
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
David M. Velazquez
/s/ PHILLIP S. BARNETT
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Phillip S. Barnett
/s/ ROBERT M. AIKEN
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Robert M. Aiken
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman
Christopher M. Crane
This annual report has also been signed below by David M. Velazquez, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:
Anne R. Pramaggiore
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 8th day of February, 2019.
ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
Name:
David M. Velazquez
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 8th day of February, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ DAVID M. VELAZQUEZ
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
David M. Velazquez
/s/ PHILLIP S. BARNETT
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
Phillip S. Barnett
/s/ ROBERT M. AIKEN
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Robert M. Aiken
/s/ CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE
Chairman
Christopher M. Crane