Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File

        Number

  

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter;

State of Incorporation; Address of Principal

Executive Offices; and Telephone Number

   IRS Employer
Identification Number

1-16169

  

EXELON CORPORATION

(a Pennsylvania corporation)

10 South Dearborn Street

P.O. Box 805379

Chicago, Illinois 60680-5379

(800) 483-3220

   23-2990190

333-85496

  

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC

(a Pennsylvania limited liability company)

300 Exelon Way

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348-2473

(610) 765-5959

   23-3064219

1-1839

  

COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY

(an Illinois corporation)

440 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60605-1028

(312) 394-4321

   36-0938600

000-16844

  

PECO ENERGY COMPANY

(a Pennsylvania corporation)

P.O. Box 8699

2301 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101-8699

(215) 841-4000

   23-0970240

1-1910

  

BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY

(a Maryland corporation)

2 Center Plaza

110 West Fayette Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3708

(410) 234-5000

   52-0280210

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

   Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered

EXELON CORPORATION:

  

Common Stock, without par value

   New York and Chicago

Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures

   New York

Corporate Units

   New York

PECO ENERGY COMPANY:

  

Trust Receipts of PECO Energy Capital Trust III, each representing a 7.38% Cumulative Preferred Security, Series D, $25 stated value, issued by PECO Energy Capital, L.P. and unconditionally guaranteed by PECO Energy Company

   New York

BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY:

  

6.20% Trust Preferred Securities ($25 liquidation amount per preferred security) issued by BGE Capital Trust II, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

   New York

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY:

Common Stock Purchase Warrants, 1971 Warrants and Series B Warrants


Table of Contents

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Exelon Corporation

  Yes   x    No   ¨

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

  Yes   x    No   ¨

Commonwealth Edison Company

  Yes   x    No   ¨

PECO Energy Company

  Yes   x    No   ¨

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

  Yes   x    No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

Exelon Corporation

  Yes   ¨    No   x

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

  Yes   ¨    No   x

Commonwealth Edison Company

  Yes   ¨    No   x

PECO Energy Company

  Yes   ¨    No   x

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

  Yes   ¨    No   x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants’ knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

     Large Accelerated    Accelerated    Non-Accelerated    Smaller Reporting
Company

Exelon Corporation

   ü         

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

         ü   

Commonwealth Edison Company

         ü   

PECO Energy Company

         ü   

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

         ü   

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

Exelon Corporation

    Yes   ¨      No   x 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

    Yes   ¨      No   x 

Commonwealth Edison Company

    Yes   ¨      No   x 

PECO Energy Company

    Yes   ¨      No   x 

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

    Yes   ¨      No   x 

 

The estimated aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by nonaffiliates of each registrant as of June 30, 2015 was as follows:

 

Exelon Corporation Common Stock, without par value

   $ 27,049,825,290

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

   Not applicable

Commonwealth Edison Company Common Stock, $12.50 par value

   No established market

PECO Energy Company Common Stock, without par value

   None

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, without par value

   None

 

The number of shares outstanding of each registrant’s common stock as of January 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

Exelon Corporation Common Stock, without par value

   919,924,742

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

   not applicable

Commonwealth Edison Company Common Stock, $12.50 par value

   127,016,973

PECO Energy Company Common Stock, without par value

   170,478,507

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, without par value

   1,000

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Exelon Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of

Shareholders and the Commonwealth Edison Company 2016 information statement are

incorporated by reference in Part III.

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC, PECO Energy Company and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and are therefore filing this Form in the reduced disclosure format.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page No.  

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

     1   

FILING FORMAT

     5   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     5   

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

     5   

PART I

     

ITEM 1.

  

BUSINESS

     6   
  

General

     6   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     7   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     19   
  

PECO Energy Company

     19   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     19   
  

Employees

     23   
  

Environmental Regulation

     24   
  

Executive Officers of the Registrants

     30   

ITEM 1A.

  

RISK FACTORS

     34   

ITEM 1B.

  

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

     61   

ITEM 2.

  

PROPERTIES

     62   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     62   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     65   
  

PECO Energy Company

     65   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     66   

ITEM 3.

  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     67   
  

Exelon Corporation

     67   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     67   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     67   
  

PECO Energy Company

     67   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     67   

ITEM 4.

  

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

     67   

PART II

     

ITEM 5.

  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

     68   

ITEM 6.

  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     72   
  

Exelon Corporation

     72   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     73   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     74   
  

PECO Energy Company

     74   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     75   

ITEM 7.

  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     76   
  

Exelon Corporation

     76   
  

Executive Overview

     76   
  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     100   
  

Results of Operations

     117   
  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     148   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     182   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     184   
  

PECO Energy Company

     186   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     188   


Table of Contents
     Page No.  

ITEM 7A.

  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     169   
  

Exelon Corporation

     169   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     170   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     171   
  

PECO Energy Company

     171   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     172   

ITEM 8.

  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     190   
  

Exelon Corporation

     201   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     207   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     213   
  

PECO Energy Company

     219   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     225   
  

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     230   
  

1. Significant Accounting Policies

     230   
  

2. Variable Interest Entities

     247   
  

3. Regulatory Matters

     256   
  

4. Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions

     283   
  

5. Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC

     289   
  

6. Accounts Receivable

     293   
  

7. Property, Plant and Equipment

     294   
  

8. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     297   
  

9. Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements

     300   
  

10. Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant

     301   
  

11. Intangible Assets

     302   
  

12. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

     307   
  

13. Derivative Financial Instruments

     322   
  

14. Debt and Credit Agreements

     338   
  

15. Income Taxes

     348   
  

16. Asset Retirement Obligations

     356   
  

17. Retirement Benefits

     365   
  

18. Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

     381   
  

19. Shareholder’s Equity

     382   
  

20. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

     383   
  

21. Earnings Per Share

     389   
  

22. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

     390   
  

23. Commitments and Contingencies

     394   
  

24. Supplemental Financial Information

     411   
  

25. Segment Information

     419   
  

26. Related Party Transactions

     424   
  

27. Quarterly Data

     432   

ITEM 9.

  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     435   

ITEM 9A.

  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     435   
  

Exelon Corporation

     435   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     435   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     435   
  

PECO Energy Company

     435   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     435   

ITEM 9B.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

     436   
  

Exelon Corporation

     436   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     436   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     436   
  

PECO Energy Company

     436   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     436   


Table of Contents
     Page No.  

PART III

     

ITEM 10.

  

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     437   

ITEM 11.

  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     438   

ITEM 12.

  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     439   

ITEM 13.

  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

     440   

ITEM 14.

  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

     441   

PART IV

     

ITEM 15.

   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES      442   

SIGNATURES

     476   
  

Exelon Corporation

     476   
  

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

     477   
  

Commonwealth Edison Company

     478   
  

PECO Energy Company

     479   
  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

     480   


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

Exelon Corporation and Related Entities

Exelon

   Exelon Corporation

Generation

   Exelon Generation Company, LLC

ComEd

   Commonwealth Edison Company

PECO

   PECO Energy Company

BGE

   Baltimore Gas and Electric Company

BSC

   Exelon Business Services Company, LLC

Exelon Corporate

   Exelon’s holding company

CENG

   Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC

Constellation

   Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

Antelope Valley, AVSR

   Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One

Exelon Transmission Company

   Exelon Transmission Company, LLC

Exelon Wind

   Exelon Wind, LLC and Exelon Generation Acquisition Company, LLC

Ventures

   Exelon Ventures Company, LLC

AmerGen

   AmerGen Energy Company, LLC

BondCo

   RSB BondCo LLC

ComEd Financing III

   ComEd Financing III

PEC L.P.

   PECO Energy Capital, L.P.

PECO Trust III

   PECO Energy Capital Trust III

PECO Trust IV

   PECO Energy Capital Trust IV

BGE Trust II

   BGE Capital Trust II

PETT

   PECO Energy Transition Trust

Registrants

   Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, collectively

Other Terms and Abbreviations

1998 restructuring settlement

   PECO’s 1998 settlement of its restructuring case mandated by the Competition Act

Act 11

   Pennsylvania Act 11 of 2012

Act 129

   Pennsylvania Act 129 of 2008

AEC

   Alternative Energy Credit that is issued for each megawatt hour of generation from a qualified alternative energy source

AEPS

   Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards

AEPS Act

   Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004, as amended

AESO

   Alberta Electric Systems Operator

AFUDC

   Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

ALJ

   Administrative Law Judge

AMI

   Advanced Metering Infrastructure

AMP

   Advanced Metering Program

ARC

   Asset Retirement Cost

ARO

   Asset Retirement Obligation

ARP

   Title IV Acid Rain Program

ARRA of 2009

   American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Block contracts

   Forward Purchase Energy Block Contracts

CAIR

   Clean Air Interstate Rule

CAISO

   California ISO

CAMR

   Federal Clean Air Mercury Rule

CAP

   Customer Assistance Program

 

1


Table of Contents

Other Terms and Abbreviations

CERCLA

   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended

CFL

   Compact Fluorescent Light

Clean Air Act

   Clean Air Act of 1963, as amended

Clean Water Act

   Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, as amended

Competition Act

   Pennsylvania Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1996

CPI

   Consumer Price Index

CPUC

   California Public Utilities Commission

CSAPR

   Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

CTC

   Competitive Transition Charge

D.C. Circuit Court

   United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

DOE

   United States Department of Energy

DOJ

   United States Department of Justice

DSP

   Default Service Provider

DSP Program

   Default Service Provider Program

EDF

   Electricite de France SA and its subsidiaries

EE&C

   Energy Efficiency and Conservation/Demand Response

EGR

   ExGen Renewables I, LLC

EGS

   Electric Generation Supplier

EGTP

   ExGen Texas Power, LLC

EIMA

   Illinois Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act

EPA

   United States Environmental Protection Agency

ERCOT

   Electric Reliability Council of Texas

ERISA

   Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended

EROA

   Expected Rate of Return on Assets

ESPP

   Employee Stock Purchase Plan

FASB

   Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC

   Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FRCC

   Florida Reliability Coordinating Council

FTC

   Federal Trade Commission

GAAP

   Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States

GDP

   Gross Domestic Product

GHG

   Greenhouse Gas

GRT

   Gross Receipts Tax

GSA

   Generation Supply Adjustment

GWh

   Gigawatt Hour

HAP

   Hazardous Air Pollutants

Health Care Reform Acts

   Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010

IBEW

   International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

ICC

   Illinois Commerce Commission

ICE

   Intercontinental Exchange

Illinois Act

   Illinois Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997

Illinois EPA

   Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Illinois Settlement Legislation

   Legislation enacted in 2007 affecting electric utilities in Illinois

Integrys

   Integrys Energy Services, Inc.

IPA

   Illinois Power Agency

IRC

   Internal Revenue Code

 

2


Table of Contents

Other Terms and Abbreviations

IRS

   Internal Revenue Service

ISO

   Independent System Operator

ISO-NE

   ISO New England Inc.

ISO-NY

   ISO New York

kV

   Kilovolt

kW

   Kilowatt

kWh

   Kilowatt-hour

LIBOR

   London Interbank Offered Rate

LILO

   Lease-In, Lease-Out

LLRW

   Low-Level Radioactive Waste

LTIP

   Long-Term Incentive Plan

MATS

   Mercury and Air Toxics Standard Rule

MBR

   Market Based Rates Incentive

MDE

   Maryland Department of the Environment

MDPSC

   Maryland Public Service Commission

MGP

   Manufactured Gas Plant

MISO

   Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.

mmcf

   Million Cubic Feet

Moody’s

   Moody’s Investor Service

MOPR

   Minimum Offer Price Rule

MRV

   Market-Related Value

MW

   Megawatt

MWh

   Megawatt Hour

NAAQS

   National Ambient Air Quality Standards

n.m.

   not meaningful

NAV

   Net Asset Value

NDT

   Nuclear Decommissioning Trust

NEIL

   Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited

NERC

   North American Electric Reliability Corporation

NGS

   Natural Gas Supplier

NJDEP

   New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Non-Regulatory Agreements Units

   Nuclear generating units or portions thereof whose decommissioning-related activities are not subject to contractual elimination under regulatory accounting including Calvert Cliffs, Nine Mile Point, Ginna, Clinton, Oyster Creek, Three Mile Island, Zion (a former ComEd unit), and portions of Peach Bottom (a former PECO unit)

NOSA

   Nuclear Operating Services Agreement

NOV

   Notice of Violation

NPDES

   National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NRC

   Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NSPS

   New Source Performance Standards

NWPA

   Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982

NYMEX

   New York Mercantile Exchange

OCI

   Other Comprehensive Income

OIESO

   Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator

OPEB

   Other Postretirement Employee Benefits

PA DEP

   Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

PAPUC

   Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

PGC

   Purchased Gas Cost Clause

PHI

   Pepco Holdings, Inc.

 

3


Table of Contents

Other Terms and Abbreviations

PJM

   PJM Interconnection, LLC

POLR

   Provider of Last Resort

POR

   Purchase of Receivables

PPA

   Power Purchase Agreement

PPL

   PPL Holtwood, LLC

Price-Anderson Act

   Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act of 1957

PRP

   Potentially Responsible Parties

PSEG

   Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

PURTA

   Pennsylvania Public Realty Tax Act

PV

   Photovoltaic

RCRA

   Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended

REC

   Renewable Energy Credit which is issued for each megawatt hour of generation from a qualified renewable energy source

Regulatory Agreement Units

   Nuclear generating units whose decommissioning-related activities are subject to contractual elimination under regulatory accounting including the former ComEd units (Braidwood, Byron, Dresden, LaSalle, Quad Cities) and the former PECO units (Limerick, Peach Bottom, Salem)

RES

   Retail Electric Suppliers

RFP

   Request for Proposal

Rider

   Reconcilable Surcharge Recovery Mechanism

RGGI

   Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

RMC

   Risk Management Committee

ROE

   Return on Common Equity

RPM

   PJM Reliability Pricing Model

RPS

   Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards

RTEP

   Regional Transmission Expansion Plan

RTO

   Regional Transmission Organization

S&P

   Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

SEC

   United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Senate Bill 1

   Maryland Senate Bill 1

SERC

   SERC Reliability Corporation (formerly Southeast Electric Reliability Council)

SERP

   Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

SGIG

   Smart Grid Investment Grant

SGIP

   Smart Grid Initiative Program

SILO

   Sale-In, Lease-Out

SMP

   Smart Meter Program

SMPIP

   Smart Meter Procurement and Installation Plan

SNF

   Spent Nuclear Fuel

SOA

   Society of Actuaries

SOS

   Standard Offer Service

SPP

   Southwest Power Pool

Tax Relief Act of 2010

   Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010

Upstream

   Natural gas and oil exploration and production activities

VIE

   Variable Interest Entity

WECC

   Western Electric Coordinating Council

 

4


Table of Contents

FILING FORMAT

 

This combined Annual Report on Form 10-K is being filed separately by the Registrants. Information contained herein relating to any individual Registrant is filed by such Registrant on its own behalf. No Registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other Registrant.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report contains certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made by a Registrants include those factors discussed herein, including those factors discussed with respect to such Registrant discussed in (a) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (c) ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Note 23; and (d) other factors discussed in filings with the SEC by the Registrants. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Report. None of the Registrants undertakes any obligation to publicly release any revision to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.

 

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

The public may read and copy any reports or other information that the Registrants file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These documents are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services, the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov and the Registrants’ websites at www.exeloncorp.com. Information contained on the Registrants’ websites shall not be deemed incorporated into, or to be a part of, this Report.

 

5


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

General

 

Corporate Structure and Business and Other Information

 

Exelon, incorporated in Pennsylvania in February 1999, is a utility services holding company engaged, through Generation, in the energy generation and power marketing business, and through ComEd, PECO and BGE, in the energy delivery businesses discussed below. Exelon’s principal executive offices are located at 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, and its telephone number is 800-483-3220.

 

Generation

 

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, and engages in natural gas and oil exploration and production activities (Upstream). Generation has six reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions.

 

Generation was formed in 2000 as a Pennsylvania limited liability company. Generation began operations as a result of a corporate restructuring, effective January 1, 2001, in which Exelon separated its generation and other competitive businesses from its regulated energy delivery businesses at ComEd and PECO.

 

Generation’s principal executive offices are located at 300 Exelon Way, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, and its telephone number is 610-765-5959.

 

ComEd

 

ComEd’s energy delivery business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity transmission and distribution services to retail customers in northern Illinois, including the City of Chicago.

 

ComEd was organized in the State of Illinois in 1913 as a result of the merger of Cosmopolitan Electric Company into the original corporation named Commonwealth Edison Company, which was incorporated in 1907. ComEd’s principal executive offices are located at 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605, and its telephone number is 312-394-4321.

 

PECO

 

PECO’s energy delivery business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity transmission and distribution services to retail customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, including the City of Philadelphia, as well as the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of natural gas distribution services to retail customers in the Pennsylvania counties surrounding the City of Philadelphia.

 

PECO was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1929. PECO’s principal executive offices are located at 2301 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, and its telephone number is 215-841-4000.

 

6


Table of Contents

BGE

 

BGE’s energy delivery business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity transmission and distribution services to retail customers in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore, as well as the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of natural gas distribution services to retail customers in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore.

 

BGE was incorporated in Maryland in 1906. BGE’s principal executive offices are located at 110 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, and its telephone number is 410-234-5000.

 

Operating Segments

 

See Note 25—Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Exelon’s operating segments.

 

Pending Merger with Pepco Holdings, Inc.

 

On April 29, 2014, Exelon and PHI signed an agreement and plan of merger (as subsequently amended and restated as of July 18, 2014) to combine the two companies in an all cash transaction. The resulting company will retain the Exelon name and be headquartered in Chicago. The merger is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the pending transaction.

 

Generation

 

Generation, one of the largest competitive electric generation companies in the United States as measured by owned and contracted MW, physically delivers and markets power across multiple geographic regions through its customer-facing business, Constellation. Constellation sells electricity and natural gas, including renewable energy, to both wholesale and retail customers. The retail sales include commercial, industrial and residential customers. Generation leverages its energy generation portfolio to ensure delivery of energy to both wholesale and retail customers under long-term and short-term contracts, and in wholesale power markets. Generation operates in well-developed energy markets and employs an integrated hedging strategy to manage commodity price volatility. Generation’s fleet, including its nuclear plants which consistently operate at high capacity factors, also provides geographic and supply source diversity. These factors help Generation mitigate the challenging conditions emanating from competitive energy markets. Generation’s customers include distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, financial institutions, and commercial, industrial, governmental, and residential customers in competitive markets. Generation’s customer facing activities foster development and delivery of other innovative energy-related products and services for its customers. Generation also engages in natural gas and oil exploration and production activities (Upstream).

 

Generation is a public utility under the Federal Power Act and is subject to FERC’s exclusive ratemaking jurisdiction over wholesale sales of electricity and the transmission of electricity in interstate commerce. Under the Federal Power Act, FERC has the authority to grant or deny market-based rates for sales of energy, capacity and ancillary services to ensure that such sales are just and reasonable. FERC’s jurisdiction over ratemaking also includes the authority to suspend the market-based rates of utilities and set cost-based rates should FERC find that its previous grant of market-based rates authority is no longer just and reasonable. Other matters subject to FERC jurisdiction include, but are not limited to, third-party financings; review of mergers; dispositions of jurisdictional facilities and acquisitions of securities of another public utility or an existing operational generating facility; affiliate transactions; intercompany financings and cash management arrangements; certain internal corporate

 

7


Table of Contents

reorganizations; and certain holding company acquisitions of public utility and holding company securities. Additionally, 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. Specific operations of Generation are also subject to the jurisdiction of various other Federal, state, regional and local agencies, including the NRC and Federal and state environmental protection agencies. Additionally, Generation is subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by the NERC, with the approval of FERC.

 

RTOs and ISOs exist in a number of regions to provide transmission service across multiple transmission systems. PJM, MISO, ISO-NE and SPP, have been approved by FERC as RTOs, and CAISO and ISO-NY have been approved as ISOs. These entities are responsible for regional planning, managing transmission congestion, developing wholesale markets for energy and capacity, maintaining reliability, market monitoring, the scheduling of physical power sales brokered through ICE and NYMEX and the elimination or reduction of redundant transmission charges imposed by multiple transmission providers when wholesale customers take transmission service across several transmission systems.

 

Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, Inc.

 

Generation owns a 50.01% interest in CENG, a joint venture with EDF. CENG is governed by a board of ten directors, five of which are appointed by Generation and five by EDF. CENG owns a total of five nuclear generating facilities on three sites, Calvert Cliffs, R.E. Ginna and Nine Mile Point. CENG’s ownership share in the total capacity of these units is 4,007 MW. See ITEM 2. PROPERTIES for additional information on these sites.

 

Generation and EDF also entered into a Put Option Agreement on April 1, 2014, pursuant to which EDF has the option, exercisable beginning on January 1, 2016 and thereafter until June 30, 2022, to sell its 49.99% interest in CENG to Generation for a fair market value price determined by agreement of the parties, or absent agreement, a third-party arbitration process. In addition, under limited circumstances, the period for exercise of the put option may be extended for 18 months.

 

Prior to April 1, 2014, Exelon and Generation accounted for their investment in CENG under the equity method of accounting. The transfer of the nuclear operating licenses and the execution of the NOSA on April 1, 2014, resulted in the derecognition of the equity method investment in CENG and the recording of all assets, liabilities and EDF’s noncontrolling interest in CENG at fair value on a fully consolidated basis in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 5— Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the integration transaction.

 

Significant Acquisitions

 

Integrys Energy Services, Inc. On November 1, 2014, Generation acquired the competitive retail electric and natural gas business activities of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. through the purchase of all of the stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Integrys Energy Services, Inc. (Integrys) for a purchase price of $332 million, including net working capital. The generation and solar asset businesses of Integrys were excluded from the transaction. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the above acquisition.

 

Merger with Constellation Energy Group, Inc. On March 12, 2012, Constellation merged into Exelon with Exelon continuing as the surviving corporation pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger. Since the merger transaction, Generation includes the former Constellation generation and customer supply operations.

 

8


Table of Contents

Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One. On September 30, 2011, Exelon completed the acquisition of all of the interests in Antelope Valley, a 242-MW solar project under development in northern Los Angeles County, California, from First Solar, Inc. The facility became fully operational in 2014. The project has a 25-year PPA with Pacific Gas & Electric Company for the full output of the plant, which has been approved by the CPUC. Total capitalized costs for the facility incurred through completion of the project were approximately $1.1 billion.

 

Wolf Hollow Generating Station. On August 24, 2011, Generation completed the acquisition of all of the equity interests of Wolf Hollow, LLC (Wolf Hollow), a combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant in north Texas, for a purchase price of $311 million which increased Generation’s owned capacity within the ERCOT power market by 704 MWs.

 

Significant Dispositions

 

Asset Divestitures. As of December 31, 2015, Generation has sold certain generating assets with total pre-tax proceeds of $1.8 billion (after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion). The proceeds are expected to be used primarily to finance a portion of the acquisition of PHI.

 

Maryland Clean Coal Stations. On November 30, 2012, a subsidiary of Generation sold the Brandon Shores generating station and H.A. Wagner generating station in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the C.P. Crane generating station in Baltimore County, Maryland to Raven Power Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Riverstone Holdings LLC to comply with certain of the regulatory approvals required by the merger with Constellation Energy Group, Inc. for net proceeds of approximately $371 million, which resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $272 million.

 

See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions and Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Generating Resources

 

At December 31, 2015, the generating resources of Generation consisted of the following:

 

Type of Capacity

   MW  

Owned generation assets (a)(b)

  

Nuclear

     19,460   

Fossil (primarily natural gas)

     9,682   

Renewable (c)

     3,599   
  

 

 

 

Owned generation assets

     32,741   

Long-term power purchase contracts

     7,419   
  

 

 

 

Total generating resources

     40,160   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) See “Fuel” for sources of fuels used in electric generation.
(b) Net generation capacity is stated at proportionate ownership share. See ITEM 2. PROPERTIES—Generation for additional information.
(c) Includes hydroelectric, wind, and solar generating assets.

 

Generation has six reportable segments, the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions, representing the different geographical areas in which Generation’s customer-facing activities are conducted and where Generation’s generating resources are located.

 

   

Mid-Atlantic represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of North Carolina (approximately 36% of capacity).

 

9


Table of Contents
   

Midwest represents operations in the western half of PJM, which includes portions of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee; and the United States footprint of MISO (excluding MISO’s Southern Region), which covers all or most of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the remaining parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not covered by PJM; and parts of Montana, Missouri and Kentucky (approximately 37% of capacity).

 

   

New England represents the operations within ISO-NE covering the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont (approximately 7% of capacity).

 

   

New York represents the operations within ISO-NY, which covers the state of New York in its entirety (approximately 3% of capacity).

 

   

ERCOT represents operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas, covering most of the state of Texas (approximately 11% of capacity).

 

   

Other Power Regions is an aggregate of regions not considered individually significant (approximately 6% of capacity).

 

See Note 25—Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on revenues from external customers and revenues net of purchased power and fuel expense for each of Generation’s reportable segments.

 

Nuclear Facilities

 

Generation has ownership interests in fourteen nuclear generating stations currently in service, consisting of 24 units with an aggregate of 19,460 MW of capacity. Generation wholly owns all of its nuclear generating stations, except for Quad Cities Generating Station (75% ownership), Peach Bottom Generating Station (50% ownership), and Salem Generating Station (Salem) (42.59% ownership), which are consolidated on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial statements relative to its proportionate ownership interest in each unit. In addition, Generation owns a 50.01% interest, collectively, in the CENG generating stations (Calvert Cliffs, Nine Mile Point [excluding LIPA’s 18% ownership interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2] and R.E. Ginna) which are 100% consolidated on Exelon and Generation’s financial statements as of April 1, 2014. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Generation’s nuclear generating stations are all operated by Generation, with the exception of the two units at Salem, which are operated by PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG Nuclear), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PSEG. In 2015, 2014 and 2013 electric supply (in GWh) generated from the nuclear generating facilities was 68%, 67% and 57%, respectively, of Generation’s total electric supply, which also includes fossil, hydroelectric and renewable generation and electric supply purchased for resale. The majority of this output was dispatched to support Generation’s wholesale and retail power marketing activities. See ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for further discussion of Generation’s electric supply sources.

 

Nuclear Operations. Capacity factors, which are significantly affected by the number and duration of refueling and non-refueling outages, can have a significant impact on Generation’s results of operations. As the largest generator of nuclear power in the United States, Generation can negotiate favorable terms for the materials and services that its business requires. Generation’s operations from its nuclear plants have historically had minimal environmental impact and the plants have a safe operating history.

 

10


Table of Contents

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, the nuclear generating facilities operated by Generation achieved capacity factors of 93.7%, 94.3% and 94.1%, respectively. The capacity factors reflect ownership percentage of stations operated by Generation and include CENG as of April 1, 2014. Generation manages its scheduled refueling outages to minimize their duration and to maintain high nuclear generating capacity factors, resulting in a stable generation base for Generation’s wholesale and retail marketing and trading activities. During scheduled refueling outages, Generation performs maintenance and equipment upgrades in order to minimize the occurrence of unplanned outages and to maintain safe, reliable operations.

 

In addition to the maintenance and equipment upgrades performed by Generation during scheduled refueling outages, Generation has extensive operating and security procedures in place to ensure the safe operation of the nuclear units. Generation has extensive safety systems in place to protect the plant, personnel and surrounding area in the unlikely event of an accident or other incident.

 

Regulation of Nuclear Power Generation. Generation is subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC with respect to the operation of its nuclear generating stations, including the licensing for operation of each unit. The NRC subjects nuclear generating stations to continuing review and regulation covering, among other things, operations, maintenance, emergency planning, security and environmental and radiological aspects of those stations. As part of its reactor oversight process, the NRC continuously assesses unit performance indicators and inspection results, and communicates its assessment on a semi-annual basis. As of January 6, 2016, the NRC categorized Clinton and Dresden unit 2 in the Regulatory Response Column, which is the second highest of five performance bands. All other units operated by Generation are categorized in the Licensee Response Column as of December 31, 2015, which is the highest performance band. The NRC may modify, suspend or revoke operating licenses and impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, the regulations under such Act or the terms of the operating licenses. Changes in regulations by the NRC may require a substantial increase in capital expenditures for nuclear generating facilities and/or increased operating costs of nuclear generating units.

 

On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that seriously damaged the nuclear units at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which are operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. In July 2011, an NRC Task Force formed in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi events issued a report of its review of the accident, including recommendations for future regulatory action by the NRC to be taken in the near and longer term. The Task Force’s report concluded that nuclear reactors in the United States are operating safely and do not present an imminent risk to public health and safety. The NRC and its staff have issued orders and implementation guidance for commercial reactor licensees operating in the United States. The NRC and its staff are continuing to evaluate additional requirements. For additional information on the NRC actions related to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the industry’s response, see ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Executive Overview.

 

11


Table of Contents

Licenses. Generation has 40-year operating licenses from the NRC for each of its nuclear units and has received 20-year operating license renewals for Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3, Dresden Units 2 and 3, Quad Cities Units 1 and 2, Oyster Creek Unit 1, Calvert Cliffs Units 1 and 2, Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, R.E. Ginna Unit 1, Three Mile Island Unit 1, Limerick Units 1 and 2, Byron Units 1 and 2 and Braidwood Units 1 and 2. Additionally, PSEG has 40-year operating licenses from the NRC and has received 20-year operating license renewals for Salem Units 1 and 2. On December 8, 2010, Exelon announced that Generation will permanently cease generation operations at Oyster Creek by December 31, 2019. The following table summarizes the current operating license expiration dates for Generation’s nuclear facilities in service:

 

Station

   Unit      In-Service
Date (a)
     Current License
Expiration
 

Braidwood (c)

     1         1988         2046   
     2         1988         2047   

Byron (c)

     1         1985         2044   
     2         1987         2046   

Calvert Cliffs (c)

     1         1975         2034   
     2         1977         2036   

Clinton (d)

     1         1987         2026   

Dresden (c)

     2         1970         2029   
     3         1971         2031   

LaSalle (b)

     1         1984         2022   
     2         1984         2023   

Limerick (c)

     1         1986         2044   
     2         1990         2049   

Nine Mile Point (c)

     1         1969         2029   
     2         1988         2046   

Oyster Creek (c)(e)

     1         1969         2029   

Peach Bottom (c)

     2         1974         2033   
     3         1974         2034   

Quad Cities (c)

     1         1973         2032   
     2         1973         2032   

R.E. Ginna (c)

     1         1970         2029   

Salem (c)

     1         1977         2036   
     2         1981         2040   

Three Mile Island (c)

     1         1974         2034   

 

(a) Denotes year in which nuclear unit began commercial operations.
(b) In December 2014, Generation submitted applications to the NRC to extend the operating licenses of LaSalle Units 1 and 2 by 20 years.
(c) Stations for which the NRC has issued renewed operating licenses.
(d) Although timing has been delayed, Generation currently plans to seek license renewal for Clinton and has advised the NRC that any license renewal application would not be filed until the first quarter of 2021.
(e) In December 2010, Exelon announced that Generation will permanently cease generation operations at Oyster Creek by December 31, 2019.

 

Generation currently has a license renewal application pending for LaSalle Units 1 and 2. Generation has advised the NRC that any license renewal application for Clinton would not be filed until the first quarter of 2021. The operating license renewal process takes approximately four to five years from the commencement of the renewal process until completion of the NRC’s review. The NRC review process takes approximately two years from the docketing of an application. Each requested license renewal is expected to be for 20 years beyond the original operating license expiration. Depreciation provisions are based on the estimated useful lives of the stations, which reflect the actual and assumed renewal of operating licenses for all of Generation’s operating nuclear generating stations except for Oyster Creek.

 

12


Table of Contents

In August 2012, Generation entered into an operating services agreement with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to provide operational and managerial support services for the Fort Calhoun Station and a licensing agreement for use of the Exelon Nuclear Management Model. The terms for both agreements are 20 years. OPPD will continue to own the plant and remain the NRC licensee.

 

Nuclear Uprate Program. Generation is engaged in individual projects as part of a planned power uprate program across its nuclear fleet. When economically viable, the projects take advantage of new production and measurement technologies, new materials and application of expertise gained from a half-century of nuclear power operations. Once all projects are completed in 2016, Generation will have placed in-service 538 MWs of new nuclear generation.

 

As of December 31, 2015, under the nuclear uprate program, Generation has placed into service projects representing 536 MWs of new nuclear generation at a cost of $1,436 million, which has been capitalized to property, plant and equipment on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Nuclear Waste Storage and Disposal. There are no facilities for the reprocessing or permanent disposal of SNF currently in operation in the United States, nor has the NRC licensed any such facilities. Generation currently stores all SNF generated by its nuclear generating facilities in on-site storage pools or in dry cask storage facilities. Since Generation’s SNF storage pools generally do not have sufficient storage capacity for the life of the respective plant, Generation has developed dry cask storage facilities to support operations.

 

As of December 31, 2015, Generation had approximately 75,800 SNF assemblies (18,800 tons) stored on site in SNF pools or dry cask storage (this includes SNF assemblies at Zion Station, for which Generation retains ownership even though the responsibility for decommissioning Zion Station has been assumed by another party; see Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Zion Station Decommissioning). All currently operating Generation-owned nuclear sites have on-site dry cask storage, except for Clinton and Three Mile Island, in which on-site dry cask storage will be in operation at Clinton in 2016 and is projected to be in operation at Three Mile Island in 2023. On-site dry cask storage in concert with on-site storage pools will be capable of meeting all current and future SNF storage requirements at Generation’s sites through the end of the license renewal periods and through decommissioning.

 

For a discussion of matters associated with Generation’s contracts with the DOE for the disposal of SNF, see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As a by-product of their operations, nuclear generating units produce LLRW. LLRW is accumulated at each generating station and permanently disposed of at licensed disposal facilities. The Federal Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 provides that states may enter into agreements to provide regional disposal facilities for LLRW and restrict use of those facilities to waste generated within the region. Illinois and Kentucky have entered into such an agreement, although neither state currently has an operational site and none is anticipated to be operational until after 2020.

 

Generation ships its Class A LLRW, which represents 93% of LLRW generated at its stations, to disposal facilities in Utah and South Carolina. The disposal facility in South Carolina at present is only receiving LLRW from LLRW generators in South Carolina, New Jersey (which includes Oyster Creek and Salem), and Connecticut.

 

Generation utilizes on-site storage capacity at all its stations to stage for shipping campaigns and store, as needed, Class B and Class C LLRW. Generation has a contract through 2032 to ship Class B

 

13


Table of Contents

and Class C LLRW to a disposal facility in Texas. The agreement provides for disposal of all current Class B and Class C LLRW currently stored at each station as well as the Class B and Class C LLRW generated during the term of the agreement. However, because the production of LLRW from Generation’s nuclear fleet will exceed the capacity at the Texas site (3.9 million curies for 15 years beginning in 2012), Generation will still be required to utilize on-site storage at its stations for Class B and Class C LLRW. Generation currently has enough storage capacity to store all Class B and C LLRW for the life of all stations in Generation’s nuclear fleet. Generation continues to pursue alternative disposal strategies for LLRW, including an LLRW reduction program to minimize cost impacts and on-site storage.

 

Nuclear Insurance. Generation is subject to liability, property damage and other risks associated with major incidents at any of its nuclear stations, including the CENG nuclear stations. Generation has reduced its financial exposure to these risks through insurance and other industry risk-sharing provisions. See “Nuclear Insurance” within Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

 

For information regarding property insurance, see ITEM 2. PROPERTIES—Generation. Generation is self-insured to the extent that any losses may exceed the amount of insurance maintained or are within the policy deductible for its insured losses. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

Decommissioning. NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in specified minimum amounts at the end of the life of the facility to decommission the facility. See ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Exelon Corporation, Executive Overview; ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, Nuclear Decommissioning, Asset Retirement Obligations and Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund Investments; and Note 3—Regulatory Matters, Note 12—Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Generation’s NDT funds and its decommissioning obligations.

 

Zion Station Decommissioning. On December 11, 2007, Generation entered into an Asset Sale Agreement (ASA) with EnergySolutions, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, EnergySolutions, LLC (EnergySolutions) and ZionSolutions, LLC (ZionSolutions) under which ZionSolutions assumed responsibility for decommissioning Zion Station, which is located in Zion, Illinois and ceased operation in 1998.

 

On September 1, 2010, Generation and EnergySolutions completed the transactions contemplated by the ASA. Specifically, Generation transferred to ZionSolutions substantially all of the assets (other than land) associated with Zion Station, including assets held in related NDT funds. In consideration for Generation’s transfer of those assets, ZionSolutions assumed decommissioning and other liabilities, excluding the obligation to dispose of SNF, associated with Zion Station. Pursuant to the ASA, ZionSolutions will periodically request reimbursement from the Zion Station-related NDT funds for costs incurred related to the decommissioning efforts at Zion Station. However, ZionSolutions is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to request reimbursement; specifically, if certain milestones as defined in the ASA are not met, all or a portion of requested reimbursements shall be deferred until such milestones are met. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Zion Station Decommissioning and see Note 2—Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of variable interest entity considerations related to ZionSolutions.

 

14


Table of Contents

Fossil and Renewable Facilities (including Hydroelectric)

 

Generation has ownership interests in 13,281 MW of capacity in fossil and renewable generating facilities currently in service. Generation wholly owns all of its fossil and renewable generating stations, with the exception of: (1) jointly owned facilities that include Wyman; (2) an ownership interest through an equity method investment in Sunnyside; (3) certain wind project entities with minority interest owners; and (4) an ownership interest in the Albany Green Energy, LLC project entity, see Note 2— Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these wind project entities. Generation’s fossil and renewable generating stations are all operated by Generation, with the exception of LaPorte, Sunnyside and Wyman, which are operated by third parties. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, electric supply (in GWh) generated from owned fossil and renewable generating facilities was 8%, 13% and 15%, respectively, of Generation’s total electric supply. The majority of this output was dispatched to support Generation’s wholesale and retail power marketing activities. For additional information regarding Generation’s electric generating facilities, see ITEM 2. PROPERTIES—Exelon Generation Company, LLC and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS— Exelon Corporation, Executive Overview for additional information on Generation Renewable Development.

 

Licenses. Fossil and renewable generation plants are generally not licensed, and, therefore, the decision on when to retire plants is, fundamentally, a commercial one. FERC has the exclusive authority to license most non-Federal hydropower projects located on navigable waterways or Federal lands, or connected to the interstate electric grid. On August 29, 2012 and August 30, 2012, Generation submitted hydroelectric license applications to the FERC for 46-year licenses for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (Conowingo) and the Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility Project (Muddy Run), respectively. On December 22, 2015, FERC issued a new 40-year license for Muddy Run. The license term expires on December 1, 2055. Based on the FERC procedural schedule, the FERC licensing process was not completed prior to the expiration of Conowingo’s license on September 1, 2014. FERC is required to issue an annual license for a facility until the new license is issued. On September 10, 2014, FERC issued an annual license for Conowingo, effective as of the expiration of the previous license. If FERC does not issue a new license prior to the expiration of annual license, the annual license will renew automatically. The stations are currently being depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which includes the license renewal period. Refer to Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Insurance. Generation maintains business interruption insurance for its renewable and fossil projects, and delay in start-up insurance for its renewable and fossil projects currently under construction. Generation does not purchase business interruption insurance for its wholly owned fossil and hydroelectric operations, unless required by financing agreements; see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on financing agreements. Generation maintains both property damage and liability insurance. For property damage and liability claims for these operations, Generation is self-insured to the extent that losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial condition and their results of operations and cash flows. For information regarding property insurance, see ITEM 2. PROPERTIES—Exelon Generation Company, LLC.

 

15


Table of Contents

Long-Term Power Purchase Contracts

 

In addition to energy produced by owned generation assets, Generation sources electricity and other related output from plants it does not own under long-term contracts. The following tables summarize Generation’s long-term contracts to purchase unit-specific physical power with an original term in excess of one year in duration, by region, in effect as of December 31, 2015:

 

Region

   Number of
Agreements
     Expiration Dates    Capacity (MW)  

Mid-Atlantic

     16       2016 - 2032      805   

Midwest

     7       2016 - 2022      1,536   

New England

     8       2016 - 2017      650   

ERCOT

     5       2020 - 2031      1,501   

Other Power Regions

     12       2016 - 2030      2,927   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

     48            7,419   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

     2016      2017      2018      2019      2020  

Capacity Expiring (MW)

     586         1,761         101         627         980   

 

Fuel

 

The following table shows sources of electric supply in GWh for 2015 and 2014:

 

     Source of Electric Supply  
           2015                  2014        

Nuclear (a)

     175,474         166,454   

Purchases—non-trading portfolio (b)

     61,592         48,200   

Fossil (primarily natural gas)

     14,937         26,324   

Renewable (c)

     5,982         6,429   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total supply

     257,985         247,407   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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). Nuclear generation for 2015 and 2014 includes physical volumes of 33,415 GWh and 25,053 GWh, respectively, for CENG.
(b) Purchased power for 2015 and 2014 includes physical volumes of 0 GWh and 5,346 GWh, respectively, as a result of the PPA with CENG. On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, 100% of CENG volumes are included in nuclear generation after April 1, 2014.
(c) Includes hydroelectric, wind, and solar generating assets.

 

The fuel costs per MWh for nuclear generation are less than those for fossil-fuel generation. Consequently, nuclear generation is generally the most cost-effective way for Generation to meet its wholesale and retail load servicing requirements.

 

The cycle of production and utilization of nuclear fuel includes the mining and milling of uranium ore into uranium concentrates, the conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride, the enrichment of the uranium hexafluoride and the fabrication of fuel assemblies. Generation has uranium concentrate inventory and supply contracts sufficient to meet all of its uranium concentrate requirements through 2018. Generation’s contracted conversion services are sufficient to meet all of its uranium conversion requirements through 2018. All of Generation’s enrichment requirements have been contracted through 2020. Contracts for fuel fabrication have been obtained through 2022. Generation does not anticipate difficulty in obtaining the necessary uranium concentrates or conversion, enrichment or fabrication services to meet the nuclear fuel requirements of its nuclear units.

 

16


Table of Contents

Natural gas is procured through long-term and short-term contracts, as well as spot-market purchases. Fuel oil inventories are managed so that in the winter months sufficient volumes of fuel are available in the event of extreme weather conditions and during the remaining months to take advantage of favorable market pricing.

 

Generation uses financial instruments to mitigate price risk associated with certain commodity price exposures. Generation also hedges forward price risk, using both over-the-counter and exchange-traded instruments. See ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS, ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding derivative financial instruments.

 

Power Marketing

 

Generation’s integrated business operations include the physical delivery and marketing of power obtained through its generation capacity and through long-term, intermediate-term and short-term contracts. Generation maintains an effective supply strategy through ownership of generation assets and power purchase and lease agreements. Generation has also contracted for access to additional generation through bilateral long-term PPAs. PPAs, including tolling agreements, are commitments related to power generation of specific generation plants and/or are dispatchable in nature similar to asset ownership depending on the type of underlying asset. Generation secures contracted generation as part of its overall strategic plan, with objectives such as obtaining low-cost energy supply sources to meet its physical delivery obligations to both wholesale and retail customers and assisting customers to meet renewable portfolio standards. Generation may also buy power in the market to meet the energy demand of its customers. Generation sells electricity, natural gas, and related products and solutions to various customers, including distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and commercial, industrial, governmental, and residential customers in competitive markets. Generation’s customer facing operations combine a unified sales force with a customer-centric model that leverages technology to broaden the range of products and solutions offered, which Generation believes promotes stronger customer relationships. This model focuses on efficiency and cost reduction, which provides a platform that is scalable and able to capitalize on opportunities for future growth.

 

Generation may purchase more than the energy demanded by its customers. Generation then sells this open position, along with capacity not used to meet customer demand, in the wholesale electricity markets. Where necessary, Generation also purchases transmission service to ensure that it has reliable transmission capacity to physically move its power supplies to meet customer delivery needs in markets without an organized RTO. Generation also incorporates contingencies into its planning for extreme weather conditions, including potentially reserving capacity to meet summer loads at levels representative of warmer-than-normal weather conditions. Additionally, Generation is involved in the development, exploration, and harvesting of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids properties (Upstream).

 

Price Supply Risk Management

 

Generation also manages the price and supply risks for energy and fuel associated with generation assets and the risks of power marketing activities. Generation implements a three-year ratable sales plan to align its hedging strategy with its financial objectives. Generation also enters into transactions that are outside of this ratable sales plan. Generation is exposed to commodity price risk in 2016 and beyond for portions of its electricity portfolio that are unhedged. Generation has been and will continue to be proactive in using hedging strategies to mitigate this risk in subsequent years. As of December 31, 2015, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the major reportable segments was 90%-93%, 60%-63% and 28%-31% for 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The percentage of expected generation hedged is the amount of equivalent sales divided by the expected generation.

 

17


Table of Contents

Expected generation is the volume of energy that best represents our commodity position in energy markets from owned or contracted for capacity 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 sales to ComEd, PECO and BGE to serve their retail load. A portion of Generation’s hedging strategy may be implemented through the use of fuel products based on assumed correlations between power and fuel prices, which routinely change in the market. The corporate risk management group and Exelon’s RMC monitor the financial risks of the wholesale and retail power marketing activities. Generation also uses financial and commodity contracts for proprietary trading purposes, but this activity accounts for only a small portion of Generation’s efforts. The proprietary trading portfolio is subject to a risk management policy that includes stringent risk management limits, including volume, stop-loss and value-at-risk limits, to manage exposure to market risk. See ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK for additional information.

 

At December 31, 2015, Generation’s short and long-term commitments relating to the purchase of energy and capacity from and to unaffiliated utilities and others were as follows:

 

(in millions)

   Net Capacity
Purchases (a)
     REC
Purchases (b)
     Transmission Rights
Purchases (c)
     Total  

2016

   $ 262       $ 229       $ 15       $ 506   

2017

     197         269         21         487   

2018

     92         115         23         230   

2019

     97         34         24         155   

2020

     40         1         16         57   

Thereafter

     221         1         35         257   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 909       $ 649       $ 134       $ 1,692   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Net capacity purchases include PPAs and other capacity contracts including those that are accounted for as operating leases. Amounts presented in the commitments represent Generation’s expected payments under these arrangements at December 31, 2015, net of fixed capacity payments expected to be received (“Capacity offsets”) by Generation under contracts to resell such acquired capacity to third parties under long-term capacity sale contracts. As of December 31, 2015, capacity offsets were $146 million, $149 million, $150 million, $151 million, $142 million, and $462 million for years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and thereafter, respectively. Expected payments include certain fixed capacity charges which may be reduced based on plant availability.
(b) The table excludes renewable energy purchases that are contingent in nature.
(c) Transmission rights purchases include estimated commitments for additional transmission rights that will be required to fulfill firm sales contracts.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Generation’s business is capital intensive and requires significant investments in nuclear fuel and energy generation assets and in other internal infrastructure projects. Generation’s estimated capital expenditures for 2016 are as follows:

 

(in millions)

      

Nuclear fuel (a)(b)

   $ 1,150   

Growth

     1,350   

Production plant (b)

     950   

Renewable energy projects

     25   

Other

     125   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,600   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes Generation’s share of the investment in nuclear fuel for the co-owned Salem plant.
(b) Includes the CENG units on a fully consolidated basis.

 

18


Table of Contents

ComEd

 

ComEd is engaged principally in the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity distribution and transmission services to retail customers in northern Illinois. ComEd is a public utility under the Illinois Public Utilities Act subject to regulation by the ICC related to distribution rates and service, the issuance of securities and certain other aspects of ComEd’s business. ComEd is a public utility under the Federal Power Act subject to regulation by FERC related to transmission rates and certain other aspects of ComEd’s business. Specific operations of ComEd are also subject to the jurisdiction of various other Federal, state, regional and local agencies. Additionally, ComEd is subject to NERC mandatory reliability standards.

 

ComEd’s franchises are sufficient to permit it to engage in the business it now conducts. ComEd’s franchise rights are generally nonexclusive rights documented in agreements and, in some cases, certificates of public convenience issued by the ICC. With few exceptions, the franchise rights have stated expiration dates ranging from 2016 to 2066. ComEd anticipates working with the appropriate governmental bodies to extend or replace the franchise agreements prior to expiration.

 

PECO

 

PECO is engaged principally in the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity distribution and transmission services to retail customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, including the City of Philadelphia, as well as the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of gas distribution services to retail customers in the Pennsylvania counties surrounding the City of Philadelphia. PECO is a public utility under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code subject to regulation by the PAPUC related to electric and gas distribution rates and service, the issuances of certain securities and certain other aspects of PECO’s business. PECO is a public utility under the Federal Power Act subject to regulation by FERC related to transmission rates and certain other aspects of PECO’s business and by the U.S. Department of Transportation related to pipeline safety and other areas of gas operations. Specific operations of PECO are subject to the jurisdiction of various other Federal, state, regional and local agencies. Additionally, PECO is also subject to NERC mandatory reliability standards.

 

PECO has the necessary authorizations to provide regulated electric and natural gas distribution services in the various municipalities or territories in which it now supplies such services. PECO’s authorizations consist of charter rights and certificates of public convenience issued by the PAPUC and/or “grandfathered rights,” with all of such rights generally unlimited as to time and generally exclusive from competition from other electric and natural gas utilities. In a few defined municipalities, PECO’s natural gas service territory authorizations overlap with that of another natural gas utility; however, PECO does not consider those situations as posing a material competitive or financial threat.

 

BGE

 

BGE is engaged principally in the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity distribution and transmission services to retail customers in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore, as well as the purchase and regulated retail sale of natural gas and the provision of gas distribution services to retail customers in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore. BGE is a public utility under the Public Utilities Article of the Maryland Annotated Code subject to regulation by the MDPSC related to electric and gas distribution rates and service, the issuances of certain securities and certain other aspects of BGE’s business. BGE is a public utility under the Federal Power Act subject to regulation by FERC related to transmission rates and certain other aspects of BGE’s business and by the U.S. Department of Transportation related to pipeline safety and other areas of gas operations. Specific operations of BGE are subject to the jurisdiction of various other Federal, state, regional and local agencies. Additionally, BGE is also subject to NERC mandatory reliability standards.

 

19


Table of Contents

BGE has the necessary authorizations to provide regulated electric and natural gas distribution services in the various municipalities and territories in which it now supplies such services. With respect to electric distribution service, BGE’s authorizations consist of charter rights, a state-wide franchise grant and a franchise grant from the City of Baltimore. The franchise rights are nonexclusive and are perpetual. With respect to natural gas distribution service, BGE’s authorizations consist of charter rights, a perpetual state-wide franchise grant and franchises granted by all the municipalities and/or governmental bodies in which BGE now supplies services. The franchise grants are not exclusive; some are perpetual and some are for a limited duration, which BGE anticipates being able to extend or replace prior to expiration.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

Utility Operations

 

Service Territories. The following table presents the size of retail service territories, populations of each retail service territory and the number of retail customers within each retail service territory for ComEd, PECO and BGE as of December 31, 2015:

 

     Retail Service Territories
(in square miles)
     Retail Service Territory  Population
(in millions)
     Number of Retail Customers
(in millions)
 
     Total      Electric      Natural gas      Total     Electric      Natural gas      Total      Electric      Natural gas  

ComEd

     11,400         11,400         n/a         9.0 (a)      9.0         n/a         3.8         3.8         n/a   

PECO

     2,100         1,900         1,900         4.6 (b)      4.0         3.1         2.1         1.6         0.5   

BGE

     2,300         2,300         800         3.0 (c)      3.0         1.7         1.3         1.3         0.7   

 

(a) Includes approximately 2.8 million in the city of Chicago.
(b) Includes approximately 1.6 million in the city of Philadelphia.
(c) Includes approximately 0.6 million in the city of Baltimore.

 

Peak Deliveries. ComEd, PECO and BGE electric sales and peak load are generally higher during the summer and winter months, when temperature extremes create demand for either summer cooling or winter heating. For PECO and BGE, natural gas sales are generally higher during the winter months when cold temperatures create demand for winter heating.

 

The following table summarizes peak deliveries for ComEd, PECO and BGE for electric and gas deliveries during peak demand months as of December 31, 2015:

 

     Electric Peak Deliveries
(in GW)
     Natural Gas Peak Deliveries
(in mmcfs)
 
     Summer
peak date
     Summer
deliveries
     Winter peak
date
     Winter
deliveries
         Winter peak    
date
     Winter
    deliveries    
 

ComEd

     7/20/2011         23.75         1/6/2014         16.51         n/a         n/a   

PECO

     7/22/2011         8.98         1/7/2014         7.17         2/15/2015         777   

BGE

     7/21/2011         7.23         2/20/2015         6.71         2/19/2015         777   

 

Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Services. ComEd, PECO and BGE are allowed to recover reasonable costs and fair and prudent capital expenditures associated with electric and natural gas distribution services and earn a return on those capital expenditures, subject to commission approval. ComEd recovers costs through a performance-based rate formula, pursuant to EIMA. ComEd is required to file an update to the performance-based rate formula on an annual basis. PECO’s and BGE’s electric and gas distribution costs are recovered through traditional rate case proceedings. In certain instances, ComEd, PECO and BGE use specific recovery mechanisms as approved by the ICC, PAPUC, and MDPSC, respectively.

 

20


Table of Contents

Through the ICC, ComEd is obligated to deliver electricity to customers in their respective service territories and also retain significant default service obligations (referred to as POLR) to provide electricity to certain groups of customers in their respective service areas who do not choose a competitive electric generation supplier. Through the PAPUC and MDPSC, PECO and BGE, respectively, are obligated to deliver electricity and natural gas to customers in their respective service territories and also retain significant default service obligations (referred to as DSP and SOS for electric and PGC and MBR for natural gas, respectively) to provide electricity or natural gas to certain groups of customers in their respective service areas who do not choose a competitive electric generation supplier or a competitive natural gas supplier. ComEd is permitted to recover electric costs, and PECO and BGE are permitted to recover electric and natural gas procurement costs from retail customers. Therefore, fluctuations in electric and natural gas procurement costs have no impact on electric and natural gas revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense.

 

ComEd customers have the choice to purchase electricity, and PECO and BGE customers have the choice to purchase electricity and natural gas from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers. The customer’s choice of suppliers does not impact the volume of deliveries, but affects revenues collected from customers related to supplied energy and natural gas service. Customer choice program activity has no impact on electric and gas revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense. For those customers that choose a competitive electric generation or natural gas supplier, ComEd, PECO and BGE may act as the billing agent but do not record revenues or purchased power and fuel expense related to the electric and natural gas procurement costs. ComEd, PECO and BGE remain the distribution service providers for all customers in their respective service territories and charge a regulated rate for distribution service.

 

Retail customers participating in customer choice programs, and retail deliveries purchased from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers (as a percentage of GWh and mmcf sales, respectively) for ComEd, PECO and BGE consisted of the following at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     December 31, 2015  
     Number of retail customers      % of total retail customers     Deliveries as a % of retail sales
(for the year ended)
 
         Electric              Natural gas              Electric             Natural gas             Electric             Natural gas      

ComEd (a)

     1,655,400         n/a         42     n/a        76     n/a   

PECO

     563,400         81,100         35     16     70     25

BGE

     343,000         154,000         27     23     61     56
     December 31, 2014  
     Number of retail customers      % of total retail customers     Deliveries as a % of retail sales
(for the year ended)
 
     Electric      Natural gas      Electric     Natural gas     Electric     Natural gas  

ComEd

     2,426,900         n/a         63     n/a        80     n/a   

PECO

     546,900         78,400         34     16     70     22

BGE

     364,000         161,000         29     25     60     53
     December 31, 2013  
     Number of retail customers      % of total retail customers     Deliveries as a % of retail sales
(for the year ended)
 
     Electric      Natural gas      Electric     Natural gas     Electric     Natural gas  

ComEd

     2,630,200         n/a         68     n/a        81     n/a   

PECO

     531,500         66,400         34     13     68     19

BGE

     399,000         172,000         32     26     61     54

 

(a) In September 2015, the City of Chicago discontinued its participation in the customer choice program and began purchasing its electricity from ComEd. Approximately 670,000 customers were impacted by the City of Chicago’s decision which resulted in the reduction in the number of customers participating in customer choice programs in 2015.

 

21


Table of Contents

Procurement-Related Proceedings. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s electric supply for its customers is primarily procured through contracts as required by the ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC, respectively. ComEd, PECO and BGE procure electricity supply from various approved bidders, including Generation. Charges incurred for electric supply procured through contracts with Generation are included in Purchased power from affiliates on ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

PECO’s and BGE’s natural gas supplies are purchased from a number of suppliers for terms of up to three years. PECO and BGE have annual firm supply from transportation contracts of 132,000 mmcf and 128,000 mmcf, respectively. In addition, to supplement gas supply at times of heavy winter demands and in the event of temporary emergencies, PECO and BGE have available storage capacity from the following sources:

 

     Peak Natural Gas Sources (in mmcf)  
     Liquefied Natural
Gas Facility
     Propane-Air Plant      Underground Storage
Service Agreements (a)
 

PECO

     1,200         150         18,000   

BGE

     1,055         546         22,000   

 

(a) Natural gas from underground storage represents approximately 28% and 31% of PECO and BGE’s 2015-2016 heating season planned supplies, respectively.

 

PECO and BGE have long-term interstate pipeline contracts and also participate in the interstate markets by releasing pipeline capacity or bundling pipeline capacity with gas for off-system sales. Off-system gas sales are low-margin direct sales of gas to wholesale suppliers of natural gas. Earnings from these activities are shared between the utilities and customers. PECO and BGE make these sales as part of a program to balance its supply and cost of natural gas.

 

Energy Efficiency Programs. ComEd, PECO and BGE are also allowed to recover costs associated with energy efficiency and demand response programs. Each commission approved program seeks to meet mandated electric consumption reduction targets and implement demand response measures to reduce peak demand. The programs are designed to meet standards required by each respective regulatory agency.

 

Capital Investment. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s businesses are capital intensive and requires significant investments, primarily in electric transmission and distribution and natural gas transportation and distribution facilities, to ensure the adequate capacity, reliability and efficiency of its system. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s most recent estimates of capital expenditures for plant additions and improvements for 2016 are $2,425 million, $675 million and $825 million, respectively.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE each have ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC, respectively, approved smart meter and smart grid deployment programs to enhance their distribution systems. The following table summarizes ComEd’s smart meter and PECO’s and BGE’s smart meter and smart grid technology spending and meter installations as of December 31, 2015:

 

     December 31, 2015  
     Total Spend from
Inception to Date
     Total Meters to be Installed      Meters Installed to Date  
    

 

     (in millions)     

 

 
     Projected      Actual      Electric      Natural gas      Electric      Natural gas  

ComEd (a)

   $ 2,615       $ 1,526         4.0         n/a         2.0         n/a   

PECO (b)

     818         803         1.7         0.5         1.7         0.5   

BGE (c)

     527         512         1.3         0.7         1.2         0.6   

 

22


Table of Contents

 

(a) ComEd has committed to invest approximately $2.6 billion over a ten year period to modernize and storm-harden its distribution system and to implement smart grid technology. These amounts represent capital expenditures associated with ComEd’s commitment.
(b) PECO will seek recovery of costs associated with PECO’s gas AMI through the traditional rate case process.
(c) BGE is seeking recovery of its smart grid initiative costs as part of its 2015 electric and gas distribution rate case. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Transmission Services. ComEd, PECO and BGE provide unbundled transmission service under rates approved by FERC. FERC has used its regulation of transmission to encourage competition for wholesale generation services and the development of regional structures to facilitate regional wholesale markets. Under FERC’s open access transmission policy promulgated in Order No. 888, ComEd, PECO and BGE, as owners of transmission facilities, are required to provide open access to their transmission facilities under filed tariffs at cost-based rates. ComEd, PECO and BGE are required to comply with FERC’s Standards of Conduct regulation governing the communication of non-public information between the transmission owner’s employees and wholesale merchant employees.

 

PJM is the ISO and the FERC-approved RTO for the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. PJM is the transmission provider under, and the administrator of, the PJM Open Access Transmission Tariff (PJM Tariff). PJM operates the PJM energy, capacity and other markets, and, through central dispatch, controls the day-to-day operations of the bulk power system for the PJM region. ComEd, PECO and BGE are members of PJM and provide regional transmission service pursuant to the PJM Tariff. ComEd, PECO, BGE and the other transmission owners in PJM have turned over control of their transmission facilities to PJM, and their transmission systems are currently under the dispatch control of PJM. Under the PJM Tariff, transmission service is provided on a region-wide, open-access basis using the transmission facilities of the PJM members at rates based on the costs of transmission service.

 

ComEd’s and BGE’s transmission rates are established based on a formula that was approved by FERC in January 2008 and April 2006, respectively. FERC’s order establishes the agreed-upon treatment of costs and revenues in the determination of network service transmission rates and the process for updating the formula rate calculation on an annual basis.

 

PECO’s customers are charged for PECO’s PJM retail transmission services on a full and current basis through a Transmission Service Charge (applicable to default service only) and through a Non-Bypassable Transmission Charge (applicable to all distribution customers) in accordance with PECO’s approved distribution rates.

 

See Note 3Regulatory Matters, Note 25—Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Liquidity and Capital Resources for further information.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon and its subsidiaries had 29,762 employees in the following companies, of which 9,649 or 32% were covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs):

 

     IBEW Local 15  (a)      IBEW Local 614  (b)      Other CBAs  (c)      Total Employees
Covered by  CBAs
     Total
Employees
 

Generation

     1,688         102         2,424         4,214         14,512   

ComEd

     3,996         —           —           3,996         6,765   

PECO

     —           1,327         —           1,327         2,641   

BGE

     —           —           —           —           3,293   

Other (d)

     69         —           43         112         2,551   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,753         1,429         2,467         9,649         29,762   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23


Table of Contents

 

(a) A separate CBA between ComEd and IBEW Local 15 covers approximately 61 employees in ComEd’s System Services Group and was extended to April 1, 2016. Generation’s and ComEd’s separate CBAs with IBEW Local 15 expires in 2019.
(b) 1,327 PECO craft and call center employees in the Philadelphia service territory are covered by CBAs with IBEW Local 614, both expiring in 2021. Additionally, Exelon Power, an operating unit of Generation, has an agreement with IBEW Local 614, which expires in 2016 and covers 102 employees.
(c) During 2015, Generation finalized its CBA with Clinton Local 51 which will expire in 2020; its two CBAs with Local 369 at Mystic 7 and Mystic 8/9, both expiring in 2020; and four Security Officer unions at Braidwood, Byron, Clinton and TMI, all expiring between 2018 and 2021, respectively. During 2014, Generation finalized CBAs with TMI Local 777 and Oyster Creek Local 1289, expiring in 2019 and 2021, respectively and CENG finalized its CBA with Nine Mile Point which will expire in 2020. Additionally, during 2014, Generation finalized CBAs with the Security Officer unions at Dresden, LaSalle, Limerick and Quad Cities, which expire between 2017 and 2018. Lastly, during 2014, an agreement was negotiated with Las Vegas District Energy and IUOE Local 501, which will expire in 2018. During 2013, Generation finalized its CBA with the Security Officer union at Oyster Creek, expiring in 2016; as well as two other 3-year agreements: New England ENEH, UWUA Local 369, which will expire in 2017; and New Energy IUOE Local 95-95A, which will expire in 2016.
(d) Other includes shared services employees at BSC.

 

Environmental Regulation

 

General

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE are subject to comprehensive and complex legislation regarding environmental matters by the federal government and various state and local jurisdictions in which they operate their facilities. The Registrants are also subject to regulations administered by the EPA and various state and local environmental protection agencies. Federal, state and local regulation includes the authority to regulate air, water, and solid and hazardous waste disposal.

 

The Exelon Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the management of environmental matters. Exelon has a management team to address environmental compliance and strategy, including the CEO; the Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Sustainability Officer; the Corporate Environmental Strategy Director and the Environmental Regulatory Strategy Director, as well as senior management of Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE. Performance of those individuals directly involved in environmental compliance and strategy is reviewed and affects compensation as part of the annual individual performance review process. The Exelon Board of Directors has delegated to its corporate governance committee the authority to oversee Exelon’s compliance with laws and regulations and its strategies and efforts to protect and improve the quality of the environment, including Exelon’s climate change and sustainability policies and programs, as discussed in further detail below. The Exelon Board of Directors has also delegated to its Generation Oversight Committee the authority to oversee environmental, health and safety issues relating to Generation. The respective Boards of ComEd, PECO and BGE, which each include directors who also serve on the Exelon Board of Directors, oversee environmental, health and safety issues related to ComEd, PECO and BGE.

 

Air Quality

 

Air quality regulations promulgated by the EPA and the various state and local environmental agencies in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act impose restrictions on emission of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury and other pollutants and require permits for operation of emissions sources. Such permits have been obtained by Exelon’s subsidiaries and must be renewed periodically. The Clean Air Act establishes a comprehensive and complex national program to substantially reduce air pollution from power plants.

 

See ITEM 7.—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for additional information regarding clean air regulation in the forms of the CSAPR, the regulation of hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired electric generating facilities under MATS, and regulation of GHG emissions.

 

24


Table of Contents

Water Quality

 

Under the Clean Water Act, NPDES permits for discharges into waterways are required to be obtained from the EPA or from the state environmental agency to which the permit program has been delegated and must be renewed periodically. Certain of Generation’s power generation facilities discharge industrial wastewater into waterways and are therefore subject to these regulations and operate under NPDES permits or pending applications for renewals of such permits after being granted an administrative extension. Generation is also subject to the jurisdiction of certain other state and regional agencies and compacts, including the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

 

Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act. 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 changes to the existing regulations. For Generation, those facilities are Calvert Cliffs, Clinton, Dresden, Eddystone, Fairless Hills, Ginna, Gould Street, Handley, Mountain Creek, Mystic 7, Nine Mile Point Unit 1, Oyster Creek, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, Riverside, Salem and Schuylkill.

 

On October 14, 2014, the EPA’s final Section 316(b) rule became effective. The rule requires that a series of studies and analyses be performed to determine the best technology available to minimize adverse impacts on aquatic life, followed by an implementation period for the selected technology. The timing of the various requirements for each facility is related to the status of its current NPDES permit and the subsequent renewal period. There is no fixed compliance schedule, as this is left to the discretion of the state permitting director.

 

Until the compliance requirements are determined by the applicable state permitting director on a site-specific basis for each plant, Generation cannot estimate the effect that compliance with the rule will have on the operation of its generating facilities and its future results of operations, cash flows, and financial position. Should a state permitting director determine that a facility must install cooling towers to comply with the rule, that facility’s economic viability would be called into question. However, the potential impact of the rule has been significantly reduced since the final rule does not mandate cooling towers as a national standard and sets forth technologies that are presumptively compliant, and the state permitting director is required to apply a cost-benefit test and can take into consideration site-specific factors.

 

New York Facilities. In July 2011, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a policy regarding the best available technology for cooling water intake structures. Through its policy, the DEC established closed-cycle cooling or its equivalent as the performance goal for all existing facilities, but also provided that the DEC will select a feasible technology whose costs are not wholly disproportionate to the environmental benefits to be gained and allows for a site-specific determination where the entrainment performance goal cannot be achieved. The Ginna and Nine Mile Point Unit 1 power generation facilities received renewals of their state water discharge permits in 2014.

 

Salem. In June 2001, the NJDEP issued a renewed NPDES permit for Salem, expiring in July 2006, allowing for the continued operation of Salem with its existing cooling water system. In February 2006, PSEG filed a renewal application with the NJDEP allowing Salem to continue operating under its existing NPDES permit until a new permit was issued. On June 30, 2015, NJDEP issued a draft NPDES permit for Salem. The draft permit does not require installation of cooling towers and allows Salem to continue to operate utilizing the existing once-through cooling water system with certain required system modifications. The draft permit was subject to a public notice and comment period and the NJDEP may make revisions before issuing the final permit expected during the first half of 2016.

 

25


Table of Contents

Solid and Hazardous Waste

 

CERCLA provides for immediate response and removal actions coordinated by the EPA in the event of threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment and authorizes the EPA either to clean up sites at which hazardous substances have created actual or potential environmental hazards or to order persons responsible for the situation to do so. Under CERCLA, generators and transporters of hazardous substances, as well as past and present owners and operators of hazardous waste sites, are strictly, jointly and severally liable for the cleanup costs of waste at sites, most of which are listed by the EPA on the National Priorities List (NPL). These PRPs can be ordered to perform a cleanup, can be sued for costs associated with an EPA-directed cleanup, may voluntarily settle with the EPA concerning their liability for cleanup costs, or may voluntarily begin a site investigation and site remediation under state oversight prior to listing on the NPL. Various states, including Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania, have also enacted statutes that contain provisions substantially similar to CERCLA. In addition, RCRA governs treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and cleanup of sites where such activities were conducted.

 

Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE and their subsidiaries are, or are likely to become, parties to proceedings initiated by the EPA, state agencies and/or other responsible parties under CERCLA and RCRA with respect to a number of sites, including MGP sites, or may undertake to investigate and remediate sites for which they may be subject to enforcement actions by an agency or third-party.

 

See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding solid and hazardous waste regulation and legislation.

 

Environmental Remediation

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s environmental liabilities primarily arise from contamination at former MGP sites. ComEd, pursuant to an ICC order, and PECO, pursuant to settlements of natural gas distribution rate cases with the PAPUC, have an on-going process to recover environmental remediation costs of the MGP sites through a provision within customer rates. While BGE does not have a rider for MGP clean-up costs, BGE has historically received recovery of actual clean-up costs on a site-specific basis in distribution rates. The amount to be expended in 2016 at Exelon for compliance with environmental remediation related to contamination at former MGP sites and other gas purification sites is expected to total $38 million, consisting of $32 million and $6 million respectively, at ComEd and PECO.

 

Generation’s environmental liabilities primarily arise from contamination at current and former generation and waste storage facilities. As of December 31, 2015, Generation has established an appropriate liability to comply with environmental remediation requirements including contamination attributable to low level radioactive residues at a storage and reprocessing facility named Latty Avenue, and at a disposal facility named West Lake Landfill, both near St. Louis, Missouri related to operations conducted by Cotter Corporation, a former ComEd subsidiary.

 

In addition, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE may be required to make significant additional expenditures not presently determinable for other environmental remediation costs.

 

See Notes 3—Regulatory Matters and 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Registrants’ environmental remediation efforts and related impacts to the Registrants’ results of operations, cash flows and financial positions.

 

26


Table of Contents

Global Climate Change

 

Exelon believes the evidence of global climate change is compelling and that the energy industry, though not alone, is a significant contributor to the human-caused emissions of GHGs that many in the scientific community believe contribute to global climate change, and as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their Fifth Assessment Report Summary for Policy Makers issued in September 2013. Exelon, as a producer of electricity from predominantly low-carbon generating facilities (such as nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar photovoltaic), has a relatively small GHG emission profile, or carbon footprint, compared to other domestic generators of electricity. By virtue of its significant investment in low-carbon intensity assets, Generation’s emission intensity, or rate of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted per unit of electricity generated, is among the lowest in the industry. Exelon does produce GHG emissions, primarily at its natural gas-fired generating plants; CO2, methane and nitrous oxide are all emitted in this process, with CO2 representing the largest portion of these GHG emissions. GHG emissions from combustion of fossil fuels represent the majority of Exelon’s direct GHG emissions in 2015, although only a small portion of Exelon’s electric supply is from fossil generating plants. Other GHG emission sources at Exelon include natural gas (methane) leakage on the natural gas systems, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) leakage in its electric transmission and distribution operations and refrigerant leakage from its chilling and cooling equipment as well as fossil fuel combustion in its motor vehicles and fossil fuel generation of electricity used to power its facilities. Despite its focus on low-carbon generation, Exelon believes its operations could be significantly affected by the possible physical risks of climate change and by mandatory programs to reduce GHG emissions. See ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS for information regarding the market and financial, regulatory and legislative, and operational risks associated with climate change.

 

Climate Change Regulation. Exelon is, or may become, subject to climate change regulation or legislation at the Federal, regional and state levels.

 

International Climate Change Regulation. At the international level, the United States is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Parties to the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement at the 21st session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 21) on December 12, 2015. The Paris Agreement defines the UNFCCC’s objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. All Parties are required to develop their own national emission reductions and to update those reductions at least every five years. The Developed Country Parties, including the United States, are required to take the lead by undertaking economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets. The United States had previously submitted its national emission reductions to achieve a 2020 target of reducing net emissions in the range of 17% below the 2005 level and to achieve net greenhouse gas emission reductions of 26%—28% below the 2005 level by 2025. The United States has indicated that it intends to achieve these reductions through a variety of mechanisms, including regulations to cut carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. The Paris Agreement will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date on which at least 55 Parties accounting for at least an estimated 55% of total global greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the Agreement.

 

Federal Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. It is highly uncertain that Federal legislation to reduce GHG emissions will be enacted. If such legislation is adopted, Exelon may incur costs either to further limit or offset the GHG emissions from its operations or to procure emission allowances or credits. In June 2013, the White House released the President’s Climate Action Plan which consists of a wide variety of executive actions targeting GHG reductions, preparing for the impacts of climate change and showing leadership internationally; but the plan did not directly trigger any new requirements or legislative action.

 

The EPA is addressing the issue of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions regulation for new and existing electric generating units through the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) under

 

27


Table of Contents

Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. Pursuant to the Climate Action Plan, President Obama directed the EPA to regulate new and modified fossil fired generating units under Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act. The EPA finalized the rule in August 2015, and the final rule has been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

 

Under the President’s memorandum, the EPA was also required to finalize a rule to establish CO2 emission reduction requirements for existing fossil-fuel generating stations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The final rule, known as the Clean Power Plan, became effective on December 22, 2015. The rule sets GHG emission reduction targets for each state, with reductions beginning in 2022, and the target achieved by 2030. States must submit an implementation plan to the EPA by September 2016, unless granted an extension of up to two years. States are granted latitude to select from a number of compliance options, which are designed to achieve the reductions in the most cost-effective manner. The final rule has been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. On February 9, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of the Clean Power Plan until the disposition of the petitions challenging the rule now before the Court of Appeals, and, if such petitions are filed in the future, before the U.S. Supreme Court. While the ultimate impact of the Clean Power Plan rule is expected to be favorable, Exelon and Generation cannot at this time predict to what extent the states’ actions to comply with the Clean Power Plan’s emission reduction targets will impact their future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Regional and State Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. After a two-year program review, the nine northeast and mid-Atlantic states currently participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative (RGGI) released an updated RGGI Model Rule and Program Review Recommendations Summary on February 7, 2013. Under the updated RGGI program the regional RGGI CO2 budget was reduced, starting in 2014, from its previous 165 million ton level to 91 million tons, with a 25 percent reduction in the cap level each year from 2015 through 2020. Included in the program are provisions for cost containment reserve (CCR) allowances, which will become available if the total demand for allowances, above the CCR trigger price, exceeds the number of CO2 allowances available for purchase at auction. (CCR trigger prices are $6 in 2015, $8 in 2016 and $10 in 2017; after 2017 the CCR price increases by 2.5 percent each year). Such an outcome could put modest upward pressure on wholesale power prices; however, the specifics are currently uncertain.

 

At the state level, the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group, created by Executive Order 2006-11 on October 5, 2006, made its final recommendations on September 6, 2007 to meet the Governor’s GHG reduction goals. At this time, the only requirements imposed by the state of Illinois are the energy efficiency and renewable portfolio standards in the Illinois Power Act that apply to ComEd.

 

On December 18, 2009, Pennsylvania issued the state’s final Climate Change Action Plan. The plan sets as a target a 30 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2020. The Climate Change Advisory Committee continues to meet quarterly to review Climate Action Work Plans for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The Climate Change Action Plan does not impose any requirements on Generation or PECO at this time.

 

The Maryland Commission on Climate Change was chartered in 2007 and released a greenhouse gas reduction strategy with 42 recommendations on August 27, 2008. The plan’s primary policy recommendation to formally adopt science-based regulatory goals to reduce Maryland’s GHG emissions was realized with the passage of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009 (GGRA) which requires Maryland to reduce its GHG emissions by 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. It also directed the Maryland Department of Environment to prepare and implement an action plan which was published in October of 2013. Maryland’s electricity consumption reduction goals, required under the “EmPOWER Maryland” program, and mandatory State participation in RGGI Program, are listed as the energy sector’s contribution in the plan. The plan also advocated raising the renewable portfolio standard requirement from 20% by 2022 to 25% by 2022. The Department of Environment was required to submit a December 2015 report to the Governor and General Assembly

 

28


Table of Contents

on progress towards the 25% mandate; its costs and benefits; the need for target adjustments; and the status of federal programs. In 2016, the Legislature will review the progress report, its economic impacts on manufacturing sector and other information and determine whether to continue, adjust or eliminate the requirement to achieve a 25% reduction by 2020.

 

Exelon’s Voluntary Climate Change Efforts. In a world increasingly concerned about global climate change and regulatory action to reduce GHG, Exelon’s low-carbon generating fleet is seen by management as a competitive advantage. Exelon remains one of the largest, lowest carbon electric generators in the United States: nuclear for base load, natural gas for marginal and peak demand, hydro and pumped storage, and supplemental wind and solar renewables. As further legislation and regulation imposing requirements on emissions of GHG and air pollutants are promulgated, Exelon’s low-carbon, low-emission generation fleet will position the company to benefit from its comparative advantage over other generation fleets.

 

Renewable and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards

 

Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have adopted some form of RPS requirement. Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland have laws specifically addressing energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. In addition to state level activity, RPS legislation has been considered and may be considered again in the future by the United States Congress. Also, states that currently do not have RPS requirements may adopt such legislation in the future.

 

Illinois utilities are required to procure cost-effective renewable energy resources in amounts that equal or exceed 2% of the total electricity that each electric utility supplies to its eligible retail customers. ComEd is also required to acquire amounts of renewable energy resources to cumulatively increase this percentage to at least 10% by June 1, 2015 and an ultimate target of at least 25% by June 1, 2025. All goals are subject to rate impact criteria set forth by Illinois legislation. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd had purchased sufficient renewable energy resources or equivalents, such as RECs, to comply with the Illinois legislation. ComEd currently retires all RECs upon transfer and acceptance. ComEd is permitted to recover procurement costs of RECs from retail customers without mark-up through rates.

 

The AEPS Act became effective for PECO on January 1, 2011. During 2015, PECO was required to supply approximately 5.0% of electric energy generated from Tier I alternative energy resources (including solar, wind power, low-impact hydropower, geothermal energy, biologically derived methane gas, fuel cells, biomass energy, coal mine methane and black liquor generated within Pennsylvania), as measured in AECs, through May 31, 2015 and subsequently 5.5% beginning June 1, 2015 and continuing through May 31, 2016. PECO was also required to supply 6.2% of electric energy generated from Tier II alternative energy resources (including waste coal, demand-side management, large-scale hydropower, municipal solid waste, generation of electricity utilizing wood and by-products of the pulping process and wood, distributed generation systems and integrated combined coal gasification technology), as measured in AECs, through May 31, 2015 and subsequently 8.2% beginning June 1, 2015 and continuing through May 31, 2016. The compliance requirements will incrementally escalate to 8.0% for Tier I and 10.0% for Tier II by 2021. In order to comply with these requirements, PECO entered into agreements with varying terms with accepted bidders, including Generation, to purchase non-solar Tier I, solar Tier 1 and Tier II AECs. PECO also purchases AECs through its DSP Program full requirement contracts.

 

Section 7-703 of the Public Utilities Article in Maryland sets forth the RPS requirement, which applies to all retail electricity sales in Maryland by electricity suppliers. The RPS requirement requires that suppliers obtain a specified percentage of the electricity it sells from Tier 1 sources (solar, wind, biomass, methane, geothermal, ocean, fuel cell, small hydroelectric, and poultry litter) and Tier 2

 

29


Table of Contents

sources (hydroelectric, other than pump storage generation, and waste-to-energy). The RPS requirement began in 2006, requiring that suppliers procure 1.0% and 2.5% from Tier 1 and Tier 2 sources, respectively, escalating in 2022 to 22.0% from Tier 1 sources, including at least 2.0% from solar energy, and a phase out of Tier 2 resource options by 2022. In 2015, 10.5% was required from Tier 1 renewable sources, including at least 0.5% derived from solar energy and 2.5% from Tier 2 renewable sources. BGE is subject to requirements established by the Public Utilities Article in Maryland related to the use of alternative energy resources; however, the wholesale suppliers that supply power to BGE through SOS procurement auctions have the obligation, by contract with BGE, to meet the RPS requirements.

 

Similar to ComEd, PECO and BGE, Generation’s retail electric business must source a portion of the electric load it serves in many of the states in which it does business from renewable resources or approved equivalents such as RECs. Potential regulation and legislation regarding renewable and alternative energy resources could increase the pace of development of wind and other renewable/alternative energy resources, which could put downward pressure on wholesale market prices for electricity in some markets where Exelon operates generation assets. At the same time, such developments may present some opportunities for sales of Generation’s renewable power, including from wind, solar, hydroelectric and landfill gas.

 

See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Executive Officers of the Registrants as of February 10, 2016

 

Exelon

 

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Crane, Christopher M.

   57    Chief Executive Officer, Exelon;    2012 - Present
      Chairman, ComEd, PECO & BGE    2012 - Present
      President, Exelon    2008 - Present
      President, Generation    2008 - 2013
      Chief Operating Officer, Exelon    2008 - 2012
      Chief Operating Officer, Generation    2007 - 2010

Cornew, Kenneth W.

   50    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Exelon;    2013 - Present
      President and CEO, Generation    2013 - Present
      Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Exelon    2012 - 2013
      President and Chief Executive Officer, Constellation    2012 - 2013
      Senior Vice President, Exelon; President, Power Team    2008 - 2012

O’Brien, Denis P.

   55    Senior Executive Vice President, Exelon; Chief Executive Officer, Exelon Utilities    2012 - Present
      Vice Chairman, ComEd, PECO, BGE    2012 - Present
      Chief Executive Officer, PECO; Executive Vice President, Exelon    2007 - 2012
      President and Director, PECO    2003 - 2012

Pramaggiore, Anne R.

   57    Chief Executive Officer, ComEd    2012 - Present
      President, ComEd    2009 - Present
      Chief Operating Officer, ComEd    2009 - 2012

 

30


Table of Contents

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Adams, Craig L.

   63    President and Chief Executive Officer, PECO    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, PECO    2007 - 2012

Butler, Calvin G.

   46    Chief Executive Officer, BGE    2014 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs, BGE    2013 - 2014
      Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Exelon    2011 - 2013
      Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Exelon    2010 - 2011
      Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, ComEd    2009 - 2010

Von Hoene Jr., William A.

   62    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Exelon    2012 - Present
      Executive Vice President, Finance and Legal, Exelon    2009 - 2012

Thayer, Jonathan W.

   44    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Exelon    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Constellation Energy; Treasurer, Constellation Energy    2008 - 2012

Aliabadi, Paymon

   53    Executive Vice President and Chief Enterprise Risk Officer, Exelon    2013 - Present
      Managing Director, Gleam Capital Management    2012 - 2013
      Principal and Managing Director, Gunvor International    2009 - 2011

DesParte, Duane M.

   52    Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller, Exelon    2008 - Present

 

Generation

 

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Cornew, Kenneth W.

   50    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Exelon;    2013 - Present
      President and CEO, Generation    2013 - Present
      Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Exelon    2012 - 2013
      President and Chief Executive Officer, Constellation    2012 - 2013
      Senior Vice President, Exelon; President, Power Team    2008 - 2012

Nigro, Joseph

   51    Executive Vice President, Exelon; Chief Executive Officer, Constellation    2013 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management and Strategy    2012 - 2013
      Vice President, Structuring and Portfolio Management, Exelon Power Team    2010 - 2012

Pacilio, Michael J.

   55    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Exelon Generation    2015 - Present
      President, Exelon Nuclear; Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer, Generation    2010 - 2015
      Chief Operating Officer, Exelon Nuclear    2007 - 2010

 

31


Table of Contents

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Hanson, Bryan C.

   50    President and Chief Nuclear Officer, Exelon Nuclear; Senior Vice President, Exelon Generation    2015 - Present
      Chief Operating Officer, Exelon Nuclear    2014 - 2015
      Senior Vice President of Operations, Generation    2010 - 2013
      Vice President of Operations, Generation    2009 - 2010

DeGregorio, Ronald

   53    Senior Vice President, Generation; President, Exelon Power    2012 - Present
      Chief Integration Officer, Exelon    2011 - 2012
      Chief Operating Officer, Exelon Transmission Company    2010 - 2011
      Senior Vice President, Mid- Atlantic Operations, Exelon Nuclear    2007 - 2010

Wright, Bryan P.

   49    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Generation    2013 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance, Exelon    2012 - 2013
      Chief Accounting Officer, Constellation Energy    2009 - 2012
      Vice President and Controller, Constellation Energy    2008 - 2012

Aiken, Robert

   49    Vice President and Controller, Generation    2012 - Present
      Executive Director and Assistant Controller, Constellation    2011 - 2012
      Executive Director of Operational Accounting, Constellation Energy Commodities Group    2009 - 2011

 

ComEd

 

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Pramaggiore, Anne R.

   57    Chief Executive Officer, ComEd    2012 - Present
      President, ComEd    2009 - Present
      Chief Operating Officer, ComEd    2009 - 2012

Donnelly, Terence R.

   55    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ComEd    2012 - Present
      Executive Vice President, Operations, ComEd    2009 - 2012

Trpik Jr., Joseph R.

   46    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, ComEd    2009 - Present

Jensen, Val

   59    Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, ComEd    2012 - Present
      Vice President, Marketing and Environmental Programs, ComEd    2008 - 2012

O’Neill, Thomas S.

   53    Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Energy Policy and General Counsel, ComEd    2010 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Exelon    2009 - 2010

Marquez Jr., Fidel

   54    Senior Vice President, Governmental and External Affairs, ComEd    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, ComEd    2009 - 2012

 

32


Table of Contents

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Brookins, Kevin B.

   54    Senior Vice President, Strategy & Administration, ComEd    2012 - Present
      Vice President, Operational Strategy and Business Intelligence, ComEd    2010 - 2012
      Vice President, Distribution System Operations, ComEd    2008 - 2010

Anthony, J. Tyler

   51    Senior Vice President, Distribution Operations, ComEd    2010 - Present
      Vice President, Transmission and Substations, ComEd    2007 - 2010

Kozel, Gerald J.

   43    Vice President, Controller, ComEd    2013 - Present
      Assistant Corporate Controller, Exelon    2012 - 2013
      Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis, Exelon    2009 - 2012

 

PECO

 

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Adams, Craig L.

   63    President and Chief Executive Officer, PECO    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, PECO    2007 - 2012

Barnett, Phillip S.

   52    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, PECO    2007 - Present
      Treasurer, PECO    2012 - Present

Innocenzo, Michael A.

   50    Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, PECO    2012 - Present
      Vice President, Distribution System Operations and Smart Grid/Smart Meter, PECO    2010 - 2012
      Vice President, Distribution System Operations    2007 - 2010

Webster Jr., Richard G.

   54    Vice President, Regulatory Policy and Strategy, PECO    2012 - Present
      Director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs    2007 - 2012

Murphy, Elizabeth A.

   56    Vice President, Governmental and External Affairs, PECO    2012 - Present
      Director, Governmental & External Affairs, PECO    2007 - 2012

Jiruska, Frank J.

   55    Vice President, Customer Operations, PECO    2013 - Present
      Director of Energy and Marketing Services, PECO    2010 - 2013

Diaz Jr., Romulo L.

   69    Vice President and General Counsel, PECO    2012 - Present
      Vice President, Governmental and External Affairs, PECO    2009 - 2012

Bailey, Scott A.

   39    Vice President and Controller, PECO    2012 - Present
      Assistant Controller, Generation    2011 - 2012
      Director of Accounting, Power Team    2007 - 2011

 

33


Table of Contents

BGE

 

Name

   Age   

Position

  

Period

Butler, Calvin G.

   46    Chief Executive Officer, BGE    2014 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs, BGE    2013 - 2014
      Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Exelon    2011 - 2013
      Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Exelon    2010 - 2011
      Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, ComEd    2009 - 2010

Woerner, Stephen J.

   48    President, BGE    2014 - Present
      Chief Operating Officer, BGE    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President, BGE    2009 - 2014
      Vice President and Chief Integration Officer, Constellation Energy    2011 - 2012
      Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Constellation Energy    2010 - 2011
      Vice President, Transformation, Constellation Energy    2009 - 2010

Vahos, David M.

   43    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer    2014 - Present
      Vice President and Controller, BGE    2012 - 2014
      Executive Director, Audit, Constellation    2010 - 2012
      Director, Finance, BGE    2006 - 2010

Case, Mark D.

   54    Vice President, Strategy and Regulatory Affairs, BGE    2012 - Present
      Senior Vice President, Strategy and Regulatory Affairs, BGE    2007 - 2012

Biagiotti, Robert D.

   45    Vice President, Customer Operations and Chief Customer Officer, BGE    2015 - Present
      Vice President, Gas Distribution, BGE    2011 - 2015
      Director, Gas and Electric Field Services, BGE    2008 - 2011

Gahagan, Daniel P.

   62    Vice President and General Counsel, BGE    2007 - Present

Bauer, Matthew N.

   39    Vice President and Controller, BGE    2014 - Present
      Vice President of Power Finance, Exelon Power    2012 - 2014
      Director, FP&A and Retail, Constellation    2012 - 2012
      Executive Director, Corporate Development, Constellation    2009 - 2012

Núñez, Alexander G.

   44    Vice President, Governmental and External Affairs, BGE    2013 - Present
      Director, State Affairs, BGE    2012 - 2013
      Director, State Affairs, Constellation Energy    2006 - 2012

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Each of the Registrants operates in a market and regulatory environment that poses significant risks, many of which are beyond that Registrant’s control. Management of each Registrant regularly meets with the Chief Enterprise Risk Officer and the RMC, which comprises officers of the Registrants, to identify and evaluate the most significant risks of the Registrants’ businesses, and the appropriate steps to manage and mitigate those risks. The Chief Enterprise Risk Officer and senior executives of the Registrants discuss those risks with the finance and risk committee and audit committee of the Exelon board of directors and the ComEd, PECO and BGE boards of directors. In addition, the

 

34


Table of Contents

generation oversight committee of the Exelon board of directors evaluates risks related to the generation business. The risk factors discussed below could adversely affect one or more of the Registrants’ results of operations or cash flows and the market prices of their publicly traded securities. Each of the Registrants has disclosed the known material risks that affect its business at this time. However, there may be further risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed by a Registrant to be material that could adversely affect its performance or financial condition in the future.

 

Exelon’s financial conditions and results of operations are affected to a significant degree by: (1) Generation’s position as a predominantly nuclear generator selling power into competitive energy markets with a concentration in select regions, and (2) the role of ComEd, PECO and BGE as operators of electric transmission and distribution systems in three of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Factors that affect the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrants fall primarily under the following categories, all of which are discussed in further detail below:

 

   

Market and Financial Factors. Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations are affected by price fluctuations in the energy markets. Power prices are a function of supply and demand, which in turn are driven by factors such as (1) the price of fuels, in particular the price of natural gas, which affects the prices that Generation can obtain for the output of its power plants, (2) the presence of other generation resources in the markets in which Generation’s output is sold, (3) the demand for electricity in the markets where the Registrants conduct their business, and (4) the impacts of on-going competition in the retail channel.

 

   

Regulatory and Legislative Factors. The regulatory and legislative factors that affect the Registrants include changes to the laws and regulations that govern competitive markets and utility cost recovery, and that drive environmental policy. In particular, Exelon’s and Generation’s financial performance could be affected by changes in the design of competitive wholesale power markets or Generation’s ability to sell power in those markets. In addition, potential regulation and legislation, including legislation or regulation regarding climate change and renewable portfolio standards, could have significant effects on the Registrants. Also, returns for ComEd, PECO and BGE are influenced significantly by state regulation and regulatory proceedings.

 

   

Operational Factors. The Registrants’ operational performance is subject to those factors inherent in running the nation’s largest fleet of nuclear power reactors and large electric and gas distribution systems. The safe and effective operation of the nuclear facilities and the ability to effectively manage the associated decommissioning obligations as well as the ability to maintain the availability, reliability and safety of its energy delivery systems are fundamental to Exelon’s ability to protect and grow shareholder value. Additionally, the operating costs of ComEd, PECO and BGE, and the opinions of their customers and regulators, are affected by those companies’ ability to maintain the reliability and safety of their energy delivery systems.

 

   

Risks Related to the Pending Merger with PHI. There are various risks and uncertainties associated with the merger agreement announced with PHI on April 29, 2014.

 

A discussion of each of these risk categories and other risk factors is included below.

 

Market and Financial Factors

 

Generation is exposed to depressed prices in the wholesale and retail power markets, which could negatively affect its results of operations or cash flows. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation is exposed to commodity price risk for the unhedged portion of its electricity generation supply portfolio. Generation’s earnings and cash flows are therefore subject to variability as spot and forward market prices in the markets in which it operates rise and fall.

 

35


Table of Contents

Price of Fuels: The spot market price of electricity for each hour is generally determined by the marginal cost of supplying the next unit of electricity to the market during that hour. Thus, the market price of power is affected by the market price of the marginal fuel used to generate the electricity unit. Often, the next unit of electricity will be supplied from generating stations fueled by fossil fuels. Consequently, changes in the market price of fossil fuels often result in comparable changes to the market price of power. For example, the use of new technologies to recover natural gas from shale deposits has increased natural gas supply and reserves, placing downward pressure on natural gas prices and, therefore, on power prices. The continued addition of supply from new alternative generation resources, such as wind and solar, whether mandated through RPS or otherwise subsidized or encouraged through climate legislation or regulation, may displace a higher marginal cost plant, further reducing power prices. In addition, further delay or elimination of EPA air quality regulations could prolong the duration for which the cost of pollution from fossil fuel generation is not factored into market prices.

 

Demand and Supply: The market price for electricity is also affected by changes in the demand for electricity and the available supply of electricity. Unfavorable economic conditions, milder than normal weather, and the growth of energy efficiency and demand response programs could each depress demand. The result is that higher-cost generating resources do not run as frequently, putting downward pressure on electricity market prices. The tepid economic environment in recent years and growing energy efficiency and demand response initiatives have limited the demand for electricity in Generation’s markets. In addition, in some markets, the supply of electricity through wind or solar generation, when combined with other base-load generation such as nuclear, could often exceed demand during some hours of the day, resulting in loss of revenue for base-load generating plants. Increased supply in excess of demand is furthered by the continuation of RPS mandates and subsidies for renewable energy.

 

Retail Competition: Generation’s retail operations compete for customers in a competitive environment, which affects the margins that Generation can earn and the volumes that it is able to serve. In periods of sustained low natural gas and power prices and low market volatility, retail competitors can aggressively pursue market share because the barriers to entry can be low and wholesale generators (including Generation) use their retail operations to hedge generation output. Increased or more aggressive competition could adversely affect overall gross margins and profitability in Generation’s retail operations.

 

Sustained low market prices or depressed demand and over-supply could adversely affect Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations or cash flows, and such impacts could be emphasized given Generation’s concentration of base-load electric generating capacity within primarily two geographic market regions, namely the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic. These impacts could adversely affect Exelon’s and Generation’s ability to fund other discretionary uses of cash such as growth projects or to pay dividends. In addition, such conditions may no longer support the continued operation of certain generating facilities, which could adversely affect Exelon’s and Generation’s result of operations through accelerated depreciation expense, impairment charges related to inventory that cannot be used at other nuclear units and cancellation of in-flight capital projects, accelerated amortization of plant specific nuclear fuel costs, severance costs, accelerated asset retirement obligation expense relate to future decommissioning activities, and additional funding of decommissioning costs, which can be offset in whole or in part by reduced operating and maintenance expenses. A slow recovery in market conditions could result in a prolonged depression of or further decline in commodity prices, including low forward natural gas and power prices and low market volatility, which could also adversely affect Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations, cash flows or financial positions. See Note 9—Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

36


Table of Contents

In addition to price fluctuations, Generation is exposed to other risks in the power markets that are beyond its control and could negatively affect its results of operations. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Credit Risk. In the bilateral markets, Generation is exposed to the risk that counterparties that owe Generation money, or are obligated to purchase energy or fuel from Generation, will not perform under their obligations for operational or financial reasons. In the event the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, Generation could be forced to purchase or sell energy or fuel in the wholesale markets at less favorable prices and incur additional losses, to the extent of amounts, if any, already paid to the counterparties. In the spot markets, Generation is exposed to risk as a result of default sharing mechanisms that exist within certain markets, primarily RTOs and ISOs, the purpose of which is to spread such risk across all market participants. Generation is also a party to agreements with entities in the energy sector that have experienced rating downgrades or other financial difficulties. In addition, Generation’s retail sales subject it to credit risk through competitive electricity and natural gas supply activities to serve commercial and industrial companies, governmental entities and residential customers. Retail credit risk results when customers default on their contractual obligations. This risk represents the loss that could be incurred due to the nonpayment of a customer’s account balance, as well as the loss from the resale of energy previously committed to serve the customer.

 

Market Designs. The wholesale markets remain evolving markets that vary from region to region and are still developing rules, practices and procedures. Changes in these market rules, problems with rule implementation, or failure of any of these markets could adversely affect Generation’s business. In addition, a significant decrease in market participation could affect market liquidity and have a detrimental effect on market stability.

 

The Registrants are potentially affected by emerging technologies that could over time affect or transform the energy industry, including technologies related to energy generation, distribution and consumption. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Some of these technologies include, but are not limited to further shale gas development or sources, cost-effective renewable energy technologies, broad consumer adoption of electric vehicles, distributed generation and energy storage devices. Such developments could affect the price of energy, could affect energy deliveries as customer-owned generation becomes more cost-effective, could require further improvements to our distribution systems to address changing load demands and could make portions of our electric system power supply and transmission and/or distribution facilities obsolete prior to the end of their useful lives. Such technologies could also result in further declines in commodity prices or demand for delivered energy. Each of these factors could materially affect the Registrants’ results of operations, cash flows or financial positions through, among other things, reduced operating revenues, increased operating and maintenance expenses, and increased capital expenditures, as well as potential asset impairment charges or accelerated depreciation and decommissioning expenses over shortened remaining asset useful lives.

 

Market performance and other factors could decrease the value of NDT funds and employee benefit plan assets and could increase the related employee benefit plan obligations, which then could require significant additional funding. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Disruptions in the capital markets and their actual or perceived effects on particular businesses and the greater economy could adversely affect the value of the investments held within Generation’s NDTs and Exelon’s employee benefit plan trusts. The Registrants have significant obligations in these areas and Exelon and Generation hold substantial assets in these trusts to meet those obligations. The asset values are subject to market fluctuations and will yield uncertain returns, which could fall below the Registrants’ projected return rates. A decline in the market value of the NDT fund investments could increase Generation’s funding requirements to decommission its nuclear plants. A decline in the

 

37


Table of Contents

market value of the pension and OPEB plan assets will increase the funding requirements associated with Exelon’s pension and OPEB plan obligations. Additionally, Exelon’s pension and OPEB plan liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, potentially increasing benefit costs and funding requirements. Changes in demographics, including increased numbers of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions or changes to Social Security or Medicare eligibility requirements could also increase the costs and funding requirements of the obligations related to the pension and OPEB plans. If future increases in pension and other postretirement costs as a result of reduced plan assets or other factors cannot be recovered, or cannot be recovered in a timely manner, from ComEd, PECO and BGE customers, the results of operations and financial positions of ComEd, PECO and BGE could be negatively affected. Ultimately, if the Registrants are unable to manage the investments within the NDT funds and benefit plan assets, and are unable to manage the related benefit plan liabilities, their results of operations, cash flows or financial positions could be negatively impacted.

 

Unstable capital and credit markets and increased volatility in commodity markets could adversely affect the Registrants’ businesses in several ways, including the availability and cost of short-term funds for liquidity requirements, the Registrants’ ability to meet long-term commitments, Generation’s ability to hedge effectively its generation portfolio, and the competitiveness and liquidity of energy markets; each could negatively impact the Registrants’ results of operations, cash flows or financial positions. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants rely on the capital markets, particularly for publicly offered debt, as well as the banking and commercial paper markets, to meet their financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs if internal funds are not available from the Registrants’ respective operations. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets in the United States or abroad could adversely affect the Registrants’ ability to access the capital markets or draw on their respective bank revolving credit facilities. The Registrants’ access to funds under their credit facilities is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the facilities to meet their funding commitments. Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to the Registrants if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from the Registrants and other borrowers within a short period of time. The inability to access capital markets or credit facilities, and longer term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could result in the deferral of discretionary capital expenditures, changes to Generation’s hedging strategy in order to reduce collateral-posting requirements, or a reduction in dividend payments or other discretionary uses of cash.

 

In addition, the Registrants have exposure to worldwide financial markets, including Europe. Disruptions in the European markets could reduce or restrict the Registrants’ ability to secure sufficient liquidity or secure liquidity at reasonable terms. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 25%, or $2.1 billion of the Registrants’ available credit facilities were with European banks. The credit facilities include $8.4 billion in aggregate total commitments of which $6.9 billion was available as of December 31, 2015. There were no borrowings under the Registrants’ credit facilities as of December 31, 2015. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the credit facilities.

 

The strength and depth of competition in energy markets depend heavily on active participation by multiple trading parties, which could be adversely affected by disruptions in the capital and credit markets and legislative and regulatory initiatives that may affect participants in commodities transactions. Reduced capital and liquidity and failures of significant institutions that participate in the energy markets could diminish the liquidity and competitiveness of energy markets that are important to the respective businesses of the Registrants. Perceived weaknesses in the competitive strength of

 

38


Table of Contents

the energy markets could lead to pressures for greater regulation of those markets or attempts to replace market structures with other mechanisms for the sale of power, including the requirement of long-term contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations or cash flows.

 

If any of the Registrants were to experience a downgrade in its credit ratings to below investment grade or otherwise fail to satisfy the credit standards in its agreements with its trading counterparties, it would be required to provide significant amounts of collateral under its agreements with counterparties and could experience higher borrowing costs. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation’s business is subject to credit quality standards that could require market participants to post collateral for their obligations. If Generation were to be downgraded or lose its investment grade credit rating (based on its senior unsecured debt rating) or otherwise fail to satisfy the credit standards of trading counterparties, it would be required under its hedging arrangements to provide collateral in the form of letters of credit or cash, which may have a material adverse effect upon its liquidity. The amount of collateral required to be provided by Generation at any point in time is dependent on a variety of factors, including (1) the notional amount of the applicable hedge, (2) the nature of counterparty and related agreements, and (3) changes in power or other commodity prices. In addition, if Generation were downgraded, it could experience higher borrowing costs as a result of the downgrade. Generation could experience a downgrade in its ratings if any of the credit rating agencies concludes that the level of business or financial risk and overall creditworthiness of the power generation industry in general, or Generation in particular, has deteriorated. Changes in ratings methodologies by the credit rating agencies could also have a negative impact on the ratings of Generation. Generation has project-specific financing arrangements and must meet the requirements of various agreements relating to those financings. Failure to meet those arrangements could give rise to a project-specific financing default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the specific project being required to repay the associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated, and if such repayment were not made, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project assets and related collateral.

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s operating agreements with PJM and PECO’s and BGE’s natural gas procurement contracts contain collateral provisions that are affected by their credit rating and market prices. If certain wholesale market conditions were to exist and ComEd, PECO and BGE were to lose their investment grade credit ratings (based on their senior unsecured debt ratings), they would be required to provide collateral in the forms of letters of credit or cash, which could have a material adverse effect upon their liquidity. Collateral posting requirements will generally increase as market prices rise and decrease as market prices fall. Collateral posting requirements for PECO and BGE, with respect to their natural gas supply contracts, will generally increase as forward market prices fall and decrease as forward market prices rise. Given the relationship to forward market prices, contract collateral requirements can be volatile. In addition, if ComEd, PECO and BGE were downgraded, they could experience higher borrowing costs as a result of the downgrade.

 

ComEd, PECO or BGE could experience a downgrade in its ratings if any of the credit rating agencies conclude that the level of business or financial risk and overall creditworthiness of the utility industry in general, or ComEd, PECO, or BGE in particular, has deteriorated. ComEd, PECO or BGE could experience a downgrade if the current regulatory environments in Illinois, Pennsylvania or Maryland, respectively, become less predictable by materially lowering returns for utilities in the applicable state or adopting other measures to limit electricity prices. Additionally, the ratings for ComEd, PECO or BGE could be downgraded if their financial results are weakened from current levels due to weaker operating performance or due to a failure to properly manage their capital structure. In addition, changes in ratings methodologies by the agencies could also have a negative impact on the ratings of ComEd, PECO or BGE.

 

39


Table of Contents

ComEd, PECO and BGE conduct their respective businesses and operate under governance models and other arrangements and procedures intended to assure that ComEd, PECO and BGE are treated as separate, independent companies, distinct from Exelon and other Exelon subsidiaries in order to isolate ComEd, PECO and BGE from Exelon and other Exelon subsidiaries in the event of financial difficulty at Exelon or another Exelon subsidiary. These measures (commonly referred to as “ring-fencing”) may help avoid or limit a downgrade in the credit ratings of ComEd, PECO and BGE in the event of a reduction in the credit rating of Exelon. Despite these ring-fencing measures, the credit ratings of ComEd, PECO or BGE could remain linked, to some degree, to the credit ratings of Exelon. Consequently, a reduction in the credit rating of Exelon could result in a reduction of the credit rating of ComEd, PECO or BGE, or all three. A reduction in the credit rating of ComEd, PECO or BGE could have a material adverse effect on ComEd, PECO or BGE, respectively.

 

See Liquidity and Capital Resources—Recent Market Conditions and Security Ratings for further information regarding the potential impacts of credit downgrades on the Registrants’ cash flows.

 

Generation’s financial performance could be negatively affected by price volatility, availability and other risk factors associated with the procurement of nuclear and fossil fuel. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation depends on nuclear fuel and fossil fuels to operate its generating facilities. Nuclear fuel is obtained predominantly through long-term uranium supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. Natural gas and oil are procured for generating plants through annual, short-term and spot-market purchases. The supply markets for nuclear fuel, natural gas and oil are subject to price fluctuations, availability restrictions and counterparty default that could negatively affect the results of operations or cash flows for Generation.

 

Generation’s risk management policies cannot fully eliminate the risk associated with its commodity trading activities. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation’s asset-based power position as well as its power marketing, fuel procurement and other commodity trading activities expose Generation to risks of commodity price movements. Generation attempts to manage this exposure through enforcement of established risk limits and risk management procedures. These risk limits and risk management procedures may not work as planned and cannot eliminate all risks associated with these activities. Even when its policies and procedures are followed, and decisions are made based on projections and estimates of future performance, results of operations could be diminished if the judgments and assumptions underlying those decisions prove to be incorrect. Factors, such as future prices and demand for power and other energy-related commodities, become more difficult to predict and the calculations become less reliable the further into the future estimates are made. As a result, Generation cannot predict the impact that its commodity trading activities and risk management decisions could have on its business, operating results, cash flows or financial positions.

 

Generation buys and sells energy and other products and enters into financial contracts to manage risk and hedge various positions in Generation’s power generation portfolio. The proportion of hedged positions in its power generation portfolio could expose Generation to volatility in future results of operations.

 

Financial performance and load requirements could be adversely affected if Generation is unable to effectively manage its power portfolio. (Exelon and Generation)

 

A significant portion of Generation’s power portfolio is used to provide power under procurement contracts with ComEd, PECO, BGE and other customers. To the extent portions of the power portfolio

 

40


Table of Contents

are not needed for that purpose, Generation’s output is sold in the wholesale power markets. To the extent its power portfolio is not sufficient to meet the requirements of its customers under the related agreements, Generation must purchase power in the wholesale power markets. Generation’s financial results could be negatively affected if it is unable to cost-effectively meet the load requirements of its customers, manage its power portfolio and effectively address the changes in the wholesale power markets.

 

Challenges to tax positions taken by the Registrants as well as tax law changes and the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions, could negatively impact the Registrants’ results of operations or cash flows. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Corporate Tax Reform. There exists the potential for comprehensive tax reform in the United States that may significantly change the tax rules applicable to U.S. domiciled corporations. Exelon cannot assess what the overall effect of such potential legislation could be on its results of operations or cash flows.

 

1999 sale of fossil generating assets. The IRS has challenged Exelon’s 1999 tax position on its like-kind exchange transaction. Exelon and the IRS failed to reach a settlement on the like-kind exchange position and Exelon filed a petition on December 13, 2013 to initiate litigation in the United States Tax Court and the trial took place in August 2015. Exelon was not required to remit any part of the asserted tax or penalty in order to litigate the like-kind exchange position. The litigation could take three to five years including appeals, if necessary.

 

As of December 31, 2015, if the IRS is successful in its challenge to the like-kind exchange position, Exelon’s potential cash outflow, including tax and after-tax interest, exclusive of penalties, that could become currently payable may be as much as $760 million, of which approximately $280 million would be attributable to ComEd after consideration of Exelon’s agreement to hold ComEd harmless. In addition to attempting to impose tax on the like-kind exchange position, the IRS has asserted approximately $90 million of penalties for a substantial understatement of tax. The timing effects of the final resolution of the like-kind exchange matter are unknown. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Tax reserves. The Registrants are required to make judgments in order to estimate their obligations to taxing authorities. These tax obligations include income, real estate, sales and use and employment-related taxes and ongoing appeals issues related to these tax matters. These judgments include reserves for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken that could be subject to challenge by the tax authorities. See Notes 1—Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Increases in customer rates and the impact of economic downturns could lead to greater expense for uncollectible customer balances. Additionally, increased rates could lead to decreased volumes delivered. Both of these factors could decrease Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s results from operations or cash flows. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s current procurement plans include purchasing power through contracted suppliers and in the spot market. ComEd’s and PECO’s costs of purchased power are charged to customers without a return or profit component. BGE’s SOS rates charged to customers recover BGE’s wholesale power supply costs and include a return component. For PECO, purchased natural gas costs are charged to customers with no return or profit component. For BGE, purchased natural gas costs are charged to customers using a MBR mechanism that compares the actual cost of gas to a market index. The difference between the actual cost and the market index is shared equally

 

41


Table of Contents

between shareholders and customers. Purchased power and natural gas prices fluctuate based on their relevant supply and demand. Significantly higher rates related to purchased power and natural gas could result in declines in customer usage, lower revenues and potentially additional uncollectible accounts expense for ComEd, PECO and BGE. In addition, any challenges by the regulators or ComEd, PECO and BGE as to the recoverability of these costs could have a material effect on the Registrants’ results of operations or cash flows. Also, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s cash flows could be affected by differences between the time period when electricity and natural gas are purchased and the ultimate recovery from customers.

 

Further, the impacts of economic downturns on ComEd, PECO and BGE customers and purchased natural gas costs for PECO and BGE customers, such as unemployment for residential customers and less demand for products and services provided by commercial and industrial customers, and the related regulatory limitations on residential service terminations, could result in an increase in the number of uncollectible customer balances, which would negatively impact ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s results of operations or cash flows. Generation’s customer-facing energy delivery activities face economic downturn risks similar to Exelon’s utility businesses, such as lower volumes sold and increased expense for uncollectible customer balances. As Generation increases its customer-facing energy delivery activities, economic downturn impacts could negatively affect Generation’s results of operations or cash flows. See ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK for further discussion of the Registrants’ credit risk.

 

The effects of weather could impact the Registrants’ results of operations or cash flows. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas and affect the price of energy commodities. Temperatures above normal levels in the summer tend to increase summer cooling electricity demand and revenues, and temperatures below normal levels in the winter tend to increase winter heating electricity and gas demand and revenues. Moderate temperatures adversely affect the usage of energy and resulting revenues at ComEd and PECO. Due to revenue decoupling, BGE recognizes revenues at MDPSC-approved levels per customer, regardless of what actual distribution volumes are for a billing period, and is not affected by actual weather with the exception of major storms. Extreme weather conditions or damage resulting from storms could stress ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s transmission and distribution systems, communication systems and technology, resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs and limiting each company’s ability to meet peak customer demand. These extreme conditions could have detrimental effects on ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s results of operations or cash flows. First and third quarter financial results, in particular, are substantially dependent on weather conditions, and could make period comparisons less relevant.

 

Generation’s operations are also affected by weather, which affects demand for electricity as well as operating conditions. To the extent that weather is warmer in the summer or colder in the winter than assumed, Generation could require greater resources to meet its contractual commitments. Extreme weather conditions or storms could affect the availability of generation and its transmission, limiting Generation’s ability to source or send power to where it is sold. In addition, drought-like conditions limiting water usage could impact Generation’s ability to run certain generating assets at full capacity. These conditions, which cannot be accurately predicted, could have an adverse effect by causing Generation to seek additional capacity at a time when wholesale markets are tight or to seek to sell excess capacity at a time when markets are weak.

 

42


Table of Contents

Certain long-lived assets and other assets recorded on the Registrants’ statements of financial position could become impaired, which would result in write-offs of the impaired amounts. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Long-lived assets represent the single largest asset class on the Registrants’ statement of financial positions. Specifically, long-lived assets account for 60%, 56%, 66%, 69% and 80% of total assets for Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. In addition, Exelon and Generation have significant balances related to unamortized energy contracts. See Note 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Exelon’s unamortized energy contracts. The Registrants evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or circumstances indicating a potential impairment exist. Factors such as the business climate, including current and future energy and market conditions, environmental regulation, and the condition of assets are considered when evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment. An impairment would require the Registrants to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset through a non-cash charge to expense by the amount of the impairment, and such an impairment could have a material adverse impact on the Registrants’ results of operations.

 

Exelon holds investments in coal-fired plants in Georgia that are subject to long-term leases. The investments are accounted for as direct financing lease investments. The investments represent the estimated residual value of the leased assets at the end of the lease term. On an annual basis, Exelon reviews the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments and records a non-cash impairment charge to expense if the review indicates an other than temporary decline in the fair value of the residual values below their carrying values. Such an impairment could have a material adverse impact on Exelon’s results of operations.

 

Exelon and ComEd had approximately $2.7 billion of goodwill recorded at December 31, 2015 in connection with the merger between PECO and Unicom Corporation, the former parent company of ComEd. Under GAAP, goodwill remains at its recorded amount unless it is determined to be impaired, which is generally based upon an annual analysis that compares the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying value. If an impairment occurs, the amount of the impaired goodwill will be written-off to expense, which will also reduce equity. The actual timing and amounts of any goodwill impairments will depend on many sensitive, interrelated and uncertain variables. A successful IRS challenge to Exelon’s and ComEd’s like-kind exchange income tax position, adverse regulatory actions such as early termination of EIMA, or changes in significant assumptions used in estimating ComEd’s fair value (e.g., discount and growth rates, utility sector market performance and transactions, operating and capital expenditure requirements and the fair value of debt) could result in an impairment. Such an impairment would result in a non-cash charge to expense, which could have a material adverse impact on Exelon’s and ComEd’s results of operations.

 

See ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 7—Property, Plant and Equipment, Note 8—Impairment of Long Lived Assets and Note 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion on long-lived asset and goodwill impairments.

 

The Registrants’ businesses are capital intensive, and their assets could require significant expenditures to maintain and are subject to operational failure, which could result in potential liability. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants’ businesses are capital intensive and require significant investments by Generation in electric generating facilities and by ComEd, PECO and BGE in transmission and

 

43


Table of Contents

distribution infrastructure projects. These operational systems and infrastructure have been in service for many years. Equipment, even if maintained in accordance with good utility practices, is subject to operational failure, including events that are beyond the Registrants’ control, and could require significant expenditures to operate efficiently. The Registrants’ results of operations, financial conditions, or cash flows could be adversely affected if they were unable to effectively manage their capital projects or raise the necessary capital. Furthermore, operational failure of electric or gas systems or infrastructure could result in potential liability if such failure results in damage to property or injury to individuals. See ITEM 1. BUSINESS for further information regarding the Registrants’ potential future capital expenditures.

 

Exelon and its subsidiaries have guaranteed the performance of third parties, which could result in substantial costs in the event of non-performance by third parties. In addition, the Registrants have rights under agreements which obligate third parties to indemnify the Registrants for various obligations, and the Registrants could incur substantial costs in the event that the applicable Registrant is unable to enforce those agreements or the applicable third-party is otherwise unable to perform. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants have issued guarantees of the performance of third parties, which obligate one or more of the Registrants or their subsidiaries to perform in the event that the third parties do not perform. In the event of non-performance by those third parties, the Registrants could incur substantial cost to fulfill their obligations under these guarantees. Such performance guarantees could have a material impact on the operating results, financial conditions, or cash flows of the Registrants.

 

The Registrants have entered into various agreements with counterparties that require those counterparties to reimburse a Registrant and hold it harmless against specified obligations and claims. To the extent that any of these counterparties are affected by deterioration in their creditworthiness or the agreements are otherwise determined to be unenforceable, the affected Registrant could be held responsible for the obligations, which could impact that Registrant’s results of operations, cash flows or financial positions. In connection with Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring, Generation assumed certain of ComEd’s and PECO’s rights and obligations with respect to their former generation businesses. Further, ComEd and PECO could have entered into agreements with third parties under which the third-party agreed to indemnify ComEd or PECO for certain obligations related to their respective former generation businesses that have been assumed by Generation as part of the restructuring. If the third-party or Generation experienced events that reduced its creditworthiness or the indemnity arrangement became unenforceable, ComEd or PECO could be liable for any existing or future claims, which could impact ComEd’s or PECO’s results of operations, cash flows or financial positions.

 

Regulatory and Legislative Factors

 

The Registrants’ generation and energy delivery businesses are highly regulated and could be subject to regulatory and legislative actions that adversely affect their operations or financial results. Fundamental changes in regulation or legislation or violation of tariffs or market rules and anti-manipulation laws, could disrupt the Registrants’ business plans and adversely affect their operations or financial results. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Substantially all aspects of the businesses of the Registrants are subject to comprehensive Federal or state regulation and legislation. Further, Exelon’s and Generation’s operating results and cash flows are heavily dependent upon the ability of Generation to sell power at market-based rates, as opposed to cost-based or other similarly regulated rates, and Exelon’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s operating results and cash flows are heavily dependent on the ability of ComEd, PECO and BGE to recover their costs for the retail purchase and distribution of power to their customers.

 

44


Table of Contents

Similarly, there is risk that financial market regulations could increase the Registrants’ compliance costs and limit their ability to engage in certain transactions. In the planning and management of operations, the Registrants must address the effects of regulation on their businesses and changes in the regulatory framework, including initiatives by Federal and state legislatures, RTOs, exchanges, ratemaking agencies and taxing authorities. Additionally, the Registrants need to be cognizant and understand rule changes or Registrant actions that could result in potential violation of tariffs, market rules and anti-manipulation laws. Fundamental changes in regulations or other adverse legislative actions affecting the Registrants’ businesses would require changes in their business planning models and operations and could negatively impact their results of operations, cash flows or financial positions.

 

Regulatory and legislative developments related to climate change and RPS could also significantly affect Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations, cash flows or financial positions. Various legislative and regulatory proposals to address climate change through GHG emission reductions, if enacted, could result in increased costs to entities that generate electricity through carbon-emitting fossil fuels, which could increase the market price at which all generators in a region, including Generation, may sell their output, thereby increasing the revenue Generation could realize from its low-carbon nuclear assets. However, national regulation or legislation addressing climate change through an RPS could also increase the pace of development of wind energy facilities in the Midwest, which could put downward pressure on wholesale market prices for electricity from Generation’s Midwest nuclear assets, partially offsetting any additional value Exelon and Generation might derive from Generation’s nuclear assets under a carbon constrained regulatory regime that might exist in the future. Similarly, final regulations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act may not provide sufficient incentives for states to utilize carbon-free nuclear power as a means of meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements, while continuing a policy of favoring renewable energy sources. Current state level climate change and renewable regulation is already providing incentives for regional wind development. The Registrants cannot predict when or whether any of these various legislative and regulatory proposals may become law or what their effect will be on the Registrants.

 

Generation could be negatively affected by possible Federal or state legislative or regulatory actions that could affect the scope and functioning of the wholesale markets. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies are facing pressures to address consumer concerns, or are themselves raising concerns, that energy prices in wholesale markets are too high or insufficient generation is being built because the competitive model is not working, and, therefore, are considering some form of re-regulation or some other means of reducing wholesale market prices or subsidizing new generation. Generation is dependent on robust and competitive wholesale energy markets to achieve its business objectives.

 

Approximately 65% of Generation’s generating resources, which include directly owned assets and capacity obtained through long-term contracts, are located in the area encompassed by PJM. Generation’s future results of operations will depend on (1) FERC’s continued adherence to and support for, policies that favor the preservation of competitive wholesale power markets, such as PJM’s, and (2) the absence of material changes to market structures that would limit or otherwise negatively affect market competitiveness. Generation could also be adversely affected by state laws, regulations or initiatives designed to reduce wholesale prices artificially below competitive levels or to subsidize new generation, such as the subsequently dismissed New Jersey Capacity Legislation and the MDPSC’s RFP for new gas-fired generation in Maryland. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details related to the New Jersey Capacity Legislation and the Maryland new electric generation requirements.

 

45


Table of Contents

In addition, FERC’s application of its Order 697 and its subsequent revisions could pose a risk that Generation will have difficulty satisfying FERC’s tests for market-based rates. Since Order 697 became final in June 2007, Generation has obtained orders affirming Generation’s authority to sell at market-based rates and none denying that authority.

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) was enacted in July 2010. The part of the Act that applies to Exelon is Title VII, which is known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act (Dodd-Frank). Dodd-Frank requires the creation of a new regulatory regime for over-the-counter swaps (swaps), including mandatory clearing for certain categories of Swaps, incentives to shift swap activity to exchange trading, margin and capital requirements, and other obligations designed to promote transparency. For non security-based swaps including commodity swaps, Dodd-Frank empowers the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to promulgate regulations implementing the law’s objectives. The primary aim of Dodd-Frank is to regulate the key intermediaries in the swaps market, which entities are either swap dealers (SDs), major swap participants (MSPs), and certain other financial entities, but the law also applies to a lesser degree to end-users of swaps. On January 12, 2015, President Obama signed into law a bill that exempts from margin requirements swaps used by end-users to hedge or mitigate commercial risk. Moreover, the CFTC’s Dodd-Frank regulations preserve the ability of end users in the energy industry to hedge their risks using swaps without being subject to mandatory clearing, and accepts or exempts end-users from many of the other substantive regulations. Accordingly, as an end-user, Generation is conducting its commercial business in a manner that does not require registration with the CFTC as an SD or MSP. Generation does not anticipate transacting in the future in a manner in which it would become a SD or MSP.

 

There are, however, some rulemakings that have not yet been finalized, including the capital and margin rules for (non-cleared) swaps. Generation does not expect these rules to directly impact its collateral requirements. However, depending on the substance of these final rules in addition to certain international regulatory requirements still under development and that are similar to Dodd-Frank, Generation’s swap counterparties could be subject to additional and potentially significant capitalization requirements. These regulations could motivate the SDs and MSPs to increase collateral requirements or cash postings from their counterparties, including Generation.

 

Generation continues to monitor the rulemaking proceedings with respect to the capital and margin rules, but cannot predict to what extent, if any, further refinements to Dodd-Frank requirements may impact its cash flows or financial position, but such impacts could be material.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE could also be subject to some Dodd-Frank requirements to the extent they were to enter into swaps. However, at this time, management of ComEd, PECO and BGE continue to expect that their companies will not be materially affected by Dodd-Frank.

 

Generation’s affiliation with ComEd, PECO and BGE, together with the presence of a substantial percentage of Generation’s physical asset base within the ComEd, PECO and BGE service territories, could increase Generation’s cost of doing business to the extent future complaints or challenges regarding ComEd, PECO and/or BGE retail rates result in settlements or legislative or regulatory requirements funded in part by Generation. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation has significant generating resources within the service areas of ComEd, PECO and BGE and makes significant sales to each of them. Those facts tend to cause Generation to be directly affected by developments in those markets. Government officials, legislators and advocacy groups are aware of Generation’s affiliation with ComEd, PECO and BGE and its sales to each of them. In periods of rising utility rates, particularly when driven by increased costs of energy production and supply, those officials and advocacy groups may question or challenge costs and transactions incurred by

 

46


Table of Contents

ComEd, PECO, or BGE, with Generation, irrespective of any previous regulatory processes or approvals underlying those transactions. The prospect of such challenges may increase the time, complexity and cost of the associated regulatory proceedings, and the occurrence of such challenges may subject Generation to a level of scrutiny not faced by other unaffiliated competitors in those markets. In addition, government officials and legislators could seek ways to force Generation to contribute to efforts to mitigate potential or actual rate increases, through measures such as generation-based taxes and contributions to rate-relief packages.

 

The Registrants could incur substantial costs to fulfill their obligations related to environmental and other matters. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The businesses which the Registrants operate are subject to extensive environmental regulation and legislation by local, state and Federal authorities. These laws and regulations affect the manner in which the Registrants conduct their operations and make capital expenditures including how they handle air and water emissions and solid waste disposal. Violations of these emission and disposal requirements could subject the Registrants to enforcement actions, capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance, additional operating costs for remediation and clean-up costs, civil penalties and exposure to third parties’ claims for alleged health or property damages or operating restrictions to achieve compliance. In addition, the Registrants are subject to liability under these laws for the remediation costs for environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by the Registrants and of property contaminated by hazardous substances they generate. The Registrants have incurred and expect to incur significant costs related to environmental compliance, site remediation and clean-up. Remediation activities associated with MGP operations conducted by predecessor companies are one component of such costs. Also, the Registrants are currently involved in a number of proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been deposited and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future.

 

If application of Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act, which establishes a national requirement for reducing the adverse impacts to aquatic organisms at existing generating stations, requires the retrofitting of cooling water intake structures at Salem or other Exelon power plants, this development could result in material costs of compliance. Pursuant to discussions with the NJDEP regarding the application of Section 316(b) to Oyster Creek, Generation agreed to permanently cease generation operations at Oyster Creek by December 31, 2019, ten years before the expiration of its operating license in 2029. On June 30, 2015, NJDEP issued a draft NPDES permit for Salem. The draft permit does not require installation of cooling towers and allows Salem to continue to operate utilizing the existing once-through cooling water system. The draft permit is subject to a public notice and comment period after which the NJDEP may make revisions before issuing the final permit expected during the first half of 2016.

 

Additionally, Generation is subject to exposure for asbestos-related personal injury liability alleged at certain current and formerly owned generation facilities. Future legislative action could require Generation to make a material contribution to a fund to settle lawsuits for alleged asbestos-related disease and exposure.

 

In some cases, a third-party who has acquired assets from a Registrant has assumed the liability the Registrant could otherwise have for environmental matters related to the transferred property. If the transferee is unable, or fails, to discharge the assumed liability, a regulatory authority or injured person could attempt to hold the Registrant responsible, and the Registrant’s remedies against the transferee may be limited by the financial resources of the transferee. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

47


Table of Contents

Changes in ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s respective terms and conditions of service, including their respective rates, are subject to regulatory approval proceedings and/or negotiated settlements that are at times contentious, lengthy and subject to appeal, which lead to uncertainty as to the ultimate result and which could introduce time delays in effectuating rate changes. (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE are required to engage in regulatory approval proceedings as a part of the process of establishing the terms and rates for their respective services. These proceedings typically involve multiple parties, including governmental bodies and officials, consumer advocacy groups and various consumers of energy, who have differing concerns but who have the common objective of limiting rate increases or even reducing rates. The proceedings generally have timelines that may not be limited by statute. Decisions are subject to appeal, potentially leading to additional uncertainty associated with the approval proceedings. The potential duration of such proceedings creates a risk that rates ultimately approved by the applicable regulatory body may not be sufficient for ComEd, PECO or BGE to recover its costs by the time the rates become effective. Established rates are also subject to subsequent prudency reviews by state regulators, whereby various portions of rates could be adjusted, including recovery mechanisms for costs associated with the procurement of electricity or gas, bad debt, MGP remediation, smart grid infrastructure, and energy efficiency and demand response programs.

 

In certain instances, ComEd, PECO and BGE may agree to negotiated settlements related to various rate matters, customer initiatives or franchise agreements. These settlements are subject to regulatory approval.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE cannot predict the ultimate outcomes of any settlements or the actions by Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland or Federal regulators in establishing rates, including the extent, if any, to which certain costs such as significant capital projects will be recovered or what rates of return will be allowed. Nevertheless, the expectation is that ComEd, PECO and BGE will continue to be obligated to deliver electricity to customers in their respective service territories and will also retain significant default service obligations, referred to as POLR, DSP and SOS for ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, to provide electricity and natural gas to certain groups of customers in their respective service areas who do not choose an alternative supplier. The ultimate outcome and timing of regulatory rate proceedings have a significant effect on the ability of ComEd, PECO and BGE, as applicable, to recover their costs and could have a material adverse effect on ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding rate proceedings.

 

Federal or additional state RPS and/or energy conservation legislation, along with energy conservation by customers, could negatively affect the results of operations or cash flows of Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Changes to current state legislation or the development of Federal legislation that requires the use of renewable and alternate fuel sources, such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, could significantly impact Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, especially if timely cost recovery is not allowed. The impact could include increased costs for RECs and purchased power and increased rates for customers.

 

Federal and state legislation mandating the implementation of energy conservation programs that require the implementation of new technologies, such as smart meters and smart grid, have increased capital expenditures and could significantly impact ComEd, PECO and BGE, if timely cost recovery is not allowed. Furthermore, regulated energy consumption reduction targets and declines in customer energy consumption resulting from the implementation of new energy conservation technologies could

 

48


Table of Contents

lead to a decline in the revenues of Exelon, ComEd, and PECO. For additional information, see ITEM 1. BUSINESS “Environmental Regulation-Renewable and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.”

 

The impact of not meeting the criteria of the FASB guidance for accounting for the effects of certain types of regulation could be material to Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE. (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE have concluded that the operations of ComEd, PECO and BGE meet the criteria of the authoritative guidance for accounting for the effects of certain types of regulation. If it is concluded in a future period that a separable portion of their businesses no longer meets the criteria, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE would be required to eliminate the financial statement effects of regulation for that part of their business. That action would include the elimination of any or all regulatory assets and liabilities that had been recorded in their Consolidated Balance Sheets and the recognition of a one-time charge in their Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The impact of not meeting the criteria of the authoritative guidance could be material to the financial statements of Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE. At December 31, 2015, the gain (loss) could have been as much as $(2.5) billion, $978 million and $559 million (before taxes) as a result of the elimination of ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively. Further, Exelon would record a charge against OCI (before taxes) of up to $2.5 billion and $634 million for ComEd and BGE, respectively, related to Exelon’s net regulatory assets associated with its defined benefit postretirement plans. Exelon also has a net regulatory liability of $47 million (before taxes) associated with PECO’s defined benefit postretirement plans that would result in an increase in OCI if reversed. The impacts and resolution of the above items could lead to an additional impairment of ComEd’s goodwill, which could be significant and at least partially offset the gain at ComEd discussed above. A significant decrease in equity as a result of any changes could limit the ability of ComEd, PECO and BGE to pay dividends under Federal and state law and no longer meeting the regulatory accounting criteria could cause significant volatility in future results of operations. See Notes 1—Significant Accounting Policies, 3—Regulatory Matters and 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding accounting for the effects of regulation, regulatory matters and ComEd’s goodwill, respectively.

 

Exelon and Generation could incur material costs of compliance if Federal and/or state regulation or legislation is adopted to address climate change. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Various stakeholders, including legislators and regulators, shareholders and non-governmental organizations, as well as other companies in many business sectors, including utilities, are considering ways to address the effect of GHG emissions on climate change. In 2009, select Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states implemented a model rule, developed via the RGGI, to regulate CO2 emissions from fossil-fired generation. RGGI states are working on updated programs to further limit emissions and the EPA has introduced regulation to address greenhouse gases from new fossil plants that could potentially impact existing plants. If carbon reduction regulation or legislation becomes effective, Exelon and Generation may incur costs either to limit further the GHG emissions from their operations or to procure emission allowance credits. For example, more stringent permitting requirements may preclude the construction of lower-carbon nuclear and gas-fired power plants. Similarly, a Federal RPS could increase the cost of compliance by mandating the purchase or construction of more expensive supply alternatives. For more information regarding climate change, see ITEM 1. BUSINESS “Global Climate Change” and Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

49


Table of Contents

The Registrants could be subject to higher costs and/or penalties related to mandatory reliability standards, including the likely exposure of ComEd, PECO, and BGE to the results of PJM’s RTEP and NERC compliance requirements. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

As a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, users, owners and operators of the bulk power transmission system, including Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, are subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by NERC and enforced by FERC. As operators of natural gas distribution systems, PECO and BGE are also subject to mandatory reliability standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The standards are based on the functions that need to be performed to ensure the bulk power system operates reliably and are guided by reliability and market interface principles. Compliance with or changes in the reliability standards could subject the Registrants to higher operating costs and/or increased capital expenditures. In addition, the ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC impose certain distribution reliability standards on ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively. If the Registrants were found not to be in compliance with the mandatory reliability standards, they could be subject to remediation costs as well as sanctions, which could include substantial monetary penalties.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 ComEd, PECO and BGE to incur incremental capital or operating and maintenance expenditures to ensure their transmission lines meet NERC standards.

 

See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

The Registrants cannot predict the outcome of the legal proceedings relating to their business activities. An adverse determination could negatively impact their results of operations, cash flows or financial positions. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising out of their business operations, the most significant of which are summarized in Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Adverse outcomes in these proceedings could require significant expenditures that could have a material adverse effect on the Registrants’ results of operations.

 

Generation could be negatively affected by possible Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions that could affect the operations and profitability of its nuclear generating fleet. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Regulatory risk. A change in the Atomic Energy Act or the applicable regulations or licenses could require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or could result in increased operating or decommissioning costs and significantly affect Generation’s results of operations or financial positions. Events at nuclear plants owned by others, as well as those owned by Generation, could cause the NRC to initiate such actions.

 

Spent nuclear fuel storage. The approval of a national repository for the storage of SNF, such as the one previously considered at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and the timing of such facility opening, will significantly affect the costs associated with storage of SNF, and the ultimate amounts received from the DOE to reimburse Generation for these costs. The NRC’s temporary storage rule (also referred to as the “waste confidence decision”) recognizes that licensees can safely store spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants for up to 60 years beyond the original and renewed licensed operating life of the plants. In June 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the NRC’s temporary storage rule on the grounds that the NRC should have conducted a more comprehensive

 

50


Table of Contents

environmental review to support the rule. On September 19, 2014, the NRC issued a revised rule codifying the NRC’s generic determinations regarding the environmental impacts of continued storage of spent nuclear fuel beyond a reactor’s licensed operating life. The Continued Storage Rule became effective on October 20, 2014.

 

Any regulatory action relating to the timing and availability of a repository for SNF could adversely affect Generation’s ability to decommission fully its nuclear units. Through May 15, 2014, in accordance with the NWPA and Generation’s contract with the DOE, Generation paid the DOE a fee per kWh of net nuclear generation for the cost of SNF disposal. On November 19, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered the DOE to submit to Congress a proposal to reduce the current SNF disposal fee to zero, unless and until there is a viable disposal program. On January 3, 2014, the DOE filed a petition for rehearing which was denied by the D.C. Circuit Court on March 18, 2014. Also, on January 3, 2014, the DOE submitted a proposal to Congress to reduce the current SNF disposal fee to zero. On May 9, 2014, the DOE notified Generation that the SNF disposal fee was set to zero, effective May 16, 2014. Until such time as a new fee structure is in effect, Exelon and Generation will not accrue any further costs related to SNF disposal fees. Generation currently estimates 2025 to be the earliest date when the DOE will begin accepting SNF, which could be delayed by further regulatory action. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the spent nuclear fuel obligation. Generation cannot predict what, if any, fee will be established in the future for SNF disposal. However, such a fee could be material to Generation’s results of operations or cash flows.

 

License renewals. Generation cannot assure that economics will support the continued operation of the facilities for all or any portion of any renewed license period. If the NRC does not renew the operating licenses for Generation’s nuclear stations or a station cannot be operated through the end of its operating license, Generation’s results of operations could be adversely affected by increased depreciation rates, impairment charges and accelerated future decommissioning costs, since depreciation rates and decommissioning cost estimates currently include assumptions that license renewal will be received. In addition, Generation could lose revenue and incur increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments.

 

Operational Factors

 

The Registrants’ employees, contractors, customers and the general public could be exposed to a risk of injury due to the nature of the energy industry. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Employees and contractors throughout the organization work in, and customers and the general public could be exposed to, potentially dangerous environments near their operations. As a result, employees, contractors, customers and the general public are at risk for serious injury, including loss of life. Significant risks include nuclear accidents, dam failure, gas explosions, pole strikes and electric contact cases.

 

Natural disasters, war, acts and threats of terrorism, pandemic and other significant events could negatively impact the Registrants’ results of operations, its ability to raise capital and its future growth. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation’s fleet of power plants and ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s distribution and transmission infrastructures could be affected by natural disasters, such as seismic activity, more frequent and more extreme weather events, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, changes to ground and surface water availability, sea level rise and other related phenomena. Severe weather or other natural

 

51


Table of Contents

disasters could be destructive, which could result in increased costs, including supply chain costs. An extreme weather event within the Registrants’ service areas can also directly affect their capital assets, causing disruption in service to customers due to downed wires and poles or damage to other operating equipment. An example of such an event was the February 5, 2014 ice storm, which interrupted electric service delivery to customers in PECO’s service territory and resulted in significant restoration costs.

 

Another example of such an event includes the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami experienced by Japan on March 11, 2011, that seriously damaged the nuclear units at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which are operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. Natural disasters and other significant events increase the risk to Generation that the NRC or other regulatory or legislative bodies may change the laws or regulations governing, among other things, operations, maintenance, licensed lives, decommissioning, SNF storage, insurance, emergency planning, security and environmental and radiological aspects. In addition, natural disasters could affect the availability of a secure and economical supply of water in some locations, which is essential for Generation’s continued operation, particularly the cooling of generating units. Additionally, natural disasters and other events that have an adverse effect on the economy in general may adversely affect the Registrants’ operations and their ability to raise capital.

 

Exelon does not know the impact that potential terrorist attacks could have on the industry in general and on Exelon in particular. As owner-operators of infrastructure facilities, such as nuclear, fossil and hydroelectric generation facilities and electric and gas transmission and distribution facilities, the Registrants face a risk that their operations would be direct targets or indirect casualties of, an act of terror. Any retaliatory military strikes or sustained military campaign could affect their operations in unpredictable ways, such as changes in insurance markets and disruptions of fuel supplies and markets, particularly oil. Furthermore, these catastrophic events could compromise the physical or cyber security of Exelon’s facilities, which could adversely affect Exelon’s ability to manage its business effectively. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, war, natural disasters, pandemic, credit crises, recession or other factors also may result in a decline in energy consumption, which may adversely affect the Registrants’ results of operations and its ability to raise capital. In addition, the implementation of security guidelines and measures has resulted in and is expected to continue to result in increased costs.

 

The Registrants would be significantly affected by the outbreak of a pandemic. Exelon has plans in place to respond to a pandemic. However, depending on the severity of a pandemic and the resulting impacts to workforce and other resource availability, the ability to operate its generating and transmission and distribution assets could be affected, resulting in decreased service levels and increased costs.

 

In addition, Exelon maintains a level of insurance coverage consistent with industry practices against property and casualty losses subject to unforeseen occurrences or catastrophic events that could damage or destroy assets or interrupt operations. However, there can be no assurance that the amount of insurance will be adequate to address such property and casualty losses.

 

Generation’s financial performance could be negatively affected by matters arising from its ownership and operation of nuclear facilities. (Exelon and Generation)

 

Nuclear capacity factors. Capacity factors for generating units, particularly capacity factors for nuclear generating units, significantly affect Generation’s results of operations. Nuclear plant operations involve substantial fixed operating costs but produce electricity at low variable costs due to nuclear fuel costs typically being lower than fossil fuel costs. Consequently, to be successful, Generation must consistently operate its nuclear facilities at high capacity factors. Lower capacity

 

52


Table of Contents

factors increase Generation’s operating costs by requiring Generation to produce additional energy from primarily its fossil facilities or purchase additional energy in the spot or forward markets in order to satisfy Generation’s obligations to committed third-party sales, including ComEd, PECO and BGE. These sources generally have higher costs than Generation incurs to produce energy from its nuclear stations.

 

Nuclear refueling outages. In general, refueling outages are planned to occur once every 18 to 24 months. The total number of refueling outages, along with their duration, could have a significant impact on Generation’s results of operations. When refueling outages last longer than anticipated or Generation experiences unplanned outages, capacity factors decrease and Generation faces lower margins due to higher energy replacement costs and/or lower energy sales.

 

Nuclear fuel quality. The quality of nuclear fuel utilized by Generation could affect the efficiency and costs of Generation’s operations. Certain of Generation’s nuclear units have previously had a limited number of fuel performance issues. Remediation actions could result in increased costs due to accelerated fuel amortization, increased outage costs and/or increased costs due to decreased generation capabilities.

 

Operational risk. Operations at any of Generation’s nuclear generation plants could degrade to the point where Generation has to shut down the plant or operate at less than full capacity. If this were to happen, identifying and correcting the causes could require significant time and expense. Generation could choose to close a plant rather than incur the expense of restarting it or returning the plant to full capacity. In either event, Generation could lose revenue and incur increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments. In addition, Generation may not achieve the anticipated results under its series of planned power uprates across its nuclear fleet. For plants operated but not wholly owned by Generation, Generation could also incur liability to the co-owners. For plants not operated and not wholly owned by Generation, from which Generation receives a portion of the plants’ output, Generation’s results of operations are dependent on the operational performance of the operators and could be adversely affected by a significant event at those plants. Additionally, poor operating performance at nuclear plants not owned by Generation could result in increased regulation and reduced public support for nuclear-fueled energy, which could significantly affect Generation’s results of operations or financial positions. In addition, closure of generating plants owned by others, or extended interruptions of generating plants or failure of transmission lines, could affect transmission systems that could adversely affect the sale and delivery of electricity in markets served by Generation.

 

Nuclear major incident risk. Although the safety record of nuclear reactors generally has been very good, accidents and other unforeseen problems have occurred both in the United States and abroad. The consequences of a major incident could be severe and include loss of life and property damage. Any resulting liability from a nuclear plant major incident within the United States, owned or operated by Generation or owned by others, could exceed Generation’s resources, including insurance coverage. Uninsured losses and other expenses, to the extent not recovered from insurers or the nuclear industry, could be borne by Generation and could have a material adverse effect on Generation’s results of operations or financial positions. Additionally, an accident or other significant event at a nuclear plant within the United States or abroad, owned by others or Generation, could result in increased regulation and reduced public support for nuclear-fueled energy and significantly affect Generation’s results of operations or financial positions.

 

Nuclear insurance. As required by the Price-Anderson Act, Generation carries the maximum available amount of nuclear liability insurance. The required amount of nuclear liability insurance is $375 million for each operating site. Claims exceeding that amount are covered through mandatory participation in a financial protection pool. In addition, the U.S. Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay claims exceeding the $13.5 billion limit for a single incident.

 

53


Table of Contents

Generation is a member of an industry mutual insurance company, NEIL, which provides property and business interruption insurance for Generation’s nuclear operations. In previous years, NEIL has made distributions to its members but Generation cannot predict the level of future distributions or if they will occur at all. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of nuclear insurance.

 

Decommissioning. NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in certain minimum amounts at the end of the life of the facility to decommission the facility. Generation is required to provide to the NRC a biennial report by unit (annually for units that have been retired and units that are within five years of retirement) addressing Generation’s ability to meet the NRC-estimated funding levels including scheduled contributions to and earnings on the decommissioning trust funds. The NRC funding levels are based upon the assumption that decommissioning will commence after the end of the current licensed life of each unit.

 

Forecasting trust fund investment earnings and costs to decommission nuclear generating stations requires significant judgment, and actual results may differ significantly from current estimates. The performance of capital markets also could significantly affect the value of the trust funds. Currently, Generation is making contributions to certain trust funds of the former PECO units based on amounts being collected by PECO from its customers and remitted to Generation. While Generation, through PECO, has recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers (subject to certain limitations and thresholds), it has no recourse to collect additional amounts from utility customers for any of its other nuclear units if there is a shortfall of funds necessary for decommissioning. If circumstances changed such that Generation would be unable to continue to make contributions to the trust funds of the former PECO units based on amounts collected from PECO customers, or if Generation no longer had recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers if there was a shortfall of funds for decommissioning, the adequacy of the trust funds related to the former PECO units could be negatively affected and Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations or financial positions could be significantly affected. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Ultimately, if the investments held by Generation’s NDTs are not sufficient to fund the decommissioning of Generation’s nuclear units, Generation may be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, which could be significant, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that current and future NRC minimum funding requirements are met. As a result, Generation’s cash flows or financial positions could be significantly adversely affected. Additionally, if the pledged assets are not sufficient to fund the Zion station decommissioning activities under the Asset Sale Agreement (ASA), Generation could have to seek remedies available under the ASA to reduce the risk of default by ZionSolutions and its parent. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Generation’s financial performance could be negatively affected by risks arising from its ownership and operation of hydroelectric facilities. (Exelon and Generation)

 

FERC has the exclusive authority to license most non-Federal hydropower projects located on navigable waterways, Federal lands or connected to the interstate electric grid. The license for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project expires September 1, 2016, and the license for the Muddy Run Pumped Storage Project expires on December 1, 2055. FERC is required to issue annual licenses for the facilities until a final determination is made on the license renewal. Generation cannot predict whether it will receive all the regulatory approvals for the renewed licenses of its hydroelectric facilities. If FERC does not issue new operating licenses for Generation’s hydroelectric facilities or a station cannot be operated through the end of its operating license, Generation’s results of operations could

 

54


Table of Contents

be adversely affected by increased depreciation rates and accelerated future decommissioning costs, since depreciation rates and decommissioning cost estimates currently include assumptions that license renewal will be received. Generation could also lose revenue and incur increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments. In addition, conditions could be imposed as part of the license renewal process that could adversely affect operations, could require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or could result in increased operating costs and significantly affect Generation’s results of operations or financial positions. Similar effects could result from a change in the Federal Power Act or the applicable regulations due to events at hydroelectric facilities owned by others, as well as those owned by Generation.

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s operating costs, and customers’ and regulators’ opinions of ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, are affected by their ability to maintain the availability and reliability of their delivery and operational systems. (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Failures of the equipment or facilities, including information systems, used in ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s delivery systems could interrupt the electric transmission and electric and natural gas delivery, which could negatively impact related revenues, and increase maintenance and capital expenditures. Equipment or facilities failures can be due to a number of factors, including weather or information systems failure. Specifically, if the implementation of advanced metering infrastructure, smart grid or other technologies in ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s service territory fail to perform as intended or are not successfully integrated with billing and other information systems, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s results of operations, cash flows or financial conditions could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, if any of the financial, accounting, or other data processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings, ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s financial results could be negatively impacted. If an employee causes the operational systems to fail, either as a result of inadvertent error or by deliberately tampering with or manipulating the operational systems, ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s financial results could also be negatively impacted. In addition, dependence upon automated systems may further increase the risk that operational system flaws or employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect.

 

The aforementioned failures or those of other utilities, including prolonged or repeated failures, could affect customer satisfaction and the level of regulatory oversight and ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s maintenance and capital expenditures. Regulated utilities, which are required to provide service to all customers within their service territory, have generally been afforded liability protections against claims by customers relating to failure of service. Under Illinois law, however, ComEd could be required to pay damages to its customers in some circumstances involving extended outages affecting large numbers of its customers, and those damages could be material to ComEd’s results of operations or cash flows. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding proceedings related to storm-related outages in ComEd’s service territory.

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s respective ability to deliver electricity, their operating costs and their capital expenditures could be negatively impacted by transmission congestion. (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Demand for electricity within ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s service areas could stress available transmission capacity requiring alternative routing or curtailment of electricity usage with consequent effects on operating costs, revenues and results of operations. Also, insufficient availability of electric supply to meet customer demand could jeopardize ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s ability to comply with reliability standards and strain customer and regulatory agency relationships. As with all utilities, potential concerns over transmission capacity or generation facility retirements could result in PJM or FERC requiring ComEd, PECO and BGE to upgrade or expand their respective transmission systems through additional capital expenditures.

 

55


Table of Contents

The Registrants are subject to physical security and cybersecurity risks. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants face physical security and cybersecurity risks as the owner-operators of generation, transmission and distribution facilities and as a participant in commodities trading. Threat sources continue to seek to exploit potential vulnerabilities in the electric and natural gas utility industry associated with protection of sensitive and confidential information, grid infrastructure and other energy infrastructures, and such attacks and disruptions, both physical and cyber, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dynamic. Continued implementation of advanced digital technologies increase the potentially unfavorable impacts of such attacks. A security breach of the physical assets or information systems of the Registrants, their competitors, interconnected entities in RTOs and ISOs, or regulators could impact the operation of the generation fleet and/or reliability of the transmission and distribution system or subject the Registrants to financial harm associated with theft or inappropriate release of certain types of information, including sensitive customer, vendor, employee, trading or other confidential data. The risk of these system-related events and security breaches occurring continues to intensify, and while we have been, and will likely continue to be, subjected to physical and cyber-attacks, to date we have not experienced a material breach or disruption to our network or information systems or our service operations. However, as such attacks continue to increase in sophistication and frequency, we may be unable to prevent all such attacks in the future. If a significant breach occurred, the reputation of Exelon and its customer supply activities may be adversely affected, customer confidence in the Registrants or others in the industry may be diminished, or Exelon and its subsidiaries may be subject to legal claims, any of which may contribute to the loss of customers and have a negative impact on the business and/or results of operations. Moreover, the amount and scope of insurance we maintain against losses resulting from any such events or security breaches may not be sufficient to cover our losses or otherwise adequately compensate us for any disruptions to our business that may result. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s deployment of smart meters throughout their service territories may increase the risk of damage from an intentional disruption of the system by third parties. In addition, new or updated security regulations or unforeseen threat sources could require changes in current measures taken by the Registrants or their business operations and could adversely affect their results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce could negatively impact the Registrants’ results of operations. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Certain events, such as an employee strike, loss of contract resources due to a major event, and an aging workforce without appropriate replacements, could lead to operating challenges and increased costs for the Registrants. The challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge and a lengthy time period associated with skill development. In this case, costs, including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs and safety costs, could arise. The Registrants are particularly affected due to the specialized knowledge required of the technical and support employees for their generation, transmission and distribution operations. If the Registrants are unable to successfully attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, their results of operations could be negatively impacted.

 

The Registrants could make investments in new business initiatives, including initiatives mandated by regulators, and markets that may not be successful, and acquisitions could not achieve the intended financial results. (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation continues to pursue growth in its existing businesses and markets and further diversification across the competitive energy value chain. Generation is pursuing investment opportunities in renewables, development of natural gas generation, distributed generation, potential expansion of the existing natural gas and oil Upstream and wholesale gas businesses, and entry into

 

56


Table of Contents

liquefied natural gas. Such initiatives could involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, inadequate return on capital, and unidentified issues not discovered in the diligence performed prior to launching an initiative or entering a market. As these markets mature, there could be new market entrants or expansion by established competitors that increase competition for customers and resources. Additionally, it is possible that FERC, state public utility commissions or others could impose certain other restrictions on such transactions. All of these factors could result in higher costs or lower revenues than expected, resulting in lower than planned returns on investment.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE face risks associated with their regulatory-mandated Smart Grid initiatives. These risks include, but are not limited to, cost recovery, regulatory concerns, cybersecurity and obsolescence of technology. Due to these risks, no assurance can be given that such initiatives will be successful and will not have a material adverse effect on ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s financial results.

 

Risks Related to the Pending Merger with PHI

 

Exelon and PHI could encounter difficulties in satisfying the conditions for the completion of the Merger and the Merger could not be completed within the expected time frame or at all.

 

Consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified closing conditions, including (1) the receipt of regulatory approvals required to consummate the Merger, (2) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and (3) other customary closing conditions, including (a) the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers) and (b) each party’s compliance with its obligations and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement. In addition, the obligation of Exelon to consummate the Merger is subject to the required regulatory approvals not, individually or in the aggregate, imposing terms, conditions, obligations or commitments that constitute a burdensome condition (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that either Exelon or PHI could terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger is not completed by October 28, 2015. Exelon and PHI have agreed, among other things, that they will not exercise their rights to terminate the Merger Agreement before March 4, 2016, except under limited circumstances.

 

See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the status of the Merger.

 

The Merger is subject to the receipt of consent or approval from governmental entities that could delay the completion of the Merger or impose conditions that could cause abandonment of the Merger.

 

Completion of the Merger is conditioned upon the receipt of consents, orders, approvals or clearances, to the extent required, from various regulatory authorities, including the DCPSC and the public utility commissions or similar entities in certain states in which the companies operate. The Merger has been approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission (DPSC), the Maryland Public Service Commission (MDPSC), the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Approval of the Merger by the MDPSC is subject to appeals by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, the Sierra Club/Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Public Citizen, Inc. in the Circuit Court of Queen Anne’s County, and the approval by the NJBPU expires on June 30, 2016. The HSR Act waiting period applicable to the Merger expired on December 2, 2015. The Merger remains subject to approval by the DCPSC. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the status of regulatory approvals.

 

57


Table of Contents

Exelon and PHI have proposed conditions for approval in the filings that have been made with the DCPSC and other regulatory commissions. The conditions of approval of the Merger by the DCPSC will trigger the “most favored nation” provisions in the approvals of the Merger by the DPSC, MDPSC, and the NJBPU.

 

Exelon cannot provide assurance that all required regulatory consents or approvals will be obtained or that these consents or approvals will not contain terms, conditions or restrictions that would be unacceptable. The Merger Agreement generally permits Exelon to terminate the Merger Agreement if the final terms of any of the required regulatory consents or approvals include burdensome conditions (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

Failure to obtain regulatory approval could result in Exelon’s payment of a reverse termination fee.

 

If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances due to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, the failure to obtain regulatory approvals without burdensome conditions, or the breach by Exelon of its obligations in respect of obtaining regulatory approvals, Exelon will be required to pay PHI a reverse termination fee of $180 million, which would occur by means of PHI’s election to redeem the outstanding nonvoting preferred securities purchased by Exelon in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement for no consideration other than the nominal par value of the stock. In these circumstances, Exelon will also be required to reimburse PHI for up to $40 million of its documented out-of-pocket expenses for the Merger.

 

Failure to complete the Merger could negatively impact the share price and the future business and financial results of Exelon.

 

If the Merger is not completed, the ongoing businesses of Exelon could be negatively impacted and Exelon will be subject to several risks, including:

 

   

having to pay certain significant costs relating to the Merger without receiving the benefits of the Merger, including a termination fee of up to $180 million payable by Exelon to PHI under certain circumstances; and

 

   

the share price of Exelon could decline if and to the extent that the current market prices reflect an assumption by the market that the Merger will be completed.

 

Exelon and PHI have incurred and will incur significant transaction and Merger-related costs in connection with the Merger.

 

Exelon and PHI have incurred and expect to incur non-recurring costs associated with combining the operations of the two companies. Most of these costs will be transaction costs, including fees paid to financial and legal advisors related to the Merger and related financing arrangements, and employment-related costs, including change-in- control related payments made to certain PHI executives. In addition, until the closing of the Merger, Exelon will be required to pay financing costs without having realized any benefits from the Merger during the period of delay. Exelon will also incur transition costs related to formulating integration plans. Exelon expects that the elimination of costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, will exceed incremental transaction and Merger-related costs over time.

 

58


Table of Contents

Exelon may not realize all the expected benefits of the Merger because of integration difficulties.

 

The success of the PHI acquisition will depend, in part, on Exelon’s ability to realize all or some of the anticipated benefits from integrating PHI’s business with Exelon’s existing businesses. The integration process could be complex, costly and time-consuming. The challenges associated with integrating the operations of PHI’s business include, among others:

 

   

delay in implementation of our business plan for the combined business;

 

   

unanticipated issues or costs in integrating financial, information technology, communications and other systems;

 

   

possible inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, and compensation structures between PHI’ s structure and our structure; and

 

   

difficulties in retention of key employees.

 

Exelon and PHI will be subject to various uncertainties while the Merger is pending that could negatively impact their ability to attract and retain key employees, and potentially impact the company’s financial results.

 

Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger on employees, suppliers and customers could have a negative impact on Exelon and/or PHI. These uncertainties could impair Exelon’s and/or PHI’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is completed and for a period of time thereafter, as employees and prospective employees could experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. In addition, current and prospective Exelon and PHI employees could determine that they do not desire to work for the combined company for a variety of possible reasons. Moreover, the pendency of Merger regulatory-review proceedings has caused PHI to delay filing base rate cases on behalf of its utilities Pepco, ACE and Delmarva which have had a material impact to their results of operations and cash flows.

 

The Merger could divert attention of management at Exelon and PHI, which could detract from efforts to meet business goals.

 

The pursuit of the Merger and the preparation for the integration could place a burden on management and internal resources. Any significant diversion of management attention away from ongoing business concerns and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process could affect Exelon’s and/or PHI’s financial results.

 

Exelon is obligated to complete the Merger whether or not it has obtained the required financing.

 

Exelon intended to fund the cash consideration in the Merger using a combination of debt, cash from asset sales, the issuance of equity (including mandatory convertible securities). See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions and Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the merger financing. Although Exelon had sufficient cash to fund the cash consideration in the Merger as of September 30, 2015, a $2.75 billion portion of the debt incurred to finance the cash consideration was subject to mandatory special redemption on December 31, 2015. On December 2, 2015, the holders of $1.9 billion of that debt exchanged those debt securities for new notes that extend the mandatory special redemption date from December 31, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (or later under some circumstances), and on December 2, 2015, Exelon redeemed $868 million of the debt. Exelon could be required to raise additional cash to fund the cash consideration in the Merger.

 

59


Table of Contents

The combined company’s assets, liabilities or results of operations could be negatively impacted by unknown or unexpected events, conditions or actions that might occur at PHI prior to the closing of the Merger.

 

The PHI assets, liabilities, business, financial condition, cash flows, operating results and prospects to be acquired or assumed by Exelon by reason of the Merger could be negatively impacted before or after the Merger closing as a result of previously unknown events or conditions occurring or existing before the Merger closing. Adverse changes in PHI’s business or operations could occur or arise as a result of actions by PHI, legal or regulatory developments including the emergence or unfavorable resolution of pre-acquisition loss contingencies, deteriorating general business, market, industry or economic conditions, and other factors both within and beyond the control of PHI. A significant decline in the value of PHI assets to be acquired by Exelon or a significant increase in PHI liabilities to be assumed by Exelon could negatively impact the combined company’s future business, operating results, cash flows, financial conditions or prospects.

 

Exelon could record goodwill that could become impaired and adversely affect its operating results.

 

In accordance with GAAP, the Merger will be accounted for as an acquisition of PHI common stock by Exelon and will follow the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The assets and liabilities of PHI will be consolidated with those of Exelon. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of PHI’s assets and liabilities, if any, will be recorded as goodwill.

 

The amount of goodwill, which could be material, will be allocated to the appropriate reporting units of the combined company. Exelon is required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually by comparing the fair value of reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. To the extent the carrying value of any of those reporting units is greater than the fair value, a second step comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount would be required to determine if the goodwill is impaired. Such a potential impairment could result in a material non-cash charge that would have a material impact on Exelon’s future operating results or financial positions.

 

Legal proceedings in connection with the Merger, the outcomes of which are uncertain, could delay or prevent the completion of the Merger.

 

One of the conditions to the closing of the Merger is that no judgment (whether preliminary, temporary or permanent) or other order by any court or other governmental entity shall be in effect that restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger.

 

PHI and its directors have been named as defendants in purported class action lawsuits filed on behalf of named plaintiffs and other public stockholders challenging the proposed Merger and seeking, among other things, to enjoin the defendants from consummating the Merger on the agreed-upon terms. Exelon has been named as a defendant in these lawsuits. Exelon has also been named in a federal court case with similar claims. In September 2014, the parties reached a proposed settlement which is subject to court approval. Final court approval of the proposed settlement is not expected to occur until approximately 90 days after the Merger closing date.

 

If a plaintiff in these or any other litigation claims that may be filed in the future is successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting the parties from completing the Merger on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the injunction could prevent the completion of the Merger in the expected time frame or altogether. If completion of the Merger is prevented or delayed, it could result in substantial costs to Exelon. In addition, Exelon could incur significant costs in connection with the lawsuits, including costs associated with the indemnification of PHI’s directors and officers.

 

60


Table of Contents

The Merger could be completed on terms different from those contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

Prior to the completion of the Merger, Exelon and PHI could, by their mutual agreement, amend or alter the terms of the Merger Agreement, including with respect to, among other things, the Merger consideration to be received by PHI stockholders or any covenants or agreements with respect to the parties’ respective operations pending completion of the Merger. In addition, Exelon could choose to waive requirements of the Merger Agreement, including some conditions to closing of the Merger.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

None.

 

61


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Generation

 

The following table describes Generation’s interests in net electric generating capacity by station at December 31, 2015:

 

Station (a)

 

Region

   

Location

   

No. of

Units

  Percent
Owned (b)
    Primary
Fuel Type
    Primary
Dispatch
Type (c)
    Net
Generation
Capacity (MW) (d)
 

Braidwood

    Midwest        Braidwood, IL      2       Uranium        Base-load        2,389   

Byron

    Midwest        Byron, IL      2       Uranium        Base-load        2,347   

LaSalle

    Midwest        Seneca, IL      2       Uranium        Base-load        2,320   

Dresden

    Midwest        Morris, IL      2       Uranium        Base-load        1,845   

Quad Cities

    Midwest        Cordova, IL      2     75        Uranium        Base-load        1,403 (f) 

Clinton

    Midwest        Clinton, IL      1       Uranium        Base-load        1,069   

Michigan Wind 2

    Midwest        Sanilac Co., MI      50       Wind        Base-load        90   

Beebe

    Midwest        Gratiot Co., MI      34       Wind        Base-load        82   

Michigan Wind 1

    Midwest        Huron Co., MI      46       Wind        Base-load        69   

Harvest 2

    Midwest        Huron Co., MI      33       Wind        Base-load        59   

Harvest

    Midwest        Huron Co., MI      32       Wind        Base-load        53   

Beebe 1B

    Midwest        Gratiot Co., MI      21       Wind        Base-load        50   

Ewington

    Midwest        Jackson Co., MN      10     99        Wind        Base-load        20 (f) 

Marshall

    Midwest        Lyon Co., MN      9     99        Wind        Base-load        19 (f) 

Norgaard

    Midwest        Lincoln Co., MN      7     99        Wind        Base-load        9 (f) 

City Solar

    Midwest        Chicago, IL      1       Solar        Base-load        9   

AgriWind

    Midwest        Bureau Co., IL      4     99        Wind        Base-load        8 (f) 

Cisco

    Midwest        Jackson Co., MN      4     99        Wind        Base-load        8 (f) 

Wolf

    Midwest        Nobles Co., MN      5     99        Wind        Base-load        6 (f) 

CP Windfarm

    Midwest        Faribault Co., MN      2       Wind        Base-load        4   

Blue Breezes

    Midwest        Faribault Co., MN      2       Wind        Base-load        3   

Solar Ohio

    Midwest        Toledo, OH      3       Solar        Base-load        3   

Cowell

    Midwest        Pipestone Co., MN      1     99        Wind        Base-load        2 (f) 

Southeast Chicago

    Midwest        Chicago, IL      8       Gas        Peaking        296   
             

 

 

 

Total Midwest

                12,163   

Limerick

    Mid-Atlantic        Sanatoga, PA      2       Uranium        Base-load        2,317   

Peach Bottom

    Mid-Atlantic        Delta, PA      2     50        Uranium        Base-load        1,299 (f) 

Salem

    Mid-Atlantic       
 
Lower Alloways Creek
Township, NJ
  
  
  2     42.59        Uranium        Base-load        1,005 (f) 

Calvert Cliffs

    Mid-Atlantic        Lusby, MD      2     50.01        Uranium        Base-load        878 (f)(g) 

Three Mile Island

    Mid-Atlantic        Middletown, PA      1       Uranium        Base-load        837   

Oyster Creek

    Mid-Atlantic        Forked River, NJ      1       Uranium        Base-load        625 (e) 

Conowingo

    Mid-Atlantic        Darlington, MD      11       Hydroelectric        Base-load        572   

Criterion

    Mid-Atlantic        Oakland, MD      28       Wind        Base-load        70   

Fourmile

    Mid-Atlantic        Garrett County, MD      16       Wind        Base-load        40   

Fair Wind

    Mid-Atlantic        Garrett County, MD      12       Wind        Base-load        30   

Solar Maryland MC

    Mid-Atlantic        Various, MD      15       Solar        Base-load        27   

Solar Horizons

    Mid-Atlantic        Emmitsburg, MD      1       Solar        Base-load        14   

Solar New Jersey 2

    Mid-Atlantic        Various, NJ      2       Solar        Base-load        9   

Solar New Jersey 1

    Mid-Atlantic        Various, NJ      4       Solar        Base-load        8   

Solar Maryland

    Mid-Atlantic        Various, MD      10       Solar        Base-load        7   

Solar Maryland 2

    Mid-Atlantic        Various, MD      3       Solar        Base-load        7   

Solar Federal

    Mid-Atlantic        Trenton, NJ      1       Solar        Base-load        4   

Solar New Jersey 3

    Mid-Atlantic        Middle Township, NJ      5       Solar        Base-load        1   

Muddy Run

    Mid-Atlantic        Drumore, PA      8       Hydroelectric        Intermediate        1,070   

Eddystone 3, 4

    Mid-Atlantic        Eddystone, PA      2       Oil/Gas        Intermediate        760   

Perryman

    Mid-Atlantic        Aberdeen, MD      6       Oil/Gas        Peaking        463 (h) 

Croydon

    Mid-Atlantic        West Bristol, PA      8       Oil        Peaking        391   

Handsome Lake

    Mid-Atlantic        Kennerdell, PA      5       Gas        Peaking        268   

Notch Cliff

    Mid-Atlantic        Baltimore, MD      8       Gas        Peaking        118   

Westport

    Mid-Atlantic        Baltimore, MD      1       Gas        Peaking        116   

Riverside

    Mid-Atlantic        Baltimore, MD      3       Oil/Gas        Peaking        113 (h) 

Richmond

    Mid-Atlantic        Philadelphia, PA      2       Oil        Peaking        98   

 

62


Table of Contents

Station (a)

 

Region

   

Location

   

No. of

Units

  Percent
Owned (b)
    Primary
Fuel Type
    Primary
Dispatch
Type (c)
    Net
Generation
Capacity (MW) (d)
 

Gould Street

    Mid-Atlantic        Baltimore, MD      1       Gas        Peaking        97   

Philadelphia Road

    Mid-Atlantic        Baltimore, MD      4       Oil        Peaking        61   

Eddystone

    Mid-Atlantic        Eddystone, PA      4       Oil        Peaking        60   

Fairless Hills

    Mid-Atlantic        Fairless Hills, PA      2       Landfill Gas        Peaking        60   

Delaware

    Mid-Atlantic        Philadelphia, PA      4       Oil        Peaking        56   

Southwark

    Mid-Atlantic        Philadelphia, PA      4       Oil        Peaking        52   

Falls

    Mid-Atlantic        Morrisville, PA      3       Oil        Peaking        51   

Moser

    Mid-Atlantic        Lower PottsgroveTwp., PA      3       Oil        Peaking        51   

Chester

    Mid-Atlantic        Chester, PA      3       Oil        Peaking        39   

Schuylkill

    Mid-Atlantic        Philadelphia, PA      2       Oil        Peaking        30   

Salem

    Mid-Atlantic        Lower Alloways Creek Twp, NJ      1     42.59        Oil        Peaking        16 (f) 

Pennsbury

    Mid-Atlantic        Morrisville, PA      2       Landfill Gas        Peaking        5   
             

 

 

 

Total Mid-Atlantic

                11,725   

Whitetail

    ERCOT        Webb County, TX      57       Wind        Base-load        91   

Sendero

    ERCOT       
 
Jim Hogg and Zapata
County, TX
  
  
  39       Wind        Base-load        78   

Wolf Hollow 1, 2, 3

    ERCOT        Granbury, TX      3       Gas        Intermediate        704   

Mountain Creek 8

    ERCOT        Dallas, TX      1       Gas        Intermediate        565   

Colorado Bend

    ERCOT        Wharton, TX      6       Gas        Intermediate        498   

Handley 3

    ERCOT        Fort Worth, TX      1       Gas        Intermediate        395   

Handley 4, 5

    ERCOT        Fort Worth, TX      2       Gas        Peaking        870   

Mountain Creek 6, 7

    ERCOT        Dallas, TX      2       Gas        Peaking        240   

LaPorte

    ERCOT        Laporte, TX      4       Gas        Peaking        152   
             

 

 

 

Total ERCOT

                3,593   

Solar Massachusetts

    New England        Various, MA      18       Solar        Base-load        8   

Holyoke Solar

    New England        Various, MA      2       Solar        Base-load        4   

Solar Net Metering

    New England        Uxbridge, MA      1       Solar        Base-load        2   

Solar Connecticut

    New England        Various, CT      2       Solar        Base-load        1   

Mystic 8, 9

    New England        Charlestown, MA      6       Gas        Intermediate        1,418   

Mystic 7

    New England        Charlestown, MA      1       Oil/Gas        Intermediate        575   

Wyman

    New England        Yarmouth, ME      1     5.9        Oil        Intermediate        36 (f) 

West Medway

    New England        West Medway, MA      3       Oil/Gas        Peaking        117   

Framingham

    New England        Framingham, MA      3       Oil        Peaking        33   

New Boston

    New England        South Boston, MA      1       Oil        Peaking        16   

Mystic Jet

    New England        Charlestown, MA      1       Oil        Peaking        9   
             

 

 

 

Total New England

                2,219   

Nine Mile Point

    New York        Scriba, NY      2     50.01        Uranium        Base-load        838 (f)(g) 

Ginna

    New York        Ontario, NY      1     50.01        Uranium        Base-load        288 (f)(g) 

Solar New York

    New York        Bethlehem, NY      1       Solar        Base-load        2   
             

 

 

 

Total New York

                1,128   

AVSR

    Other        Lancaster, CA      1       Solar        Base-load        242   

Shooting Star

    Other        Kiowa County, KS      65       Wind        Base-load        104   

Exelon Wind 4

    Other        Gruver, TX      38       Wind        Base-load        80   

Bluegrass Ridge

    Other        King City, MO      27       Wind        Base-load        57   

Conception

    Other        Barnard, MO      24       Wind        Base-load        50   

Cow Branch

    Other        Rock Port, MO      24       Wind        Base-load        50   

Mountain Home

    Other        Glenns Ferry, ID      20       Wind        Base-load        42   

High Mesa

    Other        Elmore Co., ID      19       Wind        Base-load        40   

Echo 1

    Other        Echo, OR      21     99        Wind        Base-load        34 (f) 

Solar Arizona

    Other        Various, AZ      55       Solar        Base-load        33   

Cassia

    Other        Buhl, ID      14       Wind        Base-load        29   

Wildcat

    Other        Lovington, NM      13       Wind        Base-load        27   

Sacramento PV Energy

    Other        Sacramento, CA      4       Solar        Base-load        26   

Sunnyside

    Other        Sunnyside, UT      1     50        Waste Coal        Base-load        26 (f) 

Echo 2

    Other        Echo, OR      10       Wind        Base-load        20   

Tuana Springs

    Other        Hagerman, ID      8       Wind        Base-load        17   

California PV Energy

    Other        Various, CA      37       Solar        Base-load        16   

Greensburg

    Other        Greensburg, KS      10       Wind        Base-load        13   

 

63


Table of Contents

Station (a)

 

Region

   

Location

   

No. of

Units

  Percent
Owned (b)
    Primary
Fuel Type
    Primary
Dispatch
Type (c)
    Net
Generation
Capacity (MW) (d)
 

Solar Georgia

    Other        Various, GA      14       Solar        Base-load        12   

Echo 3

    Other        Echo, OR      6     99        Wind        Base-load        10 (f) 

Exelon Wind 1

    Other        Gruver, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 2

    Other        Gruver, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 3

    Other        Gruver, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 5

    Other        Texhoma, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 6

    Other        Texhoma, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 7

    Other        Sunray, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 8

    Other        Sunray, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 9

    Other        Sunray, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 10

    Other        Dumas, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

Exelon Wind 11

    Other        Dumas, TX      8       Wind        Base-load        10   

High Plains

    Other        Panhandle, TX      8     99.5        Wind        Base-load        10 (f) 

Three Mile Canyon

    Other        Boardman, OR      6       Wind        Base-load        10   

Solar California

    Other        Various, CA      25       Solar        Base-load        10   

Outback Solar

    Other        Christmas Valley, OR      1       Solar        Base-load        5   

Loess Hills

    Other        Rock Port, MO      4       Wind        Base-load        5   

Mohave Sunrise Solar

    Other        Fort Mohave, AZ      1       Solar        Base-load        5   

Denver Airport Solar

    Other        Denver, CO      1       Solar        Base-load        4   

Hillabee

    Other        Alexander City, AL      3       Gas        Intermediate        722   

Grande Prairie

    Other        Alberta, Canada      1       Gas        Peaking        105   

SEGS 4, 5, 6

    Other        Boron, CA      3     4.2-12.2        Solar        Peaking        9 (f) 
             

 

 

 

Total Other

                1,913   
             

 

 

 

Total

                32,741   
             

 

 

 

 

(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) Generation has agreed to permanently cease generation operation at Oyster Creek by December 31, 2019.
(f) Net generation capacity is stated at proportionate ownership share.
(g) 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. Generation also had a unit-contingent PPA with CENG under which it purchased 85% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG that was not sold to third parties under the pre-existing PPAs through 2014.
(h) Generation has agreed to retire and cease generation operations at the Perryman 2 (51 MWs) and Riverside 4 (74 MWs) units effective February 1, 2016 and May 31, 2016, respectively.

 

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.

 

In addition to the electric generating stations, Generation has working interests in 9 natural gas and oil exploration and production properties (Upstream) across the United States. Production volumes will vary from year to year due to the timing of individual project start-ups, operational outages, reservoir performance, regulatory changes, asset sales, weather events, price effects and other factors.

 

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 on Generation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

64


Table of Contents

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 higher voltage electric transmission lines owned and in service at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Voltage (Volts)

 

Circuit Miles

765,000

  90

345,000

  2,656

138,000

  2,306

 

ComEd’s electric distribution system includes 35,419 circuit miles of overhead lines and 31,040 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 on 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, 2015 were as follows:

 

Voltage (Volts)

 

Circuit Miles

500,000

  188(a)

230,000

  548

138,000

  156

69,000

  200

 

(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.

 

65


Table of Contents

PECO’s electric distribution system includes 12,960 circuit miles of overhead lines and 9,218 circuit miles of underground lines.

 

Gas

 

The following table sets forth PECO’s natural gas pipeline miles at December 31, 2015:

 

     Pipeline Miles  

Transmission

     30   

Distribution

     6,826   

Service piping

     6,220   
  

 

 

 

Total

     13,076   
  

 

 

 

 

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 157 mmcf/day and a propane-air plant located in Chester, Pennsylvania, with a tank storage capacity of 150 mmcf and a peaking capability of 25 mmcf/day. In addition, PECO owns 31 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 on 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, 2015 were as follows:

 

Voltage (Volts)

 

Circuit Miles

500,000

  218

230,000

  322

138,000

  55

115,000

  703

 

BGE’s electric distribution system includes 9,190 circuit miles of overhead lines and 16,841 circuit miles of underground lines.

 

66


Table of Contents

Gas

 

The following table sets forth BGE’s natural gas pipeline miles at December 31, 2015:

 

     Pipeline Miles  

Transmission

     161   

Distribution

     7,173   

Service piping

     6,225   
  

 

 

 

Total

     13,559   
  

 

 

 

 

BGE has an LNG facility located in Baltimore, Maryland that has a storage capacity of 1,055 mmcf and a send-out capacity of 332 mmcf/day, an LNG facility located in Westminster, Maryland that has a storage capacity of 6 mmcf and a send-out capacity of 6 mmcf/day, and a propane-air plant located in Baltimore, Maryland, with a storage capacity of 546 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 on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of BGE.

 

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

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

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 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such descriptions are incorporated herein by these references.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

Not Applicable to the Registrants.

 

67


Table of Contents

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. As of January 31, 2016, there were 919,924,742 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 118,487 record holders of common stock.

 

The following table presents the New York Stock Exchange—Composite Common Stock Prices and dividends by quarter on a per share basis:

 

     2015      2014  
     Fourth
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     First
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     First
Quarter
 

High price

   $ 31.37       $ 34.44       $ 34.98       $ 38.25       $ 38.93       $ 36.26       $ 37.73       $ 33.94   

Low price

     25.09         28.41         31.28         31.71         33.07         30.66         33.11         26.45   

Close

     27.77         29.70         31.42         33.61         37.08         34.09         36.48         33.56   

Dividends

     0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310   

 

68


Table of Contents

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 2011 through 2015.

 

This performance chart assumes:

 

   

$100 invested on December 31, 2010 in Exelon common stock, in the S&P 500 Stock Index and in the S&P Utility Index; and

 

   

All dividends are reinvested.

 

LOGO

    

Value of Investment at December 31,

     2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    2015

Exelon Corporation

   $100    $108.67    $78.93    $76.16    $107.03    $83.31

S&P 500

   $100    $98.88    $112.13    $145.33    $161.88    $160.70

S&P Utilities

   $100    $114.25    $110.93    $120.64    $149.94    $137.36

 

Generation

 

As of January 31, 2016, Exelon indirectly held the entire membership interest in Generation.

 

ComEd

 

As of January 31, 2016, there were 127,016,973 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, 2016, in addition to Exelon, there were 299 record holders of ComEd common stock. There is no established market for shares of the common stock of ComEd.

 

69


Table of Contents

PECO

 

As of January 31, 2016, 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, 2016, there were 1,000 outstanding shares of common stock, without par value, of BGE, all of which were indirectly held by Exelon.

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

Dividends

 

Under applicable Federal law, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE can pay dividends only from retained, undistributed or current earnings. A significant loss recorded at Generation, ComEd, PECO or BGE may limit the dividends that these companies can distribute to Exelon.

 

The Federal Power Act declares it to be unlawful for any officer or director of any public utility “to participate in the making or paying of any dividends of such public utility from any funds properly included in capital account.” What constitutes “funds properly included in capital account” is undefined in the Federal Power Act or the related regulations; however, FERC has consistently interpreted the provision to allow dividends to be paid as long as (1) the source of the dividends is clearly disclosed, (2) the dividend is not excessive and (3) there is no self-dealing on the part of corporate officials. While these restrictions may limit the absolute amount of dividends that a particular subsidiary may pay, Exelon does not believe these limitations are materially limiting because, under these limitations, the subsidiaries are allowed to pay dividends sufficient to meet Exelon’s actual cash needs.

 

Under Illinois law, ComEd may not pay any dividend on its stock unless, among other things, “[its] earnings and earned surplus are sufficient to declare and pay same after provision is made for reasonable and proper reserves,” or unless it has specific authorization from the ICC. ComEd has also 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 certain dividend restrictions established by the MDPSC. First, in connection with the Constellation merger, BGE was prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares through the end of 2014. Second, BGE is prohibited 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. Finally, BGE must notify the MDPSC that it intends to declare a dividend on its common shares at least 30 days before such a dividend is paid and notify the

 

70


Table of Contents

MDPSC that BGE’s equity ratio is at least 48% within five business days after dividend payment. There are no other limitations on BGE paying common stock dividends unless: (1) BGE elects to defer interest payments on the 6.20% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures due 2043, and any deferred interest remains unpaid; or (2) any dividends (and any redemption payments) due on BGE’s preference stock have not been paid.

 

Exelon’s Board of Directors approved a revised dividend policy. The approved policy would raise our dividend 2.5% each year for the next three years, beginning with the June 2016 dividend. The Board will take formal action to declare the next dividend in the second quarter.

 

At December 31, 2015, Exelon had retained earnings of $12,068 million, including Generation’s undistributed earnings of $2,701 million, ComEd’s retained earnings of $978 million consisting of retained earnings appropriated for future dividends of $2,617 million, partially offset by $(1,639) million of unappropriated retained deficits, PECO’s retained earnings of $780 million, and BGE’s retained earnings of $1,320 million.

 

The following table sets forth Exelon’s quarterly cash dividends per share paid during 2015 and 2014:

 

     2015      2014  

(per share)

  

4th

Quarter

    

3rd

Quarter

    

2nd

Quarter

    

1st

Quarter

    

4th

Quarter

    

3rd

Quarter

    

2nd

Quarter

    

1st

Quarter

 

Exelon

   $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310       $ 0.310   

 

The following table sets forth Generation’s quarterly distributions and ComEd’s and PECO’s quarterly common dividend payments:

 

     2015      2014  

(in millions)

   4th
Quarter
     3rd
Quarter
     2nd
Quarter
     1st
Quarter
     4th
Quarter
     3rd
Quarter
     2nd
Quarter
     1st
Quarter
 

Generation

   $ 106       $ 106       $ 906       $ 1,356       $ 205       $ 205       $ 205       $ 31   

ComEd

     75         75         75         75         77         77         77         76   

PECO

     70         70         70         70         80         80         80         80   

 

First Quarter 2016 Dividend. On January 26, 2016, the Exelon Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2016 regular quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share on Exelon’s common stock payable on March 10, 2016, to shareholders of record of Exelon at the end of the day on February 12, 2016.

 

71


Table of Contents
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.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(In millions, except per share data)

   2015      2014 (a)      2013      2012 (b)      2011  

Statement of Operations data:

              

Operating revenues

   $ 29,447       $ 27,429       $ 24,888       $ 23,489       $ 19,063   

Operating income

     4,409         3,096         3,669         2,373         4,479   

Income from continuing operations

     2,250         1,820         1,729         1,171         2,499   

Net income

     2,250         1,820         1,729         1,171         2,499   

Net income attributable to common shareholders

     2,269         1,623         1,719         1,160         2,495   

Earnings per average common share (diluted):

              

Income from continuing operations

   $ 2.54       $ 1.88       $ 2.00       $ 1.42       $ 3.75   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2.54       $ 1.88       $ 2.00       $ 1.42       $ 3.75   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

   $ 1.24       $ 1.24       $ 1.46       $ 2.10       $ 2.10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average shares of common stock outstanding—diluted

     893         864         860         819         665   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 2012 financial results include the activity of Constellation from the merger effective date of March 12, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Balance Sheet data:

              

Current assets

   $ 15,334       $ 11,853       $ 9,562       $ 10,009       $ 5,713   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     57,439         52,170         47,330         45,186         32,570   

Noncurrent regulatory assets

     6,065         6,076         5,910         6,497         4,518   

Goodwill

     2,672         2,672         2,625         2,625         2,625   

Other deferred debits and other assets

     13,874         13,645         13,816         14,033         9,498   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 95,384       $ 86,416       $ 79,243       $ 78,350       $ 54,924   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 9,118       $ 8,762       $ 7,686       $ 7,734       $ 5,134   

Long-term debt, including long-term debt to financing trusts

     24,286         19,853         18,165         18,266         12,118   

Noncurrent regulatory liabilities

     4,201         4,550         4,388         3,981         3,627   

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

     30,457         29,118         26,064         26,552         19,570   

Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest (a)

     28         —           —           —           —     

Preferred securities of subsidiary

     —           —           —           87         87   

Noncontrolling interest

     1,308         1,332         15         106         3   

BGE preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption

     193         193         193         193         —     

Shareholders’ equity

     25,793         22,608         22,732         21,431         14,385   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 95,384       $ 86,416       $ 79,243       $ 78,350       $ 54,924   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents mezzanine equity related to contingently redeemable equity contributions made by a noncontrolling interest holder of one of Generation’s subsidiaries. See Note 18—Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for further information.

 

72


Table of Contents

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.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014 (a)      2013      2012 (b)      2011  

Statement of Operations data:

              

Operating revenues

   $ 19,135       $ 17,393       $ 15,630       $ 14,437       $ 10,447   

Operating income

     2,275         1,176         1,677         1,113         2,875   

Net income

     1,340         1,019         1,060         558         1,771   

Net income attributable to membership interest

     1,372         835         1,070         562         1,771   

 

(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) 2012 financial results include the activity of Constellation from the merger effective date of March 12, 2012 through December 31, 2012.

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Balance Sheet data:

              

Current assets

   $ 6,342       $ 7,311       $ 5,964       $ 6,211       $ 3,217   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     25,843         23,028         20,111         19,531         13,475   

Other deferred debits and other assets

     14,344         14,612         14,625         14,906         10,714   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 46,529       $ 44,951       $ 40,700       $ 40,648       $ 27,406   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 4,933       $ 4,459       $ 3,842       $ 3,969       $ 1,899   

Long-term debt

     8,869         7,582         7,111         7,422         3,647   

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

     19,757         18,859         17,005         16,592         13,152   

Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest (a)

     28         —           —           —           —     

Noncontrolling interest

     1,307         1,333         17         108         5   

Member’s equity

     11,635         12,718         12,725         12,557         8,703   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and member’s equity

   $ 46,529       $ 44,951       $ 40,700       $ 40,648       $ 27,406   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents mezzanine equity related to contingently redeemable equity contributions made by a noncontrolling interest holder of one of Generation’s subsidiaries. See Note 18—Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for further information.

 

73


Table of Contents

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.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Statement of Operations data:

              

Operating revenues

   $ 4,905       $ 4,564       $ 4,464       $ 5,443       $ 6,056   

Operating income

     1,017         980         954         886         982   

Net income

     426         408         249         379         416   

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Balance Sheet data:

              

Current assets

   $ 1,518       $ 1,723       $ 1,540       $ 1,692       $ 2,127   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     17,502         15,793         14,666         13,826         13,121   

Goodwill

     2,625         2,625         2,625         2,625         2,625   

Noncurrent regulatory assets

     895         852         933         666         699   

Other deferred debits and other assets

     3,992         4,365         4,325         3,984         3,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 26,532       $ 25,358       $ 24,089       $ 22,793       $ 22,547   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 2,766       $ 1,923       $ 2,032       $ 1,655       $ 2,071   

Long-term debt, including long-term debt to financing trusts

     6,049         5,870         5,235         5,492         5,391   

Noncurrent regulatory liabilities

     3,459         3,655         3,512         3,229         3,042   

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

     6,015         6,003         5,782         5,094         5,006   

Shareholders’ equity

     8,243         7,907         7,528         7,323         7,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 26,532       $ 25,358       $ 24,089       $ 22,793       $ 22,547   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Statement of Operations data:

              

Operating revenues

   $ 3,032       $ 3,094       $ 3,100       $ 3,186       $ 3,720   

Operating income

     630         572         666         623         655   

Net income

     378         352         395         381         389   

Net income attributable to common shareholder

     378         352         388         377         385   

 

74


Table of Contents
     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Balance Sheet data:

              

Current assets

   $ 842       $ 645       $ 821       $ 1,054       $ 1,218   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     7,141         6,801         6,384         6,078         5,874   

Noncurrent regulatory assets

     1,583         1,529         1,448         1,378         1,216   

Other deferred debits and other assets

     801         885         868         793         814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10,367       $ 9,860       $ 9,521       $ 9,303       $ 9,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 944       $ 653       $ 889       $ 1,158       $ 1,145   

Long-term debt, including long-term debt to financing trusts

     2,464         2,416         2,120         1,821         1,772   

Noncurrent regulatory liabilities

     527         657         629         538         585   

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

     3,196         3,013         2,818         2,717         2,595   

Preferred securities

     —           —           —           87         87   

Shareholders’ equity

     3,236         3,121         3,065         2,982         2,938   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 10,367       $ 9,860       $ 9,521       $ 9,303       $ 9,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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.

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012     2011  

Statement of Operations data:

             

Operating revenues

   $ 3,135       $ 3,165       $ 3,065       $ 2,735      $ 3,068   

Operating income

     558         439         449         132        314   

Net income

     288         211         210         4        136   

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholder

     275         198         197         (9     123   

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014      2013      2012 (a)      2011 (a)  

Balance Sheet data:

              

Current assets

   $ 845       $ 951       $ 1,009       $ 979       $ 969   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     6,597         6,204         5,864         5,498         5,132   

Noncurrent regulatory assets

     514         510         524         522         551   

Other deferred debits and other assets

     339         391         442         486         531   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 8,295       $ 8,056       $ 7,839       $ 7,485       $ 7,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 1,134       $ 794       $ 800       $ 980       $ 675   

Long-term debt, including long-term debt to financing trusts and variable interest entities

     1,732         2,109         2,179         1,949         2,166   

Noncurrent regulatory liabilities

     184         200         204         214         201   

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

     2,368         2,200         2,101         1,984         1,840   

Preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption

     190         190         190         190         190   

Shareholders’ equity

     2,687         2,563         2,365         2,168         2,111   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 8,295       $ 8,056       $ 7,839       $ 7,485       $ 7,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) BGE retrospectively reclassified certain regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities to conform to the current year presentation.

 

75


Table of Contents
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Exelon

 

Executive Overview

 

Exelon, a utility services holding company, operates through the following principal subsidiaries:

 

   

Generation, whose 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.

 

   

As a result of the Constellation merger, Generation owns a 50.01% interest in CENG. During 2014, Generation assumed the operating licenses and corresponding operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, Exelon and Generation fully consolidated CENG’s financial position and results of operations into their financial statements since April 1, 2014.

 

   

ComEd, whose business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity transmission and distribution services in northern Illinois, including the City of Chicago.

 

   

PECO, whose business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of electricity 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 services in the Pennsylvania counties surrounding the City of Philadelphia.

 

   

BGE, whose business consists of the purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and natural gas and the provision of electricity distribution and transmission and gas distribution services in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore.

 

Exelon has nine reportable segments consisting of Generation’s six power marketing reportable segments (Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions in Generation), ComEd, PECO and BGE. See Note 25—Segment Information of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Exelon’s reportable segments.

 

Through its business services subsidiary BSC, Exelon provides its operating subsidiaries with a variety of support services at cost. The costs of these services are directly charged or allocated to the applicable operating segments. Additionally, the results of Exelon’s corporate operations include costs for corporate governance and interest costs and income from various investment and financing activities.

 

Exelon’s consolidated financial information includes the results of its four separate operating subsidiary registrants, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, 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 and BGE. However, none of the Registrants makes any representation as to information related solely to any of the other Registrants.

 

Financial Results. The following consolidated financial results reflect the results of Exelon for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The 2014 financial results only include the operations of CENG on a fully consolidated basis from the date Generation assumed

 

76


Table of Contents

operational control, April 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. All amounts presented below are before the impact of income taxes, except as noted.

 

    The Years Ended December 31,     Favorable
(Unfavorable)
Variance
 
    2015     2014    
    Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE     Other     Exelon     Exelon (a)    

Operating revenues

  $ 19,135      $ 4,905      $ 3,032      $ 3,135      $ (760   $ 29,447      $ 27,429      $ 2,018   

Purchased power and fuel expense

    10,021        1,319        1,190        1,305        (751     13,084        13,003        (81
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense (b)

    9,114        3,586        1,842        1,830        (9     16,363        14,426        1,937   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

               

Operating and maintenance

    5,308        1,567        794        683        (30     8,322        8,568        246   

Depreciation and amortization

    1,054        707        260        366        63        2,450        2,314        (136

Taxes other than income

    489        296        160        224        31        1,200        1,154        (46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

    6,851        2,570        1,214        1,273        64        11,972        12,036        64   

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (20     20   

Gain on sales of assets

    12        1        2        1        2        18        437        (419

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

    —          —          —          —          —          —          289        (289
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    2,275        1,017        630        558        (71     4,409        3,096        1,313   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

               

Interest expense, net

    (365     (332     (114     (99     (123     (1,033     (1,065     32   

Other, net

    (60     21        5        18        (30     (46     455        (501
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

    (425     (311     (109     (81     (153     (1,079     (610     (469
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    1,850        706        521        477        (224     3,330        2,486        844   

Income taxes

    502        280        143        189        (41     1,073        666        (407

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

    (8     —          —          —          1        (7     —          (7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    1,340        426        378        288        (182     2,250        1,820        430   

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and preference stock dividends

    (32     —          —          13        —          (19     197        (216
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

  $ 1,372      $ 426      $ 378      $ 275      $ (182   $ 2,269      $ 1,623      $ 646   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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 from April 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
(b) The Registrants’ evaluate operating performance using the measure of revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense. The Registrants’ believe that revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense is a useful measurement because it provides information that can be used to evaluate its operational performance. Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense 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.

 

Exelon’s net income attributable to common shareholders was $2,269 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to $1,623 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and diluted earnings per average common share were $2.54 for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to $1.88 for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense, which is a non-GAAP measure discussed below, increased by $1,937 million as compared to 2014. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the following favorable factors:

 

   

Increase of $666 million at Generation primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015, benefit of lower cost to serve load (including the absence of higher procurement costs for replacement power in 2014), the cancellation of the DOE spent

 

77


Table of Contents
 

nuclear fuel disposal fee, increased capacity prices, the inclusion of Integrys’ results in 2015, favorability from portfolio management optimization activities in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, and increased load served, partially offset by lower margins resulting from the 2014 sales of generating assets, lower realized energy prices, and the absence of the 2014 fuel optimization opportunities in the South region due to extreme cold weather;

 

   

Increase of $848 million at Generation due to mark-to-market gains of $257 million in 2015 from economic hedging activities as compared to losses of $591 million in 2014;

 

   

Increase of $132 million at Generation related to amortization of contracts recorded at fair value associated with prior acquisitions;

 

   

Increase of $228 million at ComEd primarily due to increased electric distribution and transmission formula rate revenues (reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment, partially offset by lower allowed electric distribution ROE);

 

   

Increase of $9 million at PECO primarily due to favorable weather and volume; and

 

   

Increase of $82 million at BGE primarily due to increased distribution revenue pursuant to increased rates effective December 2014 as a result of the electric and natural gas distribution rate case order issued by the Maryland PSC and increased transmission revenue.

 

The year-over-year increase in operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense was partially offset by the following unfavorable factors:

 

   

Decrease of $38 million at ComEd due to unfavorable weather and volume.

 

Operating and maintenance expense decreased by $246 million as compared to 2014 primarily due to the following favorable factors:

 

   

Long-lived asset impairments at Generation of $12 million in 2015 compared to $663 million in 2014.

 

   

Decrease of $44 million resulting from the absence of 2014 expenses recorded for a Constellation merger commitment at Generation;

 

   

Decreased storm costs at PECO and BGE of $78 million and $21 million, respectively;

 

   

Decreased uncollectible accounts expense at BGE of $49 million.

 

The year-over-year decrease in operating and maintenance expense was partially offset by the following unfavorable factors:

 

   

Increase in Generation’s labor, contracting and materials costs of $323 million primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015 and increased contracting spend related to energy efficiency projects;

 

   

Increase of $64 million as a result of an increase in the number of nuclear refueling outage days at Generation, including Salem, primarily related to the inclusion of CENG’s plants on a fully consolidated basis in 2015;

 

   

Increase in labor, contracting and materials costs of $31 million related to preventative maintenance and other projects at ComEd;

 

   

Increased storm costs at ComEd of $27 million;

 

   

Increased costs associated with ComEd’s uncollectible accounts expense of $27 million; and

 

   

An increase in pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense of $47 million primarily at Exelon, Generation, and ComEd, resulting from the unfavorable impact of lower assumed pension and OPEB discount rates for 2015 and an increase in the life expectancy assumption for plan participants in 2015, partially offset by cost savings from plan design changes for certain OPEB plans effective April 2014 and forward.

 

78


Table of Contents

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $136 million primarily as a result of the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015, increased nuclear decommissioning amortization at Generation, and increased depreciation expense across the operating companies for ongoing capital expenditures.

 

Taxes other than income increased $46 million primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015 and increased sales and use tax at Corporate.

 

Gain on sales of assets decreased $419 million as a result of the absence of 2014 gains recorded on the sales of ownership interest in certain generating stations.

 

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses decreased by $289 million due to a $261 million gain upon consolidation of CENG in 2014 resulting from the difference in fair value of CENG’s net assets as of April 1, 2014, and the equity method investment previously recorded on Generation’s and Exelon’s books and the settlement of pre-existing transactions between Generation and CENG, and a $28 million bargain-purchase gain in 2014 related to the Integrys acquisition.

 

Interest expense decreased by $32 million primarily as a result of mark-to market gains in 2015 as compared to mark-to-market losses in 2014 associated with an interest rate swap terminated in June 2015, partially offset by higher debt in 2015 related to financing activities associated with the pending PHI merger.

 

Other, net decreased by $501 million primarily at Generation as a result of the change in realized and unrealized gains and losses on NDT funds.

 

Exelon’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were 32.2% and 26.8%, respectively. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the effective income tax rates.

 

For further detail regarding the financial results for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, including explanation of the non-GAAP measure revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense, see the discussions of Results of Operations by Segment below.

 

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

 

Exelon’s adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $2,227 million, or $2.49 per diluted share, compared with adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings of $2,068 million, or $2.39 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. 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.

 

79


Table of Contents

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, 2015 as compared to 2014:

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2015     2014  

(All amounts after tax; in millions, except per share amounts)

         Earnings
per
Diluted
Share
          Earnings
per
Diluted
Share
 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

   $ 2,269      $ 2.54      $ 1,623      $ 1.88   

Mark-to-Market Impact of Economic Hedging Activities (a)

     (158     (0.18     363        0.42   

Unrealized Losses (Gains) Related to NDT Fund Investments (b)

     115        0.13        (86     (0.10

Plant Retirements and Divestitures (c)

     —          —          (245     (0.28

Asset Retirement Obligation (d)

     (6     (0.01     (13     (0.02

Merger and Integration Costs (e)

     58        0.07        124        0.14   

Amortization of Commodity Contract Intangibles (f)

     (5     —          64        0.07   

Reassessment of State Deferred Income Taxes (g)

     41        0.05        (27     (0.03

Long-Lived Asset Impairments (h)

     21        0.02        435        0.50   

Bargain-Purchase Gain on Integrys Acquisition (i)

     —          —          (28     (0.03

Gain on CENG Integration (j)

     —          —          (159     (0.18

Tax Settlements (k)

     (52     (0.06     (106     (0.12

Mark-to-Market Impact of PHI Merger Related Interest Rate Swaps (l)

     (21     (0.02     61        0.07   

PHI Merger Related Redeemable Debt Exchange (m)

     13        0.01        —          —     

Reduction in State Income Tax Reserve (n)

     (10     (0.01     —          —     

Midwest Generation Bankruptcy Recoveries (o)

     (6     (0.01     —          —     

CENG Non-Controlling Interest (p)

     (32     (0.04     62        0.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

   $ 2,227      $ 2.49      $ 2,068      $ 2.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Reflects the impact of (gains) losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $99 million and $232 million, respectively) on Generation’s economic hedging activities. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail related to Generation’s hedging activities.
(b) Reflects the impact of unrealized losses (gains) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $148 million and $77 million, respectively) on Generation’s NDT fund investments for Non-Regulatory Agreement Units. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail related to Generation’s NDT fund investments.
(c) Reflects the impacts associated with the sales of Generation’s ownership interests in generating stations for the year ended December 31, 2014 (net of taxes of $163 million, respectively).
(d) Reflects a non-cash benefit pursuant to the annual update of the Generation nuclear decommissioning obligation related to the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $4 million).
(e) Reflects certain costs associated with mergers and acquisitions incurred for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $38 million and $45 million, respectively) including professional fees, employee-related expenses, integration activities, upfront credit facilities fees, merger commitments, and certain pre-acquisition contingencies related to the Constellation merger, CENG integration and the Integrys and pending PHI acquisitions.
(f) Reflects the non-cash impact for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $3 million and $68 million, respectively) of the amortization of commodity contracts recorded at fair value associated with prior acquisitions, if and when applicable.
(g) Reflects the non-cash impacts of the remeasurement of state deferred income taxes, primarily as a result of changes in forecasted apportionment.
(h) In 2015, reflects charges to earnings primarily related to the impairments of investments in long-term leases and Upstream assets (net of taxes of $13 million). In 2014, reflects charges to earnings related to the impairments of certain generating assets held for sale, investment in long-term leases, Upstream assets, and wind generating assets (net of taxes of $250 million).
(i) Reflects the excess of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price of Integrys (net of taxes of $16 million).

 

80


Table of Contents
(j) Reflects the non-cash gain recorded upon consolidation of CENG in accordance with the execution of the NOSA on April 1, 2014 (net of taxes of $102 million).
(k) Reflects a benefit related to the favorable settlement in 2015 and 2014 of certain income tax positions on Constellation’s pre-acquisition tax returns.
(l) Reflects the impact of mark-to-market activity on forward-starting interest rate swaps held at Exelon Corporate related to financing for the pending PHI acquisition for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (net of taxes of $14 million and $39 million, respectively).
(m) Reflects the costs associated with the exchange and redemption in December 2015 of certain mandatorily redeemable debt issued to finance the PHI merger (net of taxes of $8 million).
(n) Reflects the reduction of a previously recorded state income tax reserve associated with the 2014 sales of Keystone and Conemaugh for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(o) Reflects a benefit for the favorable settlement of a long-term railcar lease agreement pursuant to the Midwest Generation bankruptcy for the year ended December 31, 2015 (net of taxes of $4 million).
(p) Represents Generation’s non-controlling interest related to CENG exclusion items, primarily related to the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments and mark-to-market activity in 2015, and in 2014 the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments, costs incurred associated with the integration, non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, related to commodity contracts, mark-to-market activity, and changes in asset retirement obligations.

 

Merger and Acquisition Costs

 

As presented in the table above, Exelon has incurred and will continue to incur costs associated with the Integrys and PHI acquisitions including employee-related expenses (e.g. severance, retirement, relocation and retention bonuses), financing costs, integration initiatives, and certain pre-acquisition contingencies.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, expense has been recognized for costs incurred to achieve the Constellation merger, CENG integration, Integrys acquisition and pending PHI acquisition as follows:

 

     Pre-tax Expense  
     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015  

Merger Integration and Acquisition Expense:

   Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE      Exelon  

Financing (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 21   

Transaction (b)

     —           —           —           —           23   

Other (c)

     32         9         4         5         51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 32       $ 9       $ 4       $ 5       $ 95   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Pre-tax Expense  
     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014  

Merger Integration and Acquisition Expense:

   Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE      Exelon  

Financing (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 31   

Transaction (b)

     —           —           —           —           26   

Regulatory commitments (d)

     44         —           —           —           44   

Employee-related (e)

     5         —           —           —           5   

Other (c)

     56         4         2         2         65   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 105       $ 4       $ 2       $ 2       $ 171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Reflects costs incurred at Exelon related to the financing of the PHI acquisition, including upfront credit facility fees. Excludes mark-to-market activity on forward-starting swaps and costs associated with the exchange and redemption of mandatorily redeemable debt.
(b) External, third party costs paid to advisors, consultants, lawyers and other experts to assist in the due diligence and regulatory approval processes and in the closing of transactions.
(c) Costs to integrate CENG, Constellation and Integrys processes and systems into Exelon and to terminate certain Constellation debt agreements. Also includes professional fees primarily related to integration for the pending PHI acquisition.

 

81


Table of Contents
(d) Reflects costs incurred at Generation for a Constellation merger commitment for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(e) Costs primarily for employee severance, pension and OPEB expense and retention bonuses.

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon projects incurring total PHI acquisition and integration related costs of approximately $700 million, excluding the amounts Exelon and PHI are committed, if approved, to provide to the PHI utility’s respective customers. Of this amount, including 2014 and through December 31, 2015, Exelon has incurred approximately $300 million of costs associated with the proposed merger. Included in this amount are costs to fund the merger of which $76 million has been expensed, $56 million has been paid and recorded as deferred debt issuance costs and $60 million has been incurred and charged to common stock. The remaining costs will be primarily within Operating and maintenance expense within Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and will also include approximately $60 million for integration costs expected to be capitalized to Property, plant and equipment. The increase from the previous estimate of $635 million is due to higher transaction costs primarily driven by the merger delay. This increase in transaction costs is partially offset by lower integration costs.

 

Pursuant to the conditions set forth by the MDPSC in its approval of the Constellation merger transaction, Exelon committed to provide a package of benefits to BGE customers, and make certain investments in the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, resulting in an estimated direct investment in the State of Maryland of approximately $1 billion. The direct investment estimate includes $95 million to $120 million for the requirement to cause construction of a headquarters building in Baltimore for Generation’s competitive energy businesses. On March 20, 2013, Generation signed a twenty year lease agreement for office space that was contingent upon the developer obtaining all required approvals, permits and financing for the construction of a building in Baltimore, Maryland. The operating lease became effective during the second quarter of 2014 when these outstanding contingencies were met by the developer. Construction began late in the second quarter of 2014 and the building is expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of 2016. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to the lease commitments.

 

Exelon’s Strategy and Outlook for 2016 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:

 

   

Exelon’s utilities provide a foundation for stable earnings, which translates to a stable currency in our stock.

 

   

Generation’s competitive businesses provide free cash flow to invest primarily into the utilities and in long-term, contracted assets.

 

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 Exelon utilities only invest in rate base where it provides a net benefit to customers and the community by improving reliability and the service experience or otherwise meeting customer needs. The Exelon utilities make these investments prudently and 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 best practices to achieve improved operational and financial results. Additionally,

 

82


Table of Contents

ComEd, PECO and BGE anticipate making significant future investments in smart meter 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 solutions and reliable, clean and affordable energy. Generation’s electricity generation strategy is to pursue opportunities that provide 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 Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, 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 revised dividend policy. The approved policy would raise our dividend 2.5% each year for the next three years, beginning with the June 2016 dividend. The Board will take formal action to declare the next dividend in the second quarter.

 

Various market, financial, and other factors could affect the Registrants’ success in pursuing their strategies. Exelon continues to assess infrastructure, operational, commercial, policy, and legal solutions to these issues. 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. Through a recent focused cost management program the company has committed to reducing operation and maintenance expenses and capital costs by $350 million, of which approximately 35% of run-rate savings are expected to be achieved by the end of 2016 and fully realized in 2018. Savings will be allocated approximately 75%, 14%, 6% and 6% to Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively. Exelon anticipates the earnings per share savings impact on EPS will be within $0.13 to $0.18 from 2018 forward.

 

Proposed Merger with Pepco Holdings, Inc. (Exelon)

 

On April 29, 2014, Exelon and Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) signed an agreement and plan of merger (as subsequently amended and restated as of July 18, 2014, the Merger Agreement) to combine the two companies in an all cash transaction. The resulting company will retain the Exelon name. Under the Merger Agreement, PHI’s shareholders will receive $27.25 of cash in exchange for each share of PHI common stock. Based on the outstanding shares of PHI’s common stock as of December 31, 2015, PHI shareholders would receive $6.9 billion in total cash. In addition, in connection with the Merger Agreement, Exelon entered into a subscription agreement under which it has purchased $180 million of a class of nonvoting, nonconvertible and nontransferable preferred securities of PHI. The preferred securities are included in Other non-current assets on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. PHI has the right to redeem the preferred securities at its option for the purchase price paid plus accrued dividends, if any.

 

On November 2, 2015, Exelon and PHI each filed a new Notification and Report Form with the DOJ under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act) due to the expiration of the original filing. The HSR Act waiting period expired on December 2, 2015, and the HSR Act no longer precludes completion of the merger.

 

83


Table of Contents

To date, the PHI stockholders, the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), the Delaware Public Service Commission (DPSC), the Maryland Public Service Commission (MDPSC) and the FERC have approved the merger of PHI and Exelon. The Federal Communications Commission has also approved the transfer of certain PHI communications licenses.

 

On February 11, 2015, the NJBPU approved the proposed merger and the previously filed settlement signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Atlantic City Electric (ACE), NJBPU staff, and the Independent Energy Coalition. The settlement provides a package of benefits to ACE customers and the state of New Jersey. This package of benefits includes the establishment of customer rate credit programs, with an aggregate value of $62 million for ACE customers and energy efficiency programs that will provide savings for ACE customers of $15 million. The March 6, 2015, order by the NJBPU approving the merger required that the consummation of the merger must take place no later than November 1, 2015 unless otherwise extended by the Board. On October 15, 2015, the NJBPU extended the November 1, 2015 date to June 30, 2016.

 

On February 13, 2015, Exelon and PHI announced that they had reached a settlement agreement in the proceeding before the DPSC to review the proposed merger. The settlement, which was amended on April 7, 2015, was signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Delmarva Power & Light Company (DPL), the DPSC Staff, the Delaware Public Advocate, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition and the Clean Air Council. As part of this settlement, Exelon and PHI proposed a package of benefits to DPL customers and the state of Delaware including the establishment of customer rate credits of $40 million for DPL customers in Delaware, $2 million of funding for energy efficiency programs for DPL low income customers, and $2 million of funding for workforce development. On June 2, 2015, the DPSC issued an order accepting the settlement and approving the merger between Exelon and PHI.

 

On March 17, 2015, Exelon and PHI announced that they had reached settlements with multiple parties in the Maryland proceeding to review the proposed merger after filing a Request for Adoption of Settlements with the MDPSC. The settlements were signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, the National Consumer Law Center, National Housing Trust, the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, and a consortium of recreational trail advocacy organizations led by the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts. Exelon and PHI also announced a settlement with The Alliance for Solar Choice. On May 15, 2015, the MDPSC approved the merger after modifying a number of the conditions in the settlements, resulting in total rate credits of $66 million, funding for energy efficiency programs of $43.2 million, a Green Sustainability Fund of $14.4 million, 20 MWs of renewable generation development and increased penalties related to reliability commitments. On May 18, 2015, Exelon and PHI accepted and committed to fulfill the conditions.

 

On June 11, 2015, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), the Sierra Club, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network filed Petitions for Judicial Review of the MDPSC’s approval of the merger with the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. On June 23, 2015, Public Citizen, Inc. filed its Petition for Judicial Review with the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. On July 10, 2015, Exelon and PHI filed a response in opposition to the Petitions for Review.

 

On July 21, 2015, the OPC filed a motion to stay the MDPSC order approving the merger and to set a schedule for discovery and presentation of new evidence. On July 29, 2015, Public Citizen, Inc. filed a response supporting OPC’s motion to stay, and on July 31, 2015 the Sierra Club and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network filed a joint motion to stay. In July and August, Exelon, PHI, the MDPSC, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County filed responses opposing the motions to stay. The judge issued an order denying the motions for stay on August 12, 2015. On January 8, 2016, the Circuit Court judge affirmed the MDPSC’s order approving the merger and denied the petitions for

 

84


Table of Contents

judicial review filed by the OPC, the Sierra Club, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and Public Citizen, Inc. On January 19, 2016, the OPC filed a notice of appeal to the Maryland Court of Special appeals, and on January 21, Sierra Club and CCAN filed a notice of appeal. In the ordinary course this appeal would be resolved no earlier than third quarter 2016.

 

On August 27, 2015, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (DCPSC) issued an Opinion and Order denying approval of the merger, concluding that the merger as presented was not in the public interest. Exelon and PHI filed an Application for Reconsideration with the DCPSC on September 28, 2015. On October 6, 2015, Exelon, PHI, the District of Columbia Government, the Office of Peoples Counsel, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, the National Consumer Law Center, National Housing Trust and National Housing Trust—Enterprise Preservation Corporation, and the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (collectively, Settling Parties) entered into a Nonunanimous Full Settlement Agreement and Stipulation (Settlement Agreement) with respect to the merger. Exelon and PHI subsequently filed a motion of joint applicants requesting the DCPSC to reopen the approval application to allow for consideration of the Settlement Agreement and granting additional requested relief. The new package of benefits totals $78 million and includes commitments to provide relief of residential customer base rate increases of $26 million, one-time direct bill credits of $14 million, low-income energy assistance of $16 million, improved reliability, a cleaner and greener D.C. through funding energy efficiency programs and development of renewable energy, and investment in local jobs and the local economy through workforce development of $5 million. It also guarantees charitable contributions totaling $19 million over 10 years.

 

On October 28, 2015, the DCPSC agreed to reopen the approval application to allow for consideration of the Settlement Agreement. Since then, parties supporting and opposing the Settlement filed testimony, participated in formal hearings and, on December 23, 2015, submitted final briefs to the DCPSC. The parties now await a formal decision from the DCPSC. The Merger Agreement provides that either Exelon or PHI may terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger is not completed by October 28, 2015. Pursuant to a Letter Agreement related to the Settlement Agreement, Exelon and PHI have agreed, among other things, that they will not exercise their rights to terminate the Merger Agreement before March 4, 2016, except under limited circumstances. If the DCPSC does not approve the Settlement Agreement by March 4, 2016, either Exelon or PHI may terminate the Settlement Agreement.

 

The settlements reached and commission orders received to date in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey include a “most favored nation” provision which, generally speaking, requires allocation of merger benefits proportionately across all the jurisdictions. When applying the most favored nation provision to the settlement terms and other conditions established in the merger approvals received to date, and as proposed in the Settlement Agreement filed with the DCPSC, Exelon and PHI currently estimate direct benefits of $430 million or more on a net present value basis (excluding charitable contributions and renewable generation commitments) will be provided, including rate credits, funding for energy efficiency programs and other required commitments. Exelon and PHI anticipate substantially all of such amounts will be charged to earnings at the time of merger close and will be paid by the end of 2017. An additional $53 million will be charged to earnings for charitable contributions, which are required to be paid over a period of 10 years. Commitments to develop renewable generation, which are expected to be primarily capital in nature, will be recognized as incurred. Upon completion of the merger, the actual nature, amount, timing and financial reporting treatment for these commitments may be materially different from the current projection.

 

Exelon has been named in suits filed in the Delaware Chancery Court alleging that individual directors of PHI breached their fiduciary duties by entering into the proposed merger transaction and Exelon aided and abetted the individual directors’ breaches. The suits seek to enjoin PHI from completing the merger or seek rescission of the merger if completed. In addition, they also seek unspecified damages and costs. Exelon was also named in a federal court suit making similar claims. In September 2014, the parties reached a proposed settlement that would resolve all claims, which is

 

85


Table of Contents

subject to court approval. Final court approval of the proposed settlement is not anticipated until approximately 90 days after merger close. Exelon does not believe these suits will impact the completion of the transaction, and they are not expected to have a material impact on Exelon’s results of operations.

 

Including 2014 and through December 31, 2015, Exelon has incurred approximately $259 million of expense associated with the proposed merger. Of the total costs incurred, $121 million is primarily related to acquisition and integration costs and $138 million are for costs incurred to finance the transaction. The financing costs include $22 million of costs associated with the private exchange offer and redemption of certain Senior Unsecured Notes (see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the exchange), as well as, a net loss of $64 million related to the settlement of forward-starting interest-rate swaps. These swaps were terminated in connection with the $4.2 billion issuance of debt; refer to Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. The financing costs exclude costs to issue equity and the initial debt offering which we recorded to Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Under certain circumstances, if the Merger Agreement is terminated, PHI may be required to pay Exelon a termination fee ranging from $259 million to $293 million plus certain expenses. If the Merger Agreement is terminated due to a failure to obtain a required regulatory approval, Exelon may be required to pay PHI a termination fee equal to $180 million through the redemption by PHI of the outstanding nonvoting preferred securities described above for no consideration other than the nominal par value of the stock, plus reimbursement of PHI’s documented out-of-pocket expenses up to a maximum of $40 million.

 

Merger Financing

 

Exelon has raised cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments, through the issuance of $4.2 billion of debt (of which $3.3 billion remains after execution of the exchange offer, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information on the exchange), $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes in the form of 23 million equity units, the issuance of $1.9 billion of common stock, cash proceeds of $1.8 billion from asset sales primarily at Generation (after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion) and the remaining balance from cash on hand and/or short-term borrowings available to Exelon. Exelon will have sufficient cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements and Note 19—Shareholder’s Equity of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the debt and equity issuances.

 

Exelon has listed various potential risks relating to the pending merger with PHI (see ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS), including difficulties that may be encountered in satisfying the conditions to completion of the merger and the potential for developments that might have an adverse effect on Exelon and the ability to realize the expected benefits of the merger. Exelon is taking steps to manage these risks and expects that the merger can be completed on a basis favorable to the company’s shareholders and customers. Refer to Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the merger transaction.

 

Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements

 

Exelon and Generation continue to evaluate the current and expected economic value of each of Generation’s nuclear plants. Factors that will continue to affect the economic value of Generation’s nuclear plants include, but are not limited to: market power prices, results of capacity auctions, potential legislative solutions in New York and Illinois such as the proposed Low Carbon Portfolio Standard (LCPS) legislation, the impact of final rules from the EPA requiring reduction of carbon and other emissions and the efforts of the states to implement those final rules, and the outcome of the Ginna RSSA hearing and settlement procedures and the resulting contractual terms and conditions.

 

86


Table of Contents

On September 10, 2015, after considering the results of the recent PJM capacity auctions, Exelon and Generation decided to defer decisions about the future operations of its Quad Cities and Byron nuclear plants and will offer both plants in the 2019/2020 auction in May 2016. As a result of clearing the other PJM capacity auction in September 2015 for the 2017/2018 transitional capacity auction, Exelon and Generation will continue to operate its Quad Cities nuclear power plant through at least May 2018. The Byron plant is already obligated to operate through May 2019. On October 29, 2015, Exelon and Generation announced the deferral of any decision about the future operations of its Clinton nuclear plant and plans to bid the plant into the MISO capacity auction for the 2016-2017 planning year April 2016. This decision was driven by MISO’s acknowledgment of the need for market design changes to ensure long-term power system reliability in southern Illinois, the desire to provide Illinois policy makers with additional time to consider needed reforms as well as the potential long-term impact of EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Exelon and Generation previously committed to cease operation of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant by the end of 2019. Exelon and Generation have not made any decisions regarding potential nuclear plant closures at other sites at this time.

 

As a result of a decision to early retire one or more other nuclear plants, certain changes in accounting treatment would be triggered and Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected by a number of items including, among other items: accelerated depreciation expense, impairment charges related to inventory that cannot be used at other nuclear units and cancellation of in-flight capital projects, accelerated amortization of plant specific nuclear fuel costs, employee-related costs (i.e. severance, relocation, retention, etc.), accelerated asset retirement obligation expense related to future decommissioning activities, and additional funding of nuclear decommissioning trust funds. In addition, any early plant retirement would also result in reduced operating costs, lower fuel expense, and lower capital expenditures in the periods beyond shutdown. While there are a number of Generation’s nuclear plants that are at risk of early retirement, the following table provides the balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2015 for significant assets and liabilities associated with the three nuclear plants currently considered by management to be at the greatest risk of early retirement due to their current economic valuations and other factors:

 

(in millions)

   Quad Cities     Clinton     Ginna     Total  

Asset Balances

        

Materials and supplies inventory

   $ 50      $ 57      $ 29      $ 136   

Nuclear fuel inventory, net

     218        107        60        385   

Completed plant, net

     1,030        579        127        1,736   

Construction work in progress

     11        9        11        31   

Liability Balances

        

Asset retirement obligation

     (698     (401     (644     (1,743

NRC License Renewal Term

     2032        2046 (a)      2029     

 

(a) Assumes Clinton seeks and receives a 20-year operating license renewal extension.

 

In the event a decision is made to retire early one or more nuclear plants, the precise timing of the retirement date, and resulting financial statement impact, is uncertain and would be influenced by a number of factors such as the results of any transmission system reliability study assessments, the nature of any co-owner requirements and stipulations, and decommissioning trust fund requirements, among other factors. However, the earliest retirement date for any plant would usually be the first year in which the unit does not have capacity obligations and just prior to its next scheduled nuclear refueling outage date in that year.

 

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

 

87


Table of Contents

minimum funding test, then Generation 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 NDTF to ensure sufficient funds are available.

 

As of December 31, 2015, all three of Generation’s plants at the highest risk of early retirement (Quad Cities, Clinton, and Ginna) pass the NRC minimum funding test based on their current license lives. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information on NRC minimum funding requirements. However, in the event of an early retirement just before their next individual refueling outages, it is estimated that Clinton and Ginna would no longer meet the NRC minimum funding requirements due to the earlier commencement of decommissioning activities and a shorter time period over which the NDTF investments could appreciate in value. Quad Cities would also be at risk. However, the size of the guarantees are ultimately dependent on the decommissioning approach adopted at each site (i.e., DECON, Delayed DECON and SAFSTOR), the associated level of costs, and the decommissioning trust fund investment performance going forward. Considering the three alternative decommissioning approaches available to Generation for each site, parental guarantees of up to $315 million, $260 million, and $65 million for Clinton, Ginna, and Quad Cities, respectively, could be required in order for each site to access its NDTF for radiological decommissioning costs.

 

In addition, upon issuance of any required financial guarantees, while all three sites would be able to utilize their respective decommissioning trust funds for radiological decommissioning costs, the NRC must approve an additional exemption in order for Generation to utilize the NDTF funds 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 Generation. Accordingly, based on current projections, it is expected that some portion of the spent fuel management and/or site restoration costs would need to be funded through supplemental cash from Generation. While the ultimate amounts may vary greatly and could be reduced by alternate decommissioning scenarios and/or reimbursement of certain costs under DOE reimbursement agreements or future litigation, across the three alternative decommissioning approaches available to Generation, for the next 10 years, Clinton and Ginna could incur spent fuel management and site restoration costs of up to $165 million and $115 million, net of taxes, respectively. The costs associated with Ginna would be shared by the plant co-owners at their respective ownership percentages. If Quad Cities fails the exemption test, at its ownership percentage Generation could be required to pay for spent fuel management costs of up to $180 million, net of taxes, but Quad Cities is better positioned to pass the test than the other two plants.

 

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).

 

Capacity Market Changes in PJM. In the wake of the January 2014 Polar Vortex that blanketed much of the Eastern and Midwestern United States, it became clear that while a major outage event was narrowly avoided, resources in PJM were not providing the level of reliability expected by customers. As a result, on December 12, 2014, PJM filed at FERC a proposal to make significant changes to its current capacity market construct, the Reliability Pricing Model (RPM). PJM’s proposed changes generally sought to improve resource performance and reliability largely by limiting the excuses for non-performance and by increasing the penalties for performance failures. The proposal permits suppliers to include in capacity market offers additional costs and risk so they can meet these higher performance requirements. While offers are expected to put upward pressure on capacity clearing prices, operational improvements made as a result of PJM’s proposal are expected to improve

 

88


Table of Contents

reliability, to reduce energy production costs as a result of more efficient operations and to reduce the need for out of market energy payments to suppliers. Generation participated actively in PJM’s stakeholder process through which PJM developed the proposal and also actively participated in the FERC proceeding including filing comments. On June 9, 2015, FERC approved PJM’s filing largely as proposed by PJM, including transitional auction rules for delivery years 2016/2017 through 2017/2018. As a result of this and several related orders, PJM hosted its 2018/2019 Base Residual Auction (results posted on August 21, 2015) and its transitional auction for delivery year 2016/2017 (results posted on August 31, 2015) and its transitional auction for delivery years 2017/2018 (results posted on September 9, 2015).

 

MISO Capacity Market Results. On April 14, 2015, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) released the results of its capacity auction covering the June 2015 through May 2016 delivery year. As a result of the auction, capacity prices for the zone 4 region in downstate Illinois increased to $150 per MW per day beginning in June 2015, an increase from the prior pricing of $16.75 per MW per day that was in effect from June 2014 to May 2015. Generation had an offer that was selected in the auction. However, due to Generation’s ratable hedging strategy, the results of the capacity auction have not had a material impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s consolidated results of operations and cash flows.

 

Additionally, in late May and June 2015, separate complaints were filed at the FERC by each of the State of Illinois, the Southwest Electric Cooperative, Public Citizens, Inc., and the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers challenging the results of this MISO capacity auction for the 2015/2016 delivery in MISO delivery zone 4. The complaints allege generally that 1) the results of the capacity auction for zone 4 are not just and reasonable, 2) the results should be suspended, set for hearing and replaced with a new just and reasonable rate, 3) a refund date should be established and that 4) certain alleged behavior by one of the market participants other than Exelon or Generation, be investigated.

 

On October 1, 2015, the FERC announced that it was conducting a non-public investigation (that does not involve Exelon or Generation) into whether market manipulation or other potential violations occurred related to the auction. On December 31, 2015, the FERC issued a decision that certain of the rules governing the establishment of capacity prices in downstate Illinois are “not just and reasonable” on a prospective basis. The FERC ordered that certain rules must be changed for the next auction scheduled for April 2016 that will set capacity prices beginning June 1, 2016. In response to this order, MISO must file certain rule changes with the FERC within 30 days and certain other changes within 90 days. The FERC continues to conduct its non-public investigation to determine if the April 2015 auction results were manipulated and, if so, whether refunds are appropriate. The FERC did establish May 28, 2015, the day the first complaint was filed, as the date from which refunds (if ordered) would be calculated, and it also made clear that the findings in the December 31, 2015 order do not prejudge the investigation or related proceedings. Generation cannot predict the impact the FERC order may ultimately have on future auction results, capacity pricing or decisions related to the potential early retirement of the Clinton nuclear plant, however, such impacts could be material to Generation’s future results of operations and cash flows. See Note 9—Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the impacts of the MISO announcement.

 

MISO has acknowledged the need for capacity market design changes in the zone 4 region and stated that reforms to its capacity market process may be required to drive future investment and that it plans to engage stakeholders to consider such reforms. The FERC has also encouraged such efforts.

 

Subsidized Generation. The rate of expansion of subsidized generation, including low-carbon generation such as wind and solar energy, in the markets in which Generation’s output is sold can negatively impact wholesale power prices, and in turn, Generation’s results of operations.

 

89


Table of Contents

Various states have attempted to implement or propose legislation, regulations or other policies to subsidize new generation development which may result in artificially depressed wholesale energy and capacity prices. For example, the New Jersey legislature enacted into law in January 2011, the Long Term Capacity Pilot Program Act (LCAPP). LCAPP provides eligible generators with 15-year fixed contracts for the sale of capacity in the PJM capacity market. Under LCAPP, the local utilities in New Jersey are required to pay (or receive) the difference between the price eligible generators receive in the capacity market and the price guaranteed under the 15-year contract. New Jersey ultimately selected three proposals to participate in LCAPP and build new generation in the state. In addition, on April 12, 2012, the MDPSC issued an order directing the Maryland electric utilities to enter into a 20-year contract for differences (CfD) with CPV Maryland, LLC (CPV), under which CPV will construct an approximately 700 MW combined cycle gas turbine in Waldorf, Maryland, that it projected would be in commercial operation by June 1, 2015. CPV subsequently sought to extend that date. The CfD mandated that utilities (including BGE) pay (or receive) the difference between CPV’s contract price and the revenues it receives for capacity and energy from clearing the unit in the PJM capacity market.

 

Exelon and others challenged the constitutionality and other aspects of the New Jersey legislation in federal court. The actions taken by the MDPSC were also challenged in federal court in an action to which Exelon was not a party. The federal trial courts in both the New Jersey and Maryland actions effectively invalidated the actions taken by the New Jersey legislature and the MDPSC, respectively. Each of those decisions was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, respectively. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review the matter, and there is risk the Supreme Court will overrule the lower courts.

 

As required under their contracts, generator developers who were selected in the New Jersey and Maryland programs (including CPV) offered and cleared in PJM’s capacity market auctions. To the extent that the state-required customer subsidies are included under their respective contracts, Exelon believes that these projects may have artificially suppressed capacity prices in PJM in these auctions and may continue to do so in future auctions to the detriment of Exelon’s market driven position. While the court decisions in New Jersey and Maryland are positive developments, continuation of these state efforts, if successful and unabated by an effective minimum offer price rule (MOPR) for future capacity auctions, could continue to result in artificially depressed wholesale capacity and/or energy prices. Other states could seek to establish programs, which could substantially impact Exelon’s market driven position and could have a significant effect on Exelon’s financial results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

 

One such state is Ohio, where state-regulated utility companies FirstEnergy Ohio (FE) and AEP Ohio (AEP) have initiated actions at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to obtain approval for Riders that would effectively allow these two companies to pass through to all customers in their service territories the differences between their costs and market revenues on PPAs entered into between the utility and its merchant generation affiliate. Collectively more than 6,000MW of primarily coal-fired generation owned by FE and AEP’s affiliates seek ratepayer guaranteed subsidies via the proposed Riders. Thus, the Riders are similar to the CfDs described above (except that the PPA Riders in Ohio would apply to certain existing generation facilities whereas the CfDs applied to new generation facilities). While AEP and FE initially filed for these Riders in 2013 and 2014, respectively, it was not until late 2015 that the proposals obtained meaningful traction when PUCO staff entered into a settlement and stipulation with the Ohio utilities supporting the proposals and recommending that the PUCO approve the Riders. Exelon is a participant in these proceedings. Although the matter is still in hearing and a decision by the PUCO is not expected until late February/early March 2016, it is increasingly likely that these subsidies may be approved by the PUCO. Litigation around these approvals is also likely.

 

Exelon opposes the proposals in Ohio, continues to monitor developments in Maryland and New Jersey, and participates in stakeholder and other processes to ensure that similar state subsidies are

 

90


Table of Contents

not developed. Exelon remains active in advocating for competitive markets, while opposing policies that require taxpayers and/ or consumers to subsidize or give preferential treatment to generation providers or technologies that do not provide superior reliability or environmental benefits, or that would threaten the reliability and value of the integrated electricity grid.

 

Energy Demand. Modest economic growth partially offset by energy efficiency initiatives is resulting in positive growth for electricity for BGE and PECO; and a decrease in projected load for electricity for ComEd. BGE, PECO and ComEd are projecting load volumes to increase (decrease) by 1.5%, 0.4% and (0.3)%, respectively, in 2016 compared 2015.

 

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. The market experienced high price volatility in the first quarter of 2014 which contributed to bankruptcies and consolidations within the industry during the year. However, 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

 

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 2015 and first quarter 2016 dividends of $0.31 per share each on Exelon’s common stock. The dividends for the first, second, third and fourth quarter 2015 were paid on March 10, 2015, June 10, 2015, September 10, 2015 and December 10, 2015. The first quarter 2016 dividend is payable on March 10, 2016.

 

All future quarterly dividends require approval by Exelon’s board of directors. Exelon’s Board of Directors approved a revised dividend policy. The approved policy would raise our dividend 2.5% each year for the next three years, beginning with the June 2016 dividend. The Board will take formal action to declare the next dividend in the second quarter.

 

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 2015 and 2016. 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, 2015, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the major reportable segments was 90%-93%, 60%-63% and 28%-31% for 2016, 2017, and 2018 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 for capacity based upon a simulated dispatch model that makes assumptions regarding future market conditions, which are calibrated to market quotes for power, fuel,

 

91


Table of Contents

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 50% of Generation’s uranium concentrate requirements from 2016 through 2020 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 results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE mitigate commodity price risk through regulatory mechanisms that allow them to recover procurement costs from retail customers.

 

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 proposed merger with PHI provides an opportunity to accelerate Exelon’s regulated growth to provide stable cash flows, earnings accretion, and dividend support. Additionally, ComEd, PECO and BGE anticipate investing approximately $18 billion over the next five years in electric and natural gas infrastructure improvements and modernization projects, including smart meter and smart grid initiatives, storm hardening, advanced reliability technologies, and transmission projects, which is projected to result in an increase to current rate base of approximately $8 billion by the end of 2020. ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 prudently and at the lowest reasonable cost to customers.

 

See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Smart Meter and Smart Grid Initiatives and infrastructure development and enhancement programs.

 

Competitive Energy Businesses

 

Generation continually assesses the optimal structure and composition of our generation assets as well as explores wholesale and retail opportunities within the power and gas sectors. Generation’s long-term growth strategy is to prioritize investments in long-term contracted generation across multiple technologies and identify and capitalize on opportunities that provide generation to load matching as a means to provide stable earnings, while identifying emerging technologies where strategic investments provide the option for significant future growth or influence in market development. As of December 31, 2015, Generation has currently approved plans to invest a total of approximately $2 billion in 2016 through 2018 on capital growth projects (primarily new plant construction and distributed generation).

 

92


Table of Contents

Liquidity

 

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 and BGE have unsecured syndicated revolving credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $0.5 billion, $5.3 billion, $1.0 billion, $0.6 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. Generation also has bilateral credit facilities with aggregate maximum availability of $0.4 billion. See Liquidity and Capital Resources—Credit Matters—Exelon Credit Facilities below.

 

Exposure to Worldwide Financial Markets. Exelon has exposure to worldwide financial markets including European banks. Disruptions in the European markets could reduce or restrict the Registrants’ ability to secure sufficient liquidity or secure liquidity at reasonable terms. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 25%, or $2.1 billion, of the Registrants’ aggregate total commitments were with European banks. The credit facilities include $8.4 billion in aggregate total commitments of which $6.9 billion was available as of December 31, 2015, due to outstanding letters of credit. There were no borrowings under the Registrants’ credit facilities as of December 31, 2015. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the credit facilities.

 

Tax Matters

 

See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Environmental Legislative and Regulatory Developments.

 

Exelon is actively involved in the EPA’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 electric generating units, as set forth in the discussion below. These regulations have a disproportionate adverse impact on fossil-fuel power plants, requiring significant expenditures of capital and variable operating and maintenance expense, and have resulted in the retirement of older, marginal facilities. Retirements of coal-fired power plants will continue as additional EPA regulations take effect, and as air quality standards are updated and further restrict emissions. Due to its low emission generation portfolio, Generation will not be significantly directly affected by these regulations, representing a competitive advantage relative to electric generators that are more reliant on fossil-fuel plants. Various bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress that would prohibit or impede the EPA’s rulemaking efforts, and it is uncertain whether any of these bills will become law.

 

Air Quality. In recent years, the EPA has been implementing a series of increasingly stringent regulations under the Clean Air Act applicable to electric generating units. These regulations have resulted in more stringent emissions limits on fossil-fuel electric generating stations as states implement their compliance plans.

 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA continues to review and update its NAAQS for conventional air pollutants relating to ground-level ozone and emissions of particulate

 

93


Table of Contents

matter, SO2 and NOx. Following five years of litigation, the EPA is finalizing the Cross State Air Pollution Rule that requires 28 upwind states in the eastern half of the United States to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that cross state lines and contribute to ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution in downwind states.

 

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. As such, 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.

 

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” of “Convention”). See ITEM 1.—BUSINESS,“Global Climate Change” for further discussion.

 

Water Quality. Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that 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 changes to the existing regulations. Those facilities are Calvert Cliffs, Clinton, Dresden, Eddystone, Fairless Hills, Ginna, Gould Street, Handley, Mountain Creek, Mystic 7, Nine Mile Point Unit 1, Oyster Creek, Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, Riverside, Salem and Schuylkill. See ITEM 1.—BUSINESS ,“Water Quality” for further discussion.

 

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 reserves 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.

 

94


Table of Contents

See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail related to environmental matters, including the impact of environmental regulation.

 

Other Regulatory and Legislative Actions

 

NRC Task Force Insights from the Fukushima Daiichi Accident (Exelon and Generation). In July 2011, an NRC Task Force formed in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami, that seriously damaged the nuclear units at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, issued a report of its review of the accident, including tiered recommendations for future regulatory action by the NRC to be taken in the near and longer term. The Task Force’s report concluded that nuclear reactors in the United States are operating safely and do not present an imminent risk to public health and safety. The NRC and its staff have issued orders and implementation guidance for commercial reactor licensees operating in the United States. The NRC and its staff are continuing to evaluate additional requirements. Generation has assessed the impacts of the Tier 1 orders and information requests and will continue monitoring the additional recommendations under review by the NRC staff, both from an operational and a financial impact standpoint. A comprehensive review of the NRC Tier 1 orders and information requests, as well as preliminary engineering assumptions and analysis, indicate that the financial impact of compliance for Generation, net of expected co-owner reimbursements, for the period from 2016 through 2019 is expected to be between approximately $175 million and $200 million of capital (which includes approximately $25 million for the CENG plants) and $25 million of operating expense (which includes approximately $5 million for the CENG plants). Generation’s current assessments are specific to the Tier 1 recommendations as the NRC has not taken specific action with respect to the Tier 2 and Tier 3 recommendations. Exelon and Generation are unable to conclude at this time to what extent any actions to comply with the requirements of Tier 2 and Tier 3 will impact their future financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Generation will continue to engage in nuclear industry assessments and actions and stakeholder input. See ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS for additional information.

 

Financial Reform Legislation (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) was enacted in July 2010. The part of the Act that applies to Exelon is Title VII, which is known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act (Dodd-Frank). Dodd-Frank requires the creation of a new regulatory regime for over-the-counter swaps (Swaps), including mandatory clearing for certain categories of Swaps, incentives to shift Swap activity to exchange trading, margin and capital requirements, and other obligations designed to promote transparency. For non security-based Swaps including commodity Swaps, Dodd-Frank empowers the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to promulgate regulations implementing the law’s objectives. The primary aim of Dodd-Frank is to regulate the key intermediaries in the Swaps market, which entities are either swap dealers (SDs), major swap participants (MSPs), and certain other financial entities, but the law also applies to a lesser degree to end-users of Swaps. On January 12, 2015, President Obama signed into law a bill that exempts from margin requirements Swaps used by end-users to hedge or mitigate commercial risk. Moreover, the CFTC’s Dodd-Frank regulations preserve the ability of end users in the energy industry to hedge their risks using Swaps without being subject to mandatory clearing, and excepts or exempts end-users from many of the other substantive regulations. Accordingly, as an end-user, Generation is conducting its commercial business in a manner that does not require registration with the CFTC as an SD or MSP. Generation does not anticipate transacting in the future in a manner in which it would become a SD or MSP.

 

There are, however, some rules, including the capital and margin rules for (non-cleared) Swaps that do not impact Generation’s collateral requirements directly, but may have an indirect impact.

 

95


Table of Contents

These rules, in addition to certain international regulatory requirements still under development and that are similar to Dodd-Frank, could subject Generation’s SD or MSP counterparties to additional and potentially significant capitalization requirements and could motivate the SDs and MSPs to increase collateral requirements or cash postings from their counterparties, including Generation.

 

Generation cannot predict to what extent, if any, further refinements to Dodd-Frank and international regulatory requirements relating to Swaps may impact its cash flows or financial position, but such impacts could be material.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE could also be subject to some Dodd-Frank requirements to the extent they were to enter into Swaps. However, at this time, management of ComEd, PECO and BGE continue to expect that their companies will not be materially affected by Dodd-Frank.

 

Market-Based Rates (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE). Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE are public utilities for purposes of the Federal Power Act and are required to obtain FERC’s acceptance of rate schedules for wholesale electricity sales. Currently, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE have authority to execute wholesale electricity sales at market-based rates. As is customary with market-based rate schedules, FERC has reserved the right to suspend market-based rate authority on a retroactive basis if it subsequently determines that Generation, ComEd, PECO or BGE has violated the terms and conditions of its tariff or the Federal Power Act. FERC is also authorized to order refunds in certain instances if it finds that the market-based rates are not just and reasonable under the Federal Power Act.

 

As required by FERC’s regulations, as promulgated in the Order No. 697 series, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE file market power analyses using the prescribed market share screens to demonstrate that Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE qualify for market-based rates in the regions where they are selling energy, capacity, and ancillary services under market-based rate tariffs. On December 30, 2013, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE filed its updated analysis for the Northeast Region, based on 2012 historic test period data which the FERC accepted on August 5, 2014. On December 23, 2014, Generation filed its updated market power analysis for the Southeast Region which the FERC accepted on July 16, 2015. On December 23, 2014, Generation filed its updated market power analysis for the Central Region which the FERC accepted on November 25, 2015. On December 29, 2015, Generation filed its updated market power analysis for the SPP Region, and the FERC has not yet acted on the filing.

 

Illinois Low Carbon Portfolio Standard (Exelon, Generation and ComEd). In March 2015, the Low Carbon Portfolio Standard (LCPS) was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. The legislation would require ComEd and Ameren to purchase low carbon energy credits to match 70 percent of the electricity used on the distribution system. The LCPS is a technology-neutral solution, so all generators of zero or low carbon energy would be able to compete in the procurement process, including wind, solar, hydro, clean coal and nuclear. Costs associated with purchasing the low carbon energy credits would be collected from customers. The LCPS proposal includes consumer protection such as a price cap that would limit the impact to a 2.015% increase based off 2009 monthly bills, or about $2 per month for the average residential electricity customer. The legislation also includes a separate customer rebate provision that would provide a direct bill credit to customers in the event wholesale prices exceed a specified level. The proposed legislation is pending and Exelon and Generation continue to work with stakeholders.

 

Legislation to Maximize Smart Grid Investments and to Promote a Cleaner and Greener Illinois (Exelon and ComEd). In March 2015, legislation was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly that would (1) build on ComEd’s investment in the Smart Grid to reinforce the resiliency and security of the electrical grid to withstand unexpected challenges, (2) expand energy efficiency

 

96


Table of Contents

programs to reduce energy waste and increase customer savings, (3) further integrate clean renewable energy onto the power system, and (4) introduce a new demand-based rate design for residential customers that would allow for a more equitable sharing of smart grid costs among customers. The legislation also provides for additional funding for customer assistance programs for low-income customers. The proposed legislation is pending and ComEd continues to work with stakeholders.

 

Distribution Formula Rate Update Filing (Exelon and ComEd). On April 15, 2015, ComEd filed its annual distribution formula rate to request a total decrease to the revenue requirement of $50 million. On December 9, 2015, the ICC issued its final order which decreased the revenue requirement by $67 million, reflecting an increase of $85 million for the initial revenue requirement for 2015 and a decrease of $152 million related to the annual reconciliation for 2014. The rates took effect in January 2016. Intervenors requested a rehearing on specific issues. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to distribution formula updates.

 

2015 Pennsylvania Electric Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and PECO). On March 27, 2015, PECO filed a petition with the PAPUC requesting an increase of $190 million to its annual service revenues for electric delivery, which requested an ROE of 10.95%. On September 10, 2015, PECO and interested parties filed with the PAPUC a petition for joint settlement for an increase of $127 million in annual distribution service revenue. No overall ROE was specified in the settlement. On December 17, 2015, the PAPUC approved the settlement of PECO’s electric distribution rate case. The approved electric delivery rates became effective on January 1, 2016.

 

The settlement includes approval of the In-Program Arrearage Forgiveness (“IPAF”) Program, which provides for forgiveness of a portion of the eligible arrearage balance of its low-income Customer Assistance Program (CAP) accounts receivable that will be determined as of program inception in October 2016. The forgiveness will be granted to the extent CAP customers remain current with payments. The Settlement guarantees PECO’s recovery of two-thirds of the arrearage balance through a combination of customer payments and rate recovery, including through future rates cases if necessary. The remaining one-third of the arrearage balance will be absorbed by PECO, of which a portion has already been expensed as bad debt for CAP customer’s accounts receivable balances.

 

Although the actual arrearage balance is not defined until program inception, PECO believes that it can reasonably estimate certain CAP customer accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 2015 that will remain outstanding at program inception. Management determined its best estimate based on historical collectability information. As a result, a regulatory asset of $7 million, representing the previously incurred bad debt expense associated with the estimated eligible accounts receivable balances, was recorded on Exelon’s and PECO’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015. This estimate will be revisited on a quarterly basis through program inception.

 

PECO Gas Main Extension Program (Exelon and PECO). On November 6, 2014, PECO filed a plan with the PAPUC requesting approval of three initiatives to provide more incentives to customers interested in switching to natural gas service. On October 1, 2015, the PAPUC approved the PECO Gas Main Extension Program, without modification. This approval allows local customers to pay significantly less initially to have natural gas installed at their homes and businesses.

 

2015 Maryland Electric and Gas Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and BGE). On November 6, 2015, and as amended on January 5, 2016, BGE filed for electric and gas base rate increases with the MDPSC, ultimately requesting an increase of $121 million and $79 million, respectively, of which $103 million and $37 million, respectively, is related to recovery of smart grid initiative costs. BGE requested a ROE for the electric and gas distribution rate case of 10.6% and 10.5%, respectively. The new

 

97


Table of Contents

electric and gas base rates are expected to take effect in June 2016. BGE is also proposing to recover an annual increase of approximately $30 million for Baltimore City conduit lease fees through a surcharge. BGE cannot predict how much of the requested increase the MDPSC will approve or if it will approve BGE’s request for a conduit fee surcharge.

 

Transmission Formula Rate Update Filing (Exelon, ComEd and BGE). On April 15, 2015 (and revised on May 19), ComEd filed its annual 2015 transmission formula rate update with the FERC, reflecting an increased revenue requirement of $86 million, including an increase of $68 million for the initial revenue requirement and an increase of $18 million related to the annual reconciliation. The filing establishes the revenue requirement used to set rates that took effect in June 2015, subject to review by the FERC and other parties. The time period for any challenges to ComEd’s annual update expired in October 2015. No challenges were submitted. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to transmission formula update.

 

In April 2015, BGE filed its annual transmission formula rate update with the FERC, reflecting an increased revenue requirement of $10 million, including an increase of $13 million for the initial revenue requirement, inclusive of dedicated facilities charge revenues, and a decrease of $3 million related to the annual reconciliation for 2014. The filing establishes the revenue requirement used to set rates that took effect in June 2015. The time period for any challenges to BGE’s annual update expired in October 2015. No challenges were submitted. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to the transmission formula update.

 

Grand Prairie Gateway Transmission Line (Exelon and ComEd). On December 2, 2013, ComEd filed a request to obtain the ICC’s approval to construct a 60-mile overhead 345kV transmission line that traverses Ogle, DeKalb, Kane and DuPage Counties in Northern Illinois. On May 28, 2014, in a separate proceeding, FERC issued an order granting ComEd’s request to include 100% of the capital costs recorded to construction work in progress during construction of the line in ComEd’s transmission rate base. If the project is cancelled or abandoned for reasons beyond ComEd’s control, FERC approved the ability for ComEd to recover 100% of its prudent costs incurred after May 21, 2014 and 50% of its costs incurred prior to May 21, 2014 in ComEd’s transmission rate base. The costs incurred for the project prior to May 21, 2014 were immaterial. ComEd has acquired numerous easements across the project route through voluntary transactions. ComEd will seek to acquire the property rights on the remaining 28 parcels through condemnation proceedings in the circuit courts. ComEd began construction of the line during the second quarter of 2015 with an in-service date expected in the second quarter of 2017.

 

FERC Ameren Order (Exelon and ComEd). In July 2012, FERC issued an order to Ameren Corporation (Ameren) finding that Ameren had improperly included acquisition premiums/goodwill in its transmission formula rate, particularly in its capital structure and in the application of AFUDC. FERC also directed Ameren to make refunds for the implied increase in rates in prior years. Ameren filed for rehearing of the July 2012 order, which was denied in June 2014. On July 20, 2015, FERC approved a settlement between Ameren and its customers to resolve the matter. ComEd believes that the FERC settlement authorizing its transmission formula rate is distinguishable from the circumstances that led to the July 2012 FERC order in the Ameren case. However, if ComEd were required to exclude acquisition premiums/goodwill from its transmission formula rate, the impact could be material to ComEd’s results of operations and cash flows.

 

FERC Order No. 1000 Compliance (ComEd, PECO and BGE). In FERC Order No. 1000, the FERC required public utility transmission providers to enhance their transmission planning procedures and their cost allocation methods applicable to certain new regional and interregional transmission

 

98


Table of Contents

projects. As part of the changes to the transmission planning procedures, the FERC required removal from all FERC-approved tariffs and agreements of a right of first refusal to build certain new transmission facilities. On October 25, 2012, certain of the PJM transmission owners, including ComEd, PECO and BGE (collectively, the PJM Transmission Owners), submitted a filing asserting that their contractual rights embodied in the PJM governing documents continue to justify their right of first refusal to construct new reliability (and related) transmission projects and that the FERC should not be allowed to override such rights absent a showing that it is in the public interest to do so under the FERC’s “Mobile-Sierra” standard of review. This is a heightened standard of review which the PJM Transmission Owners argued could not be satisfied based on the facts applicable to them. On March 22, 2013, FERC issued an order that, among other things, rejected the arguments of the PJM Transmission Owners that changes to the PJM governing documents were entitled to review under the Mobile-Sierra standard. The FERC’s March 22, 2013 order could enable third parties to seek to build certain regional transmission projects that had previously been reserved for the PJM Transmission Owners, potentially reducing ComEd PECO and BGE’s financial return on new investments in energy transmission facilities.

 

Numerous parties sought rehearing of the FERC’s March 22, 2013 order, including the PJM Transmission Owners. On May 15, 2014, FERC denied the PJM Transmission Owners rehearing request. Several parties filed an appeal of the FERC’s May 15, 2014, Order which upheld PJM’s right of first refusal language in the D.C. Circuit. The ultimate outcome of this proceeding cannot be predicted at this time, however, it could be material to Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE’s results of operations and cash flows.

 

FERC Transmission Complaint (Exelon and BGE). On February 27, 2013, consumer advocates and regulators from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and the Delaware Electric Municipal Cooperatives (the parties), filed a complaint at FERC against BGE and the PHI companies relating to their respective transmission formula rates. BGE’s formula rate includes a 10.8% base rate of return on common equity (ROE) and a 50 basis point incentive for participating in PJM (and certain additional incentive basis points on certain projects). The parties sought a reduction in the base return on equity to 8.7% and changes to the formula rate process. Under FERC rules, any revenues subject to refund are limited to a fifteen month period and the earliest date from which the base ROE could be adjusted and refunds required is the date of the complaint.

 

On August 21, 2014, FERC issued an order in the BGE and PHI companies’ proceeding, which established hearing and settlement judge procedures for the complaint, and set a refund effective date of February 27, 2013.

 

On December 8, 2014, various state agencies in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and D.C. filed a second complaint against BGE regarding the base ROE of the transmission business seeking a reduction from 10.8% to 8.8%. The filing of the second complaint created a second refund window. By order issued on February 9, 2015, FERC established a hearing on the second complaint with the complainants’ requested refund effective date of December 8, 2014. On February 20, 2015, the Chief Judge issued an order consolidating the two complaint proceedings and established an Initial Decision issuance deadline of February 29, 2016.

 

On November 6, 2015, BGE and the PHI companies and the complainants filed a settlement with FERC covering the issues raised in the complaints. The settlement provides for a 10% base ROE, effective March 8, 2016, which will be augmented by the PJM incentive adder of 50 basis points, and refunds to BGE customers of $13.7 million. The settlement also provides a moratorium on any change in the ROE until June 1, 2018. On December 16, 2015, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge submitted a Certification of the Uncontested Settlement to the FERC Commissioners. The settlement remains subject to FERC approval. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

99


Table of Contents

The Maryland Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program (Exelon and BGE). In 2013, legislation intended to accelerate gas infrastructure replacements in Maryland was signed into law. The law established a mechanism, separate from base rate proceedings, for gas companies to promptly recover reasonable and prudent costs of eligible infrastructure replacement projects incurred after June 1, 2013. The monthly surcharge and infrastructure replacement costs must be approved by the MDPSC and are subject to a cap and require an annual true-up of the surcharge revenues against actual expenditures. Investment levels in excess of the cap would be recoverable in a subsequent gas base rate proceeding at which time all costs for the infrastructure replacement projects would be rolled into gas distribution rates. Irrespective of the cap, BGE is required to file a gas rate case every five years under this legislation.

 

On August 2, 2013, BGE filed its infrastructure replacement plan and associated surcharge. On January 29, 2014, the MDPSC issued a decision conditionally approving the first five years of BGE’s plan and surcharge. On November 16, 2015, BGE filed a surcharge update to be effective January 1, 2016, including a true-up of cost estimates included in the 2015 surcharge, along with its 2016 project list and projected capital estimates of $113 million to be included in the 2016 surcharge calculation. The MDPSC subsequently approved BGE’s 2016 project list and the proposed surcharge for 2016, which included the 2015 surcharge true-up. As of December 31, 2015, BGE recorded a regulatory asset of less than $1 million, representing the difference between the surcharge revenues and program costs.

 

In 2014, the residential consumer advocate in Maryland appealed MDPSC’s decision on BGE’s infrastructure replacement plan and associated surcharge with the Baltimore City Circuit Court, who affirmed the MDPSC’s decision. On October 10, 2014, the residential consumer advocate noticed its appeal to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals from the judgment entered by the Baltimore City Circuit Court. During the third quarter of 2015, the residential consumer advocate, MDPSC, and BGE filed briefs. Oral argument in this matter was held before the Court of Special Appeals on November 3, 2015. On January 28, 2016, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals issued a decision affirming the MDPSC’s decision. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

PJM Minimum Offer Price Rule (Exelon and Generation). PJM’s capacity market rules include a Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) that is intended to preclude sellers from artificially suppressing the competitive price signals for generation capacity. The FERC orders approving the MOPR were upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in February 2014.

 

Exelon continues to work with PJM stakeholders and through the FERC process to implement several proposed changes to the PJM tariff aimed at ensuring that capacity resources (including those with state-sanctioned subsidy contracts and capacity market speculators) cannot inappropriately affect capacity auction prices in PJM.

 

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 discusses these policies, estimates and assumptions with its accounting and disclosure governance committee on a regular basis and provides periodic updates on management decisions to the audit committee of the Exelon board of directors. Management believes that the accounting policies described below require significant judgment in their application, or estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. Additional discussion of the application of these accounting policies can be found in the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

100


Table of Contents

Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation’s ARO associated with decommissioning its nuclear units was $8.2 billion at December 31, 2015. 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. These factors could result in material changes to Generation’s current estimates as more information becomes available and could change the timing and 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 methodologies and significant estimates and assumptions described as follows:

 

Decommissioning Cost Studies. Generation uses unit-by-unit decommissioning cost studies to provide a marketplace assessment of the costs and timing of decommissioning activities, which are validated by comparison to current decommissioning projects within its 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 (such as a change in assumed operating life for a nuclear plant). 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. Probabilities are also assigned to three different decommissioning approaches as follows:

 

  1. DECON—a method of decommissioning shortly after the cessation of operation in which the equipment, structures, and portions of a facility and site containing radioactive contaminants are removed and safely buried in a LLRW landfill or decontaminated to a level that permits property to be released for unrestricted use,

 

  2. Delayed DECON—similar to the DECON scenario but with a delay to allow for spent fuel to be removed from the site prior to onset of decommissioning activities, or

 

101


Table of Contents
  3. SAFSTOR—a method of decommissioning in which the nuclear facility is placed and maintained in such condition that the nuclear facility can be safely stored and subsequently decontaminated to levels that permit release for unrestricted use generally within 60 years after cessation of operations.

 

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 have historically included the following two alternatives: (1) the probability of operating through the original 40-year nuclear license term, and (2) the probability of operating through an extended 60-year nuclear license term (regardless of whether such 20-year license extension had been received for each unit). During 2015, due to changing market conditions and regulatory environments, Generation began to consider and incorporate assumptions regarding plant shutdown timing scenarios for certain plants other than just the two scenarios historically considered. In addition to potential early shutdown scenarios, Generation also began in 2015 to incorporate into its ARO estimates some probability of a second, 20-year license renewal for some nuclear units. 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 2025. The SNF acceptance date assumption was 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 more information regarding the estimated date that DOE will begin accepting SNF, see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

License Renewals. Generation has received, has applied for, or plans to seek, 20-year license renewals for all of its nuclear units. Generation has successfully secured 20-year operating license renewal extensions (i.e., extending the total license term to 60 years) for twenty-one of its nuclear units (including the two Salem units co-owned by Generation, but operated by PSEG and Braidwood Units 1 and 2 for which the NRC approved the renewed license on January 27, 2016). None of Generation’s previous applications for an operating license extension has been denied. The 20-year license renewal for Oyster Creek nuclear unit was obtained in 2009, however, operations will cease by the end of 2019. For its remaining three operating units, Generation is in various stages of the process of pursuing similar extensions and has filed license renewal applications for two operating nuclear units and has until 2021 to seek license renewal for one remaining operating nuclear unit. Generation’s assumptions regarding successful license extension for the remaining three operating units for ARO determination purposes is based in part on the good current physical condition and high performance of these nuclear units, the favorable status of the ongoing license renewal proceedings with the NRC, and the successful renewals for twenty-one units to date.

 

Generation estimates that the failure to obtain initial license renewals to extend the operating life from 40 years to 60 years at any of its remaining nuclear units (assuming all other assumptions remain constant) would increase its ARO on average approximately $300 million per unit as of December 31, 2015. The size of the increase to the ARO for a particular nuclear unit is dependent upon the current stage in its original license term and its specific decommissioning cost estimates. If Generation does not receive license renewal on a particular unit, the increase to the ARO may be mitigated by Generation’s ability to delay ultimate decommissioning activities under a SAFSTOR method of decommissioning.

 

102


Table of Contents

Discount Rates. The probability-weighted estimated future cash flows using these various scenarios are discounted using credit-adjusted, risk-free rates (CARFR) applicable to the various businesses in which each of the nuclear units originally operated. The accounting guidance required Generation to establish an ARO at fair value at the time of the initial adoption of the current accounting standard. Subsequent to the initial adoption, the ARO is adjusted for changes to estimated costs, timing of future cash flows and modifications to decommissioning assumptions, as described above. 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 and, therefore, are measured using the average historical CARFR rates used in creating the initial ARO cost layers.

 

Under the current accounting framework, the ARO is not required or permitted to be re-measured for changes in the CARFR that occur in isolation. This differs from the accounting requirements for other long-dated obligations, such as pension and other post-employment benefits that are required to be re-measured as and when corresponding discount rates change. If Generation’s future nominal cash flows associated with the ARO were to be discounted at current prevailing CARFRs, the obligation would increase from approximately $8.2 billion to approximately $8.5 billion. The ultimate decommissioning obligation will be funded by the NDTs. The NDTs are recorded on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 at fair value of approximately $10.3 billion and have an estimated targeted annual pre-tax return of 6.1% to 6.3%.

 

To illustrate 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: i) had Generation used the 2014 CARFRs rather than the 2015 CARFRs in performing its third quarter 2015 ARO update, Generation would have increased the ARO by approximately $940 million as compared to the actual increase to the ARO of $831 million; and ii) if the CARFR used in performing the third quarter 2015 ARO update (which also reflected increases in the amounts and changes to the timing of projected cash flows) was increased by 100 basis points or decreased by 50 basis points, the ARO would have increased by $100 million and $1.2 billion, respectively, as compared to the actual increase of $831 million.

 

ARO Sensitivities. Changes in the assumptions underlying the foregoing items 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 will change as well.

 

103


Table of Contents

The following table illustrates the effects of changing certain ARO assumptions, discussed above, while holding all other assumptions constant (dollars in millions):

 

Change in ARO Assumption

   Increase (Decrease) to
ARO at
December 31, 2015
 

Cost escalation studies

  

Uniform increase in escalation rates of 50 basis points

   $ 1,600   

Probabilistic cash flow models

  

Increase the estimated costs to decommission the nuclear plants by 20 percent

   $ 1,420   

Increase the likelihood of the DECON scenario by 10 percentage points and decrease the likelihood of the SAFSTOR scenario by 10 percentage points

   $ 410   

Increase the likelihood of the SAFSTOR scenario by 20 percentage points and decrease the likelihood of the Delayed DECON scenario by 20 percentage points (a)

   $ (240

Increase the likelihood of operating through current license lives by 10 percentage points and decrease the likelihood of operating through anticipated license renewals by 10 percentage points

   $ 540   

Extend the estimated date for DOE acceptance of SNF to 2030

   $ (20

Extend the estimated date for DOE acceptance of SNF to 2030 coupled with an increase in discount rates of 100 basis points

   $ (480

Extend the estimated date for DOE acceptance of SNF to 2030 coupled with a decrease in discount rates of 50 basis points

   $ 270   

 

(a) The Delayed DECON scenario is currently assumed to be the most likely decommissioning approach for a majority of Exelon’s nuclear plants.

 

For more information regarding accounting for nuclear decommissioning obligations, see Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, Note 9—Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements and Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Goodwill (Exelon and ComEd)

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon’s and ComEd’s carrying amount of goodwill was approximately $2.7 billion, relating to the acquisition of ComEd in 2000 as part of the PECO/Unicom Merger. Under the provisions of the authoritative guidance for goodwill, ComEd is required to perform an assessment for possible impairment of its 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 ComEd reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under the authoritative guidance, 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. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and its operating results are regularly reviewed by segment management. ComEd has a single operating segment for its combined business. There is no level below this operating segment for which operating results are regularly reviewed by segment management. Therefore, ComEd’s operating segment is considered its only reporting unit.

 

Entities assessing goodwill for impairment have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. In performing a qualitative assessment, entities should assess, among other things, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, cost factors, and entity-specific events. If an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount, no further testing is required. If an entity bypasses the

 

104


Table of Contents

qualitative assessment or performs the qualitative assessment, but determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative two-step, fair value-based test is performed. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed. The second step requires an allocation of fair value to the individual assets and liabilities using purchase price allocation accounting guidance in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded as a reduction to goodwill and a charge to operating expense. 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 business 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. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, Note 11—Intangible Assets and Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Purchase Accounting (Exelon and Generation)

 

In accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance, the 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 it exceeds the estimated fair value and as a bargain purchase gain on the income statement if it is below the estimated 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, can materially impact the financial statements in periods after acquisition, such as through depreciation and amortization expense. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Unamortized Energy Assets and Liabilities (Exelon and Generation)

 

Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities represent the remaining unamortized balances of non-derivative energy contracts that Generation has acquired. The initial amount recorded represents the fair value of the contract at the time of acquisition, and the balance is amortized over the life of the contract in relation to the expected realization of the underlying cash flows. Amortization expense and income are recorded through purchased power and fuel expense or operating revenues. Refer to Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions and Note 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 decline 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, among others.

 

105


Table of Contents

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, costs 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 effect on 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).

 

On a quarterly basis, Generation assesses its 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 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 less costs to sell. 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. Accordingly, to the extent that any of the information used in the fair value analysis requires judgment, the resulting fair market value would be different. As such, 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. An impairment determination would require the affected Registrant to reduce the value of either the long-lived asset or asset group, including any associated intangible assets or liabilities, as well as reduce the current period earnings by the amount of the impairment.

 

Generation evaluates natural gas and oil upstream properties on a quarterly basis to determine if they are impaired. Impairment indicators for natural gas and oil upstream properties are present if there are no firm plans to continue drilling, lease expiration is at risk, historical experience indicates a decline in carrying value below fair value or the price of the underlying commodity significantly declines.

 

Generation evaluates its equity method investments and other investments in debt and equity securities to determine whether or not they are impaired based on whether the investment has experienced a decline in value that is not temporary in nature.

 

Exelon holds investments in coal-fired plants in Georgia subject to long-term leases. The investments are accounted for as direct financing lease investments. The investments represent the estimated residual values of the leased assets at the end of the respective lease terms. On an annual basis, Exelon reviews the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments and records an impairment charge if the review indicates an other than temporary decline in the fair value of the residual values below their carrying values. Exelon estimates the fair value of the residual values

 

106


Table of Contents

of its direct financing lease investments under the income approach, which uses a discounted cash flow analysis, that takes into consideration significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) including the expected revenues to be generated and costs to be incurred to operate the plants over their remaining useful lives subsequent to the lease end dates. Significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value include fundamental energy and capacity prices, fixed and variable costs, capital expenditure requirements, discount rates, tax rates, and the estimated remaining useful lives of the plants. The estimated fair values also reflect the cash flows associated with the service contracts associated with the plants given that a market participant would take into consideration all of the terms and conditions contained in the lease agreements.

 

See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 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 (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants have significant investments in electric generation assets and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution assets. Depreciation of these assets is generally provided over their estimated service lives on a straight-line basis using the composite method. The Registrants complete depreciation studies every five years, or more frequently if an event, regulatory action, or change in retirement patterns indicate an update is necessary. The estimation of service lives requires management judgment regarding the period of time that the assets will be in use. As circumstances warrant, the estimated service lives are reviewed to determine if any changes are needed. Depreciation rates incorporate assumptions on interim retirements based on actual historical retirement experience. To the extent interim retirement patterns change, this could have a significant impact on the amount of depreciation expense recorded in the income statement. Changes to depreciation estimates resulting from a change in the estimated end of service lives could have a significant impact on the amount of depreciation expense recorded in the income statement. 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.

 

The estimated service lives of the nuclear generating facilities are based on the estimated useful lives of the stations, which assume a 20-year license renewal extension of the operating licenses for all of Generation’s operating nuclear generating stations except for Oyster Creek. While Generation has received license renewals for certain facilities, and has applied for or expects to apply for and obtain approval of license renewals for the remaining facilities, circumstances may arise that would prevent Generation from obtaining additional license renewals. Generation also evaluates annually the estimated service lives of its generating facilities based on feasibility assessments as well as economic and capital requirements. The estimated service lives of hydroelectric facilities are based on the remaining useful lives of the stations, which assume a license renewal extension of the Conowingo and Muddy Run operating licenses. A change in depreciation estimates resulting from Generation’s extension or reduction of the estimated service lives could have a significant effect on Generation’s results of operations.

 

Generation completed a depreciation rate study during the first quarter of 2015, which resulted in the implementation of new depreciation rates effective January 1, 2015.

 

ComEd is required to file a depreciation rate study at least every five years with the ICC. ComEd completed a depreciation study and filed the updated depreciation rates with both FERC and the ICC in January 2014. This resulted in the implementation of new depreciation rates effective first quarter 2014.

 

107


Table of Contents

PECO is required to file a depreciation rate study at least every five years with the PAPUC. In March 2015, PECO filed a depreciation rate study with the PAPUC for both its electric and gas assets, which resulted in the implementation of new depreciation rates effective January 1, 2015 for electric transmission assets, July 1, 2015 for gas distribution assets and January 1, 2016 for electric distribution assets.

 

The MDPSC does not mandate the frequency or timing of BGE’s depreciation studies. In July 2014, BGE filed revised depreciation rates with the MDPSC for both its electric distribution and gas assets. Revisions to depreciation rates from this filing were finalized and effective December 15, 2014.

 

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement employee benefit plans for substantially all Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE and BSC employees. See Note 17—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.

 

The measurement of the plan obligations and costs of providing benefits under Exelon’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans involves various factors, including the development of valuation assumptions 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. 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 income statement. 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. Pension and other postretirement benefit costs attributed to the operating companies are labor costs and are ultimately allocated to projects within the operating companies, some of which are capitalized.

 

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. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on fair value measurements of pension and other postretirement plan assets, including valuation techniques and classification under the fair value hierarchy in accordance with authoritative guidance.

 

Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets. The long-term EROA assumption used in calculating pension costs was 7.00%, 7.00% and 7.50% for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The weighted average EROA assumption used in calculating other postretirement benefit costs was 6.46%, 6.59% and 6.45% in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The pension trust activity is non-taxable, while other postretirement benefit trust activity is partially taxable. The current year EROA is based on asset allocations from the prior year end. In 2010, Exelon began implementation of a liability-driven investment strategy in order to reduce the volatility of its pension assets relative to its pension liabilities. Over time, Exelon has decreased its equity investments and increased its investments in

 

108


Table of Contents

fixed income securities and alternative investments within the pension asset portfolio in order to achieve a balanced portfolio of liability hedging and return-generating assets. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding Exelon’s asset allocations. Exelon used an EROA of 7.00% and 6.71% to estimate its 2016 pension and other postretirement benefit costs, respectively.

 

Exelon calculates the 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.

 

Actual asset returns have an impact on the costs reported for the Exelon-sponsored pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The actual asset returns across the Registrants’ pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2015 were 0.29% and 0.80%, respectively, compared to an expected long-term return assumption of 7.00% and 6.46%, respectively.

 

Discount Rate. The discount rate used to determine the majority of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations was 4.29% at December 31, 2015. The discount rates at December 31, 2015 represent weighted-average rates for the majority of pension and other postretirement benefit plans. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 distributions 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.

 

The discount rate assumptions used to determine the obligation at year end are used to determine the cost for the following year. Exelon used discount rates ranging from 3.68% to 4.43% to estimate its 2016 pension and other postretirement benefit costs.

 

Health Care Reform Legislation. In March 2010, the Health Care Reform Acts were signed into law, which contain a number of provisions that impact retiree health care plans provided by employers, including a provision that imposes an excise tax on certain high-cost plans whereby premiums paid over a prescribed threshold will be taxed at a 40% rate. Additional legislation was passed in December 2015 that made some changes to the law, including moving the implementation date of the excise tax from 2018 to 2020. Although the excise tax does not go into effect until 2020, accounting guidance requires Exelon to incorporate the estimated impact of the excise tax in its annual actuarial valuation. The application of the legislation is still unclear and Exelon continues to monitor the Department of Labor and IRS for additional guidance. Certain key assumptions are required to estimate the impact of the excise tax on Exelon’s other postretirement benefit obligation, including projected inflation rates (based on the CPI). Exelon reflected its best estimate of the expected impact in its annual actuarial valuation.

 

Health Care Cost Trend Rate. Assumed health care cost trend rates impact the costs reported for Exelon’s other postretirement benefit plans for participant populations with plan designs that do not

 

109


Table of Contents

have a cap on cost growth. Accounting guidance requires that annual health care cost estimates be developed using past and present health care cost trends (both for Exelon and across the broader economy), as well as expectations of health care cost escalation, changes in health care utilization and delivery patterns, technological advances and changes in the health status of plan participants. Therefore, the trend rate assumption is subject to significant uncertainty. Exelon assumed an initial health care cost trend rate of 6.00% for 2015, decreasing to an ultimate health care cost trend rate of 5.00% in 2017.

 

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 uses a mortality base table for its accounting valuation that is consistent with the IRS required table for funding (referred to as RP-2000). Exelon has a substantial employee population that provides a credible basis for mortality evaluation. Exelon is utilizing the Scale BB 2-Dimensional improvement scale with long-term improvements of 0.75% for its mortality improvement assumption.

 

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):

 

Actuarial Assumption

   Change in
Assumption
    Pension     Other Postretirement
Benefits
    Total  

Change in 2015 cost:

        

Discount rate (a)

     0.5   $ (69   $ (19   $ (88
     (0.5 )%      83        30        113   

EROA

     0.5     (73     (11     (84
     (0.5 )%      73        11        84   

Health care cost trend rate (b)

     1.00     N/A        12        12   
     (1.00 )%      N/A        (9     (9

Change in benefit obligation at
December 31, 2015:

        

Discount rate (a)

     0.5     (1,042     (249     (1,291
     (0.5 )%      1,210        289        1,499   

Health care cost trend rate (b)

     1.00     N/A        100        100   
     (1.00 )%      N/A        (89     (89

 

(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 implemented a liability-driven investment strategy for a portion of its pension asset portfolio in 2010. The sensitivities shown above do not reflect the offsetting impact that changes in discount rates may have on pension asset returns.
(b) Changes in the plan design of certain other postretirement benefit plans have resulted in reduced sensitivity to the health care cost trend rate.

 

Average Remaining Service Period. For pension benefits, Exelon amortizes its unrecognized prior service costs and certain actuarial gains and losses, as applicable, based on participants’ average remaining service periods. The average remaining service period of defined benefit pension plan participants was 11.9 years, 11.8 years and 11.8 years for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

For other postretirement benefits, Exelon amortizes its unrecognized prior service costs over participants’ average remaining service period to benefit eligibility age and amortizes its transition obligations and certain actuarial gains and losses over participants’ average remaining service period to expected retirement. The average remaining service period of postretirement benefit plan

 

110


Table of Contents

participants related to benefit eligibility age was 10.8 years, 9.1 years and 8.7 years for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The average remaining service period of postretirement benefit plan participants related to expected retirement was 9.7 years, 10.1 years and 9.8 years for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Regulatory Accounting (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE account for their regulated electric and gas operations in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulations, which requires Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE to reflect the effects of cost-based rate regulation in their financial statements. This guidance is applicable to 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 are set at levels that will recover the entities’ costs 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) the excess recovery of costs or accrued credits 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. As of December 31, 2015, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE have concluded that the operations of ComEd, PECO and BGE meet the criteria to apply the authoritative guidance. If it is concluded in a future period that a separable portion of those operations no longer meets the criteria of this guidance, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE would be required to eliminate any associated regulatory assets and liabilities and the impact would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and could be material. See Note 3—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, ComEd, PECO and BGE.

 

For each regulatory jurisdiction in which they conduct business, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s jurisdictions, and factors such as changes in applicable regulatory and political environments. Furthermore, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE make other judgments related to the financial statement impact of their regulatory environments, such as the types of adjustments to rate base that will be acceptable to regulatory bodies, if any, to which costs will be recoverable through rates. Refer to the revenue recognition discussion below for additional information on the annual revenue reconciliations associated with ComEd’s distribution formula rate tariff, pursuant to EIMA, and FERC-approved transmission formula rate tariffs for ComEd and BGE. Additionally, estimates are made in accordance with the authoritative guidance for contingencies as to the amount of revenues billed under certain regulatory orders that may ultimately be refunded to customers upon finalization of applicable regulatory or judicial processes. These assessments are based, to the extent possible, on past relevant experience with regulatory bodies in ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s jurisdictions, known circumstances specific to a particular matter and hearings held with the applicable regulatory body. If the assessments and estimates made by Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE are ultimately different than actual regulatory outcomes, the impact on their results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be material.

 

The 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.

 

111


Table of Contents

Accounting for Derivative Instruments (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants utilize derivative instruments to manage their exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, changes in interest rates related to planned future debt issuances and changes in the fair value of outstanding debt. Generation uses a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to manage the commodity price risk of its electric generation facilities, including power sales, fuel and energy purchases and other energy-related products marketed and purchased. Additionally, Generation enters into energy-related derivatives for proprietary trading purposes. ComEd has entered into contracts to procure energy, capacity and ancillary services. In addition, ComEd had a financial swap contract with Generation that expired May 31, 2013 and currently holds floating-to-fixed energy swaps with several unaffiliated suppliers that extend into 2032. PECO and BGE have entered into derivative natural gas contracts to hedge their long-term price risk in the natural gas market. PECO has also entered into derivative contracts to procure electric supply through a competitive RFP process as outlined in its PAPUC-approved DSP Program. BGE has also entered into derivative contracts to procure electric supply through a competitive auction process as outlined in its MDPSC-approved SOS Program. ComEd, PECO and BGE do not enter into derivatives for proprietary trading purposes. The Registrants’ derivative activities are in accordance with Exelon’s Risk Management Policy (RMP). See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Registrants’ derivative instruments.

 

The Registrants account for derivative financial instruments under the applicable authoritative guidance. Determining whether or not a contract qualifies as a derivative under this guidance requires that management exercise significant judgment, including assessing the market liquidity as well as determining whether a contract has one or more underlyings and one or more notional amounts. Further, interpretive guidance related to the authoritative literature continues to evolve, including how it applies to energy and energy-related products. Changes in management’s assessment of contracts and the liquidity of their markets, and changes in authoritative guidance related to derivatives, could result in previously excluded contracts being subject to the provisions of the authoritative derivative guidance. Generation has determined that contracts to purchase uranium, contracts to purchase and sell capacity in certain ISO’s, certain emission products and RECs do not meet the definition of a derivative under the current authoritative guidance since they do not provide for net settlement and neither the uranium, certain capacity, emission nor the REC markets are sufficiently liquid to conclude that physical forward contracts are readily convertible to cash. If these markets do become sufficiently liquid in the future and Generation would be required to account for these contracts as derivative instruments, the fair value of these contracts would be accounted for consistent with Generation’s other derivative instruments. In this case, if market prices differ from the underlying prices of the contracts, Generation would be required to record mark-to-market gains or losses, which may have a significant impact to Exelon’s and Generation’s financial positions and results of operations.

 

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. Further, derivatives that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as fair value or cash flow hedges. For fair value hedges, changes in fair values for both the derivative and the underlying hedged exposure are recognized in earnings each period. For cash flow hedges, the portion of the derivative gain or loss that is effective in offsetting the change in the hedged cash flows of the underlying exposure is deferred in accumulated OCI and later reclassified into earnings when the underlying transaction occurs. Gains and losses from the ineffective portion of any hedge are recognized in earnings immediately. For commodity transactions, effective with the date of the Constellation merger, Generation no longer utilizes the election provided for by the cash flow hedge designation and de-designated all of its existing cash flow hedges prior to the Constellation merger. Because the underlying forecasted transactions remained probable, the fair value of the effective portion of these cash flow hedges was frozen in accumulated OCI and was reclassified to results of operations when the forecasted purchase or sale of the energy commodity occurred. None of

 

112


Table of Contents

Constellation’s designated cash flow hedges for commodity transactions prior to the Constellation merger were re-designated as cash flow hedges. The effect of this decision is that all economic hedges for commodities are recorded at fair value through earnings for the combined company. In addition, for energy-related derivatives entered into for proprietary trading purposes, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in earnings each period. For economic hedges that are not designated for hedge accounting for ComEd, PECO and BGE, changes in the fair value each period are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability.

 

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 as normal purchases and normal sales and 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 that management exercise 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 which 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 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 and block contracts under the PAPUC-approved DSP program, most of PECO’s natural gas supply agreements and all of BGE’s full requirement contracts and natural gas supply agreements that are derivatives qualify for 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 accounting for derivatives, 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. In accordance with 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 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 are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point prices and are obtained from sources 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. This includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads and contract duration. The Registrant’s derivatives are traded predominately at liquid trading points. The remaining derivative contracts are valued using models that take into account 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

 

113


Table of Contents

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. In instances where observable data is unavailable, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable. The Registrants consider nonperformance risk, including credit risk in the valuation of derivative contracts categorized in Level 1, 2 and 3, including both historical and current market data in its assessment of nonperformance risk, including credit risk. The impacts of credit and nonperformance 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, which are typically designated as fair value hedges, as a means 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 in anticipation of future financings 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. The characterization of the interest rate derivative contracts between the economic hedge and proprietary trading activity is driven by the corresponding characterization of the underlying commodity position that gives rise to the interest rate exposure. Generation does not utilize interest rate derivatives with the objective of benefiting from shifts or change 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 the terms and conditions of the agreements and the forward interest rate and foreign exchange curves. As these inputs are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives 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 12—Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Registrants’ derivative instruments.

 

Taxation (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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. In accordance with applicable authoritative guidance, 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. 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. 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 unrecognized tax benefits to be recorded in the Registrants’ consolidated financial statements.

 

114


Table of Contents

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 their ability to utilize tax attributes, including those in the form of carryforwards, for which the benefits have already been reflected in the financial statements. The Registrants record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when the Registrants conclude 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 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. While the Registrants believe the resulting tax balances as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are appropriately accounted for in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance, the ultimate outcome of tax matters could result in favorable or unfavorable adjustments to their consolidated financial statements and such adjustments could be material. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding taxes.

 

Accounting for Loss Contingencies (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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 amounts recorded may differ from the actual expense incurred when the uncertainty is resolved. The estimates that the Registrants make in accounting for loss contingencies and the actual results that they record upon the ultimate resolution of these uncertainties could have a significant effect on their 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, changes in technology, regulations and the requirements of local governmental authorities. Periodic studies are conducted at ComEd, PECO and BGE to determine future remediation requirements and estimates are adjusted accordingly. In addition, periodic reviews are performed at Generation to assess the adequacy of its environmental reserves. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a significant effect on the Registrants’ results of operations, financial position and cash flows. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further 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 effect on the Registrants’ results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

 

115


Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Sources of Revenue and Determination of Accounting Treatment. The Registrants earn revenues from various business activities including: the sale of energy and energy-related products, such as natural gas, capacity, and other commodities in non-regulated markets (wholesale and retail); the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas in regulated markets; and the provision of other energy-related non-regulated products and services.

 

The appropriate accounting treatment for revenue recognition is based on the nature of the underlying transaction and applicable accounting standards. The Registrants primarily use accrual and mark-to-market accounting as discussed in more detail below.

 

Accrual Accounting. Under accrual accounting, the Registrants record revenues in the period when services are rendered or energy is delivered to customers. The Registrants generally use accrual accounting to recognize revenues for sales of electricity, natural gas and other commodities as part of their physical delivery activities. The Registrants enter into these sales transactions using a variety of instruments, including non-derivative agreements, derivatives that qualify for and are designated as normal purchases and normal sales (NPNS) of commodities that will be physically delivered, sales to utility customers under regulated service tariffs and spot-market sales, including settlements with independent system operators.

 

Mark-to-Market Accounting. The Registrants record revenues and expenses using the mark-to-market method of accounting for transactions that meet the definition of a derivative for which they are not permitted, or have not elected, the NPNS exception. These mark-to-market transactions primarily relate to risk management activities and economic hedges of other accrual activities. Mark-to-market revenues and expenses include: inception gains or losses on new transactions where the fair value is observable and realized; and unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of open contracts.

 

Use of Estimates. Estimates are based upon actual costs incurred 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 reconciliations can be affected by, among other things, variances in costs incurred and investments made and actions by regulators or courts.

 

Unbilled Revenues. The determination of Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s retail energy 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 receivables 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 would also have an effect on the measurement of unbilled revenue; however, total operating revenues would remain materially unchanged.

 

See Note 6—Accounts Receivable of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Regulated Transmission & Distribution Revenues. ComEd’s EIMA distribution formula rate tariff provides for annual reconciliations to the distribution revenue requirement. As of the balance

 

116


Table of Contents

sheet dates, ComEd has recorded its best estimates of the distribution revenue impact resulting from changes in rates that ComEd believes are probable of approval by the ICC in accordance with the formula rate mechanism. Estimates are based upon actual costs incurred 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.

 

ComEd’s and BGE’s FERC transmission formula rate tariffs provide for annual reconciliations to the transmission revenue requirements. As of the balance sheet dates, ComEd and BGE have recorded the best estimate of their respective transmission revenue impact resulting from changes in rates that ComEd and BGE believe are probable of approval by FERC in accordance with the formula rate mechanism. Estimates are based upon actual costs incurred 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 and investments made and actions by regulators or courts.

 

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The allowance for uncollectible accounts reflects the Registrants’ best estimates of losses on the accounts receivable balances. For Generation, the allowance is based on accounts receivable aging historical experience and other currently available information. ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 computed based on various attributes, including delinquency of their balances and payment history. Loss rates applied to the accounts receivable balances are based on historical average charge-offs as a percentage of accounts receivable in each risk segment. ComEd, PECO and BGE customers’ 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. ComEd, PECO and BGE customer accounts are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s provisions for uncollectible accounts will continue to be affected by changes in volume, prices and economic conditions as well as changes in ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC regulations, respectively. See Note 6—Accounts Receivable of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding accounts receivable.

 

Results of Operations by Business Segment

 

The comparisons of operating results and other statistical information for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 set forth below include intercompany transactions, which are eliminated in Exelon’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders by Registrant

 

     2015      2014      Favorable
(unfavorable)
2015 vs. 2014
variance
     2013      Favorable
(unfavorable)
2014 vs. 2013
variance
 

Exelon

   $ 2,269       $ 1,623       $ 646       $ 1,719       $ (96

Generation

     1,372         835         537         1,070         (235

ComEd

     426         408         18         249         159   

PECO

     378         352         26         388         (36

BGE

     275         198         77         197         1   

 

117


Table of Contents

Results of Operations—Generation

 

     2015     2014 (a)     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2015 vs. 2014
variance
    2013     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2014 vs. 2013
variance
 

Operating revenues

   $ 19,135      $ 17,393      $ 1,742      $ 15,630      $ 1,763   

Purchased power and fuel expense

     10,021        9,925        (96     8,197        (1,728
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense (b)

     9,114        7,468        1,646        7,433        35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

    

Operating and maintenance

     5,308        5,566        258        4,534        (1,032

Depreciation and amortization

     1,054        967        (87     856        (111

Taxes other than income

     489        465        (24     389        (76
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

     6,851        6,998        147        5,779        (1,219

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     —          (20     20        10        (30

Gain on sales of assets

     12        437        (425     13        424   

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

     —          289        (289     —          289   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     2,275        1,176        1,099        1,677        (501

Other income and (deductions)

          

Interest expense

     (365     (356     (9     (357     1   

Other, net

     (60     406        (466     355        51   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (425     50        (475     (2     52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     1,850        1,226        624        1,675        (449

Income taxes

     502        207        (295     615        408   

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

     (8     —          8        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     1,340        1,019        321        1,060        (41

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (32     184        (216     (10     194   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to membership interest

   $ 1,372      $ 835      $ 537      $ 1,070      $ (235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, beginning on April 1, 2014, the financial results include CENG’s results of operations on a fully consolidated basis.
(b) Generation evaluates its operating performance using the measure of revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense. Generation believes that revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense is a useful measurement because it provides information that can be used to evaluate its operational performance. Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense 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.

 

Net Income Attributable to Membership Interest

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. Generation’s net income attributable to membership interest increased compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to higher revenue net of purchase power and fuel expense and lower operating and maintenance expense; partially offset by the absence of the 2014 gains recorded on the sales of Generation’s ownership interest in generating stations, the absence of the 2014 gain recorded upon the consolidation of CENG, decreased other income and increased income tax expense. The increase in

 

118


Table of Contents

revenue, net of purchase power and fuel expense was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on fully consolidated basis in 2015, the benefit of lower cost to serve load (including the absence of higher procurement costs for replacement power in 2014), the cancellation of the DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fee, increased capacity prices, the inclusion of Integrys’ results in 2015, favorability from portfolio management optimization activities, increased load served, and mark-to-market gains in 2015 compared to mark-to-market losses in 2014, partially offset by lower margins resulting from the 2014 sale of generating assets, lower realized energy prices, and the absence of the 2014 fuel optimization opportunities in the South region due to extreme cold weather. The decrease in operating and maintenance expense was largely due to the reduction of long-lived asset impairment charges in 2015 versus 2014, partially offset by increased labor, contracting and materials expense due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015 and increased energy efficiency projects. The decrease in other income is primarily the result of the change in realized and unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments in 2015 as compared to 2014.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. Generation’s net income attributable to membership interest decreased compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due to higher operating and maintenance expense and higher depreciation expense; partially offset by higher revenue, net of purchase power and fuel expense, higher other income, the gains recorded on the sale of Generation’s ownership interest in generating stations, the bargain-purchase gain recorded related to the Integrys acquisition, and the gain recorded upon consolidation of CENG. The increase in operating and maintenance expense was largely due to increased labor contracting and materials expense due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014 and impairment charges related to 1) generating assets held-for-sale, 2) certain Upstream assets, and 3) wind generating assets. The increase in revenue, net of purchased power and fuel expense was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results beginning April 1, 2014, a decrease in fuel costs related to the cancellation of DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fees, an increase in capacity prices, and favorable portfolio management activities in the New England and South regions, partially offset by lower realized energy prices related to executing Exelon’s ratable hedging strategy, higher procurement costs for replacement power due to extreme cold weather in the first quarter of 2014, and unrealized mark-to-market losses in 2014. The increase in other income is primarily the result of increased realized and unrealized gains on NDT fund investments.

 

Revenue 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. Descriptions of each of Generation’s six reportable segments are as follows:

 

   

Mid-Atlantic represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

 

   

Midwest represents operations in the western half of PJM, which includes portions of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, and the United States footprint of MISO excluding MISO’s Southern Region, which covers all or most of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, the remaining parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not covered by PJM, and parts of Montana, Missouri and Kentucky.

 

   

New England represents the operations within ISO-NE covering the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

 

119


Table of Contents
   

New York represents operations within ISO-NY, which covers the state of New York in its entirety.

 

   

ERCOT represents operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas, covering most of the state of Texas.

 

   

Other Power Regions:

 

   

South represents operations in the FRCC, MISO’s Southern Region, and the remaining portions of the SERC not included within MISO or PJM, which includes all or most of Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Missouri, Kentucky and Texas. Generation’s South region also includes operations in the SPP, covering Kansas, Oklahoma, most of Nebraska and parts of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas.

 

   

West represents operations in the WECC, which includes California ISO, and covers the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and parts of New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota.

 

   

Canada represents operations across the entire country of Canada and includes the AESO, OIESO and the Canadian portion of MISO.

 

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 Generation’s overall operating revenues or results of operations. Further, the following activities are not allocated to a region, and are reported in the table below in Other: unrealized mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities; amortization of certain intangible assets relating to commodity contracts recorded at fair value from mergers and acquisitions; and other miscellaneous revenues.

 

Generation evaluates the operating performance of its power marketing activities using the measure of revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense, which is a non-GAAP measurement. Generation’s operating revenues include all sales to third parties and affiliated sales to ComEd, PECO and BGE. 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, 2015 compared to 2014 and December 31, 2014 compared to 2013, Generation’s revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense by region were as follows:

 

                2015 vs. 2014           2014 vs. 2013  
    2015     2014     Variance     % Change     2013     Variance     % Change  

Mid-Atlantic (a)(b)(e)

  $ 3,571      $ 3,431      $ 140        4.1   $ 3,270      $ 161        4.9

Midwest (c)

    2,892        2,599        293        11.3     2,586        13        0.5

New England

    461        351        110        31.3     185        166        89.7

New York (a)(e)

    634        483        151        31.3     (4     487        n.m.   

ERCOT

    293        317        (24     (7.6 )%      436        (119     (27.3 )% 

Other Power Regions

    250        327        (77     (23.5 )%      201        126        62.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total electric revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense

    8,101        7,508        593        7.9     6,674        834        12.5

Proprietary Trading

    1        42        (41     (97.6 )%      (8     50        n.m.   

Mark-to-market gains (losses)

    257        (591     848        n.m.        504        (1,095     n.m.   

Other (d)

    755        509        246        48.3     263        246        93.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense

  $ 9,114      $ 7,468      $ 1,646        22.0   $ 7,433      $ 35        0.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

120


Table of Contents

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, beginning April 1, 2014, the financial results include CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis.
(b) Results of transactions with PECO and BGE are included in the Mid-Atlantic region.
(c) Results of transactions with ComEd are included in the Midwest region.
(d) Other represents activities not allocated to a region. See text above for a description of included activities. Also includes an $8 million increase to RNF, a $124 million decrease to RNF, and a $488 million decrease to RNF for the amortization of intangible assets related to energy contracts for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
(e) Includes $113 million and $169 million of purchased power from CENG prior to its consolidation on April 1, 2014 in the Mid-Atlantic and New York regions, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Includes $542 million and $450 million of purchased power from CENG in the Mid-Atlantic and New York regions, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 26—Related Party Transactions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Generation’s supply sources by region are summarized below:

 

                2015 vs. 2014           2014 vs. 2013  

Supply Source (GWh)

  2015     2014     Variance     % Change     2013     Variance     % Change  

Nuclear Generation (a)

             

Mid-Atlantic

    63,283        58,809        4,474        7.6     48,881        9,928        20.3

Midwest

    93,422        94,000        (578     (0.6 )%      93,245        755        0.8

New York

    18,769        13,645        5,124        37.6     —          13,645        n.m.   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Nuclear Generation

    175,474        166,454        9,020        5.4     142,126        24,328        17.1

Fossil and Renewables (a)

             

Mid-Atlantic

    2,774        11,025        (8,251     (74.8 )%      11,714        (689     (5.9 )% 

Midwest

    1,547        1,372        175        12.8     1,478        (106     (7.2 )% 

New England

    2,983        5,233        (2,250     (43.0 )%      10,896        (5,663     (52.0 )% 

New York

    3        4        (1     (25.0 )%      —          4        n.m.   

ERCOT

    5,763        7,164        (1,401     (19.6 )%      6,453        711        11.0

Other Power Regions

    7,848        7,955        (107     (1.3 )%      6,664        1,291        19.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Fossil and Renewables

    20,918        32,753        (11,835     (36.1 )%      37,205        (4,452     (12.0 )% 

Purchased Power

             

Mid-Atlantic (b)

    8,160        6,082        2,078        34.2     14,092        (8,010     (56.8 )% 

Midwest

    2,325        2,004        321        16.0     4,408        (2,404     (54.5 )% 

New England

    24,309        12,354        11,955        96.8     7,655        4,699        61.4

New York (b)

    —          2,857        (2,857     (100.0 )%      13,642        (10,785     (79.1 )% 

ERCOT

    10,070        8,651        1,419        16.4     13,459        (4,808     (35.7 )% 

Other Power Regions

    16,728        14,795        1,933        13.1     14,931        (136     (0.9 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Purchased Power

    61,592        46,743        14,849        31.8     68,187        (21,444     (31.4 )% 

Total Supply/Sales by Region (c)

             

Mid-Atlantic (d)

    74,217        75,916        (1,699     (2.2 )%      74,687        1,229        1.6

Midwest (d)

    97,294        97,376        (82     (0.1 )%      99,131        (1,755     (1.8 )% 

New England

    27,292        17,587        9,705        55.2     18,551        (964     (5.2 )% 

New York

    18,772        16,506        2,266        13.7     13,642        2,864        21.0

ERCOT

    15,833        15,815        18        0.1     19,912        (4,097     (20.6 )% 

Other Power Regions

    24,576        22,750        1,826        8.0     21,595        1,155        5.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Supply/Sales by Region

    257,984        245,950        12,034        4.9     247,518        (1,568     (0.6 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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). Nuclear generation for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes physical volumes of 14,646 GWh in Mid-Atlantic and 18,769 GWh in New York for CENG and for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes physical volumes of 11,409 GWh in Mid-Atlantic and 13,645 GWh in New York for CENG. Prior to the integration date of April 1, 2014, CENG volumes were included in purchased power.

 

121


Table of Contents
(b) Purchased power includes physical volumes of 2,489 GWh and 12,067 GWh in the Mid-Atlantic and 2,857 GWh and 12,165 GWh in New York as a result of the PPA with CENG for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Since the integration date of April 1, 2014, CENG volumes are included in nuclear generation.
(c) Excludes physical proprietary trading volumes of 7,310 GWh, 10,571 GWh, and 8,762 GWh for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
(d) Includes affiliate sales to PECO and BGE in the Mid-Atlantic region and affiliate sales to ComEd in the Midwest region.

 

Mid-Atlantic

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in the Mid-Atlantic of $140 million was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis for the full year in 2015, the benefit of lower cost to serve load (which includes the absence of higher procurement costs for replacement power due to extreme cold weather in the first quarter of 2014), increased load volumes served, higher nuclear volumes, the cancellation of the DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fee, and favorability from portfolio management optimization activities, partially offset by lower capacity revenues, and lower generation volumes due to the sale of generating assets.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in the Mid-Atlantic of $161 million was primarily due to the consolidation of CENG, the cancellation of the DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fees in 2014, and favorable portfolio management optimization activities, partially offset by higher procurement costs for replacement power, lower nuclear volumes (excluding CENG), lower capacity revenues, and lower realized energy prices related to executing Generation’s ratable hedging strategy.

 

Midwest

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in the Midwest of $293 million was primarily due to higher capacity revenues, increased load volumes served, the inclusion of Integrys’ results in 2015, the cancellation of the DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fee in 2014, and favorability from portfolio management optimization activities, partially offset by lower nuclear volumes.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in the Midwest of $13 million was primarily due to higher capacity prices, higher nuclear volumes, and the cancellation of the DOE spent nuclear fuel disposal fee, partially offset by lower realized energy prices related to executing Generation’s ratable hedging strategy.

 

New England

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in New England of $110 million was primarily due to the benefit of lower cost to serve load, increased load volumes served, the inclusion of Integrys’ results in 2015, and favorability from portfolio management optimization activities, partially offset by lower generation volumes due to the sale of a generating asset.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in New England of $166 million was primarily due to higher realized energy prices and favorable impacts from the restructuring of a fuel supply contract, partially offset by lower generation volume.

 

New York

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The $151 million increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in New York was primarily due to the

 

122


Table of Contents

inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis for the full year in 2015, increased nuclear volumes and the inclusion of Integrys’ results in 2015, partially offset by lower realized energy prices and decreased capacity revenues.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The $487 million increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in New York was primarily due to the consolidation of CENG.

 

ERCOT

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The $24 million decrease in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in ERCOT was primarily due to lower realized energy prices and a decrease in generation volumes due to the sale of a generating asset, partially offset by the absence of higher procurement costs for replacement power in 2014 and decreased fuel costs.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The $119 million decrease in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in ERCOT was primarily due to higher procurement costs for replacement power in the second quarter of 2014 and the termination of an energy supply contract with a retail power supply company that was previously a consolidated variable interest entity. As a result of the termination, Generation no longer has a variable interest in the retail supply company and ceased consolidation of the entity during the third quarter of 2013. The decreases were partially offset by higher generation volume in the first quarter of 2014.

 

Other Power Regions

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in Other Power Regions of $77 million was primarily due to the amortization of contracts recorded at fair value associated with prior acquisitions, lower realized energy prices, the absence of the 2014 fuel optimization opportunities, partially offset by increased generation from power purchase agreements, and decreased fuel costs.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The $126 million increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in Other Power Regions was primarily due to higher generation volumes and higher realized energy prices.

 

Proprietary Trading

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The $41 million decrease in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in Proprietary trading was primarily due to the absence of gains on congestion trading products.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The $50 million increase in revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense in Proprietary trading was primarily due to gains on congestion trading products.

 

Mark-to-market

 

Generation is exposed to market risks associated with changes in commodity prices and enters into economic hedges to mitigate exposure to these fluctuations. See Note 12—Fair Value of Financial

 

123


Table of Contents

Assets and Liabilities and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on gains and losses associated with mark-to-market derivatives.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. Mark-to-market gains on economic hedging activities were $257 million in 2015 compared to losses of $591 million in 2014.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. Mark-to-market losses on economic hedging activities were $591 million in 2014 compared to gains of $504 million in 2013.

 

Other

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The $246 million increase in other revenue net of purchased power and fuel was primarily due to the amortization of energy contracts recorded at fair value associated with prior acquisitions, the inclusion of Integrys’ gas results in 2015, and an increase in distributed generation and energy efficiency activity. See Note 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding energy contract intangibles.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The $246 million increase in other revenue net of purchased power and fuel was primarily due to the amortization of energy contracts recorded at fair value associated with prior acquisitions, partially offset by a loss on gas inventory from lower of cost or market adjustments in 2014. See Note 11—Intangible Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding energy contract intangibles.

 

Nuclear Fleet Capacity Factor

 

The following table presents nuclear fleet operating data for 2015, as compared to 2014 and 2013, for the Generation-operated plants. 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 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.

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Nuclear fleet capacity factor (a)

     93.7     94.3     94.1

 

(a) Excludes Salem, which is operated by PSEG Nuclear, LLC. Reflects ownership percentage of stations operated by Exelon. As of April 1, 2014, CENG is included at ownership.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The nuclear fleet capacity factor, which excludes Salem, decreased in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to a higher number of refueling outage days and non-outage energy losses, partially offset by a lower number of unplanned outage days. For 2015 and 2014, planned refueling outage days totaled 290 and 275, respectively, and non-refueling outage days totaled 82 and 92, respectively

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The nuclear fleet capacity factor, which excludes Salem, increased in 2014 compared to 2013. While total days offline

 

124


Table of Contents

were greater in 2014 as compared to 2013, the larger capacity units were online for more days in 2014. Additionally, with the addition of the CENG nuclear facilities there were more days offline in 2014 associated with units where Exelon’s ownership percentage diminishes the impact on capacity factor. For 2014 and 2013, planned refueling outage days totaled 275 and 233, respectively, and non-refueling outage days totaled 92 and 75, respectively.

 

Operating and Maintenance Expense

 

The changes in operating and maintenance expense for 2015 compared to 2014, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease) (a)
 

Impairment and related charges of certain generating assets (b)

   $ (651

Maryland merger commitments

     (44

Merger and integration costs

     (28

Midwest Generation bankruptcy charges

     (14

Decrease in asbestos bodily injury reserve

     (12

ARO update

     8   

Regulatory fees and assessments

     10   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense

     15   

Corporate allocations (c)

     16   

Accretion expense

     18   

Nuclear refueling outage costs, including the co-owned Salem plant (d)

     64   

Labor, other benefits, contracting and materials (e)

     323   

Other

     37   
  

 

 

 

Decrease in operating and maintenance expense

   $ (258
  

 

 

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the operating results include CENG’s results of operations on a fully consolidated basis from April 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and for the entire year in 2015.
(b) Primarily relates to impairments of certain generating assets held-for-sale, Upstream assets, and wind generating assets during 2014 that did not reoccur in 2015.
(c) Reflects an increased share of corporate allocated costs primarily due to the inclusion of CENG beginning April 1, 2014.
(d) Reflects the unfavorable impacts of increased nuclear outages in 2015.
(e) Reflects an increase of labor, other benefits, contracting and materials costs primarily due to the inclusion of CENG on a fully consolidated basis in 2015. Also includes cost of sales of our other business activities that are not allocated to a region.

 

The changes in operating and maintenance expense for 2014 compared to 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease) (a)
 

Impairment and related charges of certain generating assets (b)

   $ 506   

Labor, other benefits, contracting and materials (c)

     361   

Accretion expense

     78   

Corporate allocations (d)

     69   

Regulatory fees and assessments

     51   

Maryland merger commitments

     44   

Nuclear refueling outage costs, including the co-owned Salem plant (e)

     54   

Increase in asbestos bodily injury reserve

     16   

Midwest Generation bankruptcy charges

     (26

ARO update

     (29

Merger and integration costs

     (29

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense

     (81

Other

     18   
  

 

 

 

Increase in operating and maintenance expense

   $ 1,032   
  

 

 

 

 

125


Table of Contents

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2014 operating results include CENG’s results of operations on a fully consolidated basis from April 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
(b) Reflects the operating and maintenance expense associated with the impairment of certain generating assets held-for-sale, Upstream assets, and wind generating assets during 2014.
(c) Reflects an increase of labor, other benefits, contracting and materials costs primarily due to the inclusion of CENG beginning April 1, 2014. Also includes cost of sales of our other business activities that are not allocated to a region.
(d) Reflects an increased share of corporate allocated costs primarily due to the inclusion of CENG beginning April 1, 2014.
(e) Reflects the impact of increased nuclear outage days primarily due to the inclusion of CENG beginning April 1, 2014.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015, increased nuclear decommissioning amortization, and an increase in ongoing capital expenditures.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014 and an increase in ongoing capital expenditures.

 

Taxes Other Than Income

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The increase in taxes other than income was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis in 2015.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in taxes other than income was primarily due to the inclusion of CENG’s results on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.

 

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The year-over-year change in Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates is primarily the result of the consolidation of CENG’s results of operations beginning April 1, 2014, which were previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The year-over-year change in Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates is primarily the result of the consolidation of CENG’s results of operations beginning April 1, 2014, which were previously accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 

Gain (Loss) on Sales of Assets

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in gain (loss) on sales of assets in primarily related to the absence of $411 million of gains recorded on the sale of Generation’s ownership interests in Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, Fore River and West Valley generating stations in 2014. Refer to Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in gain (loss) on sales of assets is primarily related to $411 million of gains recorded on the sale of

 

126


Table of Contents

Generation’s ownership interests in Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, Fore River and West Valley generating stations in 2014. Refer to Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Gain on Consolidation and Acquisition of Businesses

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses reflects the absence of a $261 million gain upon consolidation of CENG resulting from the difference in fair value of CENG’s net assets as of April 1, 2014 and the equity method investment previously recorded on Generation’s and Exelon’s books and the settlement of pre-existing transactions between Generation and CENG recorded in 2014, and the absence of a $28 million bargain-purchase gain related to the Integrys acquisition recorded in 2014.

 

Interest Expense

 

The changes in interest expense for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Interest expense on long-term debt

   $ 53      $ 33   

Interest expense on interest rate swaps

     22        4   

Interest expense on tax settlements

     (37     (21

Other interest expense

     (29     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in interest expense, net

   $ 9      $ (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Other, Net

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in Other, net primarily reflects the net decrease in realized and unrealized gains related to the NDT fund investments of Generation’s Non-Regulatory Agreement Units as described in the table below. Other, net also reflects $(22) million and $67 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the contractual elimination of income tax expense associated with the NDT fund investments of the Regulatory Agreement Units. Refer to Note 15—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding NDT fund investments.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. The increase in Other, net primarily reflects $31 million of favorable tax settlements related to Constellation’s pre-acquisition tax returns and the increased net realized and unrealized gains related to the NDT fund investments of Generation’s Non-Regulatory Agreement Units compared to net realized and unrealized gains in 2013, as described in the table below. Other, net also reflects $67 million and $122 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to the contractual elimination of income tax expense (benefit) associated with the NDT fund investments of the Regulatory Agreement Units. Refer to Note 15—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding NDT fund investments.

 

The following table provides unrealized and realized gains (losses) on the NDT fund investments of the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units recognized in Other, net for 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     2015     2014      2013  

Net unrealized (losses) gains on decommissioning trust funds

   $ (197   $ 134       $ 146   

Net realized gains on sale of decommissioning trust funds

   $ 66      $ 77       $ 24   

 

127


Table of Contents

Effective Income Tax Rate.

 

Generation’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 27.1%, 16.9% and 36.7%, respectively. 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—ComEd

 

    2015     2014     Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015 vs. 2014
Variance
    2013     Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014 vs. 2013
Variance
 

Operating revenue

  $ 4,905      $ 4,564      $ 341      $ 4,464      $ 100   

Purchased power expense

    1,319        1,177        (142     1,174        (3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue net of purchased power expense (a)(b)

    3,586        3,387        199        3,290        97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

         

Operating and maintenance

    1,567        1,429        (138     1,368        (61

Depreciation and amortization

    707        687        (20     669        (18

Taxes other than income

    296        293        (3     299        6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

    2,570        2,409        (161     2,336        (73
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sales of assets

    1        2        (1     —          2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    1,017        980        37        954        26   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

         

Interest expense, net

    (332     (321     (11     (579     258   

Other, net

    21        17        4        26        (9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

    (311     (304     (7     (553     249   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    706        676        30        401        275   

Income taxes

    280        268        (12     152        (116
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 426      $ 408      $ 18      $ 249      $ 159   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) ComEd evaluates its operating performance using the measure of Revenue net of purchased power expense. ComEd believes that Revenue net of purchased power expense is a useful measurement because it provides information that can be used to evaluate its operational performance. In general, ComEd only earns margin based on the delivery and transmission of electricity. ComEd has included its discussion of Revenue net of purchased power expense below as a complement to the financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. However, Revenue net of purchased power expense 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.
(b) For regulatory recovery mechanisms, including ComEd’s electric distribution and transmission formula rates, and riders, revenues increase and decrease i) as fully recoverable costs fluctuate (with no impact on net earnings), and ii) pursuant to changes in rate base, capital structure and ROE (which impact net earnings).

 

Net Income

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. ComEd’s Net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was higher than the same period in 2014 primarily due to increased electric distribution and transmission formula rate earnings (reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment, partially offset by lower allowed electric distribution ROE), partially offset by unfavorable weather and volume.

 

128


Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. ComEd’s Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was higher than the same period in 2013 primarily due to the 2013 remeasurement of Exelon’s like-kind exchange tax position and increased electric distribution and transmission formula rate earnings (reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment), partially offset by unfavorable weather.

 

Operating Revenue Net of Purchased Power Expense

 

There are certain drivers of Operating revenue that are fully offset by their impact on Purchased power expense, such as commodity procurement costs and participation in customer choice programs. ComEd is permitted to recover electricity procurement costs from retail customers without mark-up. Therefore, fluctuations in electricity procurement costs have no impact on Revenue net of purchased power expense. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on ComEd’s electricity procurement process.

 

All ComEd customers have the choice to purchase electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier. Customer choice programs do not impact ComEd’s volume of deliveries, but do affect ComEd’s Operating revenue related to supplied energy, which is fully offset in Purchased power expense. Therefore, customer choice programs have no impact on Revenue net of purchased power expense.

 

Retail deliveries purchased from competitive electric generation suppliers (as a percentage of kWh sales) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Electric

     76     80     81

 

Retail customers purchasing electric generation from competitive electric generation suppliers at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
    Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
    Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
 

Electric

     1,655,400         42     2,426,900         63     2,630,200         68

 

Under an Illinois law allowing municipalities to arrange the purchase of electricity for their participating residents, the City of Chicago previously participated in ComEd’s customer choice program and arranged the purchase of electricity from Constellation (formerly Integrys), for those participating residents. In September 2015, the City of Chicago discontinued its participation in the customer choice program and many of those participating residents resumed their purchase of electricity from ComEd. ComEd’s Operating revenue has increased as a result of the City of Chicago switching, but that increase is fully offset in Purchased power expense.

 

129


Table of Contents

The changes in ComEd’s Revenue net of purchased power expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Weather

   $ (16   $ (16

Volume

     (22     —     

Electric distribution revenue

     180        (2

Transmission revenue

     48        30   

Regulatory required programs

     (1     52   

Uncollectible accounts recovery, net

     27        41   

Pricing and customer mix

     (4     5   

Revenue subject to refund

     9        (9

Other

     (22     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in revenue net of purchased power

   $ 199      $ 97   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Weather. The demand for electricity is affected by weather conditions. Very warm weather in summer months and very cold weather in other months are referred to as “favorable weather conditions” because these weather conditions result in increased customer usage. Conversely, mild weather reduces demand. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, unfavorable weather conditions reduced Operating revenue net of purchased power expense when compared to the prior years.

 

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 ComEd’s service territory with cooling degree days generally having a more significant impact to ComEd, particularly during the summer months. The changes in heating and cooling degree days in ComEd’s service territory for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
            % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

           2015                      2014              Normal      2015 vs. 2014     2015 vs. Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     6,091         7,027         6,341         (13.3 )%      (3.9 )% 

Cooling Degree-Days

     806         799         842         0.9     (4.3 )% 

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
            % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

           2014                      2013              Normal      2014 vs. 2013     2014 vs. Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     7,027         6,603         6,341         6.4     10.8

Cooling Degree-Days

     799         933         842         (14.4 )%      (5.1 )% 

 

Volume. Revenue net of purchased power expense decreased as a result of lower delivery volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, for the year ended December 31, 2015, reflecting decreased average usage per residential customer and the impacts of energy efficiency programs, as compared to the same period in 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2014, Revenue net of purchased power expense remained relatively consistent, as compared to the same period in 2013.

 

Electric Distribution Revenue. EIMA provides for a performance-based formula rate tariff, 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 EIMA, electric distribution

 

130


Table of Contents

revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, investments being recovered, allowed ROE, and other billing determinants. ComEd’s allowed ROE is the annual average rate on 30-year treasury notes plus 580 basis points, subject to a collar of plus or minus 50 basis points. Therefore, the collar limits favorable and unfavorable impacts of weather and load on revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2015, electric distribution revenue increased $180 million, primarily due to higher Operating and maintenance expense and increased capital investment, partially offset by lower allowed ROE due to decreased treasury rates. During the year ended December 31, 2014, electric distribution revenue decreased $2 million, primarily due to lower Operating and maintenance expense resulting from certain OPEB plan design changes, partially offset by increased capital investment. See Operating and Maintenance Expense below and Note 3—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, investments being recovered and other billing determinants, such as the highest daily peak load from the previous calendar year. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd recorded increased transmission revenue primarily due to higher Operating and maintenance expense and increased capital investment. See Operating and Maintenance Expense below and Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Regulatory Required Programs. This represents the change in Operating revenue collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for regulatory programs such as ComEd’s energy efficiency and demand response and purchased power administrative costs. The riders are designed to provide full and current cost recovery. An equal and offsetting amount has been included in Operating and maintenance expense. See Operating and maintenance expense discussion below for additional information on included programs.

 

Uncollectible Accounts Recovery, Net. Uncollectible accounts recovery, net, represents recoveries under ComEd’s uncollectible accounts tariff. See Operating and maintenance expense discussion below for additional information on this tariff.

 

Pricing and Customer Mix. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the decrease in Revenue net of purchased power as a result of pricing and customer mix is primarily attributable to lower overall effective rates due to increased usage across all major customer classes and change in customer mix. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the increase in Revenue net of purchased power as a result of pricing and customer mix is primarily attributable to higher overall effective rates due to decreased usage across all major customer classes and change in customer mix.

 

Revenue Subject to Refund. ComEd records revenue subject to refund based upon its best estimate of customer collections that may be required to be refunded. Revenue net of purchase power expense was higher for the year ended December 31, 2015, due to the one-time revenue refund recorded in 2014 associated with the 2007 Rate Case.

 

Other. Other revenue, which can vary period to period, includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, assistance provided to other utilities through mutual assistance programs, recoveries of environmental costs associated with MGP sites, and recoveries of energy procurement costs.

 

131


Table of Contents

Operating and Maintenance Expense

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Increase
(Decrease)
    Year Ended
December 31,
     Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2015      2014      2015 vs.
2014
    2014      2013      2014 vs.
2013
 

Operating and maintenance expense—baseline

   $ 1,353       $ 1,214       $ 139      $ 1,214       $ 1,205       $ 9   

Operating and maintenance expense—regulatory required programs (a)

     214         215         (1     215         163         52   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating and maintenance expense

   $ 1,567       $ 1,429       $ 138      $ 1,429       $ 1,368       $ 61   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Operating and maintenance expense for regulatory required programs are costs for various legislative and/or regulatory programs that are recoverable from customers on a full and current basis through approved regulated rates. An equal and offsetting amount has been reflected in Operating revenue.

 

The changes in Operating and maintenance expense for year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Baseline

    

Labor, other benefits, contracting and materials (a)

   $ 31      $ 56   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense (b)

     19        (85

Storm-related costs

     27        (11

Uncollectible accounts expense—provision (c)

     (7     12   

Uncollectible accounts expense—recovery, net (c)

     34        29   

Other(d)

     35        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     139        9   

Regulatory required programs

    

Energy efficiency and demand response programs

     (1     52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in operating and maintenance expense

   $ 138      $ 61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Primarily reflects increased contracting costs related to preventative maintenance and other projects for the year ended December 31, 2015, and increased contracting costs resulting from new projects associated with EIMA for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding EIMA.
(b) The increase from 2014 to 2015 primarily reflects the unfavorable impact of lower assumed pension and OPEB discount rates and an increase in the life expectancy assumption for plan participants, partially offset by cost savings from plan design changes for certain OPEB plans effective April 2014 and forward. The decrease from 2013 to 2014 primarily reflects the cost savings from plan design changes for certain OPEB plans effective April 2014 and forward. See Note 16—Retirement Benefits of the Exelon 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding plan changes.
(c) ComEd is allowed to recover from or refund to customers the difference between the utility’s annual uncollectible accounts expense and the amounts collected in rates annually through a rider mechanism. In 2015 and 2014, ComEd recorded a net increase in Operating and maintenance expense related to uncollectible accounts due to the timing of regulatory cost recovery. An equal and offsetting amount has been recognized in Operating revenue for the periods presented.
(d) Primarily reflects increased information technology support services from BSC during 2015.

 

132


Table of Contents

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense for 2015 compared to 2014, and 2014 compared to 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs.  2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs.  2013
 

Depreciation expense (a)

   $ 43      $ 46   

Amortization regulatory assets (b)

     (28     (21

Other

     5        (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 20      $ 18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditure during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(b) For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, primarily relates to a decrease in MGP regulatory asset amortization and ComEd’s severance regulatory assets fully amortizing during 2014.

 

Taxes Other Than Income

 

Taxes other than income, which can vary year to year, include municipal and state utility taxes, real estate taxes, and payroll taxes. Taxes other than income remained relatively consistent for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

The changes in Interest expense, net, for the year ended 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, and for the year ended 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Interest expense related to uncertain tax positions

   $ 2      $ (275 )(a) 

Interest expense on debt (including financing trusts) (b)

     13        16   

Other

     (4     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in interest expense, net

   $ 11      $ (258
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) The reduction in interest expense in 2014 from 2013 is primarily attributable to the remeasurement of Exelon’s like-kind exchange tax position recorded in the first quarter of 2013. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(b) Primarily reflects an increase in interest expense due to the issuance of First Mortgage Bonds for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on ComEd’s debt obligations.

 

Effective Income Tax Rate

 

ComEd’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were 39.7%, 39.6% and 37.9%, respectively. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the effective income tax rates.

 

133


Table of Contents

ComEd Electric Operating Statistics and Revenue Detail

 

Retail Deliveries to customers (in GWhs)

   2015      2014      %
Change
2015 vs
2014
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
    2013      %
Change
2014 vs
2013
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
 

Retail Deliveries (a)

                 

Residential

     26,496         27,230         (2.7 )%      (1.5 )%      27,800         (2.1 )%      0.3

Small commercial & industrial

     31,717         32,146         (1.3 )%      (0.9 )%      32,305         (0.5 )%      (0.3 )% 

Large commercial & industrial

     27,210         27,847         (2.3 )%      (2.0 )%      27,684         0.6     0.7

Public authorities & electric railroads

     1,309         1,358         (3.6 )%      (2.6 )%      1,355         0.2     (0.7 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total retail deliveries

     86,732         88,581         (2.1 )%      (1.4 )%      89,144         (0.6 )%      0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

      

 

     As of December 31,  

Number of Electric Customers

   2015      2014      2013  

Residential

     3,550,239         3,502,386         3,480,398   

Small commercial & industrial

     370,932         369,053         367,569   

Large commercial & industrial

     1,976         1,998         1,984   

Public authorities & electric railroads

     4,820         4,815         4,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,927,967         3,878,252         3,854,804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Electric Revenue

   2015      2014      %
Change
2015 vs
2014
    2013      %
Change
2014 vs
2013
 

Retail Sales (a)

        

Residential

   $ 2,360       $ 2,074         13.8   $ 2,073         —  

Small commercial & industrial

     1,337         1,335         0.1     1,250         6.8

Large commercial & industrial

     443         434         2.1     427         1.6

Public authorities & electric railroads

     42         46         (8.7 )%      48         (4.2 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total retail

     4,182         3,889         7.5     3,798         2.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Other revenue (b)

     723         675         7.1     666         1.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total electric revenue

   $ 4,905       $ 4,564         7.5   $ 4,464         2.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

(a) Reflects delivery revenue and volume from customers purchasing electricity directly from ComEd and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier, as all customers are assessed delivery charges. For customers purchasing electricity from ComEd, revenue also reflects the cost of energy and transmission.
(b) Other revenue primarily includes transmission revenue from PJM. Other revenue also includes rental revenue, revenue related to late payment charges, revenue from other utilities for mutual assistance programs and recoveries of remediation costs associated with MGP sites.

 

134


Table of Contents

Results of Operations—PECO

 

     2015     2014     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2015 vs. 2014
variance
    2013     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2014 vs. 2013
variance
 

Operating revenue

   $ 3,032      $ 3,094      $ (62   $ 3,100      $ (6

Purchased power and fuel

     1,190        1,261        71        1,300        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense (a)

     1,842        1,833        9        1,800        33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

          

Operating and maintenance

     794        866        72        748        (118

Depreciation and amortization

     260        236        (24     228        (8

Taxes other than income

     160        159        (1     158        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

     1,214        1,261        47        1,134        (127
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

     2        —          2        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     630        572        58        666        (94
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

          

Interest expense, net

     (114     (113     (1     (115     2   

Other, net

     5        7        (2     6        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (109     (106     (3     (109     3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     521        466        55        557        (91

Income taxes

     143        114        (29     162        48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     378        352        26        395        (43

Preferred security dividends and redemption

     —          —          —          7        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholder

   $ 378      $ 352      $ 26      $ 388      $ (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) PECO evaluates its operating performance using the measures of revenue net of purchased power expense for electric sales and revenue net of fuel expense for gas sales. PECO believes revenue net of purchased power expense and revenue net of fuel expense are useful measurements of its performance because they provide information that can be used to evaluate its net revenue from operations. PECO has included the analysis below as a complement to the financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. However, revenue net of purchased power expense and revenue net of fuel expense figures are not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholder

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. PECO’s net income attributable to common shareholder for the year ended December 31, 2015 was higher than the same period in 2014, primarily due to a decrease in Operating and maintenance expense due to a decrease in storm costs.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. PECO’s net income attributable to common shareholder for the year ended December 31, 2014 was lower than the same period in 2013, primarily due to an increase in Operating and maintenance expense due to an increase in storm costs partially offset by an increase in Operating revenue net of purchase power and fuel expense and a decrease in Income tax expense.

 

135


Table of Contents

Operating Revenue Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense

 

Electric and natural gas revenue and purchased power and fuel expense are affected by fluctuations in commodity procurement costs. PECO’s electric supply and natural gas cost rates charged to customers are subject to adjustments as specified in the PAPUC-approved tariffs that are designed to recover or refund the difference between the actual cost of electric supply and natural gas and the amount included in rates in accordance with PECO’s GSA and PGC, respectively. Therefore, fluctuations in electric supply and natural gas procurement costs have no impact on electric and natural gas revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense.

 

Electric and natural gas revenue and purchased power and fuel expense are also affected by fluctuations in participation in the Customer Choice Program. All PECO customers have the choice to purchase electricity and natural gas from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers, respectively. The customer’s choice of suppliers does not impact the volume of deliveries, but affects revenue collected from customers related to supplied energy and natural gas service. Customer Choice Program activity has no impact on electric and natural gas revenue net of purchase power and fuel expense.

 

Retail deliveries purchased from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers (as a percentage of kWh and mmcf sales, respectively) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Electric

     70     70     68

Natural Gas

     25     22     19

 

Retail customers purchasing electric generation and natural gas from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers at December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
    Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
    Number of
customers
     % of total
retail
customers
 

Electric

     563,400         35     546,900         34     531,500         34

Natural Gas

     81,100         16     78,400         16     66,400         13

 

The changes in PECO’s Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2014 and 2013, respectively, consisted of the following:

 

     2015 vs. 2014     2014 vs. 2013  
     Increase (Decrease)     Increase (Decrease)  
     Electric     Gas     Total     Electric     Gas     Total  

Weather

   $ 28      $ (19   $ 9      $ (15   $ 13      $ (2

Volume

     4        7        11        2        5        7   

Pricing

     4        2        6        (1     (3     (4

Regulatory required programs

     (6     —          (6     33        —          33   

Other

     (12     1        (11     (1     —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

   $ 18      $ (9   $ 9      $ 18      $ 15      $ 33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

136


Table of Contents

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. Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was higher primarily due to the impact of favorable 2015 summer and first quarter winter weather conditions, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable fourth quarter 2015 winter weather conditions in PECO’s service territory.

 

Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, was lower due to the impact of unfavorable 2014 summer and fourth quarter weather conditions, partially offset by the impact of favorable first quarter 2014 winter 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and normal weather consisted of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
            % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

       2015              2014          Normal      2015 vs. 2014     2015 vs. Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     4,245         4,749         4,613         (10.6 )%      (8.0 )% 

Cooling Degree-Days

     1,720         1,311         1,301         31.2     32.2

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
            % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

       2014              2013          Normal      2014 vs. 2013     2014 vs. Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     4,749         4,474         4,603         6.1     3.2

Cooling Degree-Days

     1,311         1,411         1,301         (7.1 )%      0.8

 

Volume. The increase in Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense related to delivery volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, for the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily reflects the impact of moderate economic and customer growth partially offset by energy efficiency initiatives on customer usages for gas and residential and small commercial and industrial electric classes. Additionally, the increase represents a shift in the volume profile across classes from large commercial and industrial classes to residential and small commercial and industrial classes for electric.

 

The increase in Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense related to delivery volume, exclusive of the effects of weather, for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily reflects the impact of moderate economic and customer growth partially offset by energy efficiency initiatives on customer usages for gas and residential electric and a shift in the volume profile across classes from commercial and industrial classes to residential classes for electric.

 

Pricing. The increase in electric operating revenue net of purchased power expense as a result of pricing for the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily attributable to increased monthly customer demand in the commercial and industrial classes. The increase in natural gas operating revenue net of fuel expense as a result of pricing for the year ended December 31, 2015, is primarily attributable to higher overall effective rates due to decreased retail gas usage.

 

The decrease in natural gas operating revenue net of fuel expense as a result of pricing for the year ended December 31, 2014, is primarily attributable to lower overall effective rates due to increased retail gas usage.

 

137


Table of Contents

Regulatory Required Programs. This represents the change in operating revenue 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. Refer to the Operating and maintenance expense discussion below for additional information on included programs.

 

Other. The decrease in other electric revenue net of purchased power expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 reflects the impact of lower wholesale transmission revenue, which is impacted by the previous year’s peak demand, which was lower in 2014 than in 2013.

 

Operating and Maintenance Expense

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Increase
(Decrease)
    Year Ended
December 31,
     Increase
(Decrease)
 
         2015              2014          2015 vs. 2014         2014              2013          2014 vs. 2013  

Operating and maintenance expense—baseline

   $ 685       $ 761       $ (76   $ 761       $ 668       $ 93   

Operating and maintenance expense—regulatory required programs (a)

     109         105       $ 4        105         80       $ 25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating and maintenance expense

   $ 794       $ 866       $ (72   $ 866       $ 748       $ 118   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Operating and maintenance expenses for regulatory required programs are costs for various legislative and/or regulatory programs that are recoverable from customers on a full and current basis through approved regulated rates. An equal and offsetting amount has been reflected in operating revenue.

 

The changes in Operating and maintenance expense for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Baseline

    

Labor, other benefits, contracting and materials

   $ 1      $ 12   

Storm-related costs

     (78 )(a)      100 (b) 

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense

     3        (5

Merger integration costs

     2        (7

Corporate allocation

     9        5   

Uncollectible accounts expense

     (22     (9

Other

     9        (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (76     93   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Regulatory required programs

    

Smart meter

     (3     7   

Energy efficiency

     8        17   

Other

     (1     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in operating and maintenance expense

   $ (72   $ 118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

138


Table of Contents

 

(a) Reflects a reduction of $67 million in incremental storm costs, primarily as a result of the February 5, 2014 ice storm.
(b) Reflects an increase of $85 million in incremental storm costs, including the February 5, 2014 ice storm and the significant July 2014 storms.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

The changes in Depreciation and amortization expense for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013, consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
     Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Depreciation expense

   $ 13       $ 8   

Regulatory asset amortization

     11         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Increase in depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 24       $ 8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Taxes Other Than Income

 

Taxes other than income, which can vary year to year, include municipal and state utility taxes, real estate taxes, and payroll taxes. Taxes other than income remained relatively consistent for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

Interest expense, net remained relatively consistent for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

 

Other, Net

 

Other, net remained relatively consistent for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, and the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.

 

Effective Income Tax Rate

 

PECO’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 27.4%, 24.5% and 29.1%, respectively. See Note 14—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the change in effective income tax rates.

 

PECO Electric Operating Statistics and Revenue Detail

 

Retail Deliveries to Customers (in GWhs)

  2015     2014     %
Change

2015 vs.
2014
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
    2013     %
Change

2014 vs.
2013
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
 

Retail Deliveries (a)

             

Residential

    13,630        13,222        3.1     0.3     13,341        (0.9 )%      0.5

Small commercial & industrial

    8,118        8,025        1.2     0.6     8,101        (0.9 )%      —  

Large commercial & industrial

    15,365        15,310        0.4     (0.5 )%      15,379        (0.4 )%      (0.1 )% 

Public authorities & electric railroads

    881        937        (6.0 )%      (6.0 )%      930        0.8     0.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total electric retail deliveries

    37,994        37,494        1.3     (0.1 )%      37,751        (0.7 )%      0.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

139


Table of Contents
     As of December 31,  

Number of Electric Customers

   2015      2014      2013  

Residential

     1,444,338         1,434,011         1,423,068   

Small commercial & industrial

     149,200         149,149         149,117   

Large commercial & industrial

     3,091         3,103         3,105   

Public authorities & electric railroads

     9,805         9,734         9,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,606,434         1,595,997         1,584,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Electric Revenue

   2015      2014      %
Change

2015 vs.
2014
    2013      %
Change

2014 vs.
2013
 

Retail Sales (a)

             

Residential

   $ 1,599       $ 1,555         2.8   $ 1,592         (2.3 )% 

Small commercial & industrial

     428         423         1.2     433         (2.3 )% 

Large commercial & industrial

     221         217         1.8     224         (3.1 )% 

Public authorities & electric railroads

     31         32         (3.1 )%      30         6.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total retail

     2,279         2,227         2.3     2,279         (2.3 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Other revenue (b)

     207         221         (6.3 )%      221         —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total electric operating revenue

   $ 2,486       $ 2,448         1.6   $ 2,500         (2.1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

(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. For customers purchasing electricity from PECO, revenue also reflects the cost of energy and transmission.
(b) Other revenue includes transmission revenue from PJM and wholesale electric revenue.

 

PECO Gas Operating Statistics and Revenue Detail

 

Deliveries to customers (in mmcf)

   2015      2014      %
Change

2015 vs.
2014
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
    2013      %
Change

2014 vs.
2013
    Weather-
Normal
%

Change
 

Retail Deliveries (a)

                 

Retail sales

     59,003         62,734         (5.9 )%      3.3     57,613         8.9     2.2

Transportation and other

     27,879         27,208         2.5     1.2     28,089         (3.1 )%      (1.0 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total natural gas deliveries

     86,882         89,942         (3.4 )%      2.6     85,702         4.9     1.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

 

      

 

     As of December 31,  

Number of Gas Customers

   2015      2014      2013  

Residential

     467,263         462,663         458,356   

Commercial & industrial

     43,160         42,686         42,174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total retail

     510,423         505,349         500,530   

Transportation

     827         855         909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     511,250         506,204         501,439   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Gas revenue

   2015      2014      %
Change

2015 vs.
2014
     2013      %
Change

2014 vs.
2013
 

Retail Sales (a)

              

Retail sales

   $ 511       $ 608         (16.0)%       $ 562         8.2

Transportation and other

     35         38         (7.9)%         38         —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total natural gas operating revenue

   $ 546       $ 646         (15.5)%       $ 600         7.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

140


Table of Contents

 

(a) Reflects delivery volumes and revenue from customers purchasing natural gas directly from PECO and customers purchasing natural gas from a competitive natural gas supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges. For customers purchasing natural gas from PECO, revenue also reflects the cost of natural gas.

 

Results of Operations—BGE

 

     2015     2014     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2015 vs. 2014
variance
    2013     Favorable
(unfavorable)
2014 vs. 2013
variance
 

Operating revenue

   $ 3,135      $ 3,165      $ (30   $ 3,065      $ 100   

Purchased power and fuel expense

     1,305        1,417        112        1,421        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense (a)

     1,830        1,748        82        1,644        104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

          

Operating and maintenance

     683        717        34        634        (83

Depreciation and amortization

     366        371        5        348        (23

Taxes other than income

     224        221        (3     213        (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

     1,273        1,309        36        1,195        (114
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sales of assets

     1        —          1        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     558        439        119        449        (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

          

Interest expense, net

     (99     (106     7        (122     16   

Other, net

     18        18        —          17        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (81     (88     7        (105     17   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     477        351        126        344        7   

Income taxes

     189        140        (49     134        (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     288        211        77        210        1   

Preference stock dividends

     13        13        —          13        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholder

   $ 275      $ 198      $ 77      $ 197      $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) BGE evaluates its operating performance using the measures of revenue net of purchased power expense for electric sales and revenue net of fuel expense for gas sales. BGE believes revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense are useful measurements of its performance because they provide information that can be used to evaluate its net revenue from operations. BGE has included the analysis below as a complement to the financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. However, revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense figures are not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

 

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholder

 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. Net income attributable to common shareholder was higher primarily due to an increase in Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense as a result of the December 2014 electric and gas distribution rate order issued by the MDPSC, an increase in transmission formula rate revenues and a reduction in Operating and maintenance expense as a result of a decrease in bad debt expense and storm costs in the BGE service territory.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013. Net income attributable to common shareholder remained relatively consistent primarily due to an increase in

 

141


Table of Contents

Revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense as a result of the December 2013 and 2014 electric and gas distribution rate orders issued by the MDPSC offset by increases in Operating and maintenance expense and Depreciation expense.

 

Operating Revenue Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense

 

There are certain drivers to Operating revenue that are offset by their impact on Purchased power and fuel expense, such as commodity procurement costs and programs allowing customers to select a competitive electric or natural gas supplier. Electric and gas revenue and Purchased power and fuel expense are affected by fluctuations in commodity procurement costs. BGE’s electric and natural gas rates charged to customers are subject to periodic adjustments that are designed to recover or refund the difference between the actual cost of purchased electric power and purchased natural gas and the amount included in rates in accordance with the MDPSC’s market-based SOS and gas commodity programs, respectively.

 

BGE is obligated to provide market-based SOS to all of its electric customers. The SOS rates charged recover BGE’s wholesale power supply costs and include an administrative fee. The administrative fee includes a shareholder return component, which for residential SOS customers is being returned to residential distribution customers through December 31, 2016, and an incremental cost component. Bidding to supply BGE’s market-based SOS occurs through a competitive bidding process approved by the MDPSC. Successful bidders, which may include Generation, will execute contracts with BGE for terms of three months or two years. BGE is obligated by the MDPSC to provide several variations of SOS to commercial and industrial customers depending on customer load. Charges incurred for electric supply procured through contracts with Generation are included in Purchased power from affiliates on BGE’s Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

The number of customers electing to select a competitive electric generation supplier affects electric SOS revenue and purchased power expense. The number of customers electing to select a competitive natural gas supplier affects gas cost adjustment revenue and purchased natural gas expense. All BGE customers have the choice to purchase energy from a competitive electric generation supplier and/or natural gas from a competitive natural gas supplier. This customer choice of electric generation suppliers does not impact the volume of deliveries, but affects revenue collected from customers related to SOS.

 

Retail deliveries purchased from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers (as a percentage of kWh and mmcf sales, respectively) at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2015     2014     2013  

Electric

     61     60     61

Natural Gas

     56     53     54

 

Retail customers purchasing electric generation and natural gas from competitive electric generation and natural gas suppliers at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Number of
Customers
     % of total retail
customers
    Number of
Customers
     % of total retail
customers
    Number of
Customers
     % of total retail
customers
 

Electric

     343,000         27     364,000         29     399,000         32

Natural Gas

     154,000         23     161,000         25     172,000         26

 

142


Table of Contents

The changes in BGE’s Operating revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, respectively, consisted of the following:

 

     2015      2014  
     Increase (Decrease)      Increase (Decrease)  
     Electric      Gas      Total      Electric     Gas     Total  

Distribution rate increase

   $ 20       $ 35       $ 55       $ 57      $ 28      $ 85   

Regulatory required programs

     4         2         6         13        (1     12   

Transmission revenue

     11         —           11         10        —          10   

Other

     10         —           10         (13     10        (3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase

   $ 45       $ 37       $ 82       $ 67      $ 37      $ 104   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Revenue Decoupling. The demand for electricity and gas is affected by weather and usage conditions. The MDPSC has allowed BGE to record a monthly adjustment to its electric and gas distribution revenue from all residential customers, commercial electric customers, the majority of large industrial electric customers, and all firm service gas customers to eliminate the effect of abnormal weather and usage patterns per customer on BGE’s electric and gas distribution volumes, thereby recovering a specified dollar amount of distribution revenue per customer, by customer class, regardless of changes in consumption levels. This allows BGE to recognize revenue at MDPSC-approved levels per customer, regardless of what BGE’s actual distribution volumes were for a billing period. Therefore, while this revenue is affected by customer growth, it will not be affected by actual weather or usage conditions. BGE bills or credits impacted customers in subsequent months for the difference between approved revenue levels under revenue decoupling and actual customer billings.

 

Heating and cooling degree days are quantitative indices that reflect the demand for energy needed to heat a home or business. Normal weather is determined based on historical average heating and cooling degree days for a 30-year period in BGE’s service territory. The changes in heating and cooling degree days in BGE’s service territory for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, respectively, and normal weather consisted of the following:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Normal      % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

   2015      2014         2015 vs. 2014     From Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     4,666         5,091         4,663         (8.3 )%      0.1

Cooling Degree-Days

     924         732         875         26.2     5.6

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Normal      % Change  

Heating and Cooling Degree-Days

   2014      2013         2014 vs. 2013     From Normal  

Heating Degree-Days

     5,091         4,744         4,662         7.3     9.2

Cooling Degree-Days

     732         869         876         (15.8 )%      (16.4 )% 

 

Distribution Rate Increase. The increase in distribution revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to the impact of the new electric and natural gas distribution rates charged to customers that became effective in December 2014 in accordance with the MDPSC approved electric and natural gas distribution rate case order.

 

The increase in distribution revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to the impact of new electric and natural gas distribution rates charged to customers that became

 

143


Table of Contents

effective in December 2013 and 2014, in accordance with the MDPSC approved electric and natural gas distribution rate case orders. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Regulatory Required Programs. This represents the change in revenue collected under approved riders to recover costs incurred for the energy efficiency and demand response programs as well as administrative and commercial and industrial customer bad debt costs for SOS. The riders are designed to provide full 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 in BGE’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Transmission Revenue. Under a FERC-approved formula, transmission revenue varies from year to year based upon fluctuations in the underlying costs, investments being recovered and other billing determinants. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the increase in transmission revenue was primarily due to higher Operating and maintenance expense and increased capital investment. See Operating and Maintenance Expense below and Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Other. Other revenue, which can vary from period to period, includes miscellaneous revenue such as service application and late payment fees.

 

Operating and Maintenance Expense

 

The changes in operating and maintenance expense for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Baseline

    

Labor, other benefits, contracting and materials

   $ 12      $ 22   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense

     (1     8   

Storm-related costs (a)

     (21     21   

Uncollectible accounts expense (b)

     (49     17   

Merger integration costs

     3        5   

Other

     22        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in operating and maintenance expense

   $ (34   $ 83   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Storm-related costs decreased due to lack of major storms for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
(b) Uncollectible accounts expense decreased primarily due to improved customer behavior and favorable weather for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

 

Conduit Lease with City of Baltimore

 

On September 23, 2015, the Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved an increase in rental fees for access to the Baltimore City conduit system effective November 1, 2015, which is expected to result in an increase to operating and maintenance expense of approximately $24 million in 2016 subject to an annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index. On October 16, 2015, BGE filed a lawsuit against the City in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to protect its customers from any improper use by the City of the conduit fee revenues and to place constraints on the City’s ability to set the conduit fee in the future.

 

144


Table of Contents

Among the relief sought by BGE was a preliminary injunction preventing the City from enforcing its substantial increase in the conduit fee rate during the course of the litigation. A hearing was held in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County on December 15, 2015. While BGE’s motion for preliminary injunction was denied, the Court’s decision was premised upon several important concessions or acknowledgments made by the City in its written papers and at the hearing. Most importantly, the City conceded that it can charge BGE only for the actual costs of conduit maintenance and that a true-up process is required to the extent that the City fails to spend the amount collected for conduit maintenance.

 

As part of its electric and gas distribution rate case filed on November 6, 2015, and as amended on January 5, 2016, BGE is proposing to recover the annual increase in conduit fees, effective November 1, 2015 of approximately $30 million through a surcharge. BGE cannot predict if the MDPSC will approve BGE’s request for a conduit fee surcharge.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

The changes in depreciation and amortization expense for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Depreciation expense (a)

   $ 2      $ 25   

Regulatory asset amortization (b)

     (6     (1

Other

     (1     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in depreciation and amortization expense

   $ (5   $ 23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Depreciation expense increased due to ongoing capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared 2013. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014 was offset by the effect of revised depreciation rates established in accordance with the MDPSC approved December 2014 electric and natural gas distribution rate case order.
(b) Regulatory asset amortization decreased for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 due to a reduction in regulatory asset amortization related to demand response programs and revised recovery periods for certain regulatory assets in accordance with the MDPSC approved December 2014 electric and natural gas distribution rate case order.

 

Taxes Other Than Income

 

The change in taxes other than income for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Property tax

   $ 3      $ 2   

Franchise tax

     1        4   

Other

     (1     2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in taxes other than income

   $ 3      $ 8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

145


Table of Contents

Interest Expense, Net

 

The decrease in Interest expense, net for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 consisted of the following:

 

     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs. 2014
    Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs. 2013
 

Interest expense on debt (including financing trusts)

   $ (4   $ (10

Interest expense related to capitalization of interest / AFUDC

     (2     (6

Interest expense related to uncertain tax positions

     (1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in interest expense, net

   $ (7   $ (16
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Effective Income Tax Rate

 

BGE’s effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 39.6%, 39.9% and 39.0%, respectively. See Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the components of the effective income tax rates.

 

BGE Electric Operating Statistics and Revenue Detail

 

Retail Deliveries to customers (in GWhs)

  2015     2014     % Change
2015 vs. 2014
    Weather-
Normal %
Change
    2013     % Change
2014 vs. 2013
    Weather-
Normal %
Change
 

Retail Deliveries (a)

             

Residential

    12,598        12,974        (2.9 )%      n.m.        13,077        (0.8 )%      n.m.   

Small commercial & industrial

    3,119        3,086        1.1     n.m.        3,035        1.7     n.m.   

Large commercial & industrial

    14,293        14,191        0.7     n.m.        14,339        (1.0 )%      n.m.   

Public authorities & electric railroads

    294        311        (5.5 )%      n.m.        317        (1.9 )%      n.m.   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total electric deliveries

    30,304        30,562        (0.8 )%      n.m.        30,768        (0.7 )%      n.m.   
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

     As of December 31,  

Number of Electric Customers

   2015      2014      2013  

Residential

     1,137,934         1,125,369         1,120,431   

Small commercial & industrial

     113,138         112,972         112,850   

Large commercial & industrial

     11,906         11,730         11,652   

Public authorities & electric railroads

     285         290         292   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,263,263         1,250,361         1,245,225   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

146


Table of Contents

Electric Revenue

   2015      2014      % Change
2015 vs. 2014
    2013      % Change
2014 vs. 2013
 

Retail Sales (a)

             

Residential

   $ 1,449       $ 1,404         3.2   $ 1,404         —  

Small commercial & industrial

     273         271         0.7     257         5.4

Large commercial & industrial

     469         491         (4.5 )%      439         11.8

Public authorities & electric railroads

     32         32         —       31         3.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total retail

     2,223         2,198         1.1     2,131         3.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Other revenue

     267         262         1.9     274         (4.4 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total electric operating revenue

   $ 2,490       $ 2,460         1.2   $ 2,405         2.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

(a) Reflects delivery revenue and volumes from customers purchasing electricity directly from BGE and customers purchasing electricity from a competitive electric generation supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges. For customers purchasing electricity from BGE, revenue also reflects the cost of energy and transmission.

 

BGE Gas Operating Statistics and Revenue Detail

 

Deliveries to customers (in mmcf)

  2015     2014      % Change
2015 vs. 2014
    Weather-
Normal %
Change
    2013     % Change
2014 vs. 2013
    Weather-
Normal %
Change
 

Retail Deliveries (a)

              

Retail sales

    96,618        99,194         (2.6 )%      n.m.        94,020        5.5     n.m.   

Transportation and other (b)(c)

    6,238        9,242         (32.5 )%      n.m.        12,210        (24.3 )%      n.m.   
 

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

     

Total natural gas deliveries

    102,856        108,436         (5.1 )%      n.m.        106,230        2.1     n.m.   
 

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

     

 

     As of December 31,  

Number of Gas Customers

   2015      2014      2013  

Residential

     616,994         609,626         611,532   

Commercial & industrial

     44,119         44,200         44,162   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     661,113         653,826         655,694   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Gas revenue

   2015      2014      % Change
2015 vs. 2014
    2013      % Change
2014 vs. 2013
 

Retail Sales (a)

             

Retail sales

   $ 607       $ 622         (2.4 )%    $ 592         5.1

Transportation and other (b)(c)

     38         83         (54.2 )%      68         22.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total natural gas operating revenue

   $ 645       $ 705         (8.5 )%    $ 660         6.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

(a) Reflects delivery revenue and volumes from customers purchasing natural gas directly from BGE and customers purchasing natural gas from a competitive natural gas supplier as all customers are assessed distribution charges. The cost of natural gas is charged to customers purchasing natural gas from BGE.
(b) Transportation and other gas revenue includes off-system revenue of 6,238 mmcfs ($35 million), 9,242 mmcfs ($72 million), and 12,210 mmcfs ($55 million) for the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(c) Other revenue includes operating revenue with affiliates.

 

147


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Exelon’s and Generation’s prior year activity presented below includes the activity of CENG, from the integration date effective April 1, 2014. 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, Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE have access to unsecured revolving credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $0.5 billion, $5.3 billion, $1 billion, $0.6 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. Exelon Corporate, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE’s syndicated revolving credit facilities expire in 2018 and 2019. In addition, Generation has $0.4 billion in bilateral facilities with banks which have various expirations between March 2016 and January 2019. 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 further discussion. 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 and BGE 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 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Registrants’ debt and credit agreements.

 

PHI Merger Financing

 

Exelon has raised cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments, through the issuance of $4.2 billion of debt (of which $3.3 billion remains after execution of the exchange offer, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information on the exchange), $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes in the form of 23 million equity units, the issuance of $1.9 billion of common stock, cash proceeds of $1.8 billion from asset sales primarily at Generation (after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion) and the remaining balance from cash on hand and/or short-term borrowings available to Exelon. Exelon will have sufficient cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements and Note 19—Shareholder’s Equity for further information on the debt and equity issuances. In the event the PHI merger is terminated, the Board of Directors could direct Exelon to use its existing cash on hand to retire debt, to return capital to shareholders or for other general corporate purposes.

 

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

 

148


Table of Contents

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.

 

ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s cash flows from operating activities primarily result from the transmission and distribution of electricity and, in the case of PECO and BGE, gas distribution services. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s distribution services are provided to an established and diverse base of retail customers. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s 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 Notes 3—Regulatory Matters and 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of regulatory and legal proceedings and proposed legislation.

 

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, management of the pension obligation and regulatory implications. On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Moving Ahead for Progress in the Twenty-first Century Act, which contains a pension funding provision that results in lower pension contributions in the near term while increasing the premiums pension plans pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Certain provisions of the law were applied in 2012 while others took effect in 2013. On August 8, 2014, this funding relief was extended for five years. On November 2, 2015 the funding relief was extended for an additional three years and premiums pension plans pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation were further increased. The estimated impacts of the law are reflected in the projected pension contributions below.

 

Exelon expects to make qualified pension plan contributions of $250 million to its qualified pension plans in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE expect to contribute $134 million, $30 million, $28 million and $31 million, respectively. Exelon’s and Generation’s expected qualified pension plan contributions above include $25 million related to the legacy CENG plans that will be funded by CENG as provided in an Employee Matters Agreement (EMA) between Exelon and CENG. Exelon’s non-qualified pension plans are not funded. Exelon expects to make non-qualified pension plan benefit payments of $21 million in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE will make payments of $9 million, $2 million, $1 million and $1 million respectively. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Registrants’ 2015 and 2014 pension contributions.

 

To the extent interest rates decline significantly or the pension plans do not earn the expected asset return rates, annual pension contribution requirements in future years could increase. Additionally, the contributions above could change if Exelon changes its pension funding strategy.

 

Unlike qualified pension plans, other postretirement benefit plans are not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements and certain plans are not funded. Exelon’s management has historically considered several factors in determining the level of contributions to its funded other postretirement benefit plans, including levels of benefit claims paid and regulatory implications (amounts deemed prudent to meet regulator expectations and best assure continued recovery). Exelon expects to make other postretirement benefit plan contributions, including benefit payments related to unfunded plans, of approximately $35 million in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE

 

149


Table of Contents

expect to contribute $13 million, $3 million, $1 million, and $18 million, respectively. See Note 17— Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Registrants’ 2015 and 2014 other postretirement benefit contributions.

 

See the “Contractual Obligations” section for management’s estimated future pension and other postretirement benefits contributions.

 

Tax Matters

 

The Registrants’ future cash flows from operating activities may be affected by the following tax matters:

 

   

In the event of a fully successful IRS challenge to Exelon’s like-kind exchange position, Exelon would be required to either post a bond or pay the tax and interest for the tax years before the court to appeal the decision. If an adverse decision is reached in 2016, the potential tax and after-tax interest, exclusive of penalties, that could become payable may be as much as $860 million, of which approximately $300 million would be attributable to ComEd after consideration of Exelon’s agreement to hold ComEd harmless from any unfavorable impacts of the after-tax interest amounts on ComEd’s equity, and the balance at Exelon. It is expected that Exelon’s remaining tax years affected by the litigation will be settled following a final appellate decision which could take several years.

 

   

Exelon, Generation, and ComEd expect to receive tax refunds of approximately $430 million, $190 million, and $260 million, respectively, in 2016. PECO expects to make tax payments of approximately $7 million related to IRS positions settling in 2016.

 

   

State and local governments continue to face increasing financial challenges, which may increase the risk of additional income tax levies, property taxes and other taxes or the imposition, extension or permanence of temporary tax levies.

 

   

On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. The Act included an extension of 50% bonus depreciation for 2015—2017. It also includes provisions for 40% and 30% bonus depreciation allowance for qualified property placed in service in 2018 and 2019, respectively. As a result of the 50% bonus depreciation extension for 2015, Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE are estimated to generate incremental cash in 2016 of approximately $690 million, $350 million, $220 million, $70 million, and $50 million, respectively. Furthermore, the extension of 50% bonus depreciation resulted in a decrease to Generation’s Domestic Production Activities Deduction, reducing cash tax benefits and increasing income tax expense by approximately $65 million in 2015. Due to the extension of bonus depreciation, ComEd’s 2015 revenue requirement decreased by approximately $10 million (after-tax).

 

150


Table of Contents

The following table provides a summary of the major items affecting Exelon’s cash flows from operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     2015 (c)     2014     2015 vs. 2014
Variance
    2013     2014 vs. 2013
Variance
 

Net income

   $ 2,250      $ 1,820      $ 430        1,729      $ 91   

Add (subtract):

          

Non-cash operating activities (a)

     5,630        5,884        (254     4,159        1,725   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (502     (617     115        (422     (195

Income taxes

     97        (143     240        883        (1,026

Changes in working capital and other noncurrent assets and liabilities (b)

     (264     (806     542        (185     (621

Option premiums received (paid), net

     58        38        20        (36     74   

Collateral received (posted), net

     347        (1,719     2,066        215        (1,934
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operations

   $ 7,616      $ 4,457      $ 3,159      $ 6,343      $ (1,886
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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, and other non-cash charges. See note 24 —Supplemental Financial Information for further detail 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.
(c) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 and 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.

 

Cash flows provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Exelon (a)

   $ 7,616       $ 4,457       $ 6,343   

Generation (a)

     4,199         1,826         3,887   

ComEd

     1,896         1,326         1,218   

PECO

     770         712         747   

BGE

     782         740         561   

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 and 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.

 

Changes in Exelon’s, Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s cash flows from operations 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, except as discussed below. In addition, significant operating cash flow impacts for the Registrants for 2015, 2014 and 2013 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 2015, 2014 and 2013, Generation had net collections/(payments) of counterparty cash collateral of $407 million, $(1,748) million and $162 million, respectively, primarily due to market conditions that resulted in changes to

 

151


Table of Contents
 

Generation’s net mark-to-market position, as well as Exelon’s decision to post more cash collateral in 2014 compared to using letters of credit in 2015 to support the PHI merger financing.

 

   

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, Generation had net collections/(payments) of approximately $58 million, $38 million and $(36) 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.

 

ComEd

 

   

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, ComEd’s payables for Generation energy purchases increased/(decreased) by $(28) million, $5 million and $(16) million, respectively, and payables to other energy suppliers for energy purchases increased by $2 million, $27 million and $35 million, respectively.

 

   

During 2015, ComEd posted $31 million of cash collateral to PJM. During 2014, ComEd posted no cash collateral to PJM. ComEd’s collateral posted with PJM has increased year over year primarily due to higher RPM credit requirements and higher PJM billings resulting from increased load being served by ComEd as a result of City of Chicago customers switching back to ComEd.

 

PECO

 

   

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, PECO’s payables to Generation for energy purchases increased/(decreased) by $7 million, $(9) million and $(17) million, respectively, and payables to other energy suppliers for energy purchases increased/(decreased) by $(38) million, $10 million and $39 million, respectively.

 

BGE

 

   

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, BGE’s payables to Generation for energy purchases increased/(decreased) by $(9) million, $13 million and $(4) million, respectively, and payables to other energy suppliers for energy purchases decreased by $(25) million, $(7) million and $(12) million, respectively.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Exelon (a)

   $ (7,822   $ (4,599   $ (5,394

Generation (a)

     (4,069     (1,767     (2,916

ComEd

     (2,362     (1,655     (1,387

PECO

     (588     (649     (531

BGE

     (675     (622     (571

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 and 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.

 

152


Table of Contents

Generation

 

Generation has entered into several agreements to acquire equity interests in privately held development stage entities which develop energy-related technology. The agreements contain a series of scheduled investment commitments, including in-kind services contributions. There are approximately $327 million of anticipated expenditures remaining through 2018 to fund anticipated planned capital and operating needs of the associated companies, of which up to $172 million will be contributed by a non-controlling interest holder. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of Generation’s equity interests.

 

Capital expenditures by Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 and projected amounts for 2016 are as follows:

 

     Projected
2016 (a)
     2015      2014      2013  

Exelon (b)

   $ 7,600       $ 7,624       $ 6,077       $ 5,395   

Generation (b)(e)

     3,600         3,841         3,012         2,752   

ComEd (c)

     2,425         2,398         1,689         1,433   

PECO

     675         601         661         537   

BGE

     825         719         620         587   

Other (d)

     75         65         95         86   

 

(a) Total projected capital expenditures do not include adjustments for non-cash activity.
(b) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 and 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.
(c) The capital expenditures and 2016 projections include $610 million of expected incremental spending pursuant to EIMA, ComEd has committed to invest approximately $2.6 billion over a ten year period to modernize and storm-harden its distribution system and to implement smart grid technology.
(d) Other primarily consists of corporate operations and BSC.
(e) Generation’s capital expenditures for the projected full year 2016 includes nuclear fuel of $1.1 billion and growth expenditures of $1.4 billion.

 

Projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision to reflect changes in economic conditions and other factors.

 

In 2014, Exelon and its affiliates initiated a comprehensive project to ensure corporate-wide compliance with Version 5 of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards (CIP V.5) which will become effective on April 1, 2016. Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE will be incurring incremental capital expenditures through 2016 associated with the CIP V.5 compliance implementation project, which are included in projected capital expenditures above.

 

Generation

 

Approximately 32% and 15% of the projected 2016 capital expenditures at Generation are for the acquisition of nuclear fuel and the construction of new natural gas plants, 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 they will fund capital expenditures with internally generated funds and borrowings.

 

153


Table of Contents

ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

Approximately 86%, 98% and 97% of the projected 2016 capital expenditures at ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, are for continuing projects to maintain and improve operations, including enhancing reliability and adding capacity to the transmission and distribution systems such as ComEd’s reliability related investments required under EIMA, and ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s construction commitments under PJM’s RTEP. In addition to the capital expenditure for continuing projects, ComEd’s total expenditures include smart grid/smart meter technology required under EIMA and for PECO and BGE, total capital expenditures related to their respective smart meter program.

 

In 2010, NERC provided guidance to transmission owners that recommends ComEd, PECO, and BGE perform assessments of their transmission lines. In compliance with this guidance, ComEd, PECO and BGE submitted their final bi-annual reports to NERC in January 2014. ComEd, PECO and BGE have been 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, PECO’s and BGE’s forecasted 2016 capital expenditures above reflect capital spending for remediation to be completed in 2017.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE anticipate that they will fund capital expenditures with a combination of internally generated funds and borrowings and additional capital contributions from parent, including ComEd’s capital expenditures associated with EIMA as further discussed in Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Exelon (a)

   $ 4,830      $ 411      $ (826

Generation (a)

     (479     (537     (384

ComEd

     467        359        61   

PECO

     83        (250     (361

BGE

     (162     (85     (48

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis.

 

154


Table of Contents

Debt.

 

See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of the Registrants’ debt issuances and retirements. Debt activity for 2015, 2014 and 2013 by Registrant was as follows:

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the following long term debt was issued:

 

Company

  

Type

   Interest Rate   Maturity    Amount     

Use of Proceeds

Exelon Corporate    Senior Unsecured Notes (a)    1.55%   June 9, 2017    $ 550       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes
Exelon Corporate    Senior Unsecured Notes (a)    2.85%   June 15, 2020      900       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes
Exelon Corporate    Senior Unsecured Notes (a)(b)    3.95%   June 15, 2025      1,250       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes
Exelon Corporate    Senior Unsecured Notes (a)(b)    4.95%   June 15, 2035      500       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes
Exelon Corporate    Senior Unsecured Notes (a)(b)    5.10%   June 15, 2045      1,000       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes
Exelon Corporate    Long Term Software License Agreement    3.95%   May 1, 2024      111       Procurement of software licenses
Generation    Senior Unsecured Notes (c)    2.95%   January 15,
2020
     750       Fund the optional redemption of Exelon’s $550 million, 4.550% Senior Notes and for general corporate purposes

 

155


Table of Contents

Company

  

Type

   Interest Rate   Maturity    Amount     

Use of Proceeds

Generation    AVSR DOE Nonrecourse Debt (d)    2.29 - 2.96%   January 5,
2037
     39       Antelope Valley solar development
Generation    Energy Efficiency Project Financing (e)    3.71%   July 31, 2017      42       Funding to install energy conservation measures in Coleman, Florida
Generation    Energy Efficiency Project Financing (e)    3.55%   November 15,
2016
     19       Funding to install energy conservation measures in Frederick, Maryland
Generation    Tax Exempt Pollution Control Revenue Bonds (f)    2.50 - 2.70%   2019 - 2020      435       General corporate purposes
Generation    Albany Green Energy Project Financing    LIBOR +
1.25%
  November 17,
2017
     100       Albany Green Energy biomass generation development
Generation    Nuclear Fuel Procurement Contract    3.15%   September 30,
2020
     57       Procurement of nuclear fuel
ComEd    First Mortgage Bonds, Series 118    3.70%   March 1,
2045
     400       Refinance maturing mortgage bonds, repay a portion of ComEd’s outstanding commercial paper obligations and for general corporate purposes
ComEd    First Mortgage Bonds, Series 119    4.35%   November 15,
2045
     450       Repay a portion of ComEd’s outstanding commercial paper obligations and for general corporate purposes.
PECO    First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds    3.15%   October 15,
2025
     350       General corporate purposes

 

(a) See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the merger financing.
(b) In connection with the issuance of PHI merger financing, Exelon terminated its floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that had been designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(c) In connection with the issuance of Senior Unsecured Notes, Exelon terminated floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps that had been designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the swap termination.
(d) See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of nonrecourse debt.
(e) For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.
(f) The Tax Exempt pollution Control Revenue Bonds have a mandatory put date that ranges from March 1, 2019—September 1, 2020.

 

156


Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the following long term debt was issued:

 

Company

  

Type

   Interest
Rate
  Maturity    Amount     

Use of Proceeds

Exelon Corporate    Junior Subordinated Notes    2.50%   June 1, 2024    $ 1,150       Finance a portion of the pending merger with PHI and for general corporate purposes
Generation    Nuclear Fuel Purchase Contract    3.25 - 3.35%   June 30, 2018      70       Procurement of uranium
Generation    ExGen Renewables I Nonrecourse Debt    LIBOR +
4.25%
  February 6, 2021      300       General corporate purposes
Generation    ExGen Texas Power Nonrecourse Debt    LIBOR +
4.75%
  September 18, 2021      675       General corporate purposes
Generation    Energy Efficiency Project Financing    4.12%   December 31, 2015      12       Funding to install energy conservation measures in Washington, DC
Generation    AVSR DOE Nonrecourse Debt    3.06 - 3.14%   January 5, 2037      126       Antelope Valley solar development
ComEd    First Mortgage Bonds, Series 115    2.15%   January 15, 2019      300       Refinance maturing mortgage bonds and general corporate purposes

ComEd

   First Mortgage Bonds, Series 116    4.70%   January 15, 2044      350       Refinance maturing mortgage bonds and general corporate purposes

ComEd

   First Mortgage Bonds, Series 117    3.10%   November 1, 2024      250       Repay commercial paper obligations and general corporate purposes

PECO

   First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds    4.15%   October 1, 2044      300       Refinance existing mortgage bonds and general corporate purposes

 

157


Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the following long term debt was issued:

 

Company

  

Type

   Interest
Rate
   Maturity    Amount     

Use of Proceeds

Generation    CEU Upstream Nonrecourse Debt    2.21 - 2.44%    July 22, 2016    $ 5       Fund Upstream gas activities
Generation    AVSR DOE Nonrecourse Debt    2.53 - 3.35%    January 5, 2037      227       Antelope Valley solar development
Generation    Social Security Administration Project Financing    2.93%    February 18, 2015      1       Funding to install conservation measures for the Social Security Administration Headquarters facility in Maryland
Generation    Energy Efficiency Project Financing    4.40%    August 31, 2014      9       Funding to install energy conservation measures in Beckley, West Virginia
Generation    Continental Wind Nonrecourse Debt    6.00%    February 28, 2033      613       General corporate purposes
ComEd    First Mortgage Bonds, Series 114    4.60%    August 15, 2043      350       Repay commercial paper obligations and for general corporate purposes
PECO    First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds    1.20%    October 15, 2016      300       Pay at maturity first and refunding mortgage bonds due October 15, 2013 and other general corporate purposes
PECO    First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds    4.80%    October 15, 2043      250       Pay at maturity first and refunding mortgage bonds due October 15, 2013 and other general corporate purposes
BGE    Notes    3.35%    July 1, 2023      300       Partially refinance Notes due July 1, 2013 and for general corporate purposes

 

158


Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the following long term debt was retired and/or redeemed:

 

Company

 

Type

  Interest Rate   Maturity   Amount  

Exelon Corporate (a)

  Senior Unsecured Notes   4.55%   June 15, 2015   $ 550   

Exelon Corporate

  Senior Notes   4.90%   June 15, 2015     800   

Exelon Corporate

  Senior Unsecured Notes (b)   3.95%   June 15, 2025     443   

Exelon Corporate

  Senior Unsecured Notes (b)   4.95%   June 15, 2035     167   

Exelon Corporate

  Senior Unsecured Notes (b)   5.10%   June 15, 2045     259   

Exelon Corporate

  Long Term Software License Agreement   3.95%   May 1, 2024     1   

Generation (a)

  Senior Unsecured Notes   4.55%   June 15, 2015     550   

Generation

  CEU Upstream Nonrecourse Debt (c)   LIBOR + 2.25%   January 14, 2019     9   

Generation

  AVSR DOE Nonrecourse Debt (c)   2.29% - 3.56%   January 5, 2037     23   

Generation

  Kennett Square Capital Lease   7.83%   September 20,
2020
    3   

Generation

  Continental Wind Nonrecourse Debt (c)   6.00%   February 28, 2033     20   

Generation

  ExGen Texas Power Nonrecourse Debt (c)   LIBOR + 4.75%   September 8, 2021     5   

Generation

  ExGen Renewables I Nonrecourse Debt (c)   LIBOR + 4.25%   February 6, 2021     24   

Generation

  Constellation Solar Horizons Nonrecourse Debt (c)   2.56%   September 7, 2030     2   

Generation

  Sacramento PV Energy Nonrecourse Debt (c)   2.58%   December 31, 2030     2   

Generation

  Energy Efficiency Project   3.55%   November 15, 2016     19   

ComEd

  First Mortgage Bonds, Series 101   4.70%   April 15, 2015     260   

BGE

  Rate Stabilization Bonds   5.72%   April 1, 2016     75   

 

(a) As part of the 2012 Constellation merger, Exelon and subsidiaries of Generation assumed intercompany loan agreements that mirrored the terms and amounts of external obligations held by Exelon, resulting in intercompany notes payable at Generation and Exelon Corporate.
(b) See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the redemption of the Senior Unsecured Notes.
(c) See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of nonrecourse debt.

 

On January 5, 2016, Generation paid down $5 million of principal of its 3.56% AVSR DOE Nonrecourse debt.

 

159


Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the following long term debt was retired and/or redeemed:

 

Company

  

Type

   Interest Rate    Maturity    Amount  

Generation

   Senior Unsecured Notes    5.35%    January 15, 2014    $ 500   

Generation

   Pollution Control Notes    4.10%    July 1, 2014      20   

Generation

   Continental Wind Nonrecourse Debt    6.00%    February 28, 2033      20   

Generation

   Kennett Square Capital Lease    7.83%    September 20, 2020      3   

Generation

   ExGen Renewables I Nonrecourse Debt    LIBOR + 4.25%    February 6, 2021      18   

Generation

   ExGen Texas Power Nonrecourse Debt    LIBOR + 4.75%    September 18, 2021      2   

Generation

   AVSR DOE Nonrecourse Debt    2.33% - 3.55%    January 5, 2037      15   

Generation

   Clean Horizons Solar Nonrecourse Debt    2.56%    September 7, 2030      2   

Generation

   Sacramento Solar Nonrecourse Debt    2.56%    December 31, 2030      2   

Generation

   Energy Efficiency Project Financing    4.12%    December 31, 2015      12   

ComEd

   First Mortgage Bonds, Series 110    1.63%    January 15, 2014      600   

ComEd

   Pollution Control Series 1994C    5.85%    January 15, 2014      17   

PECO

   First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds    5.00%    October 1, 2014      250   

BGE

   Rate Stabilization Bonds    5.72%    April 1, 2017      35   

BGE

   Rate Stabilization Bonds    5.72%    October 1, 2014      35   

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the following long term debt was retired and/or redeemed:

 

Company

 

Type

  Interest Rate   Maturity   Amount  

Generation

  Kennett Square Capital Lease   7.83%   September 1, 2020     3   

Generation

  Solar Revolver Nonrecourse Debt   Variable Rate   July 7, 2014     113   

Generation

  Constellation Solar Horizons Nonrecourse Debt   2.56%   September 7, 2030     2   

Generation

  Sacramento Energy Nonrecourse Debt   2.68%   December 31, 2030     2   

Generation (a)

  Series A Junior Subordinated Debentures   8.63%   June 15, 2063     450   

Generation

  Energy Efficiency Project Financing   4.40%   August 31, 2014     9   

ComEd

  First Mortgage Bonds, Series 92   7.63%   April 15, 2013     125   

ComEd

  First Mortgage Bonds, Series 94   7.50%   July 1, 2013     127   

PECO

  First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds   5.60%   October 15, 2013     300   

BGE

  Rate Stabilization Bonds   5.72%   April 1, 2017     67   

BGE

  Notes   6.13%   July 1, 2013     400   

 

(a) Represents debt obligations assumed by Exelon as part of the Constellation merger on March 12, 2012 that became callable at face value on June 15, 2013. 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, which are eliminated in consolidation on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The debentures were redeemed and the intercompany loan agreements repaid on June 15, 2013.

 

160


Table of Contents

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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Exelon (a)

   $ 1,105       $ 1,486         1,249   

Generation (a)

     2,474         1,066         625   

ComEd

     299         307         220   

PECO

     279         320         333   

BGE (b)

     171         13         13   

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 and 2014 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis beginning April 1, 2014.
(b) Includes dividends paid on BGE’s preference stock.

 

Quarterly dividends declared by the Exelon Board of Directors during the year ended December 31, 2015 and for the first quarter of 2016 were as follows:

 

Period

  

Declaration Date

  

Shareholder of Record

Date

   Dividend Payable Date      Cash per Share  

First Quarter 2015

   January 27, 2015    February 13, 2015      March 10, 2015       $ 0.31   

Second Quarter 2015

   April 28, 2015    May 15, 2015      June 10, 2015       $ 0.31   

Third Quarter 2015

   July 28, 2015    August 14, 2015      September 10, 2015       $ 0.31   

Fourth Quarter 2015

   October 27, 2015    November 13, 2015      December 10, 2015       $ 0.31   

First Quarter 2016 (a)

   January 26, 2016    February 12, 2016      March 10, 2016       $ 0.31   

 

(a) Exelon’s Board of Directors approved a revised dividend policy. The approved policy would raise our dividend 2.5% each year for the next three years, beginning with the June 2016 dividend. The Board will take formal action to declare the next dividend in the second quarter.

 

Short-Term Borrowings. Short-term borrowings incurred (repaid) during 2015, 2014 and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Generation (a)

   $ —        $ 17      $ 13   

ComEd

     (10     120        184   

BGE

     90        (15     135   

Other (b)

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exelon (a)

   $ 80      $ 122      $ 332   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2015 activity includes CENG on a fully consolidated basis.
(b) Other primarily consists of corporate operations and BSC.

 

161


Table of Contents

Retirement of Long-Term Debt to Financing Affiliates. There were no retirements of long-term debt to financing affiliates during 2015, 2014 and 2013 by the Registrants.

 

Contributions from Parent/Member. Contributions from Parent/Member (Exelon) during 2015, 2014 and 2013 by Registrant were as follows:

 

     2015      2014      2013  

Generation

   $ 47       $ 53       $ 26   

ComEd (a)

     209         278         176   

PECO

     16         24         27   

BGE

     7         —           —     

 

(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.

 

Other. For the year ended December 31, 2015, other financing activities primarily consists of debt issuance costs. See Note 14—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 $8.4 billion in aggregate total commitments of which $6.9 billion was available as of December 31, 2015, and of which no financial institution has more than 7% of the aggregate commitments for Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE. The Registrants had access to the commercial paper market during 2015 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 further 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, 2015, it would have been required to provide incremental collateral of $2.0 billion to meet collateral obligations for derivatives, non-derivatives, normal purchase normal sales contracts and applicable payables and receivables, net of the contractual right of offset under master netting agreements, which is well within its current available credit facility capacities of $4.3 billion. If ComEd lost its investment grade credit ratings as of December 31, 2015, it would have been required to provide collateral of $31 million pursuant to PJM’s credit policy and could have been required to provide incremental collateral of $19 million which is well within its current available credit facility capacity of $998 million. If PECO lost its investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2015 it would have been required to provide collateral of $2 million pursuant to PJM’s credit policy and could have been required to provide collateral of $25 million related to its natural gas procurement contracts, which, in the aggregate, are well within PECO’s current available credit facility capacity of $599 million. If BGE lost its investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2015 it would have been required to

 

162


Table of Contents

provide collateral of $6 million pursuant to PJM’s credit policy and could have been required to provide collateral of $35 million related to its natural gas procurement contracts, which, in the aggregate, are well within BGE’s current available credit facility capacity of $600 million.

 

Exelon Credit Facilities

 

Exelon, ComEd and BGE 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. 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 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the Registrants’ credit facilities and short term borrowing activity.

 

Other Credit Matters

 

Capital Structure. At December 31, 2015, the capital structures of the Registrants consisted of the following:

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Long-term debt

     47     37     43     43     34

Long-term debt to affiliates (a)

     1     4     1     3     5

Common equity

     51     —          54     54     53

Member’s equity

     —          59     —          —          —     

Preference Stock

     —          —          —          —          4

Commercial paper and notes payable

     1     —          2     —          4

 

(a) Includes approximately $641 million, $205 million, $184 million and $252 million owed to unconsolidated affiliates of Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE respectively. These special purpose entities were created for the sole purposes of issuing mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities of ComEd, PECO and BGE. See Note 2—Variable Interest Entities of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the authoritative guidance for VIEs.

 

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, Exelon operates an intercompany money pool. Maximum amounts contributed to and borrowed from the money pool by participants during the year ended December 31, 2015, in addition to the net contribution or borrowing as of December 31, 2015, are presented in the following table:

 

     Maximum
Contributed
     Maximum
Borrowed
     December 31, 2015
Contributed
(Borrowed)
 

Generation

   $ 3       $ 1,709       $ (1,252

PECO

     —           100         —     

BSC

     —           413         (226

Exelon Corporate

     2,008         —           1,478   

 

Investments in Nuclear Decommissioning Trust 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

 

163


Table of Contents

industry. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the trust funds, the NRC’s minimum funding requirements and related liquidity ramifications.

 

Shelf Registration Statements. The Registrants have a currently effective combined shelf registration statement unlimited in amount, filed with the SEC, that will expire in May 2017. 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. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd had $442 million available in long-term debt refinancing authority and $353 million available in new money long-term debt financing authority from the ICC. In November 2015, the PAPUC approved PECO’s application for long-term financing for $2.5 billion, which is effective through December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2015, PECO had $1.9 billion available in long-term debt financing authority from the PAPUC. As of December 31, 2015, BGE had $1.4 billion available in long-term financing authority from MDPSC.

 

As of December 31, 2015, ComEd, PECO and BGE had short-term financing authority from FERC, which expires on December 31, 2017, of $2.5 billion, $1.5 billion and $700 million, respectively. Generation currently has blanket financing authority it received from FERC in connection with its market-based rate authority. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

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. The Federal Power Act declares it to be unlawful for any officer or director of any public utility “to participate in the making or paying of any dividends of such public utility from any funds properly included in capital account.” In addition, under Illinois law, ComEd may not pay any dividend on its stock, unless, among other things, its earnings and earned surplus are sufficient to declare and pay a dividend after provision is made for reasonable and proper reserves, or unless ComEd has specific authorization from the ICC. BGE is subject to certain dividend restrictions established by the MDPSC. First, BGE was prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares through the end of 2014. Second, BGE is prohibited 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. Finally, BGE must notify the MDPSC that it intends to declare a dividend on its common shares at least 30 days before such a dividend is paid. There are no other limitations on BGE paying common stock dividends unless: (1) BGE elects to defer interest payments on the 6.20% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures due 2043, and any deferred interest remains unpaid; or (2) any dividends (and any redemption payments) due on BGE’s preference stock have not been paid. At December 31, 2015, Exelon had retained earnings of $12,068 million, including Generation’s undistributed earnings of $2,701 million, ComEd’s retained earnings of $978 million consisting of retained earnings appropriated for future dividends of $2,617 million partially offset by $1,639 million of unappropriated retained deficit, PECO’s retained earnings of $780 million and BGE’s retained earnings $1,320 million. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding fund transfer restrictions.

 

164


Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations

 

The following tables summarize the Registrants’ future estimated cash payments as of December 31, 2015 under existing contractual obligations, including payments due by period. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Registrants’ commercial and other commitments, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events.

 

Exelon

 

            Payment due within                
     Total      2016      2017-
2018
     2019-
2020
     Due 2021
and beyond
     All
Other
 

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 25,732       $ 1,483       $ 3,226       $ 4,275       $ 16,748       $ —     

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     14,459         1,146         2,122         1,863         9,328         —     

Liability and interest for uncertain tax positions (c)

     860         860         —           —           —           —     

Capital leases

     29         4         8         9         8         —     

Operating leases (d)

     1,174         133         195         144         702         —     

Purchase power obligations (e)

     1,692         506         717         212         257         —     

Fuel purchase agreements (f)

     9,382         1,448         2,460         1,919         3,555         —     

Electric supply procurement (f)

     1,563         993         570         —           —           —     

AEC purchase commitments (f)

     6         1         2         3         —           —     

Curtailment services commitments (f)

     99         37         55         7         —           —     

Long-term renewable energy and REC commitments (g)

     1,443         76         155         165         1,047         —     

Other purchase obligations (h)

     4,578         2,420         940         421         797         —     

Construction commitments (i)

     1,272         821         451         —           —        

PJM regional transmission expansion commitments (j)

     737         375         293         69         —           —     

Spent nuclear fuel obligation (k)

     1,021         —           —           —           1,021         —     

Pension minimum funding requirement (l)

     1,412         250         500         500         162         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 65,459       $ 10,553       $ 11,694       $ 9,587       $ 33,625       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $648 million due after 2021 to ComEd, PECO and BGE financing trusts.
(b) Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2015 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, 2015. Includes estimated interest payments due to ComEd, PECO and BGE financing trusts.
(c) In the event of a fully successful IRS challenge to Exelon’s like-kind exchange position, Exelon would be required to either post a bond or pay the tax and interest for the tax years before the court to appeal the decision. If an adverse decision is reached in 2016, the potential tax and after-tax interest, exclusive of penalties, that could become payable may be as much as $860 million, of which approximately $300 million would be attributable to ComEd after consideration of Exelon’s agreement to hold ComEd harmless from any unfavorable impacts of the after-tax interest amounts on ComEd’s equity, and the balance at Exelon. It is expected that Exelon’s remaining tax years affected by the litigation will be settled following a final appellate decision which could take several years.
(d) Excludes Generation’s contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements. These amounts are included within purchase power obligations. Includes estimated cash payments for service fees related to PECO’s meter reading operating lease.
(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, 2015, including those related to CENG. 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. These obligations do not include ComEd’s SFCs as these contracts do not require purchases of fixed or minimum quantities. See Notes 3—Regulatory Matters

 

165


Table of Contents
(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 maximum settlements with suppliers for renewable energy and RECs under the existing contract terms. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(h) Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2015 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) Represents commitments for Generation’s ongoing investments in renewables development, new natural gas and biomass generation construction. Amount includes $421 million of remaining commitments related to the construction of new combined-cycle gas turbine units in Texas. Achievement of commercial operations related to this project is expected in 2017.
(j) Under their operating agreements with PJM, ComEd, PECO and BGE are committed to the construction of transmission facilities to maintain system reliability. These amounts represent ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s expected portion of the costs to pay for the completion of the required construction projects. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(k) See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding spent nuclear fuel obligations.
(l) These amounts represent Exelon’s expected contributions to its qualified pension plans. The projected contributions reflect a funding strategy of contributing the greater of $250 million until the qualified plans are fully funded on an accumulated benefit obligation basis, and the minimum amounts under ERISA to avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status thereafter. The remaining qualified pension plans’ contributions are generally based on the estimated minimum pension contributions required under ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as well as contributions necessary to avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status. These amounts represent estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change. The minimum required contributions for years after 2021 are not included. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding estimated future pension benefit payments.

 

Generation

 

            Payment due within                
     Total      2016      2017-
2018
     2019-
2020
     Due 2021
and beyond
     All
Other
 

Long-term debt

   $ 8,898       $ 87       $ 849       $ 2,575       $ 5,387       $ —     

Interest payments on long-term debt (a)

     5,452         424         792         684         3,552         —     

Capital leases

     21         4         8         9         —           —     

Operating leases (c)

     956         86         126         89         655         —     

Purchase power obligations (d)

     1,692         506         717         212         257         —     

Fuel purchase agreements (e)

     8,450         1,211         2,167         1,777         3,295         —     

Other purchase obligations (f)

     2,193         928         392         225         648         —     

Construction commitments (g)

     1,272         821         451         —           —        

Spent nuclear fuel obligation (b)

     1,021         —           —           —           1,021         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 29,955       $ 4,067       $ 5,502       $ 5,571       $ 14,815       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2015 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, 2015.
(b) See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding spent nuclear fuel obligations.
(c) Excludes Generation’s contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements.
(d) 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, 2015. 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.
(e) Represents commitments to purchase fuel supplies for nuclear and fossil generation.

 

166


Table of Contents
(f) Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2015 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 renewables development, new natural gas and biomass generation construction. Amount includes $421 million of remaining commitments related to the construction of new combined-cycle gas turbine units in Texas. Achievement of commercial operations related to this project is expected in 2017.

 

ComEd

 

            Payment due within                
     Total      2016      2017-
2018
     2019-
2020
     Due 2021
and beyond
     All
Other
 

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 6,765       $ 665       $ 1,265       $ 800       $ 4,035       $ —     

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     4,597         297         523         420         3,357         —     

Liability and interest for uncertain tax positions (c)

     300         300         —           —           —           —     

Capital leases

     8         —           —           —           8         —     

Operating leases

     37         14         14         8         1         —     

Electric supply procurement

     739         453         286         —           —           —     

Long-term renewable energy and associated REC commitments (d)

     1,444         76         156         165         1,047         —     

Other purchase obligations (e)

     699         565         94         39         1         —     

PJM regional transmission expansion commitments (f)

     297         204         87         6         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 14,886       $ 2,574       $ 2,425       $ 1,438       $ 8,449       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $206 million due after 2021 to a ComEd financing trust.
(b) Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2015 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, 2015. Includes estimated interest payments due to the ComEd financing trust.
(c) In the event of a fully successful IRS challenge to Exelon’s like-kind exchange position, Exelon would be required to either post a bond or pay the tax and interest for the tax years before the court to appeal the decision. If an adverse decision is reached in 2016, the potential tax and after-tax interest, exclusive of penalties, that could become payable may be as much as $860 million, of which approximately $300 million would be attributable to ComEd after consideration of Exelon’s agreement to hold ComEd harmless from any unfavorable impacts of the after-tax interest amounts on ComEd’s equity, and the balance at Exelon. It is expected that Exelon’s remaining tax years affected by the litigation will be settled following a final appellate decision which could take several years.
(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 settlements with suppliers for renewable energy and RECs under the existing contract terms. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(e) Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2015 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. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

167


Table of Contents

PECO

 

            Payment due within                
     Total      2016      2017-
2018
     2019-
2020
     Due 2021
and beyond
     All
Other
 

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 2,784       $ 300       $ 500       $ —         $ 1,984       $ —     

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     1,771         115         207         176         1,273         —     

Operating leases

     12         3         5         4         —           —     

Fuel purchase agreements (c)

     357         125         137         35         60         —     

Electric supply procurement (c)

     622         516         106         —           —           —     

AEC purchase commitments (c)

     9         2         4         3         —           —     

Other purchase obligations (d)

     215         174         18         22         1         —     

PJM regional transmission expansion commitments (e)

     67         31         32         4         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 5,837       $ 1,266       $ 1,009       $ 244       $ 3,318       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $184 million due after 2021 to PECO financing trusts.
(b) Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2014 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(c) Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric supply, and purchase AECs.
(d) Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2015 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, 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. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

BGE

 

            Payment due within                
     Total      2016      2017-
2018
     2019-
2020
     Due 2021
and beyond
     All
Other
 

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 2,128       $ 378       $ 42       $ —         $ 1,708       $ —     

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     1,353         82         159         159         953         —     

Operating leases

     65         12         19         15         19         —     

Fuel purchase agreements (d)

     575         112         156         107         200         —     

Electric supply procurement (d)

     1,427         860         567         —           —           —     

Curtailment services commitments (d)

     99         37         55         7         —           —     

Other purchase obligations (e)

     635         408         208         17         2         —     

PJM regional transmission expansion commitments (c)

     373         140         174         59         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 6,655       $ 2,029       $ 1,380       $ 364       $ 2,882       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $258 million due after 2021 to the BGE financing trusts.
(b) Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2015 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(c) 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. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d) Represents commitments to purchase natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, procure electric supply, and curtailment services.
(e) Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2015 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.

 

168


Table of Contents

See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the Registrants’ other commitments potentially triggered by future events.

 

For additional information regarding:

 

   

commercial paper, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

long-term debt, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, see Note 15—Income Taxes of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

capital lease obligations, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

operating leases and rate relief commitments, see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

the nuclear decommissioning and SNF obligations, see Notes 16—Asset Retirement Obligations and 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

regulatory commitments, see Note 3—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 23—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 (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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 amount of energy Exelon generates differs from the amount of energy it has contracted to sell, Exelon has price risk from commodity price movements. Exelon seeks to mitigate its commodity price risk through the sale and purchase of electricity, fossil fuel, and other commodities.

 

169


Table of Contents

Generation

 

Normal Operations and Hedging Activities. Electricity available from Generation’s owned or contracted generation supply in excess of Generation’s obligations to customers, including portions of ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s retail load, is sold into the wholesale markets. To reduce price risk caused by market fluctuations, Generation enters into non-derivative contracts as well as derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, swaps, and options, with approved counterparties to hedge anticipated exposures. Generation believes these instruments represent economic hedges that mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. Generation expects the settlement of the majority of its economic hedges will occur during 2016 through 2018.

 

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 risk for Exelon’s expected generation, typically on a ratable basis over a three year period. As of December 31, 2015, the proportion of expected generation hedged is 90%-93%, 60%-63% and 28%-31% for 2016, 2017 and 2018, 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 for capacity 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 non-proprietary trading portfolio associated with a $5 reduction in the annual average around-the-clock energy price based on December 31, 2015, market conditions and hedged position would be a decrease in pre-tax net income of approximately $50 million, $400 million and $725 million, respectively, for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Power price sensitivities are derived by adjusting power price assumptions while keeping all other price inputs constant. Generation expects to actively manage 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.

 

Proprietary Trading Activities. Generation also enters into certain energy-related derivatives for proprietary trading purposes. Proprietary trading includes all contracts entered into with the intent of benefiting from shifts or changes in market prices as opposed to those entered into with the intent of hedging or managing risk. Proprietary trading activities are subject to limits established by Exelon’s RMC. The proprietary trading portfolio is subject to a risk management policy that includes stringent risk management limits, including volume, stop loss and Value-at-Risk (VaR) limits to manage exposure to market risk. Additionally, the Exelon risk management group and Exelon’s RMC monitor the financial risks of the proprietary trading activities. The proprietary trading activities, which included physical volumes of 7,310 GWh, 10,571 GWh, and 8,762 GWh for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively, are a complement to Generation’s energy marketing portfolio, but represent a small portion of Generation’s overall revenue from energy marketing activities. Proprietary trading portfolio activity for the year ended December 31, 2015, resulted in pre-tax gains of $1 million due to net mark-to-market losses of $8 million and realized gains of $9 million. Generation uses a 95% confidence interval, assuming standard normal distribution, one day holding period, one-tailed statistical measure in calculating its VaR. The daily VaR on proprietary trading activity averaged $0.2 million of exposure during the year. Generation has not segregated proprietary trading activity within the following discussion because of the relative size of the proprietary trading portfolio in comparison to

 

170


Table of Contents

Generation’s total Revenue net of purchase power and fuel expense from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $9,114 million.

 

Fuel Procurement. Generation procures coal and natural gas through long-term and short-term contracts, and spot-market purchases. Nuclear fuel assemblies are obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrates 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 50% of Generation’s uranium concentrate requirements from 2016 through 2020 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 results of operations, cash flows and financial positions. See ITEM 7.—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS for additional information regarding uranium and coal supply agreement matters.

 

ComEd

 

The financial swap contract between Generation and ComEd was deemed prudent by the Illinois Settlement Legislation, thereby ensuring that ComEd would be entitled to receive full cost recovery in rates. The change in fair value each period was recorded by ComEd with an offset to a regulatory asset or liability. This financial swap contract between Generation and ComEd expired on May 31, 2013. All realized impacts have been included in Generation’s and ComEd’s results of operations.

 

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. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding energy procurement and derivatives.

 

PECO

 

PECO has contracts to procure electric supply that were executed through the competitive procurement process outlined in its PAPUC-approved DSP Programs, which are further discussed in Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. PECO has certain full requirements contracts and block 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. Under the DSP Programs, PECO is permitted to recover its electric supply procurement costs from retail customers with no mark-up.

 

171


Table of Contents

PECO has also entered into 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 its long-term price risk in the natural gas market. PECO’s hedging program for natural gas procurement has no direct impact on its financial position or results of operations as natural gas costs are fully recovered from customers under the PGC.

 

PECO does not enter into derivatives for speculative or proprietary trading purposes. For additional information on these contracts, see Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

BGE

 

BGE procures electric supply for default service customers through full requirements contracts pursuant to BGE’s MDPSC-approved SOS program. BGE’s full requirements contracts that are considered derivatives 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. Under the SOS program, BGE is permitted to recover its electricity procurement costs from retail customers, plus an administrative fee which includes a shareholder return component and an incremental cost component. However, through December 2016, BGE provides all residential electric customers a credit for the residential shareholder return component of the administrative charge.

 

BGE has also entered into derivative natural gas contracts, which qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception, to hedge its price risk in the natural gas market. The hedging program for natural gas procurement has no direct impact on BGE’s financial position. However, under BGE’s market-based rates incentive mechanism, BGE’s actual cost of gas is compared to a market index (a measure of the market price of gas in a given period). The difference between BGE’s actual cost and the market index is shared equally between shareholders and customers.

 

BGE does not enter into derivatives for speculative or proprietary trading purposes. For additional information on these contracts, see Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Trading and Non-Trading Marketing Activities

 

The following detailed presentation of Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s trading and non-trading marketing activities is included to address the recommended disclosures by the energy industry’s Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO).

 

172


Table of Contents

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 January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. 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, as well as the settlements from OCI to earnings and changes in fair value for the cash flow hedging activities that are recorded in Accumulated OCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This table excludes all normal purchase and normal sales contracts and does not segregate proprietary trading activity. See Note 13—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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     Generation     ComEd     Exelon  

Total mark-to-market energy contract net assets (liabilities) at January 1, 2014 (a)

   $ 1,047      $ (193   $ 854   

Contracts acquired at merger date (c)

     128        —          128   

Total change in fair value during 2014 of contracts recorded in result of operations

     (608     —          (608

Reclassification to realized at settlement of contracts recorded in results of operations

     (21     —          (21

Reclassification to realized at settlement from accumulated OCI

     (195     —          (195

Changes in fair value—energy derivatives (b)

     —          (14     (14

Changes in allocated collateral

     1,503          1,503   

Changes in net option premium paid/(received)

     (38     —          (38

Option premium amortization

     (122     —          (122

Other balance sheet reclassifications (d)

     18        —          18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market energy contract net assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2014 (a)

     1,712        (207     1,505   

Total change in fair value during 2015 of contracts recorded in result of operations

     412        —          412   

Reclassification to realized at settlement of contracts recorded in results of operations

     (168     —          (168

Reclassification to realized at settlement from accumulated OCI

     (2     —          (2

Changes in fair value—energy derivatives (b)

     —          (40     (40

Changes in allocated collateral

     (172     —          (172

Changes in net option premium paid/(received)

     (58     —          (58

Option premium amortization

     (21     —          (21

Other balance sheet reclassifications (d)

     50        —          50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market energy contract net assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2015 (a)

   $ 1,753      $ (247   $ 1,506   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Amounts are shown net of cash 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, 2015 and 2014, ComEd recorded a regulatory liability of $247 million and $207 million, respectively, related to its mark-to-market derivative liabilities with Generation and unaffiliated suppliers. Includes $55 million of decreases in fair value and an increase for realized losses due to settlements off $(15) million recorded in purchased power expense associated with floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the year ended December 31, 2015. Includes $13 million of decreases in fair value and a reduction for realized gains due to settlements of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(c) Includes $81 million of fair value from contracts acquired and $47 million of cash collateral as a result of the Integrys acquisition.
(d) Other balance sheet reclassifications include derivative contracts acquired or sold by Generation through upfront payments or receipts of cash, excluding option premiums.

 

173


Table of Contents

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 12—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

 

     Maturities Within     Total
Fair

Value
 
     2016      2017      2018     2019     2020     2021 and
Beyond
   

Normal Operations, Commodity derivative contracts (a)(b):

                

Actively quoted prices (Level 1)

   $ 37       $ 27       $ (19   $ (19   $ (7   $ —        $ 19   

Prices provided by external sources
(Level 2)

     540         165         (8     (8     (6     —          683   

Prices based on model or other valuation methods (Level 3) (c)

     572         255         95        (26     (23     (69     804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,149       $ 447       $ 68      $ (53   $ (36   $ (69   $ 1,506   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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 $1,234 million at December 31, 2015.
(c) Includes ComEd’s net assets (liabilities) associated with the floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.

 

Generation

 

     Maturities Within      Total
Fair

Value
 
     2016      2017      2018     2019     2020     2021
and
Beyond
    

Normal Operations, Commodity derivative contracts (a)(b):

                 

Actively quoted prices (Level 1)

   $ 37       $ 27       $ (19   $ (19   $ (7   $ —         $ 19   

Prices provided by external sources (Level 2)

     540         165         (8     (8     (6     —           683   

Prices based on model or other valuation methods (Level 3)

     595         276         116        (5     (1     70         1,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,172       $ 468       $ 89      $ (32   $ (14   $ 70       $ 1,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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 $1,234 million at December 31, 2015.

 

174


Table of Contents

ComEd

 

     Maturities Within     Fair
Value
 
     2016     2017     2018     2019     2020     2021 and
Beyond
   

Prices based on model or other valuation methods (Level 3) (a)

   $ (23   $ (21   $ (21   $ (21   $ (22   $ (139   $ (247

 

(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 (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants would be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties that enter into derivative instruments. The credit exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented by the fair value of contracts at the reporting date. See Note 13—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 purchase normal sales agreements, and applicable payables and receivables, net of collateral and instruments that are subject to master netting agreements, as of December 31, 2015. 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, NYMEX, ICE, and Nodal commodity exchanges, which are discussed below. Additionally, the figures in the tables below exclude exposures with affiliates, including net receivables with ComEd, PECO and BGE of $15 million, $36 million and $31 million, respectively. See Note 26—Related Party Transactions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Rating as of December 31, 2015

  Total
Exposure
Before Credit
Collateral
    Credit
Collateral (a)
    Net
Exposure
    Number of
Counterparties
Greater than 10%
of Net Exposure
    Net Exposure  of
Counterparties
Greater than 10%
of Net Exposure
 

Investment grade

  $ 1,397      $ 50      $ 1,347        1      $ 432   

Non-investment grade

    67        25        42        —          —     

No external ratings

         

Internally rated—investment grade

    521        —          521        —          —     

Internally rated—non-investment grade

    77        7        70        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,062      $ 82      $ 1,980        1      $ 432   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

175


Table of Contents
     Maturity of Credit Risk Exposure  

Rating as of December 31, 2015

   Less than
2 Years
     2-5
Years
     Exposure
Greater than
5 Years
     Total Exposure
Before Credit
Collateral
 

Investment grade

   $ 1,036       $ 343       $ 18       $ 1,397   

Non-investment grade

     40         19         8         67   

No external ratings

           

Internally rated—investment grade

     452         46         23         521   

Internally rated—non-investment grade

     71         6         —           77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,599       $ 414       $ 49       $ 2,062   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Net Credit Exposure by Type of Counterparty

   As of
December 31,
2015
 

Financial institutions

   $ 187   

Investor-owned utilities, marketers, power producers

     886   

Energy cooperatives and municipalities

     872   

Other

     35   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,980   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) As of December 31, 2015, credit collateral held from counterparties where Generation had credit exposure included $13 million of cash and $69 million of letters of credit.

 

ComEd

 

Credit risk for ComEd is managed by credit and collection policies, which are consistent with state regulatory requirements. ComEd is currently obligated to provide service to all electric customers within its franchised territory. ComEd records a provision for uncollectible accounts, based upon historical experience, to provide for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the allowance for uncollectible accounts policy. ComEd is permitted to recover its costs of procuring energy through the Illinois Settlement Legislation as well as the ICC-approved procurement tariffs. ComEd will monitor nonpayment from customers and will make any necessary adjustments to the provision for uncollectible accounts. The Illinois Settlement Legislation prohibits utilities, including ComEd, from terminating electric service to a residential electric space heat customer due to nonpayment between December 1 of any year through March 1 of the following year. ComEd’s ability to disconnect non space-heating residential customers is also impacted by certain weather restrictions, at any time of year, under the Illinois Public Utilities Act. ComEd will monitor the impact of its disconnection practices and will make any necessary adjustments to the provision for uncollectible accounts. ComEd did not have any customers representing over 10% of its revenues as of December 31, 2015. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding ComEd’s recently approved tariffs to adjust rates annually through a rider mechanism to reflect increases or decreases in annual uncollectible accounts expense.

 

ComEd’s power procurement contracts provide suppliers with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The credit position is based on forward market prices compared to the benchmark prices. The benchmark prices are the forward prices of energy projected through the contract term and are set at the point of supplier bid submittals. If the forward market price of energy exceeds the benchmark price, the suppliers are required to post collateral for the secured credit portion after adjusting for any unpaid deliveries and unsecured credit allowed under the contract. The unsecured credit used by the suppliers represents ComEd’s net credit exposure. ComEd’s counterparty credit risk is mitigated by its ability to

 

176


Table of Contents

recover realized energy costs through customer rates. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd’s credit exposure to energy suppliers was immaterial.

 

PECO

 

Credit risk for PECO is managed by credit and collection policies, which are consistent with state regulatory requirements. PECO is currently obligated to provide service to all retail electric customers within its franchised territory. PECO records a provision for uncollectible accounts to provide for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the allowance for uncollectible accounts policy. In accordance with PAPUC regulations, after November 30 and before April 1, an electric distribution utility or natural gas distribution utility shall not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level. PECO’s provision for uncollectible accounts will continue to be affected by changes in prices as well as changes in PAPUC regulations. PECO did not have any customers representing over 10% of its revenues as of December 31, 2015.

 

PECO’s supplier master agreements that govern the terms of its DSP Program contracts, which define a supplier’s performance assurance requirements, allow a supplier to meet its credit requirements with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The amount of unsecured credit is determined based on the supplier’s lowest credit rating from the major credit rating agencies and the supplier’s tangible net worth. The credit position is based on the initial market price, which is the forward price of energy on the day a transaction is executed, compared to the current forward price curve for energy. To the extent that the forward price curve for energy exceeds the initial market price, the supplier is required to post collateral to the extent the credit exposure is greater than the supplier’s unsecured credit limit. As of December 31, 2015, PECO had no net credit exposure with suppliers.

 

PECO does not obtain cash collateral from suppliers under its natural gas supply and asset management agreements. As of December 31, 2015, PECO’s credit exposure under its natural gas supply and asset management agreements with investment grade suppliers was immaterial.

 

BGE

 

Credit risk for BGE is managed by credit and collection policies, which are consistent with state regulatory requirements. BGE is currently obligated to provide service to all electric customers within its franchised territory. BGE records a provision for uncollectible accounts to provide for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers. BGE 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 uncollectible accounts policy. MDPSC regulations prohibit BGE from terminating service to residential customers due to nonpayment from November 1 through March 31 if the forecasted temperature is 32 degrees or below for the subsequent 72 hour period. BGE is also prohibited by the Public Utilities Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and MDPSC regulations from terminating service to residential customers due to nonpayment if the forecasted temperature is 95 degrees or above for the subsequent 72 hour period. BGE did not have any customers representing over 10% of its revenues as of December 31, 2015.

 

BGE’s full requirement wholesale electric power agreements that govern the terms of its electric supply procurement contracts, which define a supplier’s performance assurance requirements, allow a supplier, or its guarantor, to meet its credit requirements with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The amount of unsecured credit is determined based on the supplier’s lowest credit rating from the major credit rating agencies and the supplier’s tangible net worth, subject to an unsecured credit cap. The credit position is based on the initial market price, which is the forward price of energy on the day

 

177


Table of Contents

a transaction is executed, compared to the current forward price curve for energy. To the extent that the forward price curve for energy exceeds the initial market price, the supplier is required to post collateral to the extent the credit exposure is greater than the supplier’s unsecured credit limit. The seller’s credit exposure is calculated each business day. As of December 31, 2015, BGE had no net credit exposure with suppliers.

 

BGE’s regulated gas business is exposed to market-price risk. This market-price risk is mitigated by BGE’s recovery of its costs to procure natural gas through a gas cost adjustment clause approved by the MDPSC. BGE does make off-system sales after BGE has satisfied its customers’ demands, which are not covered by the gas cost adjustment clause. At December 31, 2015, BGE had credit exposure of $4 million related to off-system sales which is mitigated by parental guarantees, letters of credit, or right to offset clauses within other contracts with those third-party suppliers.

 

Collateral (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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. These contracts either contain express provisions or otherwise permit Generation and its counterparties to demand adequate assurance of future performance when there are reasonable grounds for doing so. 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. In this case, Generation believes an amount of several months of future payments (i.e. capacity payments) rather than a calculation of fair value is the best estimate for the contingent collateral obligation, which has been factored into the disclosure below. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding collateral requirements.

 

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 results of operations, cash flows and financial position. 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. In order to post collateral, Generation depends on access to bank credit facilities, which serve as liquidity sources to fund collateral requirements. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

As of December 31, 2015, Generation had cash collateral of $1,267 million posted and cash collateral held of $21 million for external counterparties with derivative positions, of which $1,234 million and $9 million in net cash collateral deposits were offset against energy derivatives and interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives related to underlying energy contracts, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, $3 million of cash collateral deposits was not offset against net derivative positions because it was not associated with energy-related derivatives or as of the balance sheet date there were no positions to offset. As of December 31, 2014, Generation had cash collateral posted of $1,497 million and cash collateral held of $77 million for external counterparties with derivative positions, of which $1,406 million and $6 million in net cash collateral deposits were offset against

 

178


Table of Contents

energy derivatives and interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives related to underlying energy contracts, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, $8 million of cash collateral posted was not offset against net derivative positions because it was not associated with energy-related derivatives or as the balance sheet date there were no positions to offset. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the letters of credit supporting the cash collateral.

 

ComEd

 

As of December 31, 2015, ComEd held no collateral from suppliers in association with standard block energy procurement contracts and held approximately $19 million in the form of cash and letters of credit for renewable energy contracts. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

PECO

 

As of December 31, 2015, PECO was not required to post collateral under its energy and natural gas procurement contracts. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

BGE

 

BGE is not required to post collateral under its electric supply contracts. As of December 31, 2015, BGE was not required to post collateral under its natural gas procurement contracts nor was it holding collateral under its electric supply and natural gas procurement contracts. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

RTOs and ISOs (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE participate in all, or some, of the established, real-time energy markets that are administered by PJM, ISO-NE, ISO-NY, CAISO, MISO, SPP, AESO, OIESO and ERCOT. In these areas, power is traded through bilateral agreements between buyers and sellers and on the spot markets that are operated by the RTOs or ISOs, as applicable. In areas where there is no spot 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 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’ results of operations, cash flows and financial positions.

 

Exchange Traded Transactions (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation enters into commodity transactions on NYMEX, ICE and the Nodal exchange. The NYMEX, ICE and Nodal exchange clearinghouses act as the counterparty to each trade. Transactions on the NYMEX, ICE and Nodal exchange must adhere to comprehensive collateral and margining requirements. As a result, transactions on NYMEX, ICE and Nodal exchange are significantly collateralized and have limited counterparty credit risk.

 

179


Table of Contents

Long-Term Leases (Exelon)

 

Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, as of December 31, 2015, included a $352 million net investment in coal-fired plants in Georgia subject to long-term leases. This investment represents the estimated residual value of leased assets at the end of the respective lease terms of $639 million, less unearned income of $287 million. As of December 31, 2014, Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet included a $361 million net investment in coal-fired plants in Georgia subject to long-term leases, which represented the estimated residual value of leased assets at the end of the respective lease terms of $685 million, less unearned income of $324 million. The lease agreements provide the lessees with fixed purchase options at the end of the lease terms. If the lessee does not exercise the fixed purchase options, Exelon has the ability to operate the stations and keep or market the power itself or require the lessee to arrange for a third-party to bid on a service contract for a period following the lease term. Exelon will be subject to residual value risk if the lessee does not exercise the fixed purchase options. This risk is partially mitigated by the fair value of the scheduled payments under the service contract. However, such payments are not guaranteed. Further, the term of the service contract is less than the expected remaining useful life of the plants and, therefore, Exelon’s exposure to residual value risk will not be mitigated by payments under the service contract in this remaining period. Lessee performance under the lease agreements is supported by collateral and credit enhancement measures. Management regularly evaluates the creditworthiness of Exelon’s counterparties to these long-term leases. Exelon monitors the continuing credit quality of the credit enhancement party.

 

Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance, Exelon is required to review the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments at least annually and, if the review indicates a fair value below the carrying value and the decline is determined to be other than temporary, must record an impairment charge in the period the estimate changed. Based on the annual review performed in the second quarters of 2015 and 2014, the estimated residual value of Exelon’s direct financing leases for the Georgia generating stations experienced other than temporary declines given increases in estimated long-term operating and maintenance costs in the 2015 annual review and reduced long-term energy and capacity price expectations in the 2014 annual review. As a result, Exelon recorded a $24 million pre-tax impairment charge in 2015 and 2014 for these stations. See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Risk (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants use a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage interest rate exposure. The Registrants may also utilize fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which are typically designated as fair value hedges, as a means to manage their interest rate exposure. In addition, the Registrants may utilize interest rate derivatives to lock in rate levels in anticipation of future financings, which are typically designated as cash flow hedges. These strategies are employed to manage interest rate risks. At December 31, 2015, Exelon had $800 million of notional amounts of fixed-to-floating hedges outstanding and Exelon and Generation had $738 million of notional amounts of floating-to-fixed hedges outstanding. Assuming the fair value and cash flow interest rate hedges are 100% effective, a hypothetical 50 bps 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, 2015. 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.

 

180


Table of Contents

Equity Price Risk (Exelon and Generation)

 

Exelon and Generation maintain trust funds, as required by the NRC, to fund certain costs of decommissioning Generation’s nuclear plants. As of December 31, 2015, Generation’s decommissioning trust funds are reflected at fair value on 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 $454 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 further discussion of equity price risk as a result of the current capital and credit market conditions.

 

181


Table of Contents
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, and engages in natural gas and oil exploration and production activities. 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, 2015 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2014 and Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

A discussion of Generation’s results of operations for 2015 compared to 2014 and 2014 compared to 2013 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 access to credit facilities in the aggregate of $5.7 billion that Generation currently utilizes to support its commercial paper program and to issue letters of credit.

 

See the “EXELON CORPORATION—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 14 of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for further discussion.

 

Capital resources are used primarily to fund Generation’s capital requirements, including construction, retirement of debt, the payment of distributions to Exelon, contributions to Exelon’s pension plans and investments in new and existing ventures. Future acquisitions could require external financing or borrowings or capital contributions from Exelon.

 

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.

 

182


Table of Contents

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 Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of Generation’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 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.”

 

183


Table of Contents
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, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014 and Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

A discussion of ComEd’s results of operations for 2015 compared to 2014 and for 2014 compared to 2013 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, 2015, ComEd had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $1 billion. See the “Credit Matters” section of “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional discussion.

 

See the “EXELON CORPORATION—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 14 of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K for further discussion.

 

Capital resources are used primarily to fund ComEd’s capital requirements, including construction, retirement of debt, and contributions to Exelon’s pension plans. 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.

 

184


Table of Contents

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 Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of ComEd’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 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.”

 

185


Table of Contents
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, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014 and Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

A discussion of PECO’s results of operations for 2015 compared to 2014 and for 2014 compared to 2013 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, 2015, PECO had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $600 million. See the “Credit Matters” section of “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional discussion.

 

Capital resources are used primarily to fund PECO’s capital requirements, including construction, retirement of debt, the payment of dividends and contributions to Exelon’s pension plans. 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.

 

186


Table of Contents

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 Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above for a discussion of PECO’s critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 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.”

 

187


Table of Contents
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, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014 and Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

 

A discussion of BGE’s results of operations for 2015 compared to 2014 and for 2014 compared to 2013 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, 2015, BGE had access to a revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $600 million. See the “Credit Matters” section of “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional discussion.

 

Capital resources are used primarily to fund BGE’s capital requirements, including construction, retirement of debt, the payment of dividends and contributions to Exelon’s pension plans. 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.

 

188


Table of Contents

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 Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—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.”

 

189


Table of Contents
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, 2015. 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, 2015, Exelon’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of Exelon’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

February 10, 2016

 

190


Table of Contents

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, 2015. 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, 2015, Generation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of Generation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

February 10, 2016

 

191


Table of Contents

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, 2015. 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, 2015, ComEd’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of ComEd’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

February 10, 2016

 

192


Table of Contents

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, 2015. 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, 2015, PECO’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of PECO’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

February 10, 2016

 

193


Table of Contents

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, 2015. 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, 2015, BGE’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

 

The effectiveness of BGE’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

February 10, 2016

 

194


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Exelon Corporation:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exelon Corporation (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, 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 these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. 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.

 

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 10, 2016

 

195


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Member of Exelon Generation Company, LLC:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, 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 these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. 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.

 

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 10, 2016

 

196


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Commonwealth Edison Company:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Commonwealth Edison Company (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, 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 these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. 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.

 

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 10, 2016

 

197


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of PECO Energy Company:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PECO Energy Company (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, 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 these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. 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.

 

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 10, 2016

 

198


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, 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 these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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. 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.

 

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 10, 2016

 

199


Table of Contents

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

200


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

      For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions, except per share data)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues

      

Competitive businesses revenues

   $ 18,395      $ 16,637      $ 14,277   

Rate-regulated utility revenues

     11,052        10,792        10,611   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     29,447        27,429        24,888   

Operating expenses

      

Competitive businesses purchased power and fuel

     10,007        9,369        6,928   

Rate-regulated utility purchased power and fuel

     3,077        3,103        2,540   

Purchased power and fuel from affiliates

     —          531        1,256   

Operating and maintenance

     8,322        8,568        7,270   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,450        2,314        2,153   

Taxes other than income

     1,200        1,154        1,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     25,056        25,039        21,242   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     —          (20     10   

Gain on sales of assets

     18        437        13   

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

     —          289        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     4,409        3,096        3,669   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense, net

     (992     (1,024     (1,315

Interest expense to affiliates, net

     (41     (41     (41

Other, net

     (46     455        460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (1,079     (610     (896
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     3,330        2,486        2,773   

Income taxes

     1,073        666        1,044   

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

     (7     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     2,250        1,820        1,729   

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest and preference stock dividends

     (19     197        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders

   $ 2,269      $ 1,623      $ 1,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of income taxes

      

Net income

   $ 2,250      $ 1,820      $ 1,729   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes

      

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plans:

      

Prior service benefit reclassified to periodic benefit cost

     (46     (30     —     

Actuarial loss reclassified to periodic benefit cost

     220        147        208   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plan valuation adjustment

     (99     (497     669   

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

     9        (148     (248

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

     —          1        2   

Unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments

     (3     8        106   

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

     (21     (9     (10

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI

     —          (116     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     60        (644     727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 2,310      $ 1,176      $ 2,456   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average shares of common stock outstanding:

      

Basic

     890        860        856   

Diluted

     893        864        860   

Earnings per average common share:

      

Basic

   $ 2.55      $ 1.89      $ 2.01   

Diluted

   $ 2.54      $ 1.88      $ 2.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

   $ 1.24      $ 1.24      $ 1.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

201


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 2,250      $ 1,820      $ 1,729   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion, including nuclear fuel and energy contract amortization

     3,987        3,868        3,779   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     36        687        171   

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

     —          (296     —     

Gain on sales of assets

     (18     (437     (13

Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits

     752        502        119   

Net fair value changes related to derivatives

     (367     716        (445

Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) on nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments

     131        (210     (170

Other non-cash operating activities

     1,109        1,054        718   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     240        (318     (97

Inventories

     4        (380     (100

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (121     49        (116

Option premiums received (paid), net

     58        38        (36

Collateral received (posted), net

     347        (1,719     215   

Income taxes

     97        (143     883   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (502     (617     (422

Other assets and liabilities

     (387     (157     128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     7,616        4,457        6,343   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (7,624     (6,077     (5,395

Proceeds from termination of direct financing lease investment

     —          335        —     

Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales

     6,895        7,396        4,217   

Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds

     (7,147     (7,551     (4,450

Cash and restricted cash acquired from consolidations and acquisitions

     —          140        —     

Acquisitions of businesses

     (40     (386     —     

Proceeds from sales of long-lived assets

     147        1,719        32   

Proceeds from sales of investments

     —          7        22   

Purchases of investments

     —          (3     (4

Change in restricted cash

     66        (104     (43

Distribution from CENG

     —          13        115   

Other investing activities

     (119     (88     112   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (7,822     (4,599     (5,394
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Payment of accounts receivable agreement

     —          —          (210

Changes in short-term borrowings

     80        122        332   

Issuance of long-term debt

     6,709        3,463        2,055   

Retirement of long-term debt

     (2,687     (1,545     (1,589

Issuance of common stock

     1,868        —          —     

Redemption of preferred securities

     —          —          (93

Distributions to noncontrolling interest of consolidated VIE

     —          (421     —     

Dividends paid on common stock

     (1,105     (1,065     (1,249

Proceeds from employee stock plans

     32        35        47   

Other financing activities

     (67     (178     (119
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     4,830        411        (826
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     4,624        269        123   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,878        1,609        1,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 6,502      $ 1,878      $ 1,609   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

202


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,502       $ 1,878   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     205         271   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Customer

     3,187         3,482   

Other

     912         1,227   

Mark-to-market derivative assets

     1,365         1,279   

Unamortized energy contract assets

     86         254   

Inventories, net

     

Fossil fuel

     462         579   

Materials and supplies

     1,104         1,024   

Regulatory assets

     759         847   

Assets held for sale

     4         147   

Other

     748         865   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     15,334         11,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     57,439         52,170   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Regulatory assets

     6,065         6,076   

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds

     10,342         10,537   

Investments

     639         544   

Goodwill

     2,672         2,672   

Mark-to-market derivative assets

     758         773   

Unamortized energy contract assets

     484         549   

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning

     206         319   

Other

     1,445         923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     22,611         22,393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets (a)

   $ 95,384       $ 86,416   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

203


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015     2014  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 533      $ 460   

Long-term debt due within one year

     1,500        1,802   

Accounts payable

     2,883        3,048   

Accrued expenses

     2,376        1,539   

Payables to affiliates

     8        8   

Regulatory liabilities

     369        310   

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     205        234   

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     100        238   

Renewable energy credit obligation

     302        192   

Other

     842        931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     9,118        8,762   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     23,645        19,212   

Long-term debt to financing trusts

     641        641   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

    

Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits

     13,776        12,778   

Asset retirement obligations

     8,585        7,295   

Pension obligations

     3,385        3,366   

Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations

     1,618        1,742   

Spent nuclear fuel obligation

     1,021        1,021   

Regulatory liabilities

     4,201        4,550   

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     374        403   

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     117        211   

Payable for Zion Station decommissioning

     90        155   

Other

     1,491        2,147   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     34,658        33,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities (a)

     68,062        62,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest

     28        —     

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock (No par value, 2000 shares authorized, 920 shares and 860 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

     18,676        16,709   

Treasury stock, at cost (35 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

     (2,327     (2,327

Retained earnings

     12,068        10,910   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

     (2,624     (2,684
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     25,793        22,608   

BGE preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption

     193        193   

Noncontrolling interest

     1,308        1,332   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     27,294        24,133   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 95,384      $ 86,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Exelon’s consolidated assets include $8,268 million and $8,159 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of certain VIEs that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Exelon’s consolidated liabilities include $3,264 million and $2,728 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of certain VIEs for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to Exelon. See Note 2–Variable Interest Entities.

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

204


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

(In millions, shares in

thousands)

  Issued
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Treasury
Stock
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Non-controlling
Interest
    Preferred
and
Preference
Stock
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2012

    889,525      $ 16,632      $ (2,327   $ 9,893      $ (2,767   $ 106      $ 193      $ 21,730   

Net income (loss)

    —          —          —          1,719        —          (10     20        1,729   

Long-term incentive plan activity

    1,445        81        —          —          —          —          —          81   

Employee stock purchase plan issuances

    1,064        28        —          —          —          —          —          28   

Common stock dividends

    —          —          —          (1,254     —          —          —          (1,254

Consolidated VIE dividend to noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          —          —          (63     —          (63

Deconsolidation of VIE

    —          —          —          —          —          (18     —          (18

Redemption of preferred securities

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (6     (6

Preferred and preference stock dividends

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (14     (14

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes

    —          —          —          —          727        —          —          727   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

    892,034      $ 16,741      $ (2,327   $ 10,358      $ (2,040   $ 15      $ 193      $ 22,940   

Net income

    —          —          —          1,623        —          184        13        1,820   

Long-term incentive plan activity

    1,574        72        —          —          —          —          —          72   

Employee stock purchase plan issuances

    960        35        —          —          —          —          —          35   

Tax benefit on stock compensation

    —          (8     —          —          —          —          —          (8

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

    —          (2     —          —          —          6        —          4   

Common stock dividends

    —          —          —          (1,071     —          —          —          (1,071

Preferred and preference stock dividends

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (13     (13

Fair value of financing contract payments

    —          (131     —          —          —          —          —          (131

Noncontrolling interest established upon consolidation of CENG

    —          —          —          —          —          1,548        —          1,548   

Transfer of CENG pension and non-pension postretirement benefit obligations

    —          2        —          —          —          —          —          2   

Consolidated VIE dividend to noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          —          —          (421     —          (421

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI, net of income taxes

    —          —          —          —          (116     —          —          (116

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

    —          —          —          —          (528     —          —          (528
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

    894,568      $ 16,709      $ (2,327   $ 10,910      $ (2,684   $ 1,332      $ 193      $ 24,133   

Net income (loss)

    —          —          —          2,269        —          (32     13        2,250   

Long-term incentive plan activity

    1,430        70        —          —          —          —          —          70   

Employee stock purchase plan issuances

    1,170        32        —          —          —          —          —          32   

Issuance of common stock

    57,500        1,868        —          —          —          —          —          1,868   

Tax benefit on stock compensation

    —          (3     —          —          —          —          —          (3

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          —          —          4        —          4   

Adjustment of contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest due to release of contingency

    —          —          —          —          —          4        —          4   

Common stock dividends

    —          —          —          (1,111     —          —          —          (1,111

Preferred and preference stock dividends

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (13     (13

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

    —          —          —          —          60        —          —          60   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

    954,668      $ 18,676      $ (2,327   $ 12,068      $ (2,624   $ 1,308      $ 193      $ 27,294   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

205


Table of Contents

 

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

 

206


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues

      

Operating revenues

   $ 18,386      $ 16,614      $ 14,207   

Operating revenues from affiliates

     749        779        1,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     19,135        17,393        15,630   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

      

Purchased power and fuel

     10,007        9,368        6,927   

Purchased power and fuel from affiliates

     14        557        1,270   

Operating and maintenance

     4,688        4,943        3,960   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates

     620        623        574   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,054        967        856   

Taxes other than income

     489        465        389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     16,872        16,923        13,976   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     —          (20     10   

Gain on sales of assets

     12        437        13   

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

     —          289        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     2,275        1,176        1,677   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense

     (322     (303     (298

Interest expense to affiliates, net

     (43     (53     (59

Other, net

     (60     406        355   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (425     50        (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     1,850        1,226        1,675   

Income taxes

     502        207        615   

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

     (8     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     1,340        1,019        1,060   

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (32     184        (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to membership interest

   $ 1,372      $ 835      $ 1,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of income taxes

      

Net income

   $ 1,340      $ 1,019      $ 1,060   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes

      

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

     (3     (132     (398

Unrealized (loss) gain on equity investments

     (3     8        107   

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

     (21     (9     (10

Unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities

     —          (1     2   

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI

     —          (116     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

     (27     (250     (299
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,313      $ 769      $ 761   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

207


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 1,340      $ 1,019      $ 1,060   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion, including nuclear fuel and energy contract amortization

     2,589        2,519        2,559   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     12        663        157   

Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses

     —          (296     —     

Gain on sales of assets

     (12     (437     (13

Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits

     49        (198     315   

Net fair value changes related to derivatives

     (249     635        (448

Net realized and unrealized losses (gains) on nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments

     131        (210     (170

Other non-cash operating activities

     268        346        270   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     194        (215     109   

Receivables from and payables to affiliates, net

     15        15        2   

Inventories

     16        (359     (88

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (149     29        (160

Option premiums received (paid), net

     58        38        (36

Collateral received (posted), net

     407        (1,748     162   

Income taxes

     (18     265        402   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (245     (297     (149

Other assets and liabilities

     (207     57        (85
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     4,199        1,826        3,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (3,841     (3,012     (2,752

Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales

     6,895        7,396        4,217   

Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust funds

     (7,147     (7,551     (4,450

Cash and restricted cash acquired from consolidations and acquisitions

     —          140        —     

Proceeds from sales of long-lived assets

     147        1,719        32   

Acquisitions of businesses

     (40     (386     —     

Change in restricted cash

     35        (87     (64

Changes in Exelon intercompany money pool

     —          44        (44

Distribution from CENG

     —          13        115   

Other investing activities

     (118     (43     30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (4,069     (1,767     (2,916
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Change in short-term borrowings

     —          17        13   

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,309        1,112        854   

Retirement of long-term debt

     (89     (586     (570

Retirement of long-term debt to affiliate

     (550     —          —     

Changes in Exelon intercompany money pool

     1,252        —          —     

Distribution to member

     (2,474     (645     (625

Distribution to noncontrolling interest of consolidated VIE

     —          (421     —     

Contribution from member

     47        53        26   

Other financing activities

     26        (67     (82
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

     (479     (537     (384
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (349     (478     587   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     780        1,258        671   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 431      $ 780      $ 1,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

208


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

      December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 431       $ 780   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     123         158   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Customer

     2,095         2,295   

Other

     360         318   

Mark-to-market derivative assets

     1,365         1,276   

Receivables from affiliates

     83         113   

Unamortized energy contract assets

     86         254   

Inventories, net

     

Fossil fuel

     384         465   

Materials and supplies

     880         847   

Assets held for sale

     4         147   

Other

     531         658   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     6,342         7,311   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     25,843         23,028   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds

     10,342         10,537   

Investments

     210         104   

Goodwill

     47         47   

Mark-to-market derivative assets

     733         771   

Prepaid pension asset

     1,689         1,704   

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning

     206         319   

Unamortized energy contract assets

     484         549   

Deferred income taxes

     6         3   

Other

     627         578   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     14,344         14,612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets (a)

   $ 46,529       $ 44,951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

209


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015     2014  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     

Current liabilities

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 29      $ 36   

Long-term debt due within one year

     90        58   

Long-term debt to affiliates due within one year

     —          556   

Accounts payable

     1,583        1,759   

Accrued expenses

     935        886   

Payables to affiliates

     104        107   

Borrowings from Exelon intercompany money pool

     1,252        —     

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     182        214   

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     100        238   

Renewable energy credit obligation

     302        192   

Other

     356        413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     4,933        4,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     7,936        6,639   

Long-term debt to affiliate

     933        943   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

    

Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits

     5,845        5,707   

Asset retirement obligations

     8,431        7,146   

Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations

     924        915   

Spent nuclear fuel obligation

     1,021        1,021   

Payables to affiliates

     2,577        2,880   

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     150        105   

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     117        211   

Payable for Zion Station decommissioning

     90        155   

Other

     602        719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     19,757        18,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities (a)

     33,559        30,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests

     28        —     

Equity

    

Member’s equity

    

Membership interest

     8,997        8,951   

Undistributed earnings

     2,701        3,803   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net

     (63     (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total member’s equity

     11,635        12,718   

Noncontrolling interest

     1,307        1,333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     12,942        14,051   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 46,529      $ 44,951   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Generation’s consolidated assets include $8,235 million and $8,118 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of certain VIEs that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Generation’s consolidated liabilities include $3,135 million and $2,512 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of certain VIEs for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to Generation. See Note 2–Variable Interest Entities.

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

210


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity

 

(In millions)

   Member’s Equity     Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total
Equity
 
   Membership
Interest
    Undistributed
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
     

Balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 8,876      $ 3,168      $ 513      $ 108      $ 12,665   

Net income (loss)

     —          1,070        —          (10     1,060   

Distribution to member

     —          (625     —          —          (625

Allocation of tax benefit from member

     26        —          —          —          26   

Consolidated VIE dividend to noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —          (63     (63

Deconsolidation of VIE

     (1     —          —          (18     (19

Noncontrolling interest acquired

     (3     —          —          —          (3

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

     —          —          (299     —          (299
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

   $ 8,898      $ 3,613      $ 214      $ 17      $ 12,742   

Net income

     —          835        —          184        1,019   

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —          5        5   

Allocation of tax benefit from member

     53        —          —          —          53   

Distribution to member

     —          (645     —          —          (645

Noncontrolling interest established upon consolidation of CENG

     —          —          —          1,548        1,548   

Consolidated VIE dividend to noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —          (421     (421

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI, net of income taxes

     —          —          (116     —          (116

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

     —          —          (134     —          (134
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

   $ 8,951      $ 3,803      $ (36   $ 1,333      $ 14,051   

Net income (loss)

     —          1,372        —          (32     1,340   

Acquisition of non-controlling interest

     (1     —          —          2        1   

Adjustment of contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest due to release of contingency

     —          —          —          4        4   

Allocation of tax benefit from member

     47        —          —          —          47   

Distribution to member

     —          (2,474     —          —          (2,474

Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

     —          —          (27     —          (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

   $ 8,997      $ 2,701      $ (63   $ 1,307      $ 12,942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

211


Table of Contents

 

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

212


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(in millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues

      

Electric operating revenues

   $ 4,901      $ 4,560      $ 4,461   

Operating revenues from affiliates

     4        4        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     4,905        4,564        4,464   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

      

Purchased power

     1,301        1,001        662   

Purchased power from affiliate

     18        176        512   

Operating and maintenance

     1,372        1,263        1,211   

Operating and maintenance from affiliate

     195        166        157   

Depreciation and amortization

     707        687        669   

Taxes other than income

     296        293        299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     3,889        3,586        3,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sales of assets

     1        2             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,017        980        954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense

     (319     (308     (566

Interest expense to affiliates, net

     (13     (13     (13

Other, net

     21        17        26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (311     (304     (553
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     706        676        401   

Income taxes

     280        268        152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 426      $ 408      $ 249   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 426      $ 408      $ 249   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

213


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended  

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 426      $ 408      $ 249   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     707        687        669   

Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits

     353        433        (57

Other non-cash operating activities

     416        255        28   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (93     (121     (12

Receivables from and payables to affiliates, net

     (19     (11     (12

Inventories

     (40     (16     (18

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     68        95        91   

Counterparty collateral received (posted), net and cash deposits

     (33     2        53   

Income taxes

     192        (159     178   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (150     (248     (122

Other assets and liabilities

     69        1        171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     1,896        1,326        1,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (2,398     (1,689     (1,433

Proceeds from sales of investments

     —          7        7   

Purchases of investments

     —          (3     (4

Change in restricted cash

     2        (2     (2

Other investing activities

     34        32        45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (2,362 )      (1,655 )      (1,387 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Changes in short-term borrowings

     (10     120        184   

Issuance of long-term debt

     850        900        350   

Retirement of long-term debt

     (260     (617     (252

Contributions from parent

     202        273        —     

Dividends paid on common stock

     (299     (307     (220

Other financing activities

     (16     (10     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

     467        359        61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1        30        (108 ) 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     66        36        144   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 67      $ 66      $ 36   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

214


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 67       $ 66   

Restricted cash

     2         4   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Customer

     533         477   

Other

     272         648   

Receivables from affiliates

     199         14   

Inventories, net

     164         125   

Regulatory assets

     218         349   

Other

     63         40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,518         1,723   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     17,502         15,793   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Regulatory assets

     895         852   

Investments

     6         6   

Goodwill

     2,625         2,625   

Receivable from affiliates

     2,172         2,571   

Prepaid pension asset

     1,490         1,551   

Other

     324         237   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     7,512         7,842   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 26,532       $ 25,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

215


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current liabilities

     

Short-term borrowings

   $ 294       $ 304   

Long-term debt due within one year

     665         260   

Accounts payable

     660         598   

Accrued expenses

     706         331   

Payables to affiliates

     62         84   

Customer deposits

     131         128   

Regulatory liabilities

     155         125   

Mark-to-market derivative liability

     23         20   

Other

     70         73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,766         1,923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     5,844         5,665   

Long-term debt to financing trust

     205         205   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     

Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits

     4,914         4,561   

Asset retirement obligations

     111         103   

Non-pension postretirement benefits obligations

     259         263   

Regulatory liabilities

     3,459         3,655   

Mark-to-market derivative liability

     224         187   

Other

     507         889   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     9,474         9,658   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     18,289         17,451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholders’ equity

     

Common stock

     1,588         1,588   

Other paid-in capital

     5,677         5,468   

Retained earnings

     978         851   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     8,243         7,907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 26,532       $ 25,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

216


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

(In millions)

   Common
Stock
     Other
Paid-In
Capital
     Retained Deficit
Unappropriated
    Retained
Earnings
Appropriated
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
   

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 1,588       $ 5,014       $ (1,639   $ 2,360      $ 7,323     

Net income

     —           —           249        —          249     

Common stock dividends

     —           —           —          (220     (220  

Parent tax matter indemnification

     —           176         —          —          176     

Appropriation of retained earnings for future dividends

     —           —           (249     249        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Balance, Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 1,588       $ 5,190       $ (1,639   $ 2,389      $ 7,528     

Net income

     —           —           408        —        $ 408     

Common stock dividends

     —           —           —          (307     (307  

Contribution from parent

     —           273         —          —          273     

Parent tax matter indemnification

     —           5         —          —          5     

Appropriation of retained earnings for future dividends

     —           —           (408     408        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

   $ 1,588       $ 5,468       $ (1,639   $ 2,490      $ 7,907     

Net income

     —           —           426        —          426     

Common stock dividends

     —           —           —          (299     (299  

Contribution from parent

     —           202         —          —          202     

Parent tax matter indemnification

     —           7         —          —          7     

Appropriation of retained earnings for future dividends

     —           —           (426     426        —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

   $ 1,588       $ 5,677       $ (1,639   $ 2,617      $ 8,243     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

217


Table of Contents

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

218


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues

      

Electric operating revenues

   $ 2,485      $ 2,446      $ 2,499   

Natural gas operating revenues

     545        646        600   

Operating revenues from affiliates

     2        2        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     3,032        3,094        3,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

      

Purchased power

     735        740        612   

Purchased fuel

     235        327        296   

Purchased power from affiliate

     220        194        392   

Operating and maintenance

     684        767        647   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates

     110        99        101   

Depreciation and amortization

     260        236        228   

Taxes other than income

     160        159        158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,404        2,522        2,434   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sales of assets

     2        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     630        572        666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense

     (102     (101     (103

Interest expense to affiliates, net

     (12     (12     (12

Other, net

     5        7        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (109     (106     (109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     521        466        557   

Income taxes

     143        114        162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     378        352        395   

Preferred security dividends and redemption

     —          —          7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholder

   $ 378      $ 352      $ 388   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 378      $ 352      $ 395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

219


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 378      $ 352      $ 395   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     260        236        228   

Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits

     90        88        20   

Other non-cash operating activities

     70        92        108   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     37        (16     (79

Receivables from and payables to affiliates, net

     3        (6     (18

Inventories

     10        2        2   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (25     58        31   

Income taxes

     (9     (57     87   

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (40     (16     (31

Other assets and liabilities

     (4     (21     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     770        712        747   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (601     (661     (537

Change in restricted cash

     (1     —          (2

Other investing activities

     14        12        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (588     (649     (531
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Payment of accounts receivable agreement

     —          —          (210

Issuance of long-term debt

     350        300        550   

Retirement of long-term debt

     —          (250     (300

Contributions from parent

     16        24        27   

Dividends paid on common stock

     (279     (320     (332

Dividends paid on preferred securities

     —          —          (1

Redemption of preferred securities

     —          —          (93

Other financing activities

     (4     (4     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     83        (250     (361
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     265        (187     (145

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     30        217        362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 295      $ 30      $ 217   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

220


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

      December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 295       $ 30   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     3         2   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Customer

     258         320   

Other

     146         141   

Receivables from affiliates

     2         3   

Inventories, net

     

Fossil fuel

     43         57   

Materials and supplies

     26         22   

Prepaid utility taxes

     11         10   

Regulatory assets

     34         29   

Other

     24         31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     842         645   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     7,141         6,801   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Regulatory assets

     1,583         1,529   

Investments

     28         31   

Receivable from affiliates

     405         490   

Prepaid pension asset

     347         344   

Other

     21         20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     2,384         2,414   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10,367       $ 9,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

221


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY      

Current liabilities

     

Long-term debt due within one year

   $ 300       $ —     

Accounts payable

     281         337   

Accrued expenses

     109         91   

Payables to affiliates

     55         52   

Customer deposits

     58         52   

Regulatory liabilities

     112         90   

Other

     29         31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     944         653   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     2,280         2,232   

Long-term debt to financing trusts

     184         184   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     

Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits

     2,792         2,602   

Asset retirement obligations

     27         29   

Non-pension postretirement benefits obligations

     287         287   

Regulatory liabilities

     527         657   

Other

     90         95   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     3,723         3,670   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,131         6,739   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholder’s equity

     

Common stock

     2,455         2,439   

Retained earnings

     780         681   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

     1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholder’s equity

     3,236         3,121   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 10,367       $ 9,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

222


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

 

(In millions)

   Common
Stock
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
     Total
Shareholder’s
Equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 2,388       $ 593      $ 1       $ 2,982   

Net income

     —           395        —           395   

Common stock dividends

     —           (332     —           (332

Preferred security dividends

     —           (1     —           (1

Redemption of preferred dividends

     —           (6     —           (6

Allocation of tax benefit from parent

     27         —          —           27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

   $ 2,415       $ 649      $ 1       $ 3,065   

Net income

     —           352        —           352   

Common stock dividends

     —           (320     —           (320

Allocation of tax benefit from parent

     24         —          —           24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

   $ 2,439       $ 681      $ 1       $ 3,121   

Net income

     —           378        —           378   

Common stock dividends

     —           (279     —           (279

Allocation of tax benefit from parent

     16         —          —           16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

   $ 2,455       $ 780      $ 1       $ 3,236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

223


Table of Contents

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

224


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues

      

Electric operating revenues

   $ 2,490      $ 2,460      $ 2,405   

Natural gas operating revenues

     631        680        647   

Operating revenues from affiliates

     14        25        13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     3,135        3,165        3,065   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

      

Purchased power

     602        733        676   

Purchased fuel

     205        302        293   

Purchased power from affiliate

     498        382        452   

Operating and maintenance

     565        614        551   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates

     118        103        83   

Depreciation and amortization

     366        371        348   

Taxes other than income

     224        221        213   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,578        2,726        2,616   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on sales of assets

     1        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     558        439        449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense

     (83     (90     (106

Interest expense to affiliates, net

     (16     (16     (16

Other, net

     18        18        17   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income and (deductions)

     (81     (88     (105
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     477        351        344   

Income taxes

     189        140        134   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     288        211        210   

Preference stock dividends

     13        13        13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholder

   $ 275      $ 198      $ 197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 288      $ 211      $ 210   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

225


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

   $ 288      $ 211      $ 210   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

     366        371        348   

Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits

     165        116        125   

Other non-cash operating activities

     137        180        153   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     84        46        (127

Receivables from and payables to affiliates, net

     (2     (1     (14

Inventories

     18        (6     1   

Accounts payable, accrued expenses

     (3     (75     (6

Collateral received (posted), net

     (27     27        —     

Income taxes

     (54     45        (33

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions

     (17     (16     (24

Other assets and liabilities

     (173     (158     (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

     782        740        561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Capital expenditures

     (719     (620     (587

Change in restricted cash

     26        (22     2   

Other investing activities

     18        20        14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

     (675     (622     (571
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Changes in short-term borrowings

     90        (15     135   

Issuance of long-term debt

     —          —          300   

Retirement of long-term debt

     (75     (70     (467

Dividends paid on common stock

     (158     —          —     

Dividends paid on preference stock

     (13     (13     (13

Allocations of tax benefit from parent

     7        —          —     

Other financing activities

     (13     13        (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

     (162     (85     (48
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (55     33        (58

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     64        31        89   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 9      $ 64      $ 31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

226


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9       $ 64   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     24         50   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Customer

     300         390   

Other

     112         82   

Inventories, net

     

Gas held in storage

     36         57   

Materials and supplies

     33         30   

Prepaid utility taxes

     61         59   

Regulatory assets

     267         214   

Other

     3         5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     845         951   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     6,597         6,204   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Regulatory assets

     514         510   

Investments

     12         12   

Prepaid pension asset

     319         370   

Other

     8         9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     853         901   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets (a)

   $ 8,295       $ 8,056   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

227


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current liabilities

     

Short-term borrowings

   $ 210       $ 120   

Long-term debt due within one year

     378         75   

Accounts payable

     209         215   

Accrued expenses

     110         131   

Payables to affiliates

     52         66   

Customer deposits

     102         92   

Regulatory liabilities

     38         44   

Other

     35         51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,134         794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     1,480         1,857   

Long-term debt to financing trust

     252         252   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     

Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits

     2,081         1,911   

Asset retirement obligations

     17         17   

Non-pension postretirement benefits obligations

     209         212   

Regulatory liabilities

     184         200   

Other

     61         60   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     2,552         2,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities (a)

     5,418         5,303   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholders’ equity

     

Common stock

     1,367         1,360   

Retained earnings

     1,320         1,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     2,687         2,563   

Preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption

     190         190   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     2,877         2,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 8,295       $ 8,056   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) BGE’s consolidated assets include $26 million and $24 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of BGE’s consolidated VIE that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. BGE’s consolidated liabilities include $122 million and $197 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of BGE’s consolidated VIE for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to BGE. See Note 2—Variable Interest Entities.

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

228


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

(In millions)

   Common
Stock
     Retained
Earnings
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
    Preference
stock
not subject to
mandatory
redemption
     Total
Equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2012

   $ 1,360       $ 808      $ 2,168      $ 190       $ 2,358   

Net income

     —           210        210        —           210   

Preference stock dividends

     —           (13     (13     —           (13
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

   $ 1,360       $ 1,005      $ 2,365      $ 190       $ 2,555   

Net income

     —           211        211        —           211   

Preference stock dividends

     —           (13     (13     —           (13
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

   $ 1,360       $ 1,203      $ 2,563      $ 190       $ 2,753   

Net income

     —           288        288        —           288   

Preference stock dividends

     —           (13     (13     —           (13

Common stock dividends

     —           (158     (158     —           (158

Contribution from parent

     7         —          7        —           7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

   $ 1,367       $ 1,320      $ 2,687      $ 190       $ 2,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

229


Table of Contents

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

 

Registrant

  1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     11     12     13     14     15     16     17     18     19     20     21     22     23     24     25     26     27  

Exelon Corporation

                                                                                                                                                                                            

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

                                                                                                                                                                                  

Commonwealth Edison Company

                                                                                                                                                    

PECO Energy Company

                                                                                                                                                              

Baltimore Gas And Electric Company

                                                                                                                                                    

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Description of Business (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon is a utility services holding company engaged through its principal subsidiaries in the energy generation and energy delivery businesses. On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed the operating licenses and corresponding operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, Exelon and Generation consolidated CENG’s financial position and results of operations into their businesses. Prior to April 1, 2014, Exelon and Generation accounted for CENG as an equity method investment. Refer to Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for further information regarding the integration transaction.

 

The energy generation business includes:

 

   

Generation: Physical delivery and marketing of owned and contracted electric generation capacity and provision of renewable and other energy-related products and services, and natural gas exploration and production activities. Generation has six reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions.

 

The energy delivery businesses include:

 

   

ComEd: Purchase and regulated retail sale of electricity and the provision of distribution and transmission services in northern Illinois, including the City of Chicago.

 

   

PECO: 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 services in the Pennsylvania counties surrounding the City of Philadelphia.

 

   

BGE: 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 services in central Maryland, including the City of Baltimore.

 

Basis of Presentation (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

This is a combined annual report of Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE. The Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements apply to Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE as

 

230


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

indicated above in the Index to Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and parenthetically next to each corresponding disclosure. When appropriate, Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 Registrants’ 2014 divestiture of certain unconsolidated affiliates considered integral to their operations and the consolidation of CENG during 2014, all Equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated affiliates have been presented below Income taxes in the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income starting in the first quarter of 2015.

 

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. The costs of BSC, including support services, are directly charged or allocated to the applicable subsidiaries using a cost-causative allocation method. Corporate governance-type costs that cannot be directly assigned are allocated based on a Modified Massachusetts Formula, which is a method that utilizes a combination of gross revenues, total assets and direct labor costs for the allocation base. 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 all of its significant consolidated subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for ComEd, of which Exelon owns more than 99%, and BGE, of which Exelon owns 100% of the common stock but none of BGE’s preference stock. Exelon owned none of PECO’s preferred securities, which PECO redeemed in 2013. Exelon has reflected the third-party interests in ComEd, which totaled less than $1 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as equity, PECO’s preferred securities as preferred securities of subsidiary through their redemption in 2013, and BGE’s preference stock as BGE preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption in its consolidated financial statements. BGE is subject to some ring-fencing measures established by order of the MDPSC. As part of this arrangement, BGE common stock is held directly by RF Holdco LLC, which is an indirect subsidiary of Exelon. GSS Holdings (BGE Utility), an unrelated party, holds a nominal non-economic interest in RF Holdco LLC with limited voting rights on specified matters.

 

Generation owns 100% of all of its significant consolidated subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for certain Exelon Wind projects, of which Generation holds a majority interest of 99% for certain periods of time, and CENG, of which Generation holds a 50.01% interest. The remaining interests are included in noncontrolling interest on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for further discussion of Exelon’s and Generation’s VIEs and the reversionary interests of the noncontrolling members for these certain subsidiaries.

 

ComEd owns 100% of all of its significant consolidated subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for RITELine Illinois, LLC, of which ComEd owns 75% and an additional 12.5% is indirectly owned by Exelon. Exelon and ComEd have reflected the third-party interests of 12.5% and 25%, respectively, in RITELine Illinois, LLC, which both totaled less than $1 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as equity.

 

Exelon consolidates the accounts of entities in which Exelon has a controlling financial interest, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. A controlling financial interest is evidenced by either a voting interest greater than 50% in which Exelon can exercise control over the operations and

 

231


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

policies of the investee, or the results of a model that identifies Exelon or one of its subsidiaries as the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Where Exelon does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity, it applies proportionate consolidation, equity method accounting or cost method accounting. Exelon applies proportionate consolidation when it has an undivided interest in an asset and is proportionately liable for its share of each liability associated with the asset. Exelon proportionately consolidates its undivided ownership interests in jointly owned electric plants and transmission facilities, as well as its undivided ownership interests in Upstream natural gas exploration and production activities. Under proportionate consolidation, Exelon separately records its proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the undivided interest in the asset. Exelon applies equity method accounting when it has significant influence over an investee through an ownership in common stock, which generally approximates a 20% to 50% voting interest. Exelon applies equity method accounting to certain investments and joint ventures, including certain financing trusts of ComEd, PECO, and BGE. Under the equity method, Exelon reports its interest in the entity as an investment and Exelon’s percentage share of the earnings from the entity as single line items in its financial statements. Exelon uses the cost method if it holds less than 20% of the common stock of an entity. Under the cost method, Exelon reports its investment at cost and recognizes income only to the extent Exelon receives dividends or distributions.

 

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 (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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.

 

Reclassifications (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Certain prior year amounts in the registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified between line items for comparative purposes. The reclassifications did not affect any of the Registrants’ net income, financial positions, or cash flows from operating activities.

 

Exelon revised the presentation on the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for PECO and BGE to reflect separately operating revenues from the sale of electricity and operating revenues from the sale of natural gas, as well as, purchased power expense and purchased fuel expense within the operating expenses section of the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Further, Exelon revised the presentation from total operating revenues to “Rate-regulated utility revenues” and “Competitive businesses revenues” on the face of Exelon’s consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. Similarly, Exelon will separately present rate-regulated purchased power and fuel expense and non-rate regulated

 

232


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

purchased power and fuel expense on the face of Exelon’s consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. The reclassifications described herein were made for presentation purposes and did not affect any of the Registrants’ total revenues or net income.

 

Accounting for the Effects of Regulation (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE apply the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation, which requires ComEd, PECO and BGE to record in their consolidated financial statements the effects of cost-based rate regulation 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 are set at levels that will recover the entities’ costs from customers. Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE account for their regulated operations in accordance with regulatory and legislative guidance from the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, principally the ICC, the PAPUC, and the MDPSC, in the cases of ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, 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 believes that it is probable that its currently recorded regulatory assets and liabilities will be recovered and settled, respectively, in future rates. However, Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE continue to evaluate their respective abilities to apply the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation, including consideration of current events in their respective regulatory and political environments. If a separable portion of ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s 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 results of operations and financial positions. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

The 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 (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Operating Revenues. Operating revenues are recorded as service is rendered or energy is delivered to customers. 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 its best estimates of the distribution and transmission revenue impacts resulting from changes in rates that ComEd believes are probable of approval by the ICC and FERC in accordance with its formula rate mechanisms. BGE records its best estimate of the transmission revenue impact resulting from changes in rates that BGE believes are probable of approval by FERC in accordance with its formula rate mechanism. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 6—Accounts Receivable for further information.

 

RTOs and ISOs. In RTO and ISO markets that facilitate the dispatch of energy and energy-related products, the Registrants generally report sales and purchases conducted on a net hourly basis in either revenues or purchased power on their Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, the classification of which depends on the net hourly activity. In addition, capacity revenue and expense classification is based on the net sale or purchase position of the Company in the different RTOs and ISOs.

 

233


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

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. For example, gas transactions may be used to hedge the sale of power. This will result in the change in fair value recorded through revenue. As ComEd receives full cost recovery for energy procurement and related costs from retail customers, ComEd records the fair value of its energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers as well as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for further information.

 

Proprietary Trading Activities. Exelon and Generation account for Generation’s trading activities under the provisions of the authoritative guidance for accounting for contracts involved in energy trading and risk management activities, which require energy revenues and costs related to energy trading contracts to be presented on a net basis in the income statement. Commodity derivatives used for trading purposes are accounted for using the mark-to-market method with unrealized gains and losses recognized in operating revenues. Refer to Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for further information.

 

Income Taxes (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Deferred Federal and state income taxes are provided on all significant temporary differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and for tax benefits carried forward. Investment tax credits have been deferred on the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized in book income over the life of the related property. In accordance with applicable authoritative guidance, 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) on 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 15—Income Taxes for further information.

 

Taxes Directly Imposed on Revenue-Producing Transactions (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE 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

 

234


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

reported on a gross basis. Accordingly, revenues are recognized for the taxes collected from customers along with an offsetting expense. See Note 24—Supplemental Financial Information for Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s utility taxes that are presented on a gross basis.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants consider investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents represent funds that are restricted to satisfy designated current liabilities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon Corporate’s restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represented restricted funds for payment of medical, dental, vision and long-term disability benefits. Additionally, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Generation’s restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily included cash at Antelope Valley required for debt service and construction and cash at Continental Wind and ExGen Texas Power, which is required for debt service and financing of operation and maintenance of the underlying entities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd’s restricted cash primarily represented cash collateral held from suppliers associated with ComEd’s energy and REC procurement contracts. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, PECO’s restricted cash primarily represented funds from the sales of assets that were subject to PECO’s mortgage indenture. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, BGE’s restricted cash primarily represented funds restricted at its consolidated variable interest entity for repayment of rate stabilization bonds and cash collateral held from suppliers.

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents not available to satisfy current liabilities are classified as noncurrent assets. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon’s and Generation’s NDT funds, which are designated to satisfy future decommissioning obligations, were classified as noncurrent assets. As of December 31, 2015, Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE had investments in Rabbi trusts classified as noncurrent assets.

 

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The allowance for uncollectible accounts reflects the Registrants’ best estimates of losses on the accounts receivable balances. For Generation, the allowance is based on accounts receivable aging, historical experience and other currently available information. ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 computed based on various attributes, including delinquency of their balances and payment history. Loss rates applied to the accounts receivable balances are based on historical average charge-offs as a percentage of accounts receivable in each risk segment. ComEd, PECO and BGE customers’ 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. ComEd, PECO and BGE customer accounts are written off consistent with approved regulatory requirements. ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s provisions for uncollectible accounts will continue to be affected by changes in volume, prices and economic conditions as well as changes in ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC regulations, respectively. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the regulatory recovery of uncollectible accounts receivable at ComEd.

 

235


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Variable Interest Entities (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon accounts for its investments in and arrangements with VIEs based on the authoritative guidance which includes the following specific requirements:

 

   

requires an entity to qualitatively assess whether it should consolidate a VIE based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE, and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE,

 

   

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.

 

Based on the above accounting guidance, Exelon has adopted the following policies related to variable interest entities:

 

   

Exelon has disclosed, to the extent material, the assets of its consolidated VIEs that can only be used to settle specific obligations of the consolidated VIE, and the liabilities of Exelon’s consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to Exelon’s general credit.

 

   

Exelon has qualitatively assessed whether the equity holders of the entity have the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the entity.

 

See Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

Inventories (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Inventory is recorded at the lower of weighted average cost or market. Provisions are recorded for excess and obsolete inventory.

 

Fossil Fuel. Fossil fuel inventory includes the weighted average costs of stored natural gas, propane and oil. The costs of natural gas, propane and oil are generally included in inventory when purchased and charged to fuel expense when used or sold.

 

Materials and Supplies. Materials and supplies inventory generally includes the weighted average costs of transmission, distribution and generating plant materials. Materials are generally charged to inventory when purchased and expensed or capitalized to property, plant and equipment, as appropriate, when installed or used.

 

Emission Allowances. Emission allowances are included in inventory (for emission allowances exercisable in the current year) and other deferred debits (for emission allowances that are exercisable beyond one year) and are carried at the lower of weighted average cost or market and charged to fuel expense as they are used in operations.

 

Marketable Securities (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

All marketable securities are reported at fair value. Marketable securities held in the NDT funds are classified as trading securities and all other securities are classified as available-for-sale securities.

 

236


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

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. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, for Exelon’s available-for-sale securities are reported in OCI. Any decline in the fair value of Exelon’s available-for-sale securities below the cost basis is reviewed to determine if such decline is other-than-temporary. If the decline is determined to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the available-for-sale securities is written down to fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of the write-down is included in earnings. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for information regarding marketable securities held by NDT funds and Note 24—Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding ComEd’s and PECO’s regulatory assets and liabilities.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at original cost. Original cost includes construction-related direct labor and material costs. ComEd, PECO and BGE 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 and Exelon Corporate and AFUDC for regulated property at ComEd, PECO and BGE. The cost of repairs and maintenance, including planned major maintenance activities and minor replacements of property, is charged to maintenance expense as incurred.

 

Third parties reimburse ComEd, PECO and BGE 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. DOE SGIG funds reimbursed to PECO and BGE have been accounted for as CIAC.

 

For Generation, upon retirement, the cost of property is charged to accumulated depreciation in accordance with the composite method 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 ComEd, PECO and BGE, upon retirement, the cost of property, net of salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation in accordance with the composite method of depreciation. ComEd’s and BGE’s 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. ComEd’s and BGE’s actual incurred removal costs are applied against a related regulatory liability. 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.

 

Generation’s oil and gas exploration and production activities consist of working interests in gas producing fields. Generation accounts for these activities under the successful efforts method of accounting. Acquisition, development and exploration costs are capitalized. Costs of drilling exploratory wells are initially capitalized and later charged to expense if reserves are not discovered or deemed not to be commercially viable. Other exploratory costs are charged to expense when incurred.

 

237


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

See Note 7—Property, Plant and Equipment, Note 10—Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant and Note 24—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. Prior to May 16, 2014, the estimated disposal cost of SNF was established per the Standard Waste Contract with the DOE and was expensed through fuel expense at one mill ($0.001) per kWh of net nuclear generation. Effective May 16, 2014, the SNF disposal fee was set to zero by the DOE and Exelon and Generation are not accruing any further costs related to SNF disposal fees until a new fee structure goes into effect. 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 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information regarding the SNF disposal fee.

 

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.

 

New Site Development Costs (Exelon and Generation)

 

New site development costs represent the costs incurred in the assessment and design of new power generating facilities. Such costs are capitalized when management considers project completion to be probable, primarily based on management’s determination that the project is economically and operationally feasible, management and/or the Exelon board of directors has approved the project and has committed to a plan to develop it, and Exelon and Generation have received the required regulatory approvals or management believes the receipt of required regulatory approvals is probable. Capitalized development costs are charged to Operating and maintenance expense when project completion is no longer probable. New site development costs incurred prior to a project’s completion being deemed probable are expensed as incurred. Approximately $22 million, $13 million and $10 million of costs were expensed by Exelon and Generation for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. These costs are related to the possible development of new power generating facilities.

 

238


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Capitalized Software Costs (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Costs 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. The following table presents net unamortized capitalized software costs and amortization of capitalized software costs by year:

 

Net unamortized software costs

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

December 31, 2015

   $ 633       $ 180       $ 172       $ 86       $ 178   

December 31, 2014

     596         193         133         84         163   

Amortization of capitalized software costs

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

2015

   $ 208       $ 73       $ 47       $ 33       $ 46   

2014

     186         59         45         28         43   

2013

     198         67         52         33         36   

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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 composite method. ComEd’s and BGE’s depreciation includes a provision for estimated removal costs as authorized by the respective regulators. The estimated service lives for ComEd, PECO and BGE are primarily based on the average service lives from the most recent depreciation study for each respective company. The estimated service lives of the nuclear-fuel generating facilities are based on the remaining useful lives of the stations, which assume a 20-year license renewal extension of the operating licenses (to the extent that such renewal has not yet been granted) for all of Generation’s operating nuclear generating stations except for Oyster Creek. The estimated service lives of the hydroelectric generating facilities are based on the remaining useful lives of the stations, which assume a license renewal extension of the operating licenses. The estimated service lives of the fossil fuel and other renewable generating facilities are based on the remaining useful lives of the stations, which Generation periodically evaluates based on feasibility assessments taking into account economic and capital requirement considerations.

 

See Note 7—Property, Plant and Equipment for further information regarding depreciation.

 

Depletion of oil and gas exploration and production activities is recorded using the units-of-production method over the remaining life of the estimated proved reserves at the field level for acquisition costs and over the remaining life of proved developed reserves at the field level for development costs. The estimates for oil and gas reserves are based on internal calculations.

 

Amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities are recorded over the recovery or refund period specified in the related legislation or regulatory 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 Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Amortization of ComEd’s distribution formula rate regulatory asset and ComEd’s and BGE’s transmission formula rate regulatory assets is recorded to Operating revenues.

 

239


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

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 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 24—Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding Generation’s nuclear fuel, Generation’s ARC and the amortization of ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s regulatory assets.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The authoritative guidance for accounting for AROs requires the recognition of a liability for a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity even though the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. To estimate its decommissioning obligation related to its nuclear generating stations, Generation uses a probability-weighted, discounted cash flow model which, on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple outcome scenarios that include significant estimates and assumptions, and are based on decommissioning cost studies, cost escalation rates, probabilistic cash flow models and discount rates. Generation generally updates its ARO annually during the third quarter, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on its review of updated cost studies and its annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to various scenarios. 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 (such as a change in assumed operating life for a nuclear plant). 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. The liabilities associated with Exelon’s non-nuclear AROs are adjusted on an ongoing rotational basis, at least once every five years. Changes to the recorded value of an ARO result from the passage of new laws and regulations, revisions to either the timing or amount of estimates of undiscounted cash flows, and estimates of cost escalation factors. 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 majority of ComEd’s, PECO’s, and BGE’s accretion, through an increase to regulatory assets. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Capitalized Interest and AFUDC (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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.

 

Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE apply the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation to calculate AFUDC, which 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 AFUDC 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.

 

240


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table summarizes total incurred interest, capitalized interest and credits to AFUDC by year:

 

          Exelon (a)      Generation (a)      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

2015

   Total incurred interest (b)    $ 1,170       $ 445       $ 336       $ 116       $ 113   
   Capitalized interest      79         79         —           —           —     
   Credits to AFUDC debt and equity      44         —           9         7         28   

2014

   Total incurred interest (b)    $ 1,144       $ 419       $ 323       $ 115       $ 118   
   Capitalized interest      63         63         —           —           —     
   Credits to AFUDC debt and equity      37         —           5         8         24   

2013

   Total incurred interest (b)    $ 1,423       $ 411       $ 584       $ 117       $ 129   
   Capitalized interest      54         54         —           —           —     
   Credits to AFUDC debt and equity      35         —           16         6         13   

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, the 2014 financial results include CENG’s financial position and results of operations beginning April 1, 2014.
(b) Includes interest expense to affiliates.

 

Guarantees (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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 amortization method over the term of the guarantee. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

 

Asset Impairments (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Long-Lived Assets. 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 less costs to sell.

 

Cash flows for long-lived assets and asset groups are determined at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The cash flows from the generating units are generally evaluated at a regional portfolio level along 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

 

241


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

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 generation assets (typically contracted renewables). See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.

 

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of the 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 11—Intangible Assets for additional information regarding Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s goodwill.

 

Equity Method Investments. 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 project 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 and Equity Security Investments. Exelon and Generation regularly monitor and evaluate debt and equity 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.

 

Direct Financing Lease Investments. Direct financing lease investments represent the estimated residual values of leased coal-fired plants in Georgia. Exelon reviews the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments and records an impairment charge if the review indicates an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of the residual values below their carrying values. See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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. Additionally, derivatives that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as either hedges of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge) or hedges of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For fair value hedges, changes in fair values for both the derivative and the underlying hedged exposure are recognized in earnings each period. For cash flow hedges, the portion of the derivative gain or loss that is effective in offsetting the change in the cost or value of the underlying exposure is deferred in accumulated OCI and later reclassified into earnings when the underlying transaction occurs. Gains and losses from the ineffective portion of any hedge are recognized in earnings immediately. For derivative contracts intended to serve as economic hedges and that are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting or the normal purchases and normal sales exception, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in earnings each period. Amounts classified in earnings are included in revenue, purchased power and fuel, interest expense or other, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations based on the activity the transaction is economically hedging. For energy-related derivatives entered into for proprietary trading purposes, which are subject to Exelon’s Risk Management Policy, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in earnings each period. All amounts classified in earnings related to proprietary trading are included in revenue on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 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.

 

242


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For commodity derivative contracts Generation no longer utilizes the election provided for by the cash flow hedge designation and de-designated all of its existing cash flow hedges prior to the Constellation merger. Because the underlying forecasted transactions remained probable, the fair value of the effective portion of these cash flow hedges was frozen in accumulated OCI and was reclassified to results of operations when the forecasted purchase or sale of the energy commodity occurred through March 31, 2015. The effect of this decision is that all derivatives executed to hedge economic risk related to commodities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through earnings for the combined company.

 

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 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 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.

 

Retirement Benefits (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for essentially all Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE and BSC employees.

 

The measurement of the plan obligations and costs of providing benefits under these plans involve various factors, including numerous assumptions and accounting elections. The assumptions are reviewed annually and at any interim remeasurement of the plan obligations. 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 income statement. 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 17—Retirement Benefits for additional discussion of Exelon’s accounting for retirement benefits.

 

Equity Investment Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates (Exelon and Generation)

 

Exelon and Generation include equity in earnings from equity method investments in qualifying facilities, power projects and joint ventures, in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates within their Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates also includes any adjustments to amortize the difference, if any, except for goodwill and land, between their cost in an equity method investment and the underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment.

 

Exelon and Generation continuously monitor for issues that potentially could impact future profitability of these equity method investments and which could result in the recognition of an impairment loss if such investment experiences an other-than-temporary decline in value.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon has identified the following new accounting standards that have been recently adopted that management believes may significantly affect the Registrants.

 

243


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities to be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The guidance can be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Registrants early adopted the standard retrospectively in the fourth quarter of 2015, resulting in the following impacts as of December 31, 2014 in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Registrants:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  
Increase (Decrease)                   

Current assets—Deferred income taxes

   $ (244   $ (327   $ —        $ (69   $ (6

Deferred debits and other assets—Other

     3        —          —          —          —     

Current liabilities—Deferred income taxes

     —          —          (63     —          (52

Deferred credits and other liabilities—Deferred income taxes

     (241     (327     63        (69     46   

 

The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and to record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. Under current guidance, such effects would be retrospectively recorded in prior periods. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance is required to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Registrants early adopted the standard in the fourth quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures.

 

Application of Normal Purchases Normal Sales Exception to Power Contracts in Nodal Energy Markets

 

In August 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance addressing the ability of entities to elect the normal purchase normal sales (NPNS) scope exception when the contract for the purchase or sale of electricity on a forward basis is delivered to a nodal energy market or transmitted through a nodal energy market. The NPNS scope exception allows entities to treat certain contracts that qualify as derivatives as contracts that do not require recognition at fair value. The guidance specifies that the use of locational marginal pricing by an independent system operator in such transactions does not constitute net settlement of a contract for the purchase or sale of electricity, even in scenarios in which legal title to the associated electricity is conveyed to the independent system operator during transmission. Consequently, the use of locational marginal pricing by the independent system operator does not cause that contract to fail to meet the physical delivery criterion of the NPNS scope exception. Consistent with the Registrants’ current practice, if the physical delivery criterion is met, along with all of the other criteria of the NPNS scope exception, an entity may elect to designate that contract as

 

244


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

NPNS. The guidance is effective upon issuance and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures.

 

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. The new guidance requires entities to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct reduction to the related debt liability rather than as a deferred cost (i.e., an asset) as required by current guidance. The new guidance does not change the recognition or measurement of debt issuance costs. The guidance is effective for the Registrants for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Registrants early adopted the standard retrospectively in the fourth quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a reclassification of $157 million, $70 million, $34 million, $14 million, and $16 million as of December 31, 2014, from Other long-term assets to Long-term debt, including Long-term debt to financing trusts, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively. The standard did not impact the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Registrants.

 

In August 2015, the FASB issued clarifying authoritative guidance for debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line-of-credit arrangements. The guidance states that an entity should defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures.

 

The following recently issued accounting standards are not yet required to be reflected in the combined financial statements of the Registrants.

 

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which (i) requires all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies, to be carried at fair value through net income, (ii) requires an incremental recognition and disclosure requirement related to the presentation of fair value changes of financial liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected, (iii) amends several disclosure requirements, including 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 (iv) requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost at the amount that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of adoption (modified retrospective method). The Registrants are currently assessing the impacts this guidance may have on 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 the guidance.

 

245


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance defines net realizable value as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This definition is consistent with existing authoritative guidance. Current guidance requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost or market where market could be replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be applied prospectively. The Registrants do not expect that this guidance will have a significant impact on their Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures. The Registrants are currently assessing the potential to early adopt the guidance.

 

Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share

 

In May 2015, FASB issued authoritative guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Investments measured at net asset value per share using the practical expedient will be presented as a reconciling item between the fair value hierarchy disclosure and the investment line item on the statement of financial position. The guidance also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient. The guidance is effective for the Registrants for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Registrants are currently assessing the impacts this guidance may have on their disclosures. There will be no impact to the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for the arrangement as a license of internal-use software. A cloud computing arrangement would include a software license if (1) the customer has a contractual right to take possession of the software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and (2) it is feasible for the customer to either run the software on its own hardware or contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to host the software. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, it would be accounted for as a service contract. Beginning January 1, 2016, the Registrants will apply the standard prospectively and do not expect that this guidance will have a significant impact on their Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures.

 

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends the consolidation analysis for variable interest entities (VIEs) as well as voting interest entities. The new guidance primarily (1) changes the assessment of limited partnerships as VIEs, (2) amends the effect that fees paid to a decision maker or service provider have on the VIE analysis, (3) amends how variable interests held by

 

246


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

a reporting entity’s related parties and de facto agents impact its consolidation conclusion, (4) clarifies how to determine whether equity holders (as a group) have power over an entity, and (5) provides a scope exception for registered and similar unregistered money market funds. The guidance is effective for the Registrants for the first interim period beginning on or after December 15, 2015. 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 adoption (modified retrospective method). The Registrants are in the process of evaluating the standard and have not identified any changes to consolidation conclusions as a result of the new guidance and therefore have not elected an adoption method. Based on the analysis completed to date, a limited number of additional entities will be considered variable interest entities when the guidance is adopted, and required disclosures will be included in the Variable Interest Entities footnote.

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that 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 are currently assessing the impacts this guidance may have on their Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures as well as the transition method that they will use to adopt the guidance. Exelon is considering the impacts of the new guidance on our ability to recognize revenue for certain contracts where collectability is in question, our accounting for contributions in aid of construction, bundled sales contracts and contracts with pricing provisions that may require us to recognize revenue at prices other than the contract price (e.g., straight line or forward curve). In addition, the Registrants will be required to capitalize costs to acquire new contracts, whereas Exelon currently expenses those costs as incurred. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to provide a one year deferral of the effective date to annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, as well as an option to early adopt the standard for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Registrants do not plan to early adopt the standard.

 

2. Variable Interest Entities (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

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.

 

247


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon, Generation, and BGE collectively consolidated seven and six VIEs or VIE groups, respectively, for which the applicable Registrant was the primary beneficiary (see Consolidated Variable Interest Entities below). As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Registrants had significant interests in eight and six other VIEs, respectively, for which the Registrants do not have the power to direct the entities’ activities and, accordingly, were not the primary beneficiary (see Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities below).

 

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, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014 (a)  
     Exelon (b)      Generation      BGE      Exelon (b)      Generation      BGE  

Current assets

   $ 909       $ 881       $ 23       $ 1,275       $ 1,247       $ 21   

Noncurrent assets

     8,009         8,004         3         7,573         7,560         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 8,918       $ 8,885       $ 26       $ 8,848       $ 8,807       $ 24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 473       $ 387       $ 81       $ 611       $ 526       $ 77   

Noncurrent liabilities

     2,927         2,884         41         2,728         2,597         120   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 3,400       $ 3,271       $ 122       $ 3,339       $ 3,123       $ 197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to classification of deferred taxes and simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(b) Includes certain purchase accounting adjustments not pushed down to the BGE 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.

 

Exelon’s, Generation’s and BGE’s consolidated VIEs consist of:

 

RSB BondCo LLC. In 2007, BGE formed RSB BondCo LLC (BondCo), a special purpose bankruptcy remote limited liability company, to acquire and hold rate stabilization property and to issue and service bonds secured by the rate stabilization property. In June 2007, BondCo purchased rate stabilization property from BGE, including the right to assess, collect, and receive non-bypassable rate stabilization charges payable by all residential electric customers of BGE. These charges are being assessed in order to recover previously incurred power purchase costs that BGE deferred pursuant to Senate Bill 1. BGE has determined that BondCo is a VIE for which it is the primary beneficiary. As a result, BGE consolidates BondCo.

 

BondCo’s assets are restricted and can only be used to settle the obligations of BondCo. Further, BGE is required to remit all payments it receives from customers for rate stabilization charges to BondCo. During 2015, 2014, and 2013, BGE remitted $86 million, $85 million, and $83 million, respectively, to BondCo.

 

BGE did not provide any additional financial support to BondCo during 2015. Further, BGE does not have any contractual commitments or obligations to provide additional financial support to BondCo unless additional rate stabilization bonds are issued. The BondCo creditors do not have any recourse to the general credit of BGE in the event the rate stabilization charges are not sufficient to cover the bond principal and interest payments of BondCo.

 

248


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Retail Gas Group. During 2009, Constellation formed two new entities, which now are part of Generation, and combined them with its existing retail gas activities into a retail gas entity group for the purpose of entering into a collateralized gas supply agreement with a third-party gas supplier. While Generation owns 100% of these entities, it has been determined that the retail gas entity group is a VIE because there is not sufficient equity to fund the group’s activities without the additional credit support that is provided in the form of a parental guarantee. Generation is the primary beneficiary of the retail gas entity group; accordingly, Generation consolidates the retail gas entity group as a VIE.

 

The third-party gas supply arrangement is collateralized as follows:

 

   

the assets of the retail gas entity group must be used to settle obligations under the third-party gas supply agreement before it can make any distributions to Generation,

 

   

the third-party gas supplier has a collateral interest in all of the assets and equity of the retail gas entity group, and

 

   

Generation provides a $75 million parental guarantee to the third-party gas supplier in support of the retail gas entity group.

 

Other than credit support provided by the parental guarantee, Exelon or Generation do not have any contractual or other obligations to provide additional financial support under the collateralized third-party gas supply agreement. The third-party gas supply creditors do not have any recourse to Exelon’s or Generation’s general credit other than the parental guarantee.

 

Solar Project Entity Group. In 2011, Generation acquired all of the equity interests in Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One (Antelope Valley) from First Solar, Inc., a 242-MW solar PV project in northern Los Angeles County, California. In addition, Generation owns a number of limited liability companies that build, own, and operate solar power facilities. While Generation owns 100% of these entities, it has been determined that certain of the individual solar project 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 the solar project entities that qualify as VIEs because Generation controls the design, construction, and operation of the solar power facilities. Generation provides operating and capital funding to the solar entities for ongoing construction, operations and maintenance of the solar power facilities and provides limited recourse related to the Antelope Valley project. In addition, these solar VIE entities have an aggregate amount of outstanding debt with third parties of $655 million, as of December 31, 2015, for which the creditors have no recourse to Generation. For additional information on these project-specific financing arrangements refer to Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements.

 

Retail Power and Gas Companies. In March 2014, Generation began consolidating retail power and gas VIEs for which Generation is the primary beneficiary as a result of energy supply contracts that give Generation the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the entities. Generation does not have an equity ownership interest in these entities, but provides approximately $12 million in credit support for the retail power and gas companies. These entities are included in Generation’s consolidated financial statements, and the consolidation of the VIEs do not have a material impact on Generation’s financial results or financial condition.

 

Wind Project Entity Group. Generation owns and operates a number of wind project limited liability entities, the majority of which were acquired during 2010 with the acquisition of all of the equity

 

249


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

interests of John Deere Renewables, LLC (now known as Exelon Wind). Generation has evaluated the significant agreements and ownership structures and the risks of each of its wind projects and underlying entities, and determined that certain of the entities are VIEs because either the projects have noncontrolling equity interest holders that absorb variability from the wind projects, 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 the wind project entities that qualify as VIEs because Generation controls the design, construction, and operation of the wind generation facilities. While Generation owns 100% of the majority of the wind project entities, nine of the projects have noncontrolling equity interests of 1% held by third parties. Generation’s current economic interests in eight 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 is to provide financial support to the projects in proportion to its current 99% economic interests in the projects. However, no additional support to these projects beyond what was contractually required has been provided during 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities that are consolidated as a result of Generation being the primary beneficiary of the wind VIE entities primarily relates to the wind generating assets, PPA intangible assets and working capital amounts.

 

Other Generating Facilities. During the second quarter of 2015, Generation formed a limited liability company to build, own, and operate a backup generator. While Generation owns 100% of the backup generator company, it was determined that the entity is a VIE because the customer absorbs price variability from the entity through the fixed price backup generator agreement. Generation provides operating and capital funding to the backup generator company. Generation also owns 90% of a biomass fueled, combined heat and power company. In the second quarter of 2015, the entity was deemed to be a VIE because the entity requires additional subordinated financial support in the form of a parental guarantee provided by Generation for up to $275 million in support of the payment obligations related to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract for the facility (see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional details on Albany Green Energy, LLC). In addition to the parental guarantee, Generation provides operating and capital funding to the biomass fueled, combined heat and power company. Generation is the primary beneficiary of both entities since Generation has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the entities.

 

CENG. Through March 31, 2014, CENG was operated as a joint venture with EDF and was governed by a board of ten directors, five of which were appointed by Generation and five by EDF. CENG was designed to operate under joint and equal control of Generation and EDF through the Board of Directors, subject to the Chairman of the Board’s final decision making authority on certain special matters; therefore, CENG was not subject to VIE guidance. Accordingly, Generation’s 50.01% interest in CENG was accounted for as an equity method investment. On April 1, 2014, Generation, CENG, and subsidiaries of CENG executed the Nuclear Operating Services Agreement (NOSA) pursuant to which Generation now conducts all activities associated with the operations of the CENG fleet and provides corporate and administrative services to CENG and the CENG fleet for the remaining life of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were a part of the Generation nuclear fleet, subject to the CENG member rights of EDF. As a result of executing the NOSA, CENG now qualifies as a VIE due to the disproportionate relationship between Generation’s 50.01% equity ownership interest and its role in conducting the operational activities of CENG and the CENG fleet conveyed through the NOSA.

 

250


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)—(Continued)

 

Further, since Generation is conducting the operational activities of CENG and the CENG fleet, Generation qualifies as the primary beneficiary of CENG and, therefore, is required to consolidate the financial position and results of operations of CENG. On April 1, 2014, Exelon and Generation derecognized Generation’s equity method investment in CENG and reflected all assets, liabilities, and the EDF noncontrolling interest in CENG at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets of Exelon and Generation, resulting in the recognition of a $261 million gain in their respective Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. For additional information on this transaction refer to Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.

 

Generation and Exelon, where indicated, provide the following support to CENG (See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC and Note 26—Related Party Transactions for additional information regarding Generation and Exelon’s transactions with CENG):

 

   

under the NOSA, Generation conducts all activities related to the operation of the CENG nuclear generation fleet owned by CENG subsidiaries (the CENG fleet) and provides corporate and administrative services for the remaining life and decommissioning of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were a part of the Generation nuclear fleet, subject to the CENG member rights of EDF,

 

   

under the Power Services Agency Agreement (PSAA), Generation provides scheduling, asset management, and billing services to the CENG fleet for the remaining operating life of the CENG nuclear plants,

 

   

under power purchase agreements with CENG, Generation purchased or will purchase 50.01% of the available output generated by the CENG nuclear plants not subject to other contractual agreements from January 2015 through the end of the operating life of each respective plant. However, pursuant to amendments dated March 31, 2015, the energy obligations under the Ginna Nuclear Power Plant (Ginna) PPAs have been suspended during the term of the expected Reliability Support Services Agreement (RSSA). (see Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional details),

 

   

Generation provided a $400 million loan to CENG. As of December 31, 2015, the remaining obligation is $300 million including accrued interest, which reflects the principal payment made in January 2015 (see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for more details),

 

   

Generation executed an Indemnity Agreement pursuant to which Generation agreed to indemnify EDF against third-party claims that may arise from any future nuclear incident (as defined in the Price Anderson Act) in connection with the CENG nuclear plants or their operations. Exelon guarantees Generation’s obligations under this Indemnity Agreement. (See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for more details),

 

   

in connection with CENG’s severance obligations, Generation has agreed to reimburse CENG for a total of approximately $6 million of the severance benefits paid or to be paid in 2014 through 2016. As of December 31, 2015, the remaining obligation is approximately $1 million,

 

   

Generation and EDF share in the $637 million of contingent payment obligations for the payment of contingent retrospective premium adjustments for the nuclear liability insurance (See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for more details),

 

   

Generation provides a guarantee of approximately $7 million associated with hazardous waste management facilities and underground storage tanks. In addition, EDF executed a reimbursement agreement that provides reimbursement to Exelon for 49.99% of any amounts paid by Generation under this guarantee,

 

251


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

   

Generation and EDF are the members-insured with Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited and have assigned the loss benefits under the insurance and the NEIL premium costs to CENG and guarantee the obligations of CENG under these insurance programs in proportion to their respective member interests (see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for more details), and

 

   

Exelon has executed an agreement to provide up to $245 million to support the operations of CENG as well as a $165 million guarantee of CENG’s cash pooling agreement with its subsidiaries.

 

For each of the consolidated VIEs, except as otherwise noted:

 

   

the assets of the VIEs are restricted and can only be used to settle obligations of the respective VIE;

 

   

Exelon, Generation and BGE did not provide any additional material financial support to the VIEs;

 

   

Exelon, Generation and BGE did not have any material contractual commitments or obligations to provide financial support to the VIEs; and

 

   

the creditors of the VIEs did not have recourse to Exelon’s, Generation’s or BGE’s general credit.

 

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd and PECO did not have any material consolidated VIEs.

 

252


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs

 

Included within the balances above are assets and liabilities of certain consolidated VIEs for which the assets can only be used to settle obligations of those VIEs, and liabilities that creditors, or beneficiaries, do not have recourse to the general credit of the Registrants. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, these assets and liabilities primarily consisted of the following:

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014 (a)  
     Exelon      Generation      BGE      Exelon      Generation      BGE  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 164       $ 164       $ —         $ 392       $ 392       $ —     

Restricted cash

     100         77         23         117         96         21   

Accounts receivable, net

                 

Customer

     219         219         —           297         297         —     

Other

     43         43         —           57         57         —     

Mark-to-market derivatives assets

     140         140         —           171         171         —     

Inventory

                 

Materials and supplies

     181         181         —           172         172         —     

Other current assets

     35         30         —           37         30         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     882         854         23         1,243         1,215         21   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5,160         5,160         —           4,638         4,638         —     

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds

     2,036         2,036         —           2,097         2,097         —     

Goodwill

     47         47         —           47         47         —     

Mark-to-market derivatives assets

     53         53         —           44         44         —     

Other noncurrent assets

     90         85         3         90         77         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

     7,386         7,381         3         6,916         6,903         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 8,268       $ 8,235       $ 26       $ 8,159       $ 8,118       $ 24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

   $ 111       $ 27       $ 79       $ 87       $ 5       $ 75   

Accounts payable

     216         216         —           292         292         —     

Accrued expenses

     115         113         2         111         108         2   

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     5         5         —           24         24         —     

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     12         12         —           22         22         —     

Other current liabilities

     13         13         —           25         25         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     472         386         81         561         476         77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     666         623         41         212         81         120   

Asset retirement obligations

     1,999         1,999         —           1,763         1,763         —     

Pension obligation (b)

     9         9         —           9         9         —     

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     39         39         —           51         51         —     

Other noncurrent liabilities

     79         79         —           132         132         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncurrent liabilities

     2,792         2,749         41         2,167         2,036         120   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 3,264       $ 3,135       $ 122       $ 2,728       $ 2,512       $ 197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to classification of deferred taxes and simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1- Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(b) Includes the CNEG retail gas pension obligation, which is presented as a net asset balance within the Prepaid pension asset line item on Generation’s balance sheet. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits for additional details.

 

253


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

 

Exelon’s and Generation’s variable interests in unconsolidated VIEs generally include equity investments and energy purchase and sale contracts. For the equity investments, the carrying amount of the investments is reflected on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets in Investments. For the energy purchase and sale contracts (commercial agreements), the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets that relate to their involvement with the VIEs are predominately related to working capital accounts and generally represent the amounts owed by, or owed to, Exelon and Generation for the deliveries associated with the current billing cycles under the commercial agreements. Further, Exelon and Generation have not provided material debt or equity support, liquidity arrangements or performance guarantees associated with these commercial agreements.

 

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon and Generation had significant unconsolidated variable interests in eight and six VIEs, respectively, for which Exelon or Generation, as applicable, was not the primary beneficiary; including certain equity method investments and certain commercial agreements. The increase in the number of unconsolidated VIEs is due to the execution of an energy purchase and sale agreement with a new unconsolidated VIE and an equity investment in a new unconsolidated VIE.

 

The following tables present summary information about Exelon and Generation’s significant unconsolidated VIE entities:

 

December 31, 2015

   Commercial
Agreement
VIEs
     Equity
Investment
VIEs
     Total  

Total assets (a)

   $ 263       $ 164       $ 427   

Total liabilities (a)

     22         125         147   

Exelon’s ownership interest in VIE (a)

     —           11         11   

Other ownership interests in VIE (a)

     241         28         269   

Registrants’ maximum exposure to loss:

        

Carrying amount of equity method investments

     —           21         21   

Contract intangible asset

     9         —           9   

Debt and payment guarantees

     —           3         3   

Net assets pledged for Zion Station decommissioning (b)

     17         —           17   

 

December 31, 2014

   Commercial
Agreement
VIEs
     Equity
Investment
VIEs
     Total  

Total assets (a)

   $ 114       $ 91       $ 205   

Total liabilities (a)

     3         49         52   

Exelon’s ownership interest in VIE (a)

     —           9         9   

Other ownership interests in VIE (a)

     111         33         144   

Registrants’ maximum exposure to loss:

        

Carrying amount of equity method investments

     —           13         13   

Contract intangible asset

     9         —           9   

Debt and payment guarantees

     —           3         3   

Net assets pledged for Zion Station decommissioning (b)

     27         —           27   

 

(a) These items represent amounts on the unconsolidated VIE balance sheets, not on Exelon’s or Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. These items are included to provide information regarding the relative size of the unconsolidated VIEs. Exelon corrected an error in the December 31, 2014 balances within Commercial Agreement VIEs for an overstatement of Total assets, Total liabilities and Other ownership interests in VIE of $392 million, $234 million and $158 million, respectively. The error is not considered material to any prior period.

 

254


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(b) These items represent amounts on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the asset sale agreement with ZionSolutions, LLC. The net assets pledged for Zion Station decommissioning includes gross pledged assets of $206 million and $319 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; offset by payables to ZionSolutions LLC of $189 million and $292 million as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These items are included to provide information regarding the relative size of the ZionSolutions LLC unconsolidated VIE.

 

For each unconsolidated VIE, Exelon and Generation assessed the risk of a loss equal to their maximum exposure to be remote and, accordingly Exelon and Generation have not recognized a liability associated with any portion of the maximum exposure to loss. In addition, there are no agreements with, or commitments by, third parties that would materially affect the fair value or risk of their variable interests in these variable interest entities.

 

Energy Purchase and Sale Agreements. Generation has several energy purchase and sale agreements with generating facilities. Generation has evaluated the significant agreements, ownership structures and risks of each entity, and determined that certain of the entities are VIEs because the entity absorbs risk through the sale of fixed price power and renewable energy credits. Generation has reviewed the entities and has determined that Generation is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs because Generation does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance.

 

ZionSolutions. Generation has an asset sale agreement with EnergySolutions, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, including ZionSolutions, LLC (ZionSolutions), which is further discussed in Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations. Under this agreement, ZionSolutions can put the assets and liabilities back to Generation when decommissioning activities under the asset sale agreement are complete. Generation has evaluated this agreement and determined that, through the put option, it has a variable interest in ZionSolutions but is not the primary beneficiary. As a result, Generation has concluded that consolidation is not required. Other than the asset sale agreement, Exelon and Generation do not have any contractual or other obligations to provide additional financial support and ZionSolutions’ creditors do not have any recourse to Exelon’s or Generation’s general credit.

 

Investment in Energy Development Projects, Distributed Energy Companies, and Energy Generating Facilities. Generation has several equity investments in energy development projects and energy generating facilities. Generation has evaluated the significant agreements, ownership structures and risks of each of its equity investments, and determined that certain of the entities are VIEs because the entity has an insufficient amount of equity at risk to finance its activities, Generation guarantees the debt of the entity, provides equity support, or provides operating services to the entity. Generation has reviewed the entities and has determined that Generation is not the primary beneficiary of the entities that qualify as VIEs because Generation does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance.

 

In July 2014, Generation entered into an arrangement to purchase a 90% equity interest and 90% of the tax attributes of a distributed energy company. Generation’s total equity commitment in this arrangement was $91 million and is paid incrementally over an approximate two year period (see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional details). This arrangement did not meet the definition of a VIE and is recorded as an equity method investment.

 

In June 2015, 2015 ESA Investco, LLC, then a wholly owned subsidiary of Generation, entered into an arrangement to purchase a 90% equity interest and 99% of the tax attributes of another distributed energy company. Separate from the equity investment, Generation provided $27 million in cash to the other (10%) equity holder in the distributed energy company in exchange for a convertible

 

255


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

promissory note. In November 2015, Generation sold 69% of its equity interest in 2015 ESA Investco, LLC to a tax equity investor. Generation and the tax equity investor will contribute $250 million of equity incrementally through December 2016 in proportion to their ownership interests, which equates to approximately $172 million for the tax equity investor and $78 million for Generation (see Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional details). Generation and the tax equity investor provide a parental guarantee of up to $275 million in proportion to their ownership interests in support of 2015 ESA Investco, LLC’s obligation to make equity contributions to the distributed energy company. The investment in the distributed energy company was evaluated and it was determined to be a VIE for which Generation is not the primary beneficiary. Generation continues to consolidate 2015 ESA Investco, LLC under the voting interest model.

 

Both distributed energy companies from the 2014 and 2015 arrangements are considered related parties.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

The financing trust of ComEd, ComEd Financing III, the financing trusts of PECO, PECO Trust III and PECO Trust IV, and the financing trust of BGE, BGE Capital Trust II are not consolidated in Exelon’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s or BGE’s financial statements. These financing trusts were created to issue mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities. ComEd, PECO, and BGE have concluded that they do not have a significant variable interest in ComEd Financing III, PECO Trust III, PECO Trust IV or BGE Capital Trust II as each Registrant financed its equity interest in the financing trusts through the issuance of subordinated debt and, therefore, has no equity at risk. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information.

 

3. Regulatory Matters (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The following matters below discuss the current status of material regulatory and legislative proceedings of the Registrants.

 

Illinois Regulatory Matters

 

Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (Exelon and ComEd).

 

Background

 

Since 2011, ComEd’s electric distribution rates are established through a performance-based rate formula, pursuant to EIMA. EIMA also provides a structure for substantial capital investment by utilities to modernize Illinois’ electric utility infrastructure. EIMA was scheduled to sunset, ending ComEd’s performance based rate formula and investment commitment, at December 31, 2017, unless approved to continue through 2022 by the Illinois General Assembly. On April 3, 2015, the Governor signed legislation extending the EIMA sunset from 2017 to 2019.

 

Participating utilities are required to file an annual update to the performance-based formula rate tariff on or before May 1, with resulting rates effective in January of the following year. This annual formula rate update is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions (initial revenue requirement). The update also reconciles any differences between the revenue requirement in effect for the prior year and actual costs incurred for that year (annual reconciliation). See Annual Electric Distribution Filings below for further details. Throughout each year, ComEd records regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and corresponding increases or decreases to

 

256


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Operating revenue for any differences between the revenue requirement in effect and ComEd’s best estimate of the revenue requirement expected to be approved by the ICC for that year’s reconciliation. As of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, ComEd had a regulatory asset associated with the electric distribution formula rate of $189 million and $371 million, respectively. The regulatory asset associated with electric distribution true-up is amortized to Operating revenue in ComEd’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income as the associated amounts are recovered through rates.

 

Participating utilities are also required to file an annual update on their AMI implementation progress. On April 1, 2015, ComEd filed an annual progress report on its AMI Implementation Plan with the ICC, which allows for the installation of more than four million smart meters throughout ComEd’s service territory by 2018. To date, approximately two million smart meters have been installed in the Chicago area.

 

Pursuant to EIMA, ComEd annually contributes $4 million for customer education for as long as the AMI Deployment Plan remains in effect. Additionally, ComEd contributes $10 million annually through 2016 to fund customer assistance programs for low-income customers, which will not be recoverable through rates.

 

Annual Electric Distribution Filings

 

For each of the following years, the ICC approved the following total increases/(decreases) in ComEd’s electric distributions formula rate filings:

 

Annual Distribution Filings

   2015     2014     2013  

ComEd’s requested total revenue requirement (decrease) increase

   $ (50   $ 269      $ 353   

Final ICC Order

                  

Initial revenue requirement increase

   $ 85      $ 160      $ 160   

Annual reconciliation (decrease) increase

     (152     72        181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue requirement (decrease) increase

   $ (67   $ 232      $ 341   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowed Return on Rate Base:

                  

Initial revenue requirement

     7.05     7.06     6.94

Annual reconciliation

     7.02     7.04     6.94

Allowed ROE:

                  

Initial revenue requirement

     9.14 %(a)      9.25 %(a)      8.72

Annual reconciliation

     9.09 %(a)      9.20 %(a)      8.72

Effective date of rates

     January 2016        January 2015        January 2014   

 

(a) Includes a reduction of 5 basis points for a reliability performance metric penalty.

 

Formula Rate Structure Investigation

 

In October 2013, the ICC opened an investigation (the Investigation), in response to a complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney General, to change the formula rate structure by requesting three changes: the elimination of the income tax gross-up on the weighted average cost of capital used to calculate interest on the annual reconciliation balance, the netting of associated accumulated deferred income

 

257


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

taxes against the annual reconciliation balance in calculating interest, and the use of average rather than year-end rate base for determining any ROE collar adjustment. On November 26, 2013, the ICC issued its final order in the Investigation, rejecting two of the proposed changes but accepting the proposed change to eliminate the income tax gross-up on the weighted average cost of capital used to calculate interest on the annual reconciliation balance. The accepted change became effective in January 2014, and reduced ComEd’s 2014 revenue by approximately $8 million. This change had no financial statement impact on ComEd in 2013. ComEd and intervenors requested rehearing, however all rehearing requests were denied by the ICC. ComEd and intervenors filed appeals with the Illinois Appellate Court. ComEd subsequently withdrew its appeal, but the Illinois Attorney General and the Citizens Utility Board continued to argue that the ICC had wrongly approved ComEd’s treatment of accumulated deferred income taxes (ADIT) relating to the annual reconciliation. On July 29, 2015, the Illinois Appellate Court rejected that appeal and affirmed the ICC’s decision and its acceptance of ComEd’s treatment of ADIT. The period in which to file requests for further review has expired and that decision is final.

 

Appeal of Initial Formula Rate Tariff

 

On March 26, 2014, the Illinois Appellate Court issued an opinion with respect to ComEd’s appeal of the ICC’s order relating to ComEd’s initial formula rate tariff. The most significant financial issues under appeal related to ICC findings that were counter to the formula rate legislation and were clarified by subsequent legislation (Senate Bill 9). Therefore, only a subset of the issues originally appealed remained. The Court found against ComEd on each of the remaining issues: compensation related adjustments, billing determinants and the use of certain allocators. The Court’s opinion has no accounting impact as ComEd recorded the distribution formula regulatory asset consistent with the ICC’s final Order. On September 14, 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to hear that appeal. ComEd elected not to seek review by the United States Supreme Court on the Federal law issues. Accordingly, the decision of the Illinois Appellate Court is considered final.

 

Grand Prairie Gateway Transmission Line (ComEd). On December 2, 2013, ComEd filed a request to obtain the ICC’s approval to construct a 60-mile overhead 345kV transmission line that traverses Ogle, DeKalb, Kane and DuPage Counties in Northern Illinois. On May 28, 2014, in a separate proceeding, FERC issued an order granting ComEd’s request to include 100% of the capital costs recorded to construction work in progress during construction of the line in ComEd’s transmission rate base. If the project is cancelled or abandoned for reasons beyond ComEd’s control, FERC approved the ability for ComEd to recover 100% of its prudent costs incurred after May 21, 2014 and 50% of its costs incurred prior to May 21, 2014 in ComEd’s transmission rate base. The costs incurred for the project prior to May 21, 2014 were immaterial. ComEd has acquired numerous easements across the project route through voluntary transactions. ComEd will seek to acquire the property rights on the remaining 28 parcels through condemnation proceedings in the circuit courts. ComEd began construction of the line during the second quarter of 2015 with an in-service date expected in the second quarter of 2017.

 

Illinois Procurement Proceedings (Exelon, Generation and ComEd). ComEd is permitted to recover its electricity procurement costs from retail customers without mark-up. Since June 2009, the IPA designs, and the ICC approves, an electricity supply portfolio for ComEd and the IPA administers a competitive process under which ComEd procures its electricity supply from various suppliers, including Generation. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd has completed the ICC-approved procurement process for a portion of its energy requirements through 2021.

 

258


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ComEd is required to purchase an increasing percentage of the electricity for customer deliveries from renewable energy resources. Purchases by customers of electricity from competitive electric generation suppliers, whether as a result of the customers’ own actions or as a result of municipal aggregation, are not included in this calculation and have the effect of reducing ComEd’s purchase obligation. ComEd entered into several 20-year contracts with unaffiliated suppliers in December 2010 regarding the procurement of long-term renewable energy and associated RECs in order to meet its obligations under the Illinois’ RPS. All associated costs are recoverable from customers.

 

FutureGen Industrial Alliance, Inc (Exelon and ComEd). During 2013, the ICC approved, and directed ComEd and Ameren (the Utilities) to enter into 20-year sourcing agreements with FutureGen Industrial Alliance, Inc (FutureGen), under which FutureGen will retrofit and repower an existing plant in Morgan County, Illinois to a 166 MW near zero emissions coal-fueled generation plant, with an assumed commercial operation date in 2017. The sourcing agreement provides that ComEd and Ameren will pay FutureGen’s contract prices, which are set annually pursuant to a formula rate. The contract prices are based on the difference between the costs of the facility and the revenues FutureGen receives from selling capacity and energy from the unit into the MISO or other markets, as well as any other revenue FutureGen receives from the operation of the facility. The order also directs ComEd and Ameren to recover these costs from their electric distribution customers through the use of a tariff, regardless of whether they purchase electricity from ComEd or Ameren, or from competitive electric generation suppliers.

 

In February 2013, ComEd filed an appeal with the Illinois Appellate Court questioning the legality of requiring ComEd to procure power for retail customers purchasing electricity from competitive electric generation suppliers. On July 22, 2014, the Illinois Appellate Court issued its ruling re-affirming the ICC’s order requiring ComEd to enter into the sourcing agreement with FutureGen and allowing the use of a tariff to recover its costs. ComEd decided not to appeal the Illinois Appellate Court’s decision to the Illinois Supreme Court. However, the competitive electric generation suppliers and several large consumers petitioned for leave to appeal the Illinois Appellate Court’s decision. On November 26, 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court granted the petition. ComEd executed the sourcing agreement with FutureGen in accordance with the ICC’s order. In addition, ComEd filed a petition with the ICC seeking approval of the tariff allowing for the recovery of its costs associated with the FutureGen contract from all of its electric distribution customers, which was approved by the ICC on September 30, 2014.

 

A significant portion of the cost of the development of FutureGen was being funded by the DOE under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In early February 2015, the DOE suspended funding for the project until further clarity could be obtained on certain significant hurdles facing the project, including the outcome of the litigation described above. Whether or not the DOE funding will be reinstated at some later date is unknown at this time.

 

On January 13, 2016, FutureGen informed the Illinois Supreme Court that it had ceased all development efforts on the FutureGen project and would soon be seeking to terminate the FutureGen supply agreements. Accordingly, FutureGen requested that the court dismiss the proceeding as moot. A decision from the Illinois Supreme Court dismissing the matter is expected in early 2016. In February 2016, FutureGen terminated its sourcing agreement with ComEd. As a result, ComEd is under no further obligation under this agreement.

 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources (Exelon and ComEd). Electric utilities in Illinois are required to include cost-effective energy efficiency resources in their plans to meet an

 

259


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

incremental annual program energy savings requirement of 2% of energy delivered in the year commencing June 1, 2015 and each year thereafter. Additionally, during the ten-year period that began June 1, 2008, electric utilities must implement cost-effective demand response measures to reduce peak demand by 0.1% over the prior year for eligible retail customers. The energy efficiency and demand response goals are subject to rate impact caps each year. Utilities are allowed recovery of costs for energy efficiency and demand response programs, subject to approval by the ICC. In January 2014, the ICC approved ComEd’s third three-year Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Plan covering the period June 2014 through May 2017. The plans are designed to meet Illinois’ energy efficiency and demand response goals through May 2017, including reductions in delivered energy to all retail customers and in the peak demand of eligible retail customers.

 

EIMA provides for additional energy efficiency in Illinois. Starting in the June 2013 through May 2014 period and occurring annually thereafter, as part of the IPA procurement plan, ComEd is to include cost-effective expansion of current energy efficiency programs, and additional new cost-effective and/or third-party energy efficiency programs that are identified through a request for proposal process. All cost-effective energy efficiency programs are included in the IPA procurement plan for consideration of implementation. While these programs are monitored separately from the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS), funds for both the EEPS portfolio and IPA energy efficiency programs are collected under the same rider.

 

Illinois utilities are required to procure cost-effective renewable energy resources in amounts that equal or exceed 2% of the total electricity that each electric utility supplies to its eligible retail customers. ComEd is also required to acquire amounts of renewable energy resources that will cumulatively increase this percentage to at least 10% by June 1, 2015, with an ultimate target of at least 25% by June 1, 2025. All goals are subject to rate impact criteria set forth by Illinois legislation. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd had purchased sufficient renewable energy resources or equivalents, such as RECs, to comply with the Illinois legislation. ComEd currently retires all RECs upon transfer and acceptance. ComEd is permitted to recover procurement costs of RECs from retail customers without mark-up through rates.

 

Pennsylvania Regulatory Matters

 

2015 Pennsylvania Electric Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and PECO). On March 27, 2015, PECO filed a petition with the PAPUC requesting an increase of $190 million to its annual service revenues for electric delivery, which requested an ROE of 10.95%. On September 10, 2015, PECO and interested parties filed with the PAPUC a petition for joint settlement for an increase of $127 million in annual distribution service revenue. No overall ROE was specified in the settlement. On December 17, 2015, the PAPUC approved the settlement of PECO’s electric distribution rate case. The approved electric delivery rates became effective on January 1, 2016.

 

The settlement includes approval of the In-Program Arrearage Forgiveness (“IPAF”) Program, which provides for forgiveness of a portion of the eligible arrearage balance of its low-income Customer Assistance Program (CAP) accounts receivable that will be determined as of program inception in October 2016. The forgiveness will be granted to the extent CAP customers remain current with payments. The Settlement guarantees PECO’s recovery of two-thirds of the arrearage balance through a combination of customer payments and rate recovery, including through future rates cases if necessary. The remaining one-third of the arrearage balance will be absorbed by PECO, of which a portion has already been expensed as bad debt for CAP customer’s accounts receivable balances.

 

260


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Although the actual arrearage balance is not defined until program inception, PECO believes that it can reasonably estimate certain CAP customer accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 2015 that will remain outstanding at program inception. Management determined its best estimate based on historical collectability information. As a result, a regulatory asset of $7 million, representing the previously incurred bad debt expense associated with the estimated eligible accounts receivable balances, was recorded on Exelon’s and PECO’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015. This estimate will be revisited on a quarterly basis through program inception.

 

2010 Pennsylvania Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Rate Cases (Exelon and PECO). On December 16, 2010, the PAPUC approved the settlement of PECO’s electric and natural gas distribution rate cases, which were filed in March 2010, providing increases in annual service revenue of $225 million and $20 million, respectively.

 

The settlements included a stipulation regarding how tax benefits related to the application of any new IRS guidance on repairs deduction methodology are to be handled from a rate-making perspective. The settlements required that the expected cash benefit from the application of any new guidance to tax years prior to 2011 be refunded to customers over a seven-year period. On August 19, 2011, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2011-43 providing a safe harbor method of tax accounting for electric transmission and distribution property. PECO adopted the safe harbor and elected a method change for the 2010 tax year. The total refund to customers for the tax cash benefit from the application of the safe harbor to costs incurred prior to 2010 was $171 million. On October 4, 2011, PECO filed a supplement to its electric distribution tariff to execute the refund to customers of the tax cash benefit related to the IRC Section 481(a) “catch-up” adjustment claimed on the 2010 income tax return, which is subject to adjustment based on the outcome of IRS examinations. Credits have been reflected in customer bills since January 1, 2012.

 

In September 2012, PECO filed an application with the IRS to change its method of accounting for gas distribution repairs for the 2011 tax year. The expected total refund to customers for the tax cash benefit from the application of the new method to costs incurred prior to 2011 is $54 million. This amount is subject to adjustment based on the outcome of IRS examinations. Credits have been reflected in customer bills since January 1, 2013. PECO is awaiting IRS guidance that will provide a safe harbor method of accounting for gas transmission and distribution property.

 

The prospective tax benefits claimed as a result of the new methodology will be reflected in tax expense in the year in which they are claimed on the tax return. As agreed to in the 2010 distribution rate case settlements, these benefits were reflected in the determination of revenue requirements in the 2015 electric distribution rate case discussed above and will be reflected in the next natural gas distribution rate case. See Note 15—Income Taxes for additional information.

 

The 2010 electric and natural gas distribution rate case settlements did not specify the rate of return upon which the settlement rates are based, but rather provided for an increase in annual revenue. PECO has not filed a transmission rate case since rates have been unbundled.

 

Pennsylvania Procurement Proceedings (Exelon and PECO). Through PECO’s first two PAPUC approved DSP Programs, PECO procured electric supply for its default electric customers through PAPUC approved competitive procurements. DSP I and DSP II expired on May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2015, respectively.

 

The second DSP Program included a number of retail market enhancements recommended by the PAPUC in its previously issued Retail Markets Intermediate Work Plan Order. PECO was also directed

 

261


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

to submit a plan to allow its low-income CAP customers to purchase their generation supply from EGSs beginning in April 2014. In May 2013, PECO filed its CAP Shopping Plan with the PAPUC. By an Order entered on January 24, 2014, the PAPUC approved PECO’s plan, with modifications, to make CAP shopping available beginning April 15, 2014. On March 20, 2014, the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) and low-income advocacy groups filed an appeal and emergency request for a stay with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, claiming that the PAPUC-ordered CAP Shopping plan does not contain sufficient protections for low-income customers. On July 14, 2015, the Court issued opinions on the OCA and low-income advocacy group appeal. Specifically, the Court remanded the issue to the PAPUC with instructions that it approve a rule revision to the PECO CAP Shopping Plan that would prohibit CAP customers from entering into contracts with an EGS that would impose early cancellation/termination fees. The PAPUC has appealed the Court’s decision. PECO does not have information at this time as to what action it may be required to take following remand to the PAPUC.

 

On December 4, 2014, the PAPUC approved PECO’s third DSP Program. The program has a 24-month term from June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2017, and complies with electric generation procurement guidelines set forth in Act 129. Under the program, PECO is procuring electric supply through four competitive procurements for fixed price full requirements contracts of two years or less for the residential classes and small and medium commercial classes and spot market price full requirement contracts for the large commercial and industrial class load. Beginning in June 2016, the medium commercial class (101-500 kW) will move to spot market pricing. As of December 31, 2015, PECO entered into contracts with PAPUC-approved bidders, including Generation, resulting from the first two of its four scheduled procurements. Charges incurred for electric supply procured through contracts with Generation are included in purchased power from affiliates on PECO’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

On March 12, 2015, PECO settled the CAP Design with the Office of Consumer Advocates (OCA) and Low Income Advocates, and filed the proposed plan with the PAPUC on March 20, 2015. The program design changes the rate structure of PECO’s CAP to make the bills more affordable to customers enrolled in the assistance program. The CAP discounts continue to be recovered through PECO’s universal service fund cost. On July 8, 2015, the CAP Design was approved by the PAPUC. PECO plans to implement the program changes in October 2016.

 

Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments (Exelon and PECO). In April 2010, pursuant to Act 129 and the follow-on Implementation Order of 2009, the PAPUC approved PECO’s Smart Meter Procurement and Installation Plan (SMPIP), under which PECO will install more than 1.6 million electric smart meters and an AMI communication network by 2020. PECO is currently in the second phase of the SMPIP and has deployed substantially all remaining smart meters as of December 31, 2015, for a total of 1.7 million smart meters. In total, PECO currently expects to spend up to $589 million, excluding the cost of the original meters, on its smart meter infrastructure and approximately $155 million on smart grid investments through final deployment of which $200 million has been funded by SGIG. As of December 31, 2015, PECO has spent $578 million and $155 million on smart meter and smart grid infrastructure, respectively, not including the DOE reimbursements received. Recovery of smart meter costs will be reflected in base rates effective January 1, 2016.

 

Energy Efficiency Programs (Exelon and PECO). PECO’s PAPUC-approved Phase I EE&C Plan had a four-year term that began on June 1, 2009 and concluded on May 31, 2013. The Phase I plan set forth how PECO would meet the required reduction targets established by Act 129’s EE&C provisions. On November 15, 2013, PECO filed its final compliance report with the PAPUC communicating PECO had met all Phase I reduction targets.

 

262


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The PAPUC issued its Phase II EE&C implementation order on August 2, 2012, that provided energy consumption reduction requirements for the second phase of Act 129’s EE&C program, which went into effect on June 1, 2013. Pursuant to the Phase II implementation order, PECO filed its three-year EE&C Phase II Plan with the PAPUC on November 1, 2012. The plan set forth how PECO would reduce electric consumption by at least 1,125,852 MWh in its service territory for the period June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2016, adjusted for weather and extraordinary loads. The implementation order permitted PECO to apply any excess savings achieved during Phase I against its Phase II consumption reduction targets, with no reduction to its Phase II budget. In accordance with the Act 129 Phase II implementation order, at least 10% and 4.5% of the total consumption reductions had to be through programs directed toward PECO’s public and low income sectors, respectively. If PECO failed to achieve the required reductions in consumption, it would have been subject to civil penalties of up to $20 million, which would not be recoverable from ratepayers. Act 129 mandates that the total cost of the plan may not exceed 2% of the electric company’s total annual revenue as of December 31, 2006.

 

On March 15, 2013 and February 28, 2014, PECO filed Petitions for Approval to amend its EE&C Phase II Plan to continue its DLC demand reduction program for mass market customers through May 31, 2014 and May 31, 2016, respectively. PECO proposed to fund the estimated $10 million annual costs of the plan by modifying incentive levels for other Phase II programs. The costs of the DLC program will be recovered through PECO’s Energy Efficiency Plan surcharge along with other Phase II Plan costs. The PAPUC granted PECO’s Petitions on May 5, 2013 and April 23, 2014, respectively.

 

The PAPUC issued its Phase III EE&C implementation order on June 19, 2015, that provides energy consumption reduction requirements for the third phase of Act 129’s EE&C program with a five-year term from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2021. The order tentatively established PECO’s five-year cumulative consumption reduction target at 2,080,553 MWh.

 

Pursuant to the Phase III implementation order, PECO filed its five-year EE&C Phase III Plan with the PAPUC on November 30, 2015. The Plan sets forth how PECO will reduce electric consumption by at least 1,962,659 MWh, with a goal of 2,100,875 MWh in its service territory for the period June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2021. PECO expects a final decision from the PAPUC on PECO’s EE&C Phase III Plan during the first quarter of 2016.

 

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (Exelon and PECO). In November 2004, Pennsylvania adopted the AEPS Act. The AEPS Act mandated that beginning in 2011, following the expiration of PECO’s rate cap transition period, certain percentages of electric energy sold to Pennsylvania retail electric customers shall be generated from certain alternative energy resources as measured in AECs. The requirement for electric energy that must come from Tier I alternative energy resources ranges from approximately 3.5% to 8%, and the requirement for Tier II alternative energy resources ranges from 6.2% to 10%. The required compliance percentages incrementally increase each annual compliance period, which is from June 1 through May 31, until May 31, 2021. These Tier I and Tier II alternative energy resources include acceptable energy sources as set forth in Act 129 and the AEPS Act.

 

PECO continues to procure alternative energy credits through full requirements contracts and its existing long-term solar contracts to meet the annual AEPS compliance requirements. All AEPS compliance costs are being recovered on a full and current basis from default service customers through the GSA.

 

263


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Pennsylvania Retail Electricity and Gas Markets (Exelon and PECO). Beginning in 2011, the PAPUC issued an order outlining the next steps in its investigation into the status of competition in Pennsylvania’s retail electricity market. The PAPUC found that the existing default service model presents substantial impediments to the development of a vibrant retail market in Pennsylvania and directed its Office of Competitive Markets Oversight to evaluate potential intermediate and long-term structural changes to the default service model. Through various orders, the PAPUC issued default electric service pricing for customers in PECO’s service territory. See Pennsylvania procurement proceedings discussed above for additional details.

 

In early 2014, the extreme weather in PECO’s service territory resulted in increased electricity commodity costs causing certain shopping customers to receive unexpectedly high utility bills. In response to a significant number of customer complaints throughout Pennsylvania, on April 3, 2014, the PAPUC unanimously voted to adopt two rulemaking orders to address the issue. The first rulemaking order requires electric generation suppliers to provide more consumer education regarding their contract. The second rulemaking order requires electric distribution companies to enable customers to switch suppliers within three business days (known as accelerated switching). The improved customer education and accelerated switching were to be in place within 30 days and six months of approval of the orders, respectively. The orders became final on June 14, 2014. On December 4, 2014, the PAPUC approved PECO’s implementation plan (known as Bill on Supplier Switch), allowing PECO to implement accelerated switching by the December 15, 2014 deadline.

 

On September 12, 2013, the PAPUC issued an Order that initiated an investigation into Pennsylvania’s natural gas retail market, including the role of the existing default service model and opportunities for market enhancements. On December 18, 2014, the PAPUC issued a Final Order directing the Office of Competitive Market Oversight (OCMO) to continue its investigation, confirming that natural gas distribution companies should remain with the default service model for the time being and directing establishment of a working group to examine other competitive issues. The OCMO has established a working group to review operation of the natural gas retail market and to consider potential recommendations on competitive issues.

 

Pennsylvania Act 11 of 2012 (Exelon and PECO). In February 2012, Act 11 was signed into law, which provided the PAPUC authority to approve the implementation of a distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) in rates designed to recover capital project costs incurred to repair, improve or replace utilities’ aging electric and natural gas distribution systems in Pennsylvania. Prior to recovering costs pursuant to a DSIC, the PAPUC’s implementation order requires a utility to have a Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP) approved by the Commission, which outlines how the utility is planning to increase its investment for repairing, improving or replacing aging infrastructure.

 

On May 7, 2015, the PAPUC approved PECO’s modified natural gas LTIIP. In accordance with the approved LTIIP, PECO plans to spend $534 million through 2022 to further accelerate the replacement of existing gas mains and to relocate meters from indoors to outside in accordance with recent PAPUC rulemaking. In addition, on March 20, 2015, PECO filed a petition with the PAPUC for approval of its gas DSIC mechanism for recovery of gas LTIIP expenditures. On September 11, 2015, the PAPUC entered its Opinion and Order approving PECO’s petition for a gas DSIC.

 

On March 27, 2015, PECO filed a petition with the PAPUC for approval of its proposed electric DSIC and LTIIP. In accordance with the LTIIP (System 2020 plan), PECO plans to spend $275 million over the next five years to modernize and storm-harden its electric distribution system, making it more

 

264


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

weather resistant and less vulnerable to damage. The DSIC will allow PECO the opportunity to recover the costs, subject to certain criteria, incurred to repair, improve or replace its electric distribution property between rate cases. On October 22, 2015, the PAPUC entered its Opinion and Order approving PECO’s proposed petition for its electric LTIIP and DSIC.

 

Maryland Regulatory Matters

 

2015 Maryland Electric and Gas Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and BGE). On November 6, 2015, and as amended on January 5, 2016, BGE filed for electric and gas base rate increases with the MDPSC, ultimately requesting an increase of $121 million and $79 million, respectively, of which $103 million and $37 million, respectively, is related to recovery of smart grid initiative costs. BGE requested a ROE for the electric and gas distribution rate case of 10.6% and 10.5%, respectively. The new electric and gas base rates are expected to take effect in June 2016. BGE is also proposing to recover an annual increase of approximately $30 million for Baltimore City conduit lease fees through a surcharge. BGE cannot predict how much of the requested increase the MDPSC will approve or if it will approve BGE’s request for a conduit fee surcharge.

 

2014 Maryland Electric and Gas Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and BGE). On July 2, 2014, and as amended on September 15, 2014, BGE filed for electric and gas base increases with the MDPSC, ultimately requesting increases of $99 million and $68 million, respectively.

 

On October 17, 2014, BGE filed with the MDPSC a unanimous settlement agreement (the Settlement Agreement) reached with all parties to the case under which it would receive an increase of $22 million in electric base rates and an increase of $38 million in gas base rates. The Settlement Agreement establishes new depreciation rates which have the effect of decreasing annual depreciation expense by approximately $20 million, primarily for electric. On December 4, 2014, the Public Utility Law Judge issued a proposed order approving the Settlement Agreement without modification, which became a final order on December 12, 2014. The approved distribution rate order authorizing BGE to increase electric and gas distribution rates became effective for services rendered on or after December 15, 2014.

 

2013 Maryland Electric and Gas Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and BGE). On May 17, 2013, and as amended on August 23, 2013, BGE filed for electric and gas base increases with the MDPSC, ultimately requesting increases of $83 million and $24 million, respectively. In addition to these requested rate increases, BGE’s application includes a request for recovery of incremental capital expenditures and operating costs associated with BGE’s proposed short-term reliability improvement plan (the “ERI initiative”) in response to a MDPSC order through a surcharge separate from base rates.

 

On December 13, 2013, the MDPSC issued an order in BGE’s 2013 electric and natural gas distribution rate case for increases in annual distribution service revenue of $34 million and $12 million, respectively, and an allowed return on equity of 9.75% and 9.60%, respectively. Rates became effective for services rendered on or after December 13, 2013. The MDPSC also authorized BGE to recover through a surcharge mechanism costs associated with five ERI initiative programs designed to accelerate electric reliability improvements premised upon the condition that the MDPSC approve specific projects in advance of cost recovery. On March 31, 2014, after reviewing comments filed by the parties and conducting a hearing on the matter, the MDPSC approved all but one project proposed for completion in 2014 as part of the ERI initiative. The ERI initiative surcharge became effective June 1, 2014. On November 2, 2015, BGE filed a surcharge update including a true-up of cost estimates included in the 2015 surcharge, along with its work plan and cost estimates for 2016, to be included in the 2016 surcharge. The MDPSC subsequently approved BGE’s 2016 work plan and the 2016 surcharge.

 

265


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

In January 2014, the residential consumer advocate in Maryland filed an appeal to the order issued by the MDPSC on December 13, 2013 in BGE’s 2013 electric and gas distribution rate cases. The residential consumer advocate filed its related legal memorandum on August 22, 2014, challenging the MDPSC’s approval of the ERI initiative surcharge. BGE submitted a response to the appeal on October 15, 2014, and a hearing was held on November 17, 2014. On October 26, 2015, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City issued an order affirming the MDPSC’s decision. However, on November 30, 2015, the residential consumer advocate filed an appeal of the Circuit Court’s decision with the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. BGE cannot predict the outcome of this appeal. If the residential consumer advocate’s appeal is successful, BGE could recover ERI expenditures through other regulatory mechanisms.

 

Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments (Exelon and BGE). In August 2010, the MDPSC approved a comprehensive smart grid initiative for BGE that included the planned installation of 2 million residential and commercial electric and gas smart meters at an expected total cost of $480 million of which $200 million was funded by SGIG. The MDPSC’s approval ordered BGE to defer the associated incremental costs, depreciation and amortization, and an appropriate return, in a regulatory asset until such time as a cost-effective advanced metering system is implemented. As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, BGE recorded a regulatory asset of $196 million and $128 million, respectively, representing incremental costs, depreciation and amortization, and a debt return on fixed assets related to its AMI program. As part of the settlement in BGE’s 2014 electric and gas distribution rate case, the cost of the retired non-AMI meters will be amortized over 10 years.

 

On February 26, 2014, the MDPSC issued an order authorizing BGE to impose a $75 upfront fee and an $11 recurring fee to customers electing to opt-out of BGE’s smart meter installation program, effective the later of the first full billing cycle following July 1, 2014, or the AMI installation date in a customer’s community. The fees authorized by the order will be reviewed after an initial 12 to 18 month period. On November 25, 2014, the MDPSC issued a decision approving BGE’s proposal to automatically enroll unresponsive customers into the opt-out program and to charge those customers opt-out fees after BGE has exhausted attempts to schedule a meter installation. On November 5, 2015, the MDPSC held a hearing to evaluate the $11 recurring monthly fee paid by opt-out customers. Effective with January 2016 bills, the monthly recurring fee was reduced to $5.50.

 

As part of the 2015 electric and gas distribution rate case filed on November 6, 2015, BGE is seeking recovery of its smart grid initiative costs. Of BGE’s requested $200 million, $140 million relates to the smart grid initiative. In support of its recovery of smart grid initiative costs, BGE provided evidence demonstrating that the benefits exceed the costs by a ratio of 2.3 to 1.0, on a nominal basis.

 

New Electric Generation (Exelon and BGE). On April 12, 2012, the MDPSC issued an order directing BGE and two other Maryland utilities to enter into a contract for differences (CfD) with CPV Maryland, LLC (CPV), under which CPV will construct an approximately 700MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle generation plant in Waldorf, Maryland, that CPV projected will be in commercial operation by June 1, 2015. CPV subsequently sought to extend that date. The initial term of the proposed contract is 20 years. The CfD mandates that BGE and the other utilities pay (or receive) the difference between CPV’s contract prices and the revenues CPV receives for capacity and energy from clearing the unit in the PJM capacity market. The MDPSC’s order requires the three Maryland utilities to enter into a CfD in amounts proportionate to their relative SOS load. On April 16, 2013, the MDPSC issued an order that required BGE to execute a specific form of contract with CPV, and the parties executed the contract as of June 6, 2013.

 

On April 27, 2012, a civil complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland by certain unaffiliated parties that challenged the actions taken by the MDPSC on Federal law grounds. On

 

266


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

October 24, 2013, the U.S. District Court issued a judgment order finding that the MDPSC’s Order directing BGE and the two other Maryland utilities to enter into a CfD, which assures that CPV receives a guaranteed fixed price regardless of the price set by the federally regulated wholesale market, violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. On November 22, 2013, the MDPSC and CPV appealed the District Court’s ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the District Court ruling in an opinion issued June 2, 2014. The MDPSC and CPV filed petitions for certiorari, seeking review of the case by the U.S. Supreme Court. On October 29, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the petition to review the Fourth Circuit decision, and that appeal is now pending in the Supreme Court with oral argument scheduled for February 24, 2016.

 

On February 9, 2011, a civil complaint was filed by Exelon and other unaffiliated parties in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, challenging a 2011 New Jersey law, the Long Term Capacity Pilot Program Act (LCAPP). LCAPP provides eligible generators with 15-year fixed contracts for the sale of capacity in the PJM capacity market. On October 25, 2013, the U.S. District Court issued a judgment order finding that LCAPP violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. CPV and New Jersey appealed the District Court’s ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On September 11, 2014, the Third Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling finding LCAPP unconstitutional. On November 26, 2014, CPV and New Jersey sought Supreme Court review of the Third Circuit decision. On October 29, 2015, the Supreme Court stayed the petition to review the Third Circuit case pending their review of the Fourth Circuit Maryland case described above.

 

On May 4, 2012, BGE filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, seeking judicial review of the MDPSC order under state law. That petition was subsequently transferred to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and consolidated with similar appeals that have been filed by other interested parties. On October 1, 2013, the Circuit Court Judge issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order finding the decisions of the MDPSC were within its statutory authority under Maryland law. This decision is separate from the judgment in the federal litigation that the MDPSC Order is unconstitutional and the CfD is unenforceable under federal law. The federal judgment, if upheld, would prevent enforcement of the CfD even if the Circuit Court decision stands. On October 29, 2013, BGE and the two other Maryland utilities appealed the Circuit Court’s ruling to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. That appeal has been stayed pending decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the federal action described above.

 

Depending on the ultimate outcome of the pending state and federal litigation, on the eventual market conditions, and on the manner of cost recovery as of the effective date of the agreement, the CfD could have a material impact on Exelon and BGE’s results of operations, cash flows and financial positions.

 

Exelon believes that this and other states’ projects may have artificially suppressed capacity prices in PJM and may continue to do so in future auctions to the detriment of Exelon’s market driven position. In addition to this litigation, Exelon is working with other market participants to implement market rules that will appropriately limit the market suppressing effect of such state activities.

 

MDPSC Derecho Storm Order (Exelon and BGE). Following the June 2012 Derecho storm which hit the mid-Atlantic region interrupting electrical service to a significant portion of the State of Maryland, the MDPSC issued an order on February 27, 2013 requiring BGE and other Maryland utilities to file several comprehensive reports with short-term and long-term plans to improve reliability and grid resiliency that were due at various times before August 30, 2013.

 

267


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

On September 3, 2013, BGE filed a comprehensive long term assessment examining potential alternatives for improving the resiliency of the electric grid and a staffing analysis reviewing historical staffing levels as well as forecasting staffing levels necessary under various storm scenarios. During the summer of 2014, an evaluation of the reports filed by BGE and other Maryland utilities was undertaken by consultants on behalf of the MDPSC and MDPSC Staff. The MDPSC Staff also proposed standards for reliability during major events and estimated times of restoration as well as undertaking an evaluation of performance-based ratemaking principles and methodologies that would more directly and transparently align reliable service with the utilities’ distribution rates and that reduce returns or otherwise penalize sub-standard performance. The MDPSC held hearings in September 2014. BGE currently cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, which may result in increased capital expenditures and operating costs.

 

The Maryland Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program (Exelon and BGE). In 2013, legislation intended to accelerate gas infrastructure replacements in Maryland was signed into law. The law established a mechanism, separate from base rate proceedings, for gas companies to promptly recover reasonable and prudent costs of eligible infrastructure replacement projects incurred after June 1, 2013. The monthly surcharge and infrastructure replacement costs must be approved by the MDPSC and are subject to a cap and require an annual true-up of the surcharge revenues against actual expenditures. Investment levels in excess of the cap would be recoverable in a subsequent gas base rate proceeding at which time all costs for the infrastructure replacement projects would be rolled into gas distribution rates. Irrespective of the cap, BGE is required to file a gas rate case every five years under this legislation.

 

On August 2, 2013, BGE filed its infrastructure replacement plan and associated surcharge. On January 29, 2014, the MDPSC issued a decision conditionally approving the first five years of BGE’s plan and surcharge. On November 16, 2015, BGE filed a surcharge update to be effective January 1, 2016, including a true-up of cost estimates included in the 2015 surcharge, along with its 2016 project list and projected capital estimates of $113 million to be included in the 2016 surcharge calculation. The MDPSC subsequently approved BGE’s 2016 project list and the proposed surcharge for 2016, which included the 2015 surcharge true-up. As of December 31, 2015, BGE recorded a regulatory asset of less than $1 million, representing the difference between the surcharge revenues and program costs.

 

In 2014, the residential consumer advocate in Maryland appealed MDPSC’s decision on BGE’s infrastructure replacement plan and associated surcharge with the Baltimore City Circuit Court, who affirmed the MDPSC’s decision. On October 10, 2014, the residential consumer advocate noticed its appeal to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals from the judgment entered by the Baltimore City Circuit Court. During the third quarter of 2015, the residential consumer advocate, MDPSC and BGE filed briefs. Oral argument in this matter was held before the Court of Special Appeals on November 3, 2015. On January 28, 2016, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals issued a decision affirming the MDPSC’s decision.

 

New York Regulatory Matters

 

Ginna Nuclear Power Plant Reliability Support Services Agreement (Exelon and Generation). Ginna Nuclear Power Plant’s (Ginna) prior period fixed-price PPA contract with Rochester Gas & Electric Company (RG&E) expired in June 2014. In light of the expiration of the PPA and prevailing market conditions, in January 2014, Ginna advised the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) and the ISO-NY that, in the absence of a reliability need, Ginna management

 

268


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

would make a recommendation, subject to approval by the CENG board, that the Ginna plant be retired as soon as practicable. A formal study conducted by the ISO-NY and RG&E dated as of May 12, 2014 concluded that Ginna needs to remain in operation to maintain the reliability of the transmission grid in the Rochester region through September 2018 when planned transmission system upgrades undertaken by RG&E are expected to be completed.

 

In November 2014, in response to a petition filed by Ginna, the NYPSC directed Ginna and RG&E to negotiate a Reliability Support Services Agreement (RSSA). In February 2015, regulatory filings, including RSSA terms negotiated between Ginna and RG&E, to support the continued operation of Ginna for reliability purposes were made with the NYPSC and with the FERC for their approval. Although the RSSA contract is still subject to such regulatory approvals, on April 1, 2015, Ginna began delivering the power and capacity from the Ginna plant into the ISO-NY consistent with the technical provisions of the proposed RSSA contract.

 

In April 2015, the FERC issued an order which directed Ginna to make a compliance filing to ensure that the RSSA does not allow Ginna to receive revenues above its full cost of service and which rejected any extension of the RSSA beyond its initial term; rather the order required that any extension be subject to the rules currently being developed by the ISO-NY. The FERC order also set the RSSA for hearing and settlement procedures. In response to the FERC’s April 2015 order, in May 2015, Ginna submitted a compliance filing to the FERC containing proposed revisions to the RSSA addressing the FERC’s requirements and maintaining the April 1, 2015 proposed effective date. In July 2015, the FERC accepted Ginna’s compliance filing effective April 1, 2015. The FERC accepted Ginna’s proposal for market revenue sharing subject to a cap effective April 1, 2015, and rejected requests for rehearing by intervenors on a number of matters related to jurisdiction, the reliability need, the RSSA term, and possible price suppression.

 

In August 2015, Ginna reached a settlement in principle with intervenors modifying certain terms and conditions in the originally negotiated agreement. The proposed RSSA under the settlement preserves the value of the contract originally negotiated with RG&E, but shortens the term from 3.5 to 2 years, expiring March 31, 2017 and required RG&E to complete a new transmission reliability study to determine whether an interim reliability solution is required beyond March 31, 2017. That reliability study was completed in October 2015, and it identified certain RG&E projects that are needed to solve reliability problems that would be caused by an early retirement of Ginna. Under the settlement agreement, Ginna was required by December 29, 2015 to submit a bid to provide reliability services beginning April 1, 2017 until the necessary RG&E transmission upgrades are in service, which RG&E expects will be no later than October 31, 2017. Ginna submitted such a bid in December 2015. RG&E has the right until June 30, 2016 to select Ginna as an ongoing reliability solution. If such a need exists, and if Ginna is selected, Ginna and RG&E could enter into an additional RSSA commencing April 1, 2017 on the rates, terms and conditions set forth in Ginna’s bid, or as might be otherwise agreed by Ginna and RG&E.

 

If RG&E seeks a reliability solution with Ginna, but RG&E and Ginna do not reach an agreement on rates, terms, and conditions of a new RSSA by March 31, 2016 (or by June 30, 2016 if RG&E elects to defer the decision date), the settlement agreement requires Ginna to file an unexecuted additional RSSA with the FERC for adjudication. If Ginna is not selected for continued reliability service and does not plan to retire shortly after the expiration of the RSSA, Ginna is required to file a notice to that effect with the NYPSC no later than September 30, 2016. Under the terms of the proposed RSSA, if RG&E does not select Ginna to provide reliability service after March 31, 2017, and Ginna continues to operate after June 14, 2017, Ginna would be required to make certain refund payments related to capital expenditures to RG&E.

 

269


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The August 2015 settlement was filed at the NYPSC and at the FERC in October 2015 and remains subject to review and approval by both agencies; such reviews are not expected to be completed until the first quarter of 2016.

 

Until final regulatory approvals are received, Generation is recognizing revenue based on market prices for energy and capacity delivered by Ginna into the ISO-NY. Upon receiving regulatory approvals, under the RSSA contract terms, Generation would then recognize revenue based on the final approved pricing contained in the contract retroactively from the April 1, 2015 effective date. While the RSSA is expected to receive regulatory approvals and, therefore, permit Ginna to continue operating through the RSSA term, there is still a risk that, for economic reasons, including the possibility that the FERC or the NYPSC may condition the approval of the RSSA on a modification of the rates set forth in the RSSA, Ginna could be retired before 2029, which is the end of its operating license period. In the event the plant were to be retired before the current license term ends in 2029, Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations could be adversely affected by accelerated future decommissioning costs, severance costs, increased depreciation rates, and impairment charges, among other items. However, it is not expected that such impacts would be material to Exelon’s or Generation’s results of operations.

 

Federal Regulatory Matters

 

Transmission Formula Rate (Exelon, ComEd and BGE). ComEd’s and BGE’s transmission rates are each established based on a FERC-approved formula. ComEd and BGE are required to file an annual update to the FERC-approved formula on or before May 15, with the resulting rates effective on June 1 of the same year. The annual formula rate update is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions. The update also reconciles any differences between the revenue requirement in effect beginning June 1 of the prior year and actual costs incurred for that year. ComEd and BGE record regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and corresponding increases or decreases to operating revenues for any differences between the revenue requirement in effect and ComEd’s and BGE’s best estimate of the revenue requirement expected to be filed with the FERC for that year’s reconciliation. As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, ComEd had a regulatory asset associated with the transmission formula rate of $31 million and $21 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, BGE had a net regulatory asset associated with the transmission formula rate of $12 million and $1 million, respectively. The regulatory asset associated with transmission true-up is amortized to Operating revenues within their Consolidated Statements of Operations of Comprehensive Income as the associated amounts are recovered through rates.

 

270


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For each of the following years, the following total increases/(decreases) were included in ComEd’s and BGE’s electric transmission formula rate filings:

 

Annual Transmission Filings

  ComEd     BGE  
  2015     2014     2013     2015     2014     2013  

Initial revenue requirement increase (a)

  $ 68      $ 36      $ 38      $ —        $ 9      $ 2   

Annual reconciliation (decrease) increase

    18        (14     30        (3     5        (3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue requirement increase

  $ 86      $ 22      $ 68      $ (3   $ 14      $ (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowed return on rate base (b)

    8.61     8.62     8.7     8.46     8.53     8.35

Allowed ROE

    11.5     11.5     11.5     11.3     11.3     11.3

Effective date of rates (c)

    June 2015        June 2014        June 2013        June 2015        June 2014        June 2013   

 

(a) For BGE, this excludes the increase in revenue requirement associated with dedicated facilities charges. The increases for dedicated facilities were $13 million and $3 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no dedicated facilities charges in 2013 for BGE.
(b) Refers to the weighted average debt and equity return on transmission rate bases for ComEd and BGE. As part of the FERC-approved settlement of ComEd’s 2007 transmission rate case, the rate of return on common equity is 11.50% 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 BGE’s 2005 transmission rate case, the rate of return on common equity is 11.30%, inclusive of a 50 basis point incentive for participating in PJM.
(c) The time period for any challenges to the annual transmission formula rate update filings expired with no challenges submitted.

 

FERC Transmission Complaint (Exelon and BGE). On February 27, 2013, consumer advocates and regulators from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and the Delaware Electric Municipal Cooperatives (the parties), filed a complaint at FERC against BGE and the PHI companies relating to their respective transmission formula rates. BGE’s formula rate includes a 10.8% base rate of return on common equity (ROE) and a 50 basis point incentive for participating in PJM (and certain additional incentive basis points on certain projects). The parties sought a reduction in the base return on equity to 8.7% and changes to the formula rate process. Under FERC rules, any revenues subject to refund are limited to a fifteen month period and the earliest date from which the base ROE could be adjusted and refunds required is the date of the complaint.

 

On August 21, 2014, FERC issued an order in the BGE and PHI companies’ proceeding, which established hearing and settlement judge procedures for the complaint, and set a refund effective date of February 27, 2013.

 

On December 8, 2014, various state agencies in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and D.C. filed a second complaint against BGE regarding the base ROE of the transmission business seeking a reduction from 10.8% to 8.8%. The filing of the second complaint created a second refund window. By order issued on February 9, 2015, FERC established a hearing on the second complaint with the complainants’ requested refund effective date of December 8, 2014. On February 20, 2015, the Chief Judge issued an order consolidating the two complaint proceedings and established an Initial Decision issuance deadline of February 29, 2016.

 

On November 6, 2015, BGE and the PHI companies and the complainants filed a settlement with FERC covering the issues raised in the complaints. The settlement provides for a 10% base ROE, effective March 8, 2016, which will be augmented by the PJM incentive adder of 50 basis points, and refunds to BGE customers of $13.7 million. The settlement also provides a moratorium on any change in the ROE until June 1, 2018. On December 16, 2015, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge submitted a Certification of the Uncontested Settlement to the FERC Commissioners. The settlement remains subject to FERC approval.

 

271


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)—(Continued)

 

PJM Transmission Rate Design and Operating Agreements (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE). PJM Transmission Rate Design specifies the rates for transmission service charged to customers within PJM. Currently, ComEd, PECO and BGE incur costs based on the existing rate design, which charges customers based on the cost of the existing transmission facilities within their load zone and the cost of new transmission facilities based on those who benefit from those facilities. In April 2007, FERC issued an order concluding that PJM’s current rate design for existing facilities is just and reasonable and should not be changed. In the same order, FERC held that the costs of new facilities 500 kV and above should be socialized across the entire PJM footprint and that the costs of new facilities less than 500 kV should be allocated to the customers of the new facilities who caused the need for those facilities. A number of parties appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for review of the decision.

 

In August 2009, the court issued its decision affirming the FERC’s order with regard to the existing facilities, but remanded to FERC the issue of the cost allocation associated with the new facilities 500 kV and above (Cost Allocation Issue) for further consideration by the FERC. On remand, FERC reaffirmed its earlier decision to socialize the costs of new facilities 500 kV and above. A number of parties filed appeals of these orders. In June 2014, the court again remanded the Cost Allocation Issue to FERC. On December 18, 2014, FERC issued an order setting an evidentiary hearing and settlement proceeding regarding the Cost Allocation Issue. The hearing only concerns new facilities approved by the PJM Board prior to February 1, 2013. As of December 31, 2015, settlement discussions are continuing.

 

Because a new cost allocation had been adopted for projects approved by the PJM Board on or after February 1, 2013, this latest remand only involves the cost allocation for facilities 500 kV and above approved prior to that date. ComEd anticipates that all impacts of any rate design changes effective after December 31, 2006, should be recoverable through retail rates and, thus, the rate design changes are not expected to have a material impact on ComEd’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. PECO anticipates that all impacts of any rate design changes should be recoverable through the transmission service charge rider approved in PECO’s 2010 electric distribution rate case settlement and, thus, the rate design changes are not expected to have a material impact on PECO’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. To the extent any rate design changes are retroactive to periods prior to January 1, 2011, there may be an impact on PECO’s results of operations. BGE anticipates that all impacts of any rate design changes effective after the implementation of its standard offer service programs in Maryland should be recoverable through retail rates and, thus, the rate design changes are not expected to have a material impact on BGE’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE are committed to the construction of transmission facilities under their operating agreements with PJM to maintain system reliability. ComEd, PECO and BGE will work with PJM to continue to evaluate the scope and timing of any required construction projects. ComEd, PECO and BGE’s estimated commitments are as follows:

 

     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020  

ComEd

   $ 297       $ 204       $ 61       $ 26       $ 6       $ —     

PECO

     67         31         24         8         4         —     

BGE

     373         140         112         62         46         13   

 

Demand Response Resource Order (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE). On May 23, 2014, the D.C. Circuit Court issued an opinion vacating the FERC Order No. 745 (D.C. Circuit Decision). Order No. 745 established uniform compensation levels for demand response resources

 

272


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)—(Continued)

 

that participate in the day ahead and real-time wholesale energy markets. Under Order No. 745, buyers in ISO and RTO markets were required to pay demand response resources the full Locational Marginal Price when the demand response replaced a generation resource and was cost-effective. On January 25, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the D.C. Circuit Court decision and remanded the matter to the D.C. Circuit Court. While we cannot predict exactly how the D.C. Circuit Court will handle the matter on remand, we do not expect there will be any significant change in how demand response resources have or will participate in and be paid by wholesale energy markets. Thus, we do not anticipate that there will be any impact to the Registrants’ results of operations or cash flows based on these proceedings.

 

New England Capacity Market Results (Exelon and Generation). Each year, ISO New England, Inc. (ISO-NE) files the results of its annual capacity auction at the FERC which is required to include documentation regarding the competitiveness of the auction. Consistent with this requirement, on February 27, 2015, ISO-NE filed the results of its ninth capacity auction (covering the June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 delivery period). On June 18, 2015, the FERC accepted the results of the ninth capacity auction. On July 20, 2015, a union representing utility workers sought rehearing of that decision which the FERC denied on December 30, 2015. It is not clear whether the FERC’s order will be appealed.

 

On February 28, 2014, ISO-NE filed the results of its eighth capacity auction (covering the June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018 delivery period). On June 27, 2014, the FERC issued a letter to ISO-NE noting that ISO-NE’s February 28, 2014 filing was deficient and that ISO-NE must file additional information before the FERC can process the filing. ISO-NE filed the information on July 17, 2014, and the ISO-NE’s filings became effective by operation of law pursuant to a notice issued by the secretary of FERC on September 16, 2014. Several parties sought rehearing of the secretary’s notice which was effectively denied in October 2014 and have since appealed the matter to the D.C. Circuit Court. On April 7, 2015 the D.C. Circuit Court issued an order referring the matter to a merits panel where issues raised by parties challenging the FERC decision will be heard as well as FERC’s Motion to Dismiss the challenges. It is not clear whether the court will decide ultimately on the merits of the case or whether it will dismiss the case as FERC urges based on the fact that there is no action by the FERC to be considered. Nonetheless, while any change in the auction results is thought to be unlikely, Exelon and Generation cannot predict with certainty what further action the court may take concerning the results of that auction, but any court action could be material to Exelon’s and Generation’s expected revenues from the capacity auction.

 

License Renewals (Exelon and Generation). Generation has 40-year operating licenses from the NRC for each of its nuclear units. The operating license renewal process takes approximately four to five years from the commencement of the renewal process until completion of the NRC’s review.

 

On May 29, 2013, Generation submitted applications to the NRC to extend the current operating licenses of Byron Units 1 and 2 and Braidwood Units 1 and 2 by 20 years. On November 19, 2015, the NRC approved Generation’s request to extend the operating licenses of Byron Unit 1 and 2 by 20 years to 2044 and 2046, respectively. On January 27, 2016 the NRC approved Generation’s request to extend the operating licenses of Braidwood Unit 1 and 2 by 20 years to 2046 and 2047, respectively.

 

On December 09, 2014, Generation submitted an application to the NRC to extend the current operating licenses of LaSalle Units 1 and 2, which were set to expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

On August 29, 2012 and August 30, 2012, Generation submitted hydroelectric license applications to FERC for 46-year licenses for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (Conowingo) and the Muddy

 

273


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)—(Continued)

 

Run Pumped Storage Project (Muddy Run), respectively. On December 22, 2015, FERC issued a new 40-year license for Muddy Run. The license term expires on December 1, 2055. The financial impact associated with Muddy Run license commitments is estimated to be in the range of an incremental $25 million to $35 million, and includes both capital expenditures and operating expenses, primarily relating to fish passage and habitat improvement projects. At December 31, 2015, $22 million of direct costs associated with the licensing effort have been capitalized.

 

Generation is working with stakeholders to resolve water quality licensing issues with the MDE for Conowingo, including: (1) water quality, (2) fish passage and habitat, and (3) sediment. On January 30, 2014, Generation filed a water quality certification application pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA with MDE for Conowingo, addressing these and other issues, although Generation cannot currently predict the conditions that ultimately may be imposed. MDE indicated that it believed it did not have sufficient information to process Generation’s application. As a result, Generation entered into an agreement with MDE to work with state agencies in Maryland, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program to design, conduct and fund an additional multi-year sediment study. Generation has agreed to contribute up to $3.5 million to fund the additional study. Because states must act on applications under Section 401 of the CWA within one year and the sediment study would not be completed prior to January 31, 2015, Exelon withdrew its application for a water quality certification on December 4, 2014. FERC policy requires that an applicant resubmit its request for a water quality certification within 90 days of the date of withdrawal. Accordingly, on March 3, 2015, Generation refiled its application for a water quality certification. Exelon has agreed with MDE to withdraw and refile its application for a water quality certification as necessary pending completion of the sediment study. On August 7, 2015, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) submitted its modified fishway prescription to FERC in the Conowingo licensing proceedings. On September 11, 2015, Exelon filed a request for an administrative hearing and proposed an alternative prescription to challenge USFWS’s preliminary prescription. Resolution of these issues relating to Conowingo may have a material effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations and financial position through an increase in capital expenditures and operating costs.

 

The FERC license for Conowingo expired on September 1, 2014. Under the Federal Power Act, FERC is required to issue an annual license for a facility until the new license is issued. On September 10, 2014, FERC issued an annual license for Conowingo, effective as of the expiration of the previous license. If FERC does not issue a new license prior to the expiration of an annual license, the annual license will renew automatically. On March 11, 2015, FERC issued the final Environmental Impact Statement for Conowingo. The stations are currently being depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which includes the license renewal period. As of December 31, 2015, $23 million of direct costs associated with licensing efforts have been capitalized.

 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation. Under this guidance, regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent the excess recovery of costs or accrued credits that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates or represent billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs.

 

274


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following tables provide information about the regulatory assets and liabilities of Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

December 31, 2015

   Exelon      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Regulatory assets

           

Pension and other postretirement benefits

   $ 3,156       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Deferred income taxes

     1,616         64         1,473         79   

AMI programs

     399         140         63         196   

Under-recovered distribution service costs

     189         189         —           —     

Debt costs

     47         46         1         8   

Fair value of BGE long-term debt

     162         —           —           —     

Severance

     9         —           —           9   

Asset retirement obligations

     108         67         22         19   

MGP remediation costs

     286         255         30         1   

Under-recovered uncollectible accounts

     52         52         —           —     

Renewable energy

     247         247         —           —     

Energy and transmission programs

     84         43         1         40   

Deferred storm costs

     2         —           —           2   

Electric generation-related regulatory asset

     20         —           —           20   

Rate stabilization deferral

     87         —           —           87   

Energy efficiency and demand response programs

     279         —           1         278   

Merger integration costs

     6         —           —           6   

Conservation voltage reduction

     3         —           —           3   

Under-recovered revenue decoupling

     30         —           —           30   

CAP arrearage

     7         —           7         —     

Other

     35         10         19         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total regulatory assets

     6,824         1,113         1,617         781   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: current portion

     759         218         34         267   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent regulatory assets

   $ 6,065       $ 895       $ 1,583       $ 514   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

   Exelon      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Regulatory liabilities

           

Other postretirement benefits

   $ 94       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Nuclear decommissioning

     2,577         2,172         405         —     

Removal costs

     1,527         1,332         —           195   

Energy efficiency and demand response programs

     92         52         40         —     

DLC program costs

     9         —           9         —     

Electric distribution tax repairs

     95         —           95         —     

Gas distribution tax repairs

     28         —           28         —     

Energy and transmission programs

     131         53         60         18   

Over-recovered revenue decoupling

     1         —           —           1   

Other

     16         5         2         8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total regulatory liabilities

     4,570         3,614         639         222   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: current portion

     369         155         112         38   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent regulatory liabilities

   $ 4,201       $ 3,459       $ 527       $ 184   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

275


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

December 31, 2014

   Exelon      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Regulatory assets

           

Pension and other postretirement benefits

   $ 3,256       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Deferred income taxes

     1,542         64         1,400         78   

AMI programs

     296         91         77         128   

Under-recovered distribution service costs

     371         371         —           —     

Debt costs

     57         53         4         9   

Fair value of BGE long-term debt

     190         —           —           —     

Severance

     12         —           —           12   

Asset retirement obligations

     116         74         26         16   

MGP remediation costs

     257         219         37         1   

Under-recovered uncollectible accounts

     67         67         —           —     

Renewable energy

     207         207         —           —     

Energy and transmission programs

     48         33         —           15   

Deferred storm costs

     3         —           —           3   

Electric generation-related regulatory asset

     30         —           —           30   

Rate stabilization deferral

     160         —           —           160   

Energy efficiency and demand response programs

     248         —           —           248   

Merger integration costs

     8         —           —           8   

Conservation voltage reduction

     2         —           —           2   

Under-recovered revenue decoupling

     7         —           —           7   

Other

     46         22         14         7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total regulatory assets

     6,923         1,201         1,558         724   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: current portion

     847         349         29         214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent regulatory assets

   $ 6,076       $ 852       $ 1,529       $ 510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

   Exelon      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Regulatory liabilities

           

Other postretirement benefits

   $ 88       $ —         $ —         $ —     

Nuclear decommissioning

     2,879         2,389         490         —     

Removal costs

     1,566         1,343         —           223   

Energy efficiency and demand response programs

     59         25         34         —     

DLC program costs

     10         —           10         —     

Electric distribution tax repairs

     102         —           102         —     

Gas distribution tax repairs

     49         —           49         —     

Energy and transmission programs

     84         19         58         7   

Revenue subject to refund

     3         3         —           —     

Over-recovered revenue decoupling

     12         —           —           12   

Other

     8         1         4         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total regulatory liabilities

     4,860         3,780         747         244   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: current portion

     310         125         90         44   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent regulatory liabilities

   $ 4,550       $ 3,655       $ 657       $ 200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Pension and other postretirement benefits. As of December 31, 2015, Exelon had regulatory assets of $3,156 million and regulatory liabilities of $94 million related to ComEd’s and BGE’s portion of deferred costs associated with Exelon’s pension plans and ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s portion of

 

276


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

deferred costs associated with Exelon’s other postretirement benefit plans. PECO’s pension regulatory recovery is based on cash contributions and is not included in the regulatory asset (liability) balances. The regulatory asset (liability) is amortized in proportion to the recognition of prior service costs (gains), transition obligations and actuarial losses (gains) attributable to Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans determined by the cost recognition provisions of the authoritative guidance for pensions and postretirement benefits. ComEd, PECO and BGE will recover these costs through base rates as allowed in their most recently approved regulated rate orders. The pension and other postretirement benefit regulatory asset balance includes a regulatory asset established at the date of the Constellation merger related to BGE’s portion of the deferred costs associated with legacy Constellation’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The BGE-related regulatory asset is being amortized over a period of approximately 12 years, which generally represents the expected average remaining service period of plan participants at the date of the Constellation merger. See Note 17—Retirement Benefits for additional detail. No return is earned on Exelon’s regulatory asset.

 

Deferred income taxes. These costs represent the difference between the method by which the regulator allows for the recovery of income taxes and how income taxes would be recorded under GAAP. Regulatory assets and liabilities associated with deferred income taxes, recorded in compliance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation and income taxes, include the deferred tax effects associated principally with accelerated depreciation accounted for in accordance with the ratemaking policies of the ICC, PAPUC and MDPSC, as well as the revenue impacts thereon, and assume continued recovery of these costs in future transmission and distribution rates. For BGE, this amount includes the impacts of a reduction in the deductibility, for Federal income tax purposes, of certain retiree health care costs pursuant to the March 2010 Health Care Reform Acts. For BGE, these additional income taxes are being amortized over a 5-year period that began in March 2011 in accordance with the MDPSC’s March 2011 rate order. For PECO, this amount includes the impacts of electric and gas distribution repairs in the deductibility pursuant to PUC’s 2010 and 2015 rate case settlement agreements. See Note 15—Income Taxes and Note 17—Retirement Benefits for additional information. ComEd, PECO and BGE are not earning a return on the regulatory asset in base rates.

 

AMI programs. For ComEd, this amount represents meter costs associated with ComEd’s AMI pilot program approved in ComEd’s 2010 rate case. The recovery periods for the meter costs are through January 1, 2020. As of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, ComEd had regulatory assets of $137 million and $88 million, respectively, related to accelerated depreciation costs resulting from the early retirements of non-AMI meters, which will be amortized over an average ten year period pursuant to the ICC approved AMI Deployment plan. ComEd is earning a return on the regulatory asset. For PECO, this amount represents accelerated depreciation and filing and implementation costs relating to the PAPUC-approved Smart Meter Procurement and Installation Plan as well as the return on the un-depreciated investment, taxes, and operating and maintenance expenses. The approved plan allows for recovery of filing and implementation costs incurred through December 31, 2012. In addition, the approved plan provides for recovery of program costs, which includes depreciation on new equipment placed in service, beginning in January 2011 on full and current basis, which includes interest income or expense on the under or over recovery. The approved plan also provides for recovery of accelerated depreciation on PECO’s non-AMI meter assets over a 10-year period ending December 31, 2020. Recovery of smart meter costs will be reflected in base rates effective January 1, 2016. For BGE, this amount represents smart grid pilot program costs as well as the incremental costs associated with implementing full deployment of a smart grid program. Pursuant to a MDPSC order, pilot program costs of $11 million were deferred in a regulatory asset, and, beginning with the MDPSC’s March 2011 rate order, is earning BGE’s most current authorized rate of return. In August

 

277


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

2010, the MDPSC approved a comprehensive smart grid initiative for BGE, authorizing BGE to establish a separate regulatory asset for incremental costs incurred to implement the initiative, including the net depreciation and amortization costs associated with the meters, and an appropriate rate of return on these costs, a portion of which is not recognized under GAAP until cost recovery begins. Additionally, the MDPSC requires that BGE prove the cost-effectiveness of the entire smart grid initiative prior to seeking recovery of the costs deferred in these regulatory assets. As part of the 2015 electric and gas distribution rate case filed on November 6, 2015 and amended on January 5, 2016, BGE is seeking recovery of its smart grid initiative costs. Of BGE’s requested $200 million, $140 million relates to the smart grid initiative. In support of its recovery of smart grid initiative costs, BGE provided evidence demonstrating that the benefits exceed the costs by a ratio of 2.3 to 1.0, on a nominal basis. If approved by the MDPSC, the amortization of these deferred costs would begin in June 2016. BGE’s AMI regulatory asset excludes costs for non-AMI meters being replaced by AMI meters, as recovery of those costs commenced with the new rates approved and implemented with the MDPSC order in BGE’s 2014 electric and gas distribution case.

 

Under-recovered distribution services costs. These amounts represent under (over) recoveries related to electric distribution services costs recoverable (refundable) through EIMA’s performance based formula rate tariff. Under (over) recoveries for the annual reconciliations are recoverable (refundable) over a one-year period and costs for certain one-time events, such as large storms, are recoverable over a five-year period. ComEd earns and pays a return on under and over recovered costs, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the regulatory asset was comprised of $142 million for the 2014 and 2015 annual reconciliations and $47 million related to significant one-time events, including $36 million in deferred storm costs and $11 million of Constellation merger and integration related costs. As of December 31, 2014, the regulatory asset was comprised of $286 million for the 2013 and 2014 annual reconciliations and $85 million related to significant one-time events, including $66 million in deferred storm costs and $19 million of Constellation merger and integration related costs. See Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act above for further details.

 

Debt costs. Consistent with rate recovery for ratemaking purposes, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s recoverable losses on reacquired long-term debt related to regulated operations are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the new debt issued to finance the debt redemption or over the life of the original debt issuance if the debt is not refinanced. Interest-rate swap settlements are deferred and amortized over the period that the related debt is outstanding or the life of the original issuance retired. These debt costs are used in the determination of the weighted cost of capital applied to rate base in the rate-making process. ComEd and BGE are not earning a return on the recovery of these costs, while PECO is earning a return on the premium of the cost of the reacquired debt through base rates.

 

Fair value of BGE long-term debt. These amounts represent the regulatory asset recorded at Exelon for the difference in the fair value of the long-term debt of BGE as of the Constellation merger date based on the MDPSC practice to allow BGE to recover its debt costs through rates. Exelon is amortizing the regulatory asset and the associated fair value over the life of the underlying debt and is not earning a return on the recovery of these costs.

 

Severance. For BGE, these costs represent deferred severance costs associated with a 2010 workforce reduction that were deferred as a regulatory asset and are being amortized over a 5-year period that began in March 2011 in accordance with the MDPSC’s March 2011 rate order. Additionally, costs associated with the 2012 BGE voluntary workforce reduction were deferred in 2012 as a regulatory asset in accordance with the MDPSC’s orders in prior rate cases and are being amortized over a 5-year period that began in July 2012. BGE is earning a regulated return on the regulatory asset included in base rates.

 

278


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Asset retirement obligations. These costs represent future legally required removal costs associated with existing asset retirement obligations. PECO will begin to earn a return on, and a recovery of, these costs once the removal activities have been performed. ComEd and BGE will recover these costs through future depreciation rates and will earn a return on these costs once the removal activities have been performed. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

MGP remediation costs. ComEd is allowed recovery of these costs under ICC approved rates. For PECO, these costs are recoverable through rates as affirmed in the 2010 approved natural gas distribution rate case settlement. The period of recovery for both ComEd and PECO will depend on the timing of the actual expenditures. ComEd and PECO are not earning a return on the recovery of these costs. While BGE does not have a rider for MGP clean-up costs, BGE has historically received recovery of actual clean-up costs on a site-specific basis in distribution rates. For BGE, $5 million of clean-up costs incurred during the period from July 2000 through November 2005 and an additional $1 million from December 2005 through November 2010 are recoverable through rates in accordance with MDPSC orders. BGE is earning a return on this regulatory asset and these costs are being amortized over 10-year periods that began in January 2006 and December 2010, respectively. The recovery period for the 10-year period that began January 2006 was extended for an additional 24 months, in accordance with the MDPSC approved 2014 electric and natural gas distribution rate case order. See Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

 

Under recovered uncollectible accounts. These amounts represent the difference between ComEd’s annual uncollectible accounts expense and revenues collected in rates through an ICC-approved rider. The difference between net uncollectible account charge-offs and revenues collected through the rider each calendar year is recovered or refunded over a twelve-month period beginning in June of the following calendar year. ComEd does not earn a return on these under recoveries.

 

Renewable energy. In December 2010, ComEd entered into several 20-year floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the procurement of long-term renewable energy. Delivery under the contracts began in June 2012. Since the swap contracts were deemed prudent by the Illinois Settlement Legislation, ensuring ComEd of full recovery in rates, the changes in fair value each period as well as an offsetting regulatory asset or liability are recorded by ComEd. ComEd does not earn (pay) a return on the regulatory asset (liability). The basis for the mark-to-market derivative asset or liability position is based on the difference between ComEd’s cost to purchase energy at the market price and the contracted price.

 

Energy and transmission programs. These amounts represent under (over) recoveries related to energy and transmission costs recoverable (refundable) under ComEd’s ICC and/or FERC-approved rates. Under (over) recoveries are recoverable (refundable) over a one-year period or less. ComEd earns a return or interest on under-recovered costs and pays interest on over-recovered costs to customers. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd’s regulatory asset of $43 million included $5 million related to under-recovered energy costs, $31 million associated with transmission costs recoverable through its FERC-approved formula rate tariff, and $7 million of Constellation merger and integration costs to be recovered upon FERC approval. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd’s regulatory liability of $53 million included $29 million related to over-recovered energy costs and $24 million associated with revenues received for renewable energy requirements. As of December 31, 2014, ComEd’s regulatory asset of $33 million included $4 million related to under-recovered energy costs, $22 million associated with transmission costs recoverable through its FERC-approved formula rate tariff, and $7 million of

 

279


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Constellation merger and integration costs to be recovered upon FERC approval. As of December 31, 2014, ComEd’s regulatory liability of $19 million included $3 million related to over-recovered energy costs and $16 million associated with revenues received for renewable energy requirements. See Transmission Formula Rate above for further details.

 

The PECO energy costs represent the electric and gas supply related costs recoverable (refundable) under PECO’s GSA and PGC, respectively. PECO earns interest on the under-recovered energy and natural gas costs and pays interest on over-recovered energy and natural gas costs to customers. In addition, the DSP Program costs are presented on a net basis with PECO’s GSA under (over)-recovered energy costs. See additional discussion below. The PECO transmission costs represent the electric transmission costs recoverable (refundable) under the TSC under which PECO earns interest on under-recovered costs and pays interest on over-recovered costs to customers. As of December 31, 2015, PECO had a regulatory liability that included $35 million related to the DSP program, $22 million related to over-recovered natural gas supply costs under the PGC and $3 million related to over-recovered electric transmission costs. As of December 31, 2014, PECO had a regulatory liability that included $39 million related to the DSP program, $3 million related the over-recovered electric transmission costs and $16 million related to over-recovered natural gas supply costs under the PGC.

 

DSP Program Costs. These amounts represent recoverable administrative costs incurred relating to the filing and procurement associated with PECO’s PAPUC-approved DSP programs for the procurement of electric supply. The filings and procurements of these DSP Programs are recoverable through the GSA over each respective term. The original DSP Program had a 29-month term that began January 1, 2011. DSP II and DSP III each have a 24-month term that began June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2015, respectively. The independent evaluator costs associated with conducting procurements are recoverable over a 12-month period after the PAPUC approves the results of the procurements. PECO is not earning a return on these costs. Certain costs included in PECO’s original DSP program related to information technology improvements were recovered over a 5-year period that began January 1, 2011. PECO earns a return on the recovery of information technology costs. These costs are included within the energy and transmission programs line item.

 

The BGE energy costs represent the electric supply, gas supply, and transmission related costs recoverable (refundable) from (to) customers under BGE’s market-based SOS program, MBR program, and FERC approved transmission rates, respectively. BGE does not earn or pay interest on under- or over-recovered costs to customers. As of December 31, 2015, BGE’s regulatory asset of $40 million included $12 million associated with transmission costs recoverable through its FERC approved formula rate and $28 million related to under-recovered electric energy costs. As of December 31, 2015, BGE’s regulatory liability of $18 million related to $5 million of over-recovered natural gas costs $14 million of over-recovered transmission costs, offset by $1 million of abandonment costs to be recovered upon FERC approval. As of December 31, 2014, BGE’s regulatory asset of $15 million included $10 million related to under-recovered electric energy costs, $4 million of Constellation merger and integration costs and $1 million of transmission costs recoverable through its FERC approved formula rate. As of December 31, 2014, BGE’s regulatory liability of $7 million related to over-recovered natural gas supply costs.

 

Deferred storm costs. In the MDPSC’s March 2011 rate order, BGE was authorized to defer $16 million in storm costs incurred in February 2010. BGE earns a return on this regulatory asset and the recovery period was extended for an additional 25 months, in accordance with the MDPSC approved 2014 electric and natural gas distribution rate case order.

 

280


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Electric generation-related regulatory asset. As a result of the deregulation of electric generation, BGE ceased to meet the requirements for accounting for a regulated business for the previous electric generation portion of its business. As a result, BGE wrote-off its entire individual, generation-related regulatory assets and liabilities and established a single, generation-related regulatory asset to be collected through its regulated rates, which is being amortized on a basis that approximates the pre-existing individual regulatory asset amortization schedules. The portion of this regulatory asset that does not earn a regulated rate of return was $19 million as of December 31, 2015, and $28 million as of December 31, 2014. BGE will continue to amortize this amount through 2017.

 

Rate stabilization deferral. In June 2006, Senate Bill 1 was enacted in Maryland and imposed a rate stabilization measure that capped rate increases by BGE for residential electric customers at 15% from July 1, 2006, to May 31, 2007. As a result, BGE recorded a regulatory asset on its Consolidated Balance Sheets equal to the difference between the costs to purchase power and the revenues collected from customers, as well as related carrying charges based on short-term interest rates from July 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007. In addition, as required by Senate Bill 1, the MDPSC approved a plan that allowed residential electric customers the option to further defer the transition to market rates from June 1, 2007 to January 1, 2008. During 2007, BGE deferred $306 million of electricity purchased for resale expenses and certain applicable carrying charges, which are calculated using the implied interest rates of the rate stabilization bonds, as a regulatory asset related to the rate stabilization plans. During 2015 and 2014, BGE recovered $73 million and $65 million, respectively, of electricity purchased for resale expenses and carrying charges related to the rate stabilization plan regulatory asset. BGE began amortizing the regulatory asset associated with the deferral which ended in May 2007 to earnings over a period not to exceed ten years when collection from customers began in June 2007.

 

Energy efficiency and demand response programs. For ComEd, these amounts represent over recoveries related to ComEd’s ICC-approved Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Plan. ComEd refunds these over recoveries through a rider over a twelve-month period. ComEd earns a return on the capital investment incurred under the program, but does not earn or pay interest on under or over recoveries, respectively. For PECO, these amounts represent over recoveries of program costs related to both Phase I and Phase II of its PAPUC-approved EE&C Plan. PECO began recovering the costs of its Phase I and Phase II EE&C Plans through a surcharge in January 2010 and June 2013, respectively, based on projected spending under the programs. Phase I recovery continued over the life of the program, which expired on May 31, 2013 and excess funds collected began being refunded in June 2013. Phase II of the program began on June 1, 2013, and will continue over the life of the program, which will expire on May 31, 2016. Excess funds collected are required to be refunded beginning in June 2016. PECO earned a return on the capital investment incurred under Phase I of the program. PECO does not earn (pay) interest on under (over) collections. For BGE, these amounts represent under (over) recoveries related to BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program®, which includes both MDPSC-approved demand response and energy efficiency programs. For the BGE Peak RewardsSM demand response program which began in January 2008, actual marketing and customer bonus costs incurred in the demand response program are being recovered over a 5-year amortization period from the date incurred pursuant to an order by the MDPSC. Fixed assets related to the demand response program are recovered over the life of the equipment. Also included in the demand response program are customer bill credits related to BGE’s Smart Energy Rewards program which began in July 2013 and are being recovered through the surcharge. Actual costs incurred in the energy efficiency program are being amortized over a 5-year period with recovery beginning in 2010 pursuant to an order by the MDPSC. BGE earns a rate of return on the capital investments and deferred costs incurred under the program and earns (pays) interest on under (over) collections.

 

281


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Merger integration costs. These amounts represent integration costs to achieve distribution synergies related to the Constellation merger transaction. As a result of the MDPSC’s February 2013 rate order, BGE deferred $8 million related to non-severance merger integration costs incurred during 2012 and the first quarter of 2013. Of these costs, $4 million was authorized to be amortized over a 5-year period that began in March 2013. The recovery of the remaining $4 million was deferred. In the MDPSC’s December 2013 rate order, BGE was authorized to recover the remaining $4 million and an additional $4 million of non-severance merger integration costs incurred during 2013. These costs are being amortized over a 5-year period that began in December 2013. BGE is earning a return on this regulatory asset included in base rates.

 

Under (Over)-recovered electric and gas revenue decoupling. These amounts represent the electric and gas distribution costs recoverable from or (refundable) to customers under BGE’s decoupling mechanism, which does not earn a rate of return. As of December 31, 2015, BGE had a regulatory asset of $30 million related to under-recovered electric revenue decoupling and a regulatory liability of $1 million related to over-recovered natural gas revenue decoupling. As of December 31, 2014, BGE had a regulatory asset of $7 million related to under-recovered electric revenue decoupling and a regulatory liability of $12 million related to over-recovered natural gas revenue decoupling.

 

CAP arrearage. These amounts represent the guaranteed recovery of previously incurred bad debt expense associated with the estimated eligible CAP accounts receivable balances under the IPAF Program as provided by the 2015 electric distribution rate case settlement. These costs are amortized as recovery is received through a combination of customer payments and rate recovery, including through future rate cases if necessary. PECO is not earning a return on this regulatory asset.

 

Nuclear decommissioning. These amounts represent estimated future nuclear decommissioning costs for the Regulatory Agreement Units that exceed (regulatory asset) or are less than (regulatory liability) the associated decommissioning trust fund assets. Exelon believes the trust fund assets, including prospective earnings thereon and any future collections from customers, will be sufficient to fund the associated future decommissioning costs at the time of decommissioning. Exelon is not accruing interest on these costs. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Removal costs. These amounts represent funds ComEd and BGE have received from customers through depreciation rates to cover the future non-legally required cost of removal of property, plant and equipment which reduces rate base for ratemaking purposes. This liability is reduced as costs are incurred.

 

DLC program costs. The DLC program costs include equipment, installation, and information technology costs necessary to implement the DLC Program under PECO’s EE&C Phase I Plans. PECO received full cost recovery through Phase I collections and will amortize the costs as a credit to the income statement to offset the related depreciation expense during the same period through September 2025, which is the remaining useful life of the assets. PECO is not paying interest on these over-recovered costs.

 

Electric distribution tax repairs. PECO’s 2010 electric distribution rate case settlement required that the expected cash benefit from the application of Revenue Procedure 2011-43, which was issued on August 19, 2011, to prior tax years be refunded to customers over a seven-year period. Credits began being reflected in customer bills on January 1, 2012. PECO’s 2015 electric distribution rate case settlement requires PECO to pay interest on the unamortized balance of the tax-effected catch-up deduction beginning January 1, 2016.

 

282


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Gas distribution tax repairs. PECO’s 2010 natural gas distribution rate case settlement required that the expected cash benefit from the application of new tax repairs deduction methodologies for 2010 and prior tax years be refunded to customers over a seven-year period. In September 2012, PECO filed an application with the IRS to change its method of accounting for gas distribution repairs for the 2011 tax year. Credits began being reflected in customer bills on January 1, 2013. No interest will be paid to customers.

 

Revenue subject to refund. These amounts represent refunds and associated interest ComEd owes to customers primarily related to the treatment of the post-test year accumulated depreciation issue in the 2007 Rate Case. As of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, ComEd owed $0 million and $3 million, respectively.

 

Purchase of Receivables Programs (Exelon, ComEd, PECO, and BGE)

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE are required, under separate legislation and regulations in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, to purchase certain receivables from retail electric and natural gas suppliers. For retail suppliers participating in the utilities’ consolidated billing, ComEd, PECO and BGE must purchase their customer accounts receivables. ComEd and BGE purchase receivables at a discount to primarily recover uncollectible accounts expense from the suppliers. PECO is required to purchase receivables at face value and is permitted to recover uncollectible accounts expense from customers through distribution rates. Exelon, ComEd, PECO, and BGE do not record unbilled commodity receivables under their POR programs. Purchased billed receivables are classified in other accounts receivable, net on Exelon’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following tables provide information about the purchased receivables of the Registrants as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

As of December 31, 2015

   Exelon     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Purchased receivables (a)

   $ 229      $ 103      $ 67      $ 59   

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)

     (31     (16     (7     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchased receivables, net

   $ 198      $ 87      $ 60      $ 51   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014

   Exelon     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Purchased receivables (a)

   $ 290      $ 139      $ 76      $ 75   

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)

     (42     (21     (8     (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchased receivables, net

   $ 248      $ 118      $ 68      $ 62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) PECO’s gas POR program became effective on January 1, 2012 and includes a 1% discount on purchased receivables in order to recover the implementation costs of the program. The implementation costs were fully recovered and the 1% discount was reset to 0%, effective July 2015.
(b) For ComEd and BGE, reflects the incremental allowance for uncollectible accounts recorded, which is in addition to the purchase discount. For ComEd, the incremental uncollectible accounts expense is recovered through its Purchase of Receivables with Consolidated Billing (PORCB) tariff.

 

4. Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions (Exelon and Generation)

 

Proposed Merger with Pepco Holdings, Inc. (Exelon)

 

Description of Transaction

 

On April 29, 2014, Exelon and Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) signed an agreement and plan of merger (as subsequently amended and restated as of July 18, 2014, the Merger Agreement) to

 

283


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

combine the two companies in an all cash transaction. The resulting company will retain the Exelon name. Under the Merger Agreement, PHI’s shareholders will receive $27.25 of cash in exchange for each share of PHI common stock. Based on the outstanding shares of PHI’s common stock as of December 31, 2015, PHI shareholders would receive $6.9 billion in total cash. In addition, in connection with the Merger Agreement, Exelon entered into a subscription agreement under which it has purchased $180 million of a class of nonvoting, nonconvertible and nontransferable preferred securities of PHI. The preferred securities are included in Other non-current assets on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. PHI has the right to redeem the preferred securities at its option for the purchase price paid plus accrued dividends, if any.

 

On November 2, 2015, Exelon and PHI each filed a new Notification and Report Form with the DOJ under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act) due to the expiration of the original filing. The HSR Act waiting period expired on December 2, 2015, and the HSR Act no longer precludes completion of the merger.

 

To date, the PHI stockholders, the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), the Delaware Public Service Commission (DPSC), the Maryland Public Service Commission (MDPSC) and the FERC have approved the merger of PHI and Exelon. The Federal Communications Commission has also approved the transfer of certain PHI communications licenses.

 

On February 11, 2015, the NJBPU approved the proposed merger and the previously filed settlement signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Atlantic City Electric (ACE), NJBPU staff, and the Independent Energy Coalition. The settlement provides a package of benefits to ACE customers and the state of New Jersey. This package of benefits includes the establishment of customer rate credit programs, with an aggregate value of $62 million for ACE customers and energy efficiency programs that will provide savings for ACE customers of $15 million. The March 6, 2015, order by the NJBPU approving the merger required that the consummation of the merger must take place no later than November 1, 2015 unless otherwise extended by the Board. On October 15, 2015, the NJBPU extended the November 1, 2015 date to June 30, 2016.

 

On February 13, 2015, Exelon and PHI announced that they had reached a settlement agreement in the proceeding before the DPSC to review the proposed merger. The settlement, which was amended on April 7, 2015, was signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Delmarva Power & Light Company (DPL), the DPSC Staff, the Delaware Public Advocate, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition and the Clean Air Council. As part of this settlement, Exelon and PHI proposed a package of benefits to DPL customers and the state of Delaware including the establishment of customer rate credits of $40 million for DPL customers in Delaware, $2 million of funding for energy efficiency programs for DPL low income customers, and $2 million of funding for workforce development. On June 2, 2015, the DPSC issued an order accepting the settlement and approving the merger between Exelon and PHI.

 

On March 17, 2015, Exelon and PHI announced that they had reached settlements with multiple parties in the Maryland proceeding to review the proposed merger after filing a Request for Adoption of Settlements with the MDPSC. The settlements were signed and filed by Exelon, PHI, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, the National Consumer Law Center, National Housing Trust, the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, and a consortium of recreational trail advocacy organizations led by the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts.

 

284


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Exelon and PHI also announced a settlement with The Alliance for Solar Choice. On May 15, 2015, the MDPSC approved the merger after modifying a number of the conditions in the settlements, resulting in total rate credits of $66 million, funding for energy efficiency programs of $43.2 million, a Green Sustainability Fund of $14.4 million, 20 MWs of renewable generation development and increased penalties related to reliability commitments. On May 18, 2015, Exelon and PHI accepted and committed to fulfill the conditions.

 

On June 11, 2015, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), the Sierra Club, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network filed Petitions for Judicial Review of the MDPSC’s approval of the merger with the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. On June 23, 2015, Public Citizen, Inc. filed its Petition for Judicial Review with the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. On July 10, 2015, Exelon and PHI filed a response in opposition to the Petitions for Review.

 

On July 21, 2015, the OPC filed a motion to stay the MDPSC order approving the merger and to set a schedule for discovery and presentation of new evidence. On July 29, 2015, Public Citizen, Inc. filed a response supporting OPC’s motion to stay, and on July 31, 2015 the Sierra Club and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network filed a joint motion to stay. In July and August, Exelon, PHI, the MDPSC, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County filed responses opposing the motions to stay. The judge issued an order denying the motions for stay on August 12, 2015. On January 8, 2016, the Circuit Court judge affirmed the MDPSC’s order approving the merger and denied the petitions for judicial review filed by the OPC, the Sierra Club, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and Public Citizen, Inc. On January 19, 2016, the OPC filed a notice of appeal to the Maryland Court of Special appeals, and on January 21, Sierra Club and CCAN filed a notice of appeal. In the ordinary course this appeal would be resolved no earlier than third quarter 2016.

 

On August 27, 2015, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (DCPSC) issued an Opinion and Order denying approval of the merger, concluding that the merger as presented was not in the public interest. Exelon and PHI filed an Application for Reconsideration with the DCPSC on September 28, 2015. On October 6, 2015, Exelon, PHI, the District of Columbia Government, the Office of Peoples Counsel, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, the National Consumer Law Center, National Housing Trust and National Housing Trust—Enterprise Preservation Corporation, and the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (collectively, Settling Parties) entered into a Nonunanimous Full Settlement Agreement and Stipulation (Settlement Agreement) with respect to the merger. Exelon and PHI subsequently filed a motion of joint applicants requesting the DCPSC to reopen the approval application to allow for consideration of the Settlement Agreement and granting additional requested relief. The new package of benefits totals $78 million and includes commitments to provide relief of residential customer base rate increases of $26 million, one-time direct bill credits of $14 million, low-income energy assistance of $16 million, improved reliability, a cleaner and greener D.C. through funding energy efficiency programs and development of renewable energy, and investment in local jobs and the local economy through workforce development of $5 million. It also guarantees charitable contributions totaling $19 million over 10 years.

 

On October 28, 2015, the DCPSC agreed to reopen the approval application to allow for consideration of the Settlement Agreement. Since then, parties supporting and opposing the Settlement filed testimony, participated in formal hearings and, on December 23, 2015, submitted final briefs to the DCPSC. The parties now await a formal decision from the DCPSC. The Merger Agreement provides that either Exelon or PHI may terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger is not completed by October 28, 2015. Pursuant to a Letter Agreement related to the Settlement Agreement, Exelon and PHI have agreed, among other things, that they will not exercise their rights to terminate

 

285


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

the Merger Agreement before March 4, 2016, except under limited circumstances. If the DCPSC does not approve the Settlement Agreement by March 4, 2016, either Exelon or PHI may terminate the Settlement Agreement.

 

The settlements reached and commission orders received to date in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey include a “most favored nation” provision which, generally speaking, requires allocation of merger benefits proportionately across all the jurisdictions. When applying the most favored nation provision to the settlement terms and other conditions established in the merger approvals received to date, and as proposed in the Settlement Agreement filed with the DCPSC, Exelon and PHI currently estimate direct benefits of $430 million or more on a net present value basis (excluding charitable contributions and renewable generation commitments) will be provided, including rate credits, funding for energy efficiency programs and other required commitments. Exelon and PHI anticipate substantially all of such amounts will be charged to earnings at the time of merger close and will be paid by the end of 2017. An additional $53 million will be charged to earnings at the time of the merger close for charitable contributions, which are then required to be paid over a period of 10 years. Commitments to develop renewable generation, which are expected to be primarily capital in nature, will be recognized as incurred. Upon completion of the merger, the actual nature, amount, timing and financial reporting treatment for these commitments may be materially different from the current projection.

 

Exelon has been named in suits filed in the Delaware Chancery Court alleging that individual directors of PHI breached their fiduciary duties by entering into the proposed merger transaction and Exelon aided and abetted the individual directors’ breaches. The suits seek to enjoin PHI from completing the merger or seek rescission of the merger if completed. In addition, they also seek unspecified damages and costs. Exelon was also named in a federal court suit making similar claims. In September 2014, the parties reached a proposed settlement that would resolve all claims, which is subject to court approval. Final court approval of the proposed settlement is not anticipated until approximately 90 days after merger close. Exelon does not believe these suits will impact the completion of the transaction, and they are not expected to have a material impact on Exelon’s results of operations.

 

Including 2014 and through December 31, 2015, Exelon has incurred approximately $259 million of expense associated with the proposed merger. Of the total costs incurred, $121 million is primarily related to acquisition and integration costs and $138 million are for costs incurred to finance the transaction. The financing costs include $22 million of costs associated with the private exchange offer and redemption of certain Senior Unsecured Notes (see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information on the exchange), as well as, a net loss of $64 million related to the settlement of forward-starting interest-rate swaps. These swaps were terminated in connection with the $4.2 billion issuance of debt; refer to Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for more information. The financing costs exclude costs to issue equity and the initial debt offering which we recorded to Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

     For the year ended,  

Acquisition, Integration and Financing Costs (a)

       2015              2014      

Exelon

   $ 80       $ 179   

Generation

     25         11   

ComEd

     10         4   

PECO

     5         2   

BGE

     5         2   

 

286


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) The costs incurred are classified primarily within Operating and maintenance expense in the Registrants’ respective Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, with the exception of the financing costs, which are included within Interest expense.

 

Under certain circumstances, if the Merger Agreement is terminated, PHI may be required to pay Exelon a termination fee ranging from $259 million to $293 million plus certain expenses. If the Merger Agreement is terminated due to a failure to obtain a required regulatory approval, Exelon may be required to pay PHI a termination fee equal to $180 million through the redemption by PHI of the outstanding nonvoting preferred securities described above for no consideration other than the nominal par value of the stock, plus reimbursement of PHI’s documented out-of-pocket expenses up to a maximum of $40 million.

 

Merger Financing

 

Exelon has raised cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments, through the issuance of $4.2 billion of debt (of which $3.3 billion remains after execution of the exchange offer, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information on the exchange), $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes in the form of 23 million equity units, the issuance of $1.9 billion of common stock, cash proceeds of $1.8 billion from asset sales primarily at Generation (after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion) and the remaining balance from cash on hand and/or short-term borrowings available to Exelon. Exelon will have sufficient cash to fund the all-cash purchase price, acquisition and integration related costs, and merger commitments. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements and Note 19—Shareholder’s Equity for further information on the debt and equity issuances.

 

Acquisitions (Exelon and Generation)

 

Acquisition of Integrys Energy Services, Inc. (Exelon and Generation)

 

On November 1, 2014, Generation acquired the competitive retail electric and natural gas business activities of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. through the purchase of all of the stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Integrys Energy Services, Inc. (IES) for a purchase price of $332 million, including net working capital. Generation has elected to account for the transaction as an asset acquisition for federal income tax purposes. The generation and solar asset businesses of Integrys are excluded from the transaction. The Purchase Agreement also includes various representations, warranties, covenants, indemnification and other provisions customary for a transaction of this nature.

 

Consistent with the applicable accounting guidance, the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was determined as of the acquisition date through the use of significant estimates and assumptions that are judgmental in nature. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions used include: projected future cash flows (including the amount and timing); discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in the future cash flows; and future power and fuel market prices.

 

287


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table summarizes the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred and the assets and liabilities assumed for the Integrys acquisition by Generation:

 

Total consideration transferred

   $ 332   

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

      

Working capital assets

   $ 390   

Mark-to-market derivative assets

     184   

Unamortized energy contract assets

     115   

Customer relationships

     50   

Working capital liabilities

     (196

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities

     (57

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     (110

Deferred tax liability

     (16
  

 

 

 

Total net identifiable assets, at fair value

   $ 360   
  

 

 

 

Bargain purchase gain (after-tax)

   $ 28   
  

 

 

 

 

The after-tax bargain purchase gain of $28 million is primarily the result of IES executing additional contract volumes between the date the acquisition agreement was signed and the closing of the transaction resulting in an increase in the fair value of the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date. The after-tax gain is included within Gain on consolidation and acquisition of businesses in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

IES’s operating revenues and net loss included in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the period from November 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $386 million and $(42) million, respectively. The net loss for the period from November 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 includes pre-tax unrealized losses on derivative contracts of $108 million and the bargain purchase gain of $28 million. It is impracticable to determine the overall financial statement impact of IES for 2015 due to the integration of the business into ongoing operations. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon and Generation incurred $5 million and $7 million, respectively, of merger and integration related costs which are included within Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

288


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Asset Divestitures (Exelon and Generation)

 

Including the Quail Run generating facility that was sold on January 21, 2015, Generation has sold certain generating assets with a total net book value of approximately $1.8 billion prior to consideration of asset impairments (See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets for further information), for total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $1.8 billion (after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion), which resulted in cumulative pre-tax gains on sale of approximately $412 million, which are included in Gain (loss) on sales of assets on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. The proceeds are expected to be used primarily to finance a portion of the merger with PHI.

 

Station

  

Net
Generation
Capacity

  

Location

  

Operating Segment

  

Percent
Owned

Fore River

   726 MW    North Weymouth, MA    New England    100%

West Valley

   185 MW    Salt Lake City, UT    Other    100%

Keystone

   714 MW    Shelocta, PA    Mid-Atlantic    41.98%

Conemaugh

   532 MW    New Florence, PA    Mid-Atlantic    31.28%

Safe Harbor

   278 MW    Conestoga, PA    Mid-Atlantic    66.7%

Quail Run

   488 MW    Odessa, TX    ERCOT    100%

 

At December 31, 2014, the assets and liabilities of the Quail Run generating facility were reported as Assets held for sale and within Other current liabilities on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The table below presents the major classes of assets and liabilities held for sale at December 31, 2014. Assets held for sale at December 31, 2015 are not material.

 

     December 31, 2014  

Assets

  

Property, plant and equipment, net (a)

   $ 143   

Inventory

     4   
  

 

 

 

Total assets held for sale

   $ 147   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Accrued expenses

   $ 1   

Asset retirement obligations

     4   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities held for sale (b)

   $ 5   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) The total aggregate book value of property, plant and equipment is net of a $50 million pre-tax impairment loss recorded within Operating and maintenance expense on Exelon’s and Generation’s Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets for further information.
(b) Included within Other current liabilities on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

5. Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation owns a 50.01% interest in CENG, a nuclear generation business. Generation has historically had various agreements with CENG to purchase power and to provide certain services. For further information regarding these agreements, see Note 26—Related Party Transactions.

 

On April 1, 2014, Generation and subsidiaries of Generation and CENG entered into a Nuclear Operating Services Agreement (NOSA) pursuant to which Generation will operate the CENG nuclear generation fleet owned by CENG subsidiaries and provide corporate and administrative services for

 

289


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

the remaining life of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were a part of the Generation nuclear fleet, subject to EDF’s rights as a member of CENG (the Integration Transaction). CENG will reimburse Generation for its direct and allocated costs for such services. As part of the arrangement, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC, a subsidiary of CENG, also assigned to Generation its obligations as Operator of Nine Mile Point Unit 2 under an operating agreement with Long Island Power Authority, the Unit 2 co-owner. In addition, on April 1, 2014, the Power Services Agency Agreement (PSAA) was amended and extended until the permanent cessation of power generation by the CENG generation plants.

 

In addition, on April 1, 2014, Generation made a $400 million loan to CENG, bearing interest at 5.25% per annum and payable out of specified available cash flows of CENG or payable upon the maturity date of April 1, 2034. Immediately following receipt of the proceeds of such loan, CENG made a $400 million special distribution to EDF. Unpaid principal and accrued interest on the loan was $300 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

Exelon, Generation, and subsidiaries of Generation, EDF and CENG also executed a Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement for CENG on April 1, 2014, pursuant to which, among other things, CENG committed to make preferred distributions to Generation (after repayment of the $400 million loan and associated interest) quarterly out of specified available cash flows until Generation has received aggregate distributions of $400 million plus a return of 8.5% per annum from April 1, 2014 (Preferred Distribution Rights).

 

Generation and EDF also entered into a Put Option Agreement on April 1, 2014, pursuant to which EDF has the option, exercisable beginning on January 1, 2016 and thereafter until June 30, 2022, to sell its 49.99% interest in CENG to Generation for a fair market value price determined by agreement of the parties, or absent agreement, a third-party arbitration process. The appraisers determining fair market value of EDF’s 49.99% interest in CENG under the Put Option Agreement are instructed to take into account all rights and obligations under the CENG Operating Agreement, including Generation’s rights with respect to any unpaid aggregate preferred distributions and the related return, and the value of Generation’s rights to other distributions. Under limited circumstances, the period for exercise of the put option may be extended for 18 months. In order to exercise its option, EDF must give 60 days advance written notice to Generation stating that it is exercising its option. As of the date these financial statements were issued, EDF has not given notice to Generation that it is exercising its option.

 

On April 1, 2014, Generation also executed an Indemnity Agreement pursuant to which Generation indemnified EDF against third-party claims that may arise from any future nuclear incident (as defined in the Price Anderson Act) in connection with the CENG nuclear plants or their operations. Exelon guarantees Generation’s obligations under this indemnity.

 

In addition, on April 1, 2014, Generation, EDF, CENG and Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC entered into an Employee Matters Agreement (EMA) that provides for the transfer of CENG employees to Exelon or one of its affiliates and Exelon’s assumption of the sponsorship of the employee benefit plans (including certain incentive, health and welfare, and postemployment benefit plans, among others) and their related trusts by Exelon as the plan sponsor as of July 14, 2014. The EMA also generally requires CENG to fund the obligation related to pre-transfer service of employees, including the underfunded balance of the pension and other postretirement welfare benefit plans measured as of July 14, 2014 by making periodic payments to Generation. These payments will be made on an agreed

 

290


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

payment schedule or upon the occurrence of certain specified events, such as EDF’s disposition of a majority of its interest in CENG. However, in the event that EDF exercises its rights under the Put Option, all payments not made as of the put closing date shall accelerate to be paid immediately prior to such closing date.

 

As a condition to obtaining regulatory approval for the NOSA and related transactions from the NRC, Exelon executed a support agreement pursuant to which Exelon may be required under specified circumstances to provide up to $245 million of financial support to CENG (Exelon Support Agreement). The Exelon Support Agreement supersedes a previous support agreement under which Generation had agreed to provide up to $205 million of financial support for CENG. In addition, Exelon executed a Guarantee pursuant to which Exelon may be required under specified circumstances to provide up to $165 million in additional financial support for CENG. A previous support agreement executed by an affiliate of EDF remains in effect under which the EDF affiliate may be required to provide up to approximately $145 million of financial support for CENG under specified circumstances. The agreements were executed on April 1, 2014 when the NRC licenses were transferred to Generation. No liability has been recognized by Exelon for the guarantees.

 

Prior to April 1, 2014, Exelon and Generation accounted for their investment in CENG under the equity method of accounting. From January 1, 2014, through March 31, 2014, Generation recorded $19 million of equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates related to its investment in CENG and recorded $17 million of revenues from CENG. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, Generation recorded $9 million of equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates related to its investment in CENG and $56 million of revenues from CENG. The book value of Generation’s investment in CENG prior to the consolidation was $1.9 billion, and the book value of the AOCI related to CENG prior to consolidation was $116 million, net of taxes of $77 million.

 

As a result of the consolidation of CENG on April 1, 2014, there are several additional transactions included in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Financial Statements between CENG and Exelon’s affiliates that are considered related party transactions to Generation. As further described in Note 26—Related Party Transactions, EDF and Generation had a PPA with CENG under which they purchased 15% and 85%, respectively, of the nuclear output owned by CENG that was not sold to third parties under pre-existing PPAs through December 31, 2014. Beginning January 1, 2015 and continuing through the life of the respective plants, EDF and Generation purchase 49.99% and 50.01%, respectively, of the nuclear output owned by CENG not subject to other contractual agreements. Beginning April 1, 2014, CENG’s sales to Generation have been eliminated in consolidation. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, Generation had sales to EDF of $488 million and $137 million, respectively. See discussion above and Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for additional information regarding other transactions between CENG and EDF included within Exelon and Generation’s consolidated financial statements and for additional information about the Registrants VIE’s.

 

Accounting for the Consolidation of CENG

 

The transfer of the nuclear operating licenses and the execution of the NOSA on April 1, 2014, resulted in the derecognition of the equity method investment in CENG and the recording of all assets, liabilities and EDF’s noncontrolling interest in CENG at fair value on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As a result of the consolidation, Exelon and Generation recorded a net gain of $261 million within their respective Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. This gain consists of approximately $136 million related to the step up to fair value basis of

 

291


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Generation’s ownership interest in CENG, and approximately $132 million related to the settlement of pre-existing transactions between CENG and Generation. The net gain on the consolidation of CENG of $261 million is net of a $7 million payment to EDF.

 

The fair value of CENG’s assets and liabilities recorded in consolidation was determined based on significant estimates and assumptions that are judgmental in nature, including projected future cash flows (including timing); discount rates reflecting risk inherent in the future cash flows; and future market prices. There were also judgments made to determine the expected useful lives assigned to each class of assets acquired and duration of liabilities assumed.

 

The valuations necessary to assess the fair values of certain assets and liabilities were considered preliminary as a result of the short time period between the execution of the NOSA and the end of the second quarter of 2014. The estimates of the fair value of assets and liabilities could be modified for up to one year from April 1, 2014, as more information was obtained about the fair value of assets and liabilities. The principal items that have been revised include the asset retirement obligation liabilities and related asset retirement costs. These items have been updated with inputs from a third party engineering firm with corresponding adjustments recorded in 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for discussion of the impacts of adjustments recorded during 2014 and 2015 related to updated estimates of the CENG asset retirement obligation liabilities. In the period of such revisions, these and any other material changes to the fair value assessments have resulted in adjustments to the amounts recorded upon consolidation. In addition, the asset or liability adjustments impacting depreciation and/or accretion expense recorded after the consolidation date have impacted Generation’s post-consolidation results of operations.

 

Generation recorded the assets and liabilities of CENG at fair value as of April 1, 2014. The following assets and liabilities of CENG were recorded within Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the date of integration, adjusted for the modifications discussed above:

 

Fair Values

   Exelon and
Generation
 

Current assets

   $ 499   

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund

     1,955   

Property, plant and equipment

     3,073   

Nuclear fuel

     482   

Other assets

     10   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     6,019   
  

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     237   

Asset retirement obligation

     1,816   

Pension and other employee benefit obligations

     281   

Unamortized energy contract liabilities

     171   

Other liabilities

     114   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,619   
  

 

 

 

Total net assets

   $ 3,400   
  

 

 

 

 

Generation also recorded the fair value of the noncontrolling interest on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of approximately $1.5 billion, net of the fair value of $152 million for certain specified additional distribution rights under the Operating Agreement. In addition, the noncontrolling interest was further reduced by the $400 million special cash distribution to EDF.

 

292


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Due to the Preferred Distribution Rights that Generation has on CENG’s available cash, the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest on the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income as well as the corresponding adjustment to Noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets will not be in proportion to Generation’s and EDF’s equity ownership interests. Rather, the attribution will consider Generation’s Preferred Distribution Rights and allocate net income based on each owner’s rights to CENG’s net assets. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, Generation reduced by $18 million and $13 million, respectively, the amount of Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As a result of the consolidation, Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income includes CENG’s incremental operating revenues of $509 million and $218 million and CENG’s net income (loss), prior to any intercompany eliminations and any adjustments for noncontrolling interest, of $(11) million and $407 million during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Exelon and Generation incurred integration-related costs of $2 million and $26 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The costs incurred are classified primarily within Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s respective Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

6. Accounts Receivable (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Accounts receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014 included estimated unbilled revenues, representing an estimate for the unbilled amount of energy or services provided to customers, and is net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts as follows:

 

2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Unbilled customer revenues

   $ 1,203      $ 732 (a)    $ 218      $ 105      $ 148   

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)

     (284     (77     (75     (83 )(c)      (49

 

2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Unbilled customer revenues

   $ 1,381      $ 823 (a)    $ 204      $ 140      $ 214   

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)

     (311     (60     (84     (100 )(c)      (67 )(d) 

 

(a) Represents unbilled portion of retail receivables estimated under Exelon’s unbilled critical accounting policy.
(b) Includes the allowance for uncollectible accounts on customer and other accounts receivable.
(c) Excludes the non-current allowance for uncollectible accounts of $8 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014, related to PECO’s current installment plan receivables described below.
(d) At December 31, 2014, as explained in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies, BGE estimated the allowance for uncollectible accounts on customer receivables by applying loss rates to the outstanding receivable balance by risk segment. The change in estimate resulted in a $19 million pre-tax charge to BGE’s provision for uncollectible accounts expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is included in Operating and maintenance expense on BGE’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

PECO Installment Plan Receivables (Exelon and PECO). PECO enters into payment agreements with certain delinquent customers, primarily residential, seeking to restore their service, as required by the PAPUC. Customers with past due balances that meet certain income criteria are provided the option to enter into an installment payment plan, some of which have terms greater than one year, to repay past due balances in addition to paying for their ongoing service on a current basis. The receivable balance for these payment agreement receivables is recorded in accounts receivable for the current portion and other deferred debits and other assets for the noncurrent portion. The net receivable balance for installment plans with terms greater than one year was $15 million at both

 

293


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

December 31, 2015 and 2014. The allowance for uncollectible accounts reserve methodology and assessment of the credit quality of the installment plan receivables are consistent with the customer accounts receivable methodology discussed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies. The allowance for uncollectible accounts balance associated with these receivables at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 of $15 million consists of $1 million, $3 million and $11 million for low risk, medium risk and high risk segments, respectively. The balance of the payment agreement is billed to the customer in equal monthly installments over the term of the agreement. Installment receivables outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 include balances not yet presented on the customer bill, accounts currently billed and an immaterial amount of past due receivables. When a customer defaults on its payment agreement, the terms of which are defined by plan type, the entire balance of the agreement becomes due and the balance is reclassified to current customer accounts receivable and reserved for in accordance with the methodology discussed in Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies.

 

7. Property, Plant and Equipment (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Average
Service Life
(years)
   2015      2014  

Asset Category

        

Electric—transmission and distribution

   5-90    $ 32,546       $ 30,157   

Electric—generation

   1-56      25,615         22,911   

Gas—transportation and distribution

   5-90      3,864         3,505   

Common—electric and gas

   5-50      1,149         1,169   

Nuclear fuel (a)

   1-8      6,384         5,947   

Construction work in progress

   N/A      3,075         2,167   

Other property, plant and equipment (b)

   5-50      1,181         1,056   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

        73,814         66,912   

Less: accumulated depreciation (c)

        16,375         14,742   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 57,439       $ 52,170   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes nuclear fuel that is in the fabrication and installation phase of $1,266 million and $1,003 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes Generation’s buildings under capital lease with a net carrying value of $13 million and $15 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The original cost basis of the buildings was $52 million, and total accumulated amortization was $39 million and $37 million, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Also includes ComEd’s buildings under capital lease with a net carrying value at December 31, 2015 and 2014, of $7 million and $8 million, respectively. The original cost basis of the buildings was $8 million and total accumulated amortization was $1 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Includes land held for future use and non utility property at ComEd, PECO, and BGE of $57 million, $21 million, and $32 million, respectively. These balances also include capitalized acquisition, development and exploration costs of $266 million and $242 million related to oil and gas production activities at Generation at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Includes the original cost and progress payments associated with Generation’s turbine equipment held for future use with a carrying value of $146 million and $83 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(c) Includes accumulated amortization of nuclear fuel in the reactor core at Generation of $2,861 million and $2,673 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

294


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table presents the annual depreciation provisions as a percentage of average service life for each asset category.

 

Average Service Life Percentage by Asset Category

   2015      2014      2013  

Electric—transmission and distribution

     2.83      2.93      2.91

Electric—generation

     3.47      3.50      3.35

Gas

     2.17      2.13      2.06

Common—electric and gas

     7.79      7.32      7.53

 

Generation

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Average Service Life
(years)
   2015      2014  

Asset Category

        

Electric—generation

   1-56    $ 25,615       $ 22,911   

Nuclear fuel (a)

   1-8      6,384         5,947   

Construction work in progress

   N/A      2,017         1,404   

Other property, plant and equipment (b)

   5-31      466         378   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

        34,482         30,640   

Less: accumulated depreciation (c)

        8,639         7,612   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 25,843       $ 23,028   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes nuclear fuel that is in the fabrication and installation phase of $1,266 million and $1,003 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes buildings under capital lease with a net carrying value of $13 million and $15 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The original cost basis of the buildings was $52 million, and total accumulated amortization was $39 million and $37 million, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These balances also include capitalized acquisition, development and exploration costs of $266 million and $242 million related to oil and gas production activities at Generation at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Includes the original cost and progress payments associated with Generation’s turbine equipment held for future use with a carrying value of $146 million and $83 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(c) Includes accumulated amortization of nuclear fuel in the reactor core of $2,861 million and $2,673 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

The annual depreciation provisions as a percentage of average service life for electric generation assets were 3.47%, 3.50% and 3.35% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

License Renewals. Generation’s depreciation provisions are based on the estimated useful lives of its generating stations, which assume the renewal of the licenses for all nuclear generating stations (except for Oyster Creek) and the hydroelectric generating stations. As a result, the receipt of license renewals has no material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding license renewals.

 

295


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ComEd

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Average Service Life
(years)
   2015      2014  

Asset Category

        

Electric—transmission and distribution

   5-80    $ 20,576       $ 18,884   

Construction work in progress

   N/A      572         276   

Other property, plant and equipment (a), (b)

   38-50      64         65   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

        21,212         19,225   

Less: accumulated depreciation

        3,710         3,432   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 17,502       $ 15,793   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes buildings under capital lease with a net carrying value at December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $7 million and $8 million, respectively. The original cost basis of the buildings was $8 million and total accumulated amortization was $1 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes land held for future use and non-utility property.

 

The annual depreciation provisions as a percentage of average service life for electric transmission and distribution assets were 3.03%, 3.05% and 2.97% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

PECO

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Average Service Life
(years)
   2015      2014  

Asset Category

        

Electric—transmission and distribution

   5-65    $ 7,230       $ 6,886   

Gas—transportation and distribution

   5-70      2,206         2,039   

Common—electric and gas

   5-50      631         618   

Construction work in progress

   N/A      154         154   

Other property, plant and equipment (a)

   50      21         21   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

        10,242         9,718   

Less: accumulated depreciation

        3,101         2,917   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 7,141       $ 6,801   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents land held for future use and non-utility property.

 

The following table presents the annual depreciation provisions as a percentage of average service life for each asset category.

 

Average Service Life Percentage by Asset Category

   2015      2014      2013  

Electric—transmission and distribution

     2.39      2.55      2.73

Gas

     1.87      1.84      1.79

Common—electric and gas

     5.16      5.16      6.65

 

296


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

BGE

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Average Service Life
(years)
   2015      2014  

Asset Category

        

Electric—transmission and distribution

   5-90    $ 6,663       $ 6,339   

Gas—distribution

   5-90      1,951         1,761   

Common—electric and gas

   5-40      655         623   

Construction work in progress

   N/A      312         317   

Other property, plant and equipment (a)

   20      32         32   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment

        9,613         9,072   

Less: accumulated depreciation

        3,016         2,868   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 6,597       $ 6,204   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents land held for future use and non-utility property.

 

Average Service Life Percentage by Asset Category

   2015      2014      2013  

Electric—transmission and distribution

     2.62      2.96      2.91

Gas

     2.50      2.47      2.36

Common—electric and gas

     10.35      9.49      8.45

 

See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for further information regarding property, plant and equipment policies and accounting for capitalized software costs for Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information regarding Exelon’s, ComEd’s, and PECO’s property, plant and equipment subject to mortgage liens.

 

8. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Exelon and Generation)

 

Long-Lived Assets (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation evaluates long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In the second quarter of each year, Generation updates the long-term fundamental energy prices, which includes a thorough evaluation of key assumptions including gas prices, load growth, environmental policy, plant retirements and renewable growth.

 

In 2015, the year over year change in fundamentals did not indicate any impairments. In 2014, the year over year change in fundamentals suggested that the carrying value of certain merchant wind assets may be impaired. Generation concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and fair value of twelve wind projects, primarily located in West Texas, were less than their respective carrying values at May 31, 2014. As a result, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of approximately $151 million were written down to their fair value of $65 million and a pre-tax impairment charge of $86 million was recorded within Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

In 2013, lower projected wind production and a decline in power prices suggested that the carrying value of certain wind projects with market price exposure for either all or a portion of the life of the

 

297


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

asset may be impaired. Generation concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and fair value of eleven wind projects, primarily located in West Texas and Minnesota, were less than their respective carrying values at September 30, 2013. As a result, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of approximately $75 million were written down to their fair value of $32 million and a pre-tax impairment charge of $43 million, net of the impairment amount attributable to noncontrolling interests for certain of the projects, was recorded within Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

During 2015 and 2014, significant declines in oil and gas prices suggested that the carrying value of certain Upstream assets may be impaired. Generation concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and fair value of various Upstream properties, primarily located in Oklahoma and Texas, were less than their respective carrying values at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As a result, pre-tax impairment charges of $5 million and $124 million were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, within Operating and maintenance expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. After reflecting the impairment charges, Generation has $187 million of Upstream assets remaining on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015. Further declines in commodity prices could potentially result in future impairments of the Upstream assets.

 

The fair value analysis used in the above impairments was primarily based on the income approach using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) including revenue, generation and production forecasts, projected capital and maintenance expenditures and discount rates. Changes in the assumptions described above could potentially result in future impairments of Exelon’s long-lived assets, which could be material.

 

In 2014, certain non-nuclear generating assets were identified as assets held for sale on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. When long-lived assets are held for sale, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value less costs to sell. Long-lived assets with a carrying amount of approximately $1 billion were written down to their fair value of $556 million and a pre-tax impairment charge of $450 million was recorded within Operating and maintenance expense on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for further information on asset sales.

 

Nuclear Uprate Program (Exelon and Generation)

 

Generation is engaged in individual projects as part of a planned power uprate program across its nuclear fleet. When economically viable, the projects take advantage of new production and measurement technologies, new materials and application of expertise gained from a half-century of nuclear power operations. Based on ongoing reviews, the nuclear uprate implementation plan was adjusted during 2013 to cancel certain projects. The Measurement Uncertainty Recapture (MUR) uprate projects at the Dresden and Quad Cities nuclear stations were cancelled as a result of the cost of additional plant modifications identified during final design work which, when combined with then current market conditions, made the projects not economically viable. Additionally, the market conditions prompted Generation to cancel the previously deferred extended power uprate projects at the LaSalle and Limerick nuclear stations. During 2013, Exelon and Generation recorded a pre-tax charge to Operating and maintenance expense and Interest expense within their Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income of approximately $111 million and $8 million, respectively, to accrue remaining costs and reverse the previously capitalized costs.

 

298


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Like-Kind Exchange Transaction (Exelon)

 

Prior to the PECO/Unicom Merger in October 2000, UII, LLC (formerly Unicom Investments, Inc.) (UII), a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon, entered into a like-kind exchange transaction pursuant to which approximately $1.6 billion was invested in coal-fired generating station leases located in Georgia and Texas with two separate entities unrelated to Exelon. The generating stations were leased back to such entities as part of the transaction. See Note 15—Income Taxes for further information. For financial accounting purposes, the investments are accounted for as direct financing lease investments. UII holds the leasehold interests in the generating stations in several separate bankruptcy remote, special purpose companies it directly or indirectly wholly owns. The lease agreements provide the lessees with fixed purchase options at the end of the lease terms. If the lessees do not exercise the fixed purchase options, Exelon has the ability to operate the stations and keep or market the power itself or require the lessees to arrange for a third-party to bid on a service contract for a period following the lease term. In any event, Exelon will be subject to residual value risk if the lessees do not exercise the fixed purchase options. This risk is partially mitigated by the fair value of the scheduled payments under the service contract. However, such payments are not guaranteed. Further, the term of the service contract is less than the expected remaining useful life of the plants and, therefore, Exelon’s exposure to residual value risk will not be mitigated by payments under the service contract in this remaining period. In 2000, under the terms of the lease agreements, UII received a prepayment of $1.2 billion for all rent, which reduced the investment in the leases. There are no minimum scheduled lease payments to be received over the remaining term of the leases.

 

On February 26, 2014, UII and the City Public Service Board of San Antonio, Texas (CPS) finalized an agreement to terminate the leases on the generating station located in Texas, as described above, prior to its expiration dates. As a result of the lease termination, UII received a net early termination amount of $335 million from CPS and wrote down the net investment in the CPS long-term lease of $336 million in Investments in Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets in 2014; resulting in a pre-tax loss of $1 million being reflected in Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income in 2014.

 

Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance, Exelon is required to review the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments at least annually and record an impairment charge if the review indicates an other than temporary decline in the fair value of the residual values below their carrying values. Exelon estimates the fair value of the residual values of its direct financing lease investments under the income approach, which uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which takes into consideration significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) including the expected revenues to be generated and costs to be incurred to operate the plants over their remaining useful lives subsequent to the lease end dates. Significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value include fundamental energy and capacity prices, fixed and variable costs, capital expenditure requirements, discount rates, tax rates, and the estimated remaining useful lives of the plants. The estimated fair values also reflect the cash flows associated with the service contract option discussed above given that a market participant would take into consideration all of the terms and conditions contained in the lease agreements.

 

Based on the annual reviews performed in the second quarters of 2015 and 2014, the estimated residual value of Exelon’s direct financing leases for the Georgia generating stations experienced other than temporary declines given increases in estimated long-term operating and maintenance costs in the 2015 annual review and reduced long-term energy and capacity price expectations in the 2014 annual review. As a result, Exelon recorded $24 million pre-tax impairment charges in both 2015 and

 

299


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

2014 for these stations. These impairment charges were recorded within Investments and Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, respectively. Changes in the assumptions described above could potentially result in future impairments of Exelon’s direct financing lease investments, which could be material. Through December 31, 2015, no events have occurred that would require Exelon to review the estimated residual values of its direct financing lease investments subsequent to the review performed in the second quarter of 2015.

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the components of the net investment in long-term leases were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  

Estimated residual value of leased assets

   $ 639       $ 685   

Less: unearned income

     287         324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment in long-term leases

   $ 352       $ 361   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

9. Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements (Exelon and Generation)

 

Exelon and Generation continue to evaluate the current and expected economic value of each of Generation’s nuclear plants. Factors that will continue to affect the economic value of Generation’s nuclear plants include, but are not limited to: market power prices, results of capacity auctions, potential legislative solutions in New York and Illinois such as the proposed Low Carbon Portfolio Standard (LCPS) legislation, the impact of final rules from the EPA requiring reduction of carbon and other emissions and the efforts of the states to implement those final rules, and the outcome of the Ginna RSSA hearing and settlement procedures and the resulting contractual terms and conditions. On September 10, 2015, after considering the results of the recent PJM capacity auctions, Exelon and Generation decided to defer decisions about the future operations of its Quad Cities and Byron nuclear plants and will offer both plants in the 2019/2020 auction in May 2016. As a result of clearing the other PJM capacity auction in September 2015 for the 2017/2018 transitional capacity auction, Exelon and Generation will continue to operate its Quad Cities nuclear power plant through at least May 2018. The Byron plant is already obligated to operate through May 2019. On October 29, 2015, Exelon and Generation announced the deferral of any decision about the future operations of its Clinton nuclear plant and plans to bid the plant into the MISO capacity auction for the 2016-2017 planning year in April 2016. This decision was driven by MISO’s acknowledgment of the need for market design changes to ensure long-term power system reliability in southern Illinois, the desire to provide Illinois policy makers with additional time to consider needed reforms as well as the potential long-term impact of EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Exelon and Generation previously committed to cease operation of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant by the end of 2019. Exelon and Generation have not made any decisions regarding potential nuclear plant closures at other sites at this time.

 

As a result of a decision to early retire one or more other nuclear plants, certain changes in accounting treatment would be triggered and Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected by a number of items including, among other items: accelerated depreciation expense, impairment charges related to inventory that cannot be used at other nuclear units and cancellation of in-flight capital projects, accelerated amortization of plant specific nuclear fuel costs, employee-related costs (i.e. severance, relocation, retention, etc.), accelerated asset retirement obligation expense related to future decommissioning activities, and additional funding of nuclear decommissioning trust funds. In addition, any early plant retirement would also result in reduced

 

300


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

operating costs, lower fuel expense, and lower capital expenditures in the periods beyond shutdown. While there are a number of Generation’s nuclear plants that are at risk of early retirement, the following table provides the balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2015 for significant assets and liabilities associated with the three nuclear plants currently considered by management to be at the greatest risk of early retirement due to their current economic valuations and other factors:

 

(in millions)

   Quad Cities     Clinton     Ginna     Total  

Asset Balances

        

Materials and supplies inventory

   $ 50      $ 57      $ 29      $ 136   

Nuclear fuel inventory, net

     218        107        60        385   

Completed plant, net

     1,030        579        127        1,736   

Construction work in progress

     11        9        11        31   

Liability Balances

        

Asset retirement obligation

     (698     (401     (644     (1,743

NRC License Renewal Term

     2032        2046 (a)      2029     

 

(a) Assumes Clinton seeks and receives a 20-year operating license renewal extension.

 

In the event a decision is made to retire early one or more nuclear plants, the precise timing of the retirement date, and resulting financial statement impact, is uncertain and would be influenced by a number of factors such as the results of any transmission system reliability study assessments, the nature of any co-owner requirements and stipulations, and decommissioning trust fund requirements, among other factors. However, the earliest retirement date for any plant would usually be the first year in which the unit does not have capacity obligations and just prior to its next scheduled nuclear refueling outage date in that year.

 

10. Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant (Exelon, Generation, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, Generation, PECO and BGE’s undivided ownership interests in jointly owned electric plants and transmission facilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Nuclear Generation     Fossil Fuel
Generation
    Transmission     Other  
     Quad Cities     Peach
Bottom
    Salem (a)     Nine Mile
Point Unit 2 (f)
    Wyman     PA (b)      DE/NJ (c)     Other (d)  

Operator

    Generation        Generation       

 

PSEG

Nuclear

  

  

    Generation        FP&L       

 

First

Energy

  

  

     PSEG     

Ownership interest

    75.00     50.00     42.59     82.00     5.89     Various         42.55     44.24

Exelon’s share at December 31, 2015:

                

Plant (e)

  $ 1,035      $ 1,345      $ 566      $ 756      $ 3      $ 15       $ 65      $ 1   

Accumulated depreciation (e)

    309        368        167        42        3        7         35        1   

Construction work in progress

    11        18        40        56        —          —           —          —     

Exelon’s share at December 31, 2014:

                

Plant (e)

  $ 995      $ 1,095      $ 531      $ 676      $ 3      $ 14       $ 64      $ 2   

Accumulated depreciation (e)

    266        343        150        14        3        7         34        1   

Construction work in progress

    15        133        29        48        —          —           —          —     

 

(a) Generation also owns a proportionate share in the fossil fuel combustion turbine at Salem, which is fully depreciated. The gross book value was $3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

301


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(b) PECO and BGE own a 22% and 7% share, respectively, in 127 miles of 500kV lines located in Pennsylvania; PECO and BGE also own a 20.7% and 10.56% share, respectively, of a 500kV substation immediately outside of the Conemaugh fossil generating station which supplies power to the 500kV lines including, but not limited to, the lines noted above.
(c) PECO owns a 42.55% share in 131 miles of 500kV lines located in Delaware and New Jersey as well as a 42.55% share in a 500kV substation immediately outside of the Salem nuclear generating station in New Jersey which supplies power to the 500kV lines including, but not limited to, the lines noted above.
(d) Generation has a 44.24% ownership interest in assets located at Merrill Creek Reservoir located in New Jersey.
(e) Excludes asset retirement costs.
(f) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet, and as of that date, CENG’s operations are consolidated into Generation’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2013, Generation’s ownership interest in CENG, including Nine Mile Point, was treated as an equity method investment, and thus did not represent an undivided Interest. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for additional information.

 

Exelon’s, Generation’s, PECO’s and BGE’s undivided ownership interests are financed with their funds and all operations are accounted for as if such participating interests were wholly-owned facilities. Exelon’s, Generation’s, PECO’s and BGE’s share of direct expenses of the jointly owned plants are included in Purchased power and fuel and Operating and maintenance expenses on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and in Operating and maintenance expenses on PECO’s and BGE’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

11. Intangible Assets (Exelon, Generation, ComEd and PECO)

 

Goodwill

 

Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s gross amount of goodwill, accumulated impairment losses and carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

    ComEd     Generation     Exelon  
    Gross
Amount (a)
    Accumulated
Impairment
Losses
    Carrying
Amount
    Gross
Amount
    Carrying
Amount
    Gross
Amount
    Accumulated
Impairment
Losses
    Carrying
Amount
 

Balance, January 1, 2014

  $ 4,608      $ 1,983      $ 2,625      $ —        $ —        $ 4,608      $ 1,983      $ 2,625   

Goodwill from business combination

    —          —          —          47        47        47        —          47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

    4,608        1,983        2,625        47        47        4,655        1,983        2,672   

Impairment losses

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

  $ 4,608      $ 1,983      $ 2,625      $ 47      $ 47      $ 4,655      $ 1,983      $ 2,672   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Reflects goodwill recorded in 2000 from the PECO/Unicom (predecessor parent company of ComEd) merger net of amortization, resolution of tax matters and other non-impairment-related changes as allowed under previous authoritative guidance.

 

Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an assessment for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the ComEd reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under the authoritative guidance for goodwill, 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. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial

 

302


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

information is available and its operating results are regularly reviewed by segment management. ComEd has a single operating segment for its combined business. There is no level below this operating segment for which operating results are regularly reviewed by segment management. Therefore, ComEd’s operating segment is considered its only reporting unit.

 

Entities assessing goodwill for impairment have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit (i.e., step one of the two-step fair value based impairment test). If an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step fair value based impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required.

 

If an entity bypasses the qualitative assessment or performs the qualitative assessment, but determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative two-step, fair value based test is performed. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is performed. The second step requires an allocation of fair value to the individual assets and liabilities using purchase price allocation in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded as a reduction to goodwill and a charge to operating expense. Any goodwill impairment charge at ComEd will affect Exelon’s consolidated results of operations.

 

ComEd’s valuation approach is based on a market participant view, pursuant to authoritative guidance for fair value measurement, and utilizes a weighted combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market multiples analysis. The discounted cash flow analysis relies on a single scenario reflecting “base case” or “best estimate” projected cash flows for ComEd’s business and includes an estimate of ComEd’s terminal value based on these expected cash flows using the generally accepted Gordon Dividend Growth formula, which derives a valuation using an assumed perpetual annuity based on the entity’s residual cash flows. The discount rate is based on the generally accepted Capital Asset Pricing Model and represents the weighted average cost of capital of comparable companies. The market multiples analysis utilizes multiples of business enterprise value to earnings, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of comparable companies in estimating fair value. Significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value include discount and growth rates, utility sector market performance and transactions, projected operating and capital cash flows from ComEd’s business and the fair value of debt. Management performs a reconciliation of the sum of the estimated fair value of all Exelon reporting units to Exelon’s enterprise value based on its trading price to corroborate the results of the discounted cash flow analysis and the market multiple analysis.

 

2015 and 2014 Goodwill Impairment Assessment. Pursuant to authoritative guidance, ComEd is required to test its goodwill for impairment annually and more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that suggest an impairment is more likely than not. ComEd performs its assessment as of November 1, of each year. For its 2015 and 2014 annual goodwill impairment assessments, ComEd qualitatively determined that its fair value was not more likely than not less than its carrying value. Therefore, ComEd did not perform quantitative assessments. As part of its qualitative assessments, ComEd evaluated, among other things, management’s best estimate of projected operating and capital cash flows for ComEd’s business, as well as, changes in certain market conditions, including the discount rate and regulated utility peer company EBITDA multiples, while also considering the passing margin from its last quantitative assessment performed as of November 1, 2013.

 

303


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Exelon’s, Generation’s and ComEd’s other intangible assets and liabilities, included in Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities and Other deferred debits and other assets in their Consolidated Balance Sheets, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015:

 

    Weighted
Average
Amortization
Years (k)
    Gross     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net     Estimated amortization expense  
            2016     2017     2018     2019     2020  

Exelon

                 

Software License Agreement (a)

    10.0      $ 95      $ (6   $ 89      $ 10      $ 10      $ 10      $ 10      $ 10   

Generation

                 

Unamortized Energy Contracts (b)

                 

Exelon Wind (c)

    18.0        224        (69     155        14        14        14        14        10   

Antelope Valley (d)

    25.0        190        (20     170        8        8        8        8        8   

Constellation (e)

    1.5        1,499        (1,473     26        (33     (21     11        8        10   

CENG (f)

    1.7        (97     48        (49     (11     (15     (18     (15     (8

Integrys (g)

    2.4        5        2        7        5        1        1        —          —     

Customer Relationships (h)

                 

Constellation (e)

    12.4        214        (76     138        18        18        18        17        17   

Integrys (g)

    10.0        50        (6     44        5        5        5        5        5   

Trade Names

                 

Constellation (e)

    10.0        243        (103     140        23        23        23        23        23   

ComEd

                 

Chicago settlement—1999 agreement (i)

    21.8        100        (83     17        3        3        3        4        4   

Chicago settlement—2003 agreement (j)

    17.9        62        (44     18        4        4        4        3        3   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

    $ 2,585      $ (1,830   $ 755      $ 46      $ 50      $ 79      $ 77      $ 82   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) On May 31, 2015, Exelon entered into a long-term software license agreement. Exelon is required to make payments starting August 2015 through May 2024. The intangible asset recognized as a result of these payments is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.
(b) Includes unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Excludes $44 million of other miscellaneous unamortized energy contracts that have been acquired at various points in time. The estimated amortization for these miscellaneous unamortized energy contracts is $3 million, $0 million, $2 million, $3 million and $4 million for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
(c) In December 2010, Generation acquired all of the equity interests of John Deere Renewables, LLC (later named Exelon Wind), adding 735MWs of installed, operating wind capacity located in eight states.
(d) In September 2011, Generation acquired all of the interest in Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One, a 242 MW solar project under development in northern Los Angeles County, CA from First Solar, Inc.
(e) On March 12, 2012, Constellation merged into Exelon with Exelon continuing as the surviving corporation pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger. Since the merger transaction, Generation includes the former Constellation generation and customer supply operations.
(f) See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for additional information.
(g) See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information.
(h) Excludes $12 million of other miscellaneous customer relationships that have been acquired. The estimated amortization for these miscellaneous customer relationships is $1 million in each of the years from 2016 to 2020.
(i)

In March 1999, ComEd entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Chicago associated with ComEd’s franchise agreement. Under the terms of the settlement, ComEd agreed to make payments to the City of Chicago each year from

 

304


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

1999 to 2002. The intangible asset recognized as a result of these payments is being amortized ratably over the remaining term of the franchise agreement, which ends in 2020.

(j) In February 2003, ComEd entered into separate agreements with the City of Chicago and with Midwest Generation, LLC (Midwest Generation). Under the terms of the settlement agreement with the City of Chicago, ComEd agreed to pay the City of Chicago a total of $60 million over a ten-year period, beginning in 2003. The intangible asset recognized as a result of the settlement agreement is being amortized ratably over the remaining term of the City of Chicago franchise agreement, which ends in 2020. As required by the settlement, ComEd also made a payment of $2 million to a third-party on the City of Chicago’s behalf. Under the terms of the agreement with Midwest Generation, ComEd received payments of $32 million from Midwest Generation to relieve Midwest Generation’s obligation under the 1999 fossil sale agreement with ComEd to build the generation facility in the City of Chicago. The payments received by ComEd, which have been recorded in Other deferred credits and other liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on Exelon’s and ComEd’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are being recognized ratably (approximately $2 million annually) as an offset to amortization expense over the remaining term of the franchise agreement.
(k) Weighted-average amortization period was calculated at the date of a) acquisition for acquired assets or b) settlement agreement.

 

The following table summarizes the amortization expense related to intangible assets and liabilities for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Exelon (a)      Generation (a)      ComEd  

2015

   $ 76       $ 69       $ 7   

2014

     179         179         7   

2013

     478         550         7   

 

(a) At Exelon, amortization of unamortized energy contracts totaling $22 million, $135 million and $430 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was recorded in Operating revenues or Purchase power and fuel expense within Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. At Generation, amortization of unamortized energy contracts totaling $22 million, $135 million and $507 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was recorded in Operating revenues or Purchase power and fuel expense within Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

Acquired Intangible Assets

 

Accounting guidance for business combinations requires the acquirer to separately recognize identifiable intangible assets in the application of purchase accounting.

 

Unamortized Energy Contracts. Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities represent the remaining unamortized fair value of non-derivative energy contracts that Generation has acquired. The valuation of unamortized energy contracts was estimated by applying either the market approach or the income approach depending on the nature of the underlying contract. The market approach was utilized when prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving comparable transactions were available. Otherwise, the income approach, which is based upon discounted projected future cash flows associated with the underlying contracts, was utilized. The fair value is based upon certain unobservable inputs, which are considered Level 3 inputs, pursuant to applicable accounting guidance. Key estimates and inputs include forecasted power and fuel prices and the discount rate. The Exelon Wind unamortized energy contracts are amortized on a straight line basis over the period in which the associated contract revenues are recognized as a decrease in Operating revenue within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. In the case of Antelope Valley, Constellation, CENG and Integrys, the fair value amounts are amortized over the life of the contract in relation to the present value of the underlying cash flows as of the acquisition dates through either Operating revenues or Purchase power and fuel expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

305


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Customer Relationships. The customer relationship intangible was determined based on a “multi-period excess method” of the income approach. Under this method, the intangible asset’s fair value is determined to be the estimated future cash flows that will be earned on the current customer base, taking into account expected contract renewals based on customer attrition rates and costs to retain those customers. The fair value is based upon certain unobservable inputs, which are considered Level 3 inputs, pursuant to applicable accounting guidance. Key assumptions include the customer attrition rate and the discount rate. The accounting guidance requires that customer-based intangibles be amortized over the period expected to be benefited using the pattern of economic benefit. The amortization of the customer relationships is recorded in Depreciation and amortization expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Trade Name. The Constellation trade name intangible was determined based on the relief from royalty method of income approach whereby fair value is determined to be the present value of the license fees avoided by owning the assets. The fair value is based upon certain unobservable inputs, which are considered Level 3 inputs, pursuant to applicable accounting guidance. Key assumptions include the hypothetical royalty rate and the discount rate. The Constellation trade name intangible is amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 10 years. The amortization of the trade name is recorded in Depreciation and amortization expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Renewable Energy Credits and Alternative Energy Credits (Exelon, Generation, ComEd and PECO).

 

Exelon’s, Generation’s, ComEd’s and PECO’s other intangible assets, included in Other current assets and Other deferred debits and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, include RECs (Exelon, Generation and ComEd) and AECs (Exelon and PECO). Purchased RECs are recorded at cost on the date they are purchased. The cost of RECs purchased on a stand-alone basis is based on the transaction price, while the cost of RECs acquired through PPAs represents the difference between the total contract price and the market price of energy at contract inception. Revenue for RECs that are part of a bundled power sale is recognized when the power is produced and delivered to the customer. As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, PECO had current AECs of $2 million and $13 million, respectively. PECO had no noncurrent AECs as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, Generation had current RECs of $251 million and $191 million, respectively, and $56 million and $44 million of noncurrent REC’s, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd had current RECs of $5 million and $4 million, respectively. ComEd had no noncurrent RECs as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information on RECs and AECs.

 

306


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

12. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Fair Value of Financial Liabilities Recorded at the Carrying Amount

 

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of the Registrants’ short-term liabilities, long-term debt, SNF obligation, and trust preferred securities (long-term debt to financing trusts or junior subordinated debentures) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

Exelon

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total        

Short-term liabilities

   $ 536       $ 3       $ 533       $ —         $ 536       $ 463       $ 463   

Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year) (a)

     25,145         931         23,644         1,349         25,924         21,014         22,936   

Long-term debt to financing trusts (b)

     641         —           —           673         673         641         648   

SNF obligation

     1,021         —           818         —           818         1,021         833   

 

Generation

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total        

Short-term liabilities

   $ 29       $ —         $ 29       $ —         $ 29       $ 36       $ 36   

Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year) (a)

     8,959         —           7,767         1,349         9,116         8,196         8,822   

SNF obligation

     1,021         —           818         —           818         1,021         833   

 

ComEd

 

     December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total        

Short-term liabilities

   $ 294       $ —         $ 294       $ —         $ 294       $ 304       $ 304   

Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year) (a)

     6,509         —           7,069         —           7,069         5,925         6,788   

Long-term debt to financing trusts (b)

     205         —           —           213         213         205         213   

 

PECO

 

      December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total        

Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year) (a)

   $ 2,580       $ —         $ 2,786       $ —         $ 2,786       $ 2,232       $ 2,537   

Long-term debt to financing trusts

     184         —           —           195         195         184         199   

 

307


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

BGE

 

      December 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total        

Short-term liabilities

   $ 213       $ 3       $ 210       $ —         $ 213       $ 123       $ 123   

Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year) (a)

     1,858         —           2,044         —           2,044         1,932         2,178   

Long-term debt to financing trusts (b)

     252         —           —           264         264         252         236   

 

(a) Includes unamortized debt issuance costs of $180 million, $70 million, $38 million, $15 million and $9 million for Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively, at December 31, 2015 and $150 million, $70 million, $33 million, $14 million and $10 million at December 31, 2014.
(b) Includes unamortized debt issuance costs of $7 million, $1 million and $6 million for Exelon, ComEd and BGE, respectively, at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Short-Term Liabilities. The short-term liabilities included in the tables above are comprised of dividends payable (included in other current liabilities) (Level 1), short-term borrowings (Level 2) and third party financing (Level 3). The Registrants’ carrying amounts of the short-term liabilities are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Long-Term Debt. The fair value amounts of Exelon’s taxable debt securities (Level 2) are determined by a valuation model that is based on a conventional discounted cash flow methodology and utilizes assumptions of current market pricing curves. In order to incorporate the credit risk of the Registrants into the discount rates, Exelon obtains pricing (i.e., U.S. Treasury rate plus credit spread) based on trades of existing Exelon debt securities as well as debt securities of other issuers in the electric utility sector with similar credit ratings in both the primary and secondary market, across the Registrants’ debt maturity spectrum. The credit spreads of various tenors obtained from this information are added to the appropriate benchmark U.S. Treasury rates in order to determine the current market yields for the various tenors. The yields are then converted into discount rates of various tenors that are used for discounting the respective cash flows of the same tenor for each bond or note. The fair value of Exelon’s equity units (Level 1) are valued based on publicly traded securities issued by Exelon.

 

The fair value of Generation’s non-government-backed fixed rate nonrecourse debt (Level 3) is based on market and quoted prices for its own and other nonrecourse debt with similar risk profiles. Given the low trading volume in the nonrecourse debt market, the price quotes used to determine fair value will reflect certain qualitative factors, such as market conditions, investor demand, new developments that might significantly impact the project cash flows or off-taker credit, and other circumstances related to the project (e.g., political and regulatory environment). The fair value of Generation’s government-backed fixed rate project financing debt (Level 3) is largely based on a discounted cash flow methodology that is similar to the taxable debt securities methodology described above. Due to the lack of market trading data on similar debt, the discount rates are derived based on the original loan interest rate spread to the applicable Treasury rate as well as a current market curve derived from government-backed securities. Variable rate project financing debt resets on a quarterly basis and the carrying value approximates fair value (Level 2). Generation also has tax-exempt debt (Level 2). Due to low trading volume in this market, qualitative factors, such as market conditions, investor demand, and circumstances related to the issuer (e.g., conduit issuer political and regulatory environment), may be incorporated into the credit spreads that are used to obtain the fair value as described above.

 

308


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

SNF Obligation. The carrying amount of Generation’s SNF obligation (Level 2) is derived from a contract with the DOE to provide for disposal of SNF from Generation’s nuclear generating stations. When determining the fair value of the obligation, the future carrying amount of the SNF obligation estimated to be settled in 2025 is calculated by compounding the current book value of the SNF obligation at the 13-week Treasury rate. The compounded obligation amount is discounted back to present value using Generation’s discount rate, which is calculated using the same methodology as described above for the taxable debt securities, and an estimated maturity date of 2025.

 

Long-Term Debt to Financing Trusts. Exelon’s long-term debt to financing trusts is valued based on publicly traded securities issued by the financing trusts. Due to low trading volume of these securities, qualitative factors, such as market conditions, investor demand, and circumstances related to each issue, this debt is classified as Level 3.

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

Exelon records the fair value of assets and liabilities in accordance with the hierarchy established by the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

 

   

Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Registrants have the ability to liquidate as of the reporting date.

 

   

Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.

 

   

Level 3—unobservable inputs, such as internally developed pricing models or third-party valuations for the asset or liability due to little or no market activity for the asset or liability.

 

Transfers in and out of levels are recognized as of the end of the reporting period when the transfer occurred. Given derivatives categorized within Level 1 are valued using exchange-based quoted prices within observable periods, transfers between Level 2 and Level 1 were not material. Transfers into Level 2 from Level 3 generally occur when the contract tenure becomes more observable. Transfers into Level 3 from Level 2 generally occur due to changes in market liquidity or assumptions for certain commodity contracts. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2015 for cash equivalents, nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments, pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning, Rabbi trust investments, and deferred compensation obligations.

 

309


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Generation and Exelon

 

The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    Generation     Exelon  

As of December 31, 2015

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets

               

Cash equivalents (a)

  $ 104      $ —        $ —        $ 104      $ 5,766      $ —        $ —        $ 5,766   

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments

               

Cash equivalents (b)

    219        92        —          311        219        92        —          311   

Equities

    3,008        1,894        —          4,902        3,008        1,894        —          4,902   

Fixed income

               

Corporate debt

    —          1,824        242        2,066        —          1,824        242        2,066   

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    1,323        15        —          1,338        1,323        15        —          1,338   

Foreign governments

    —          61        —          61        —          61        —          61   

State and municipal debt

    —          326        —          326        —          326        —          326   

Other (c)

    —          537        —          537        —          537        —          537   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    1,323        2,763        242        4,328        1,323        2,763        242        4,328   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Middle market lending

    —          —          428        428        —          —          428        428   

Private equity

    —          —          125        125        —          —          125        125   

Real estate

    —          —          35        35        —          —          35        35   

Other

    —          216        —          216        —          216        —          216   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments subtotal (d)

    4,550        4,965        830        10,345        4,550        4,965        830        10,345   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning

               

Cash equivalents

    —          17        —          17        —          17        —          17   

Equities

    1        5        —          6        1        5        —          6   

Fixed income

               

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    6        2        —          8        6        2        —          8   

Corporate debt

    —          46        —          46        —          46        —          46   

Other

    —          1        —          1        —          1        —          1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    6        49        —          55        6        49        —          55   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Middle market lending

    —          —          127        127        —          —          127        127   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning subtotal (e)

    7        71        127        205        7        71        127        205   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Rabbi trust investments in mutual funds (f)

    17        —          —          17        48        —          —          48   

Commodity derivative assets

               

Economic hedges

    1,922        3,467        1,707        7,096        1,922        3,467        1,707        7,096   

Proprietary trading

    36        64        30        130        36        64        30        130   

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral (g)

    (1,964     (2,629     (564     (5,157     (1,964     (2,629     (564     (5,157
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity derivative assets subtotal

    (6     902        1,173        2,069        (6     902        1,173        2,069   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative assets

               

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

    —          —          —          —          —          25        —          25   

Economic hedges

    —          20        —          20        —          20        —          20   

Proprietary trading

    10        5        —          15        10        5        —          15   

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral

    (3     (3     —          (6     (3     (3     —          (6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative assets subtotal

    7        22        —          29        7        47        —          54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other investments

    —          —          33        33        —          —          33        33   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,679        5,960        2,163        12,802        10,372        5,985        2,163        18,520   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

               

Commodity derivative liabilities

               

Economic hedges

    (2,382     (3,348     (850     (6,580     (2,382     (3,348     (1,097     (6,827

Proprietary trading

    (33     (57     (37     (127     (33     (57     (37     (127

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral (g)

    2,440        3,186        765        6,391        2,440        3,186        765        6,391   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity derivative liabilities subtotal

    25        (219     (122     (316     25        (219     (369     (563
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative liabilities

          —                —     

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

    —          (16     —          (16     —          (16     —          (16

Economic hedges

    —          (3     —          (3     —          (3     —          (3

Proprietary trading

    (12     —          —          (12     (12     —          —          (12

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral

    12        3        —          15        12        3        —          15   

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative liabilities subtotal

    —          (16     —          (16     —          (16     —          (16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred compensation obligation

    —          (30     —          (30     —          (99     —          (99
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    25        (265     (122     (362     25        (334     (369     (678
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 4,704      $ 5,695      $ 2,041      $ 12,440      $ 10,397      $ 5,651      $ 1,794      $ 17,842   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

310


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

    Generation     Exelon  

As of December 31, 2014

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets

               

Cash equivalents (a)

  $ 405      $ —        $ —        $ 405      $ 1,119      $ —        $ —        $ 1,119   

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments

               

Cash equivalents (b)

    208        37        —          245        208        37        —          245   

Equities

    3,035        2,207        —          5,242        3,035        2,207        —          5,242   

Fixed income

               

Corporate debt

    —          2,023        239        2,262        —          2,023        239        2,262   

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    996        —          —          996        996        —          —          996   

Foreign governments

    —          95        —          95        —          95        —          95   

State and municipal debt

    —          438        —          438        —          438        —          438   

Other

    —          511        —          511        —          511        —          511   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    996        3,067        239        4,302        996        3,067        239        4,302   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Middle market lending

    —          —          366        366        —          —          366        366   

Private equity

    —          —          83        83        —          —          83        83   

Real estate

    —          —          3        3        —          —          3        3   

Other(c)

    —          301        —          301        —          301        —          301   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments subtotal (d)

    4,239        5,612        691        10,542        4,239        5,612        691        10,542   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning

               

Cash equivalents

    —          15        —          15        —          15        —          15   

Equities

    6        1        —          7        6        1        —          7   

Fixed income

               

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    5        3        —          8        5        3        —          8   

Corporate debt

    —          89        —          89        —          89        —          89   

State and municipal debt

    —          10        —          10        —          10        —          10   

Other

    —          3        —          3        —          3        —          3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    5        105        —          110        5        105        —          110   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Middle market lending

    —          —          184        184        —          —          184        184   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning subtotal (e)

    11        121        184        316        11        121        184        316   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Rabbi trust investments (f)

               

Cash equivalents

    —          —          —          —          1        —          —          1   

Mutual funds

    16        —          —          16        46        —          —          46   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Rabbi trust investments subtotal

    16        —          —          16        47        —          —          47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity derivative assets

          —                —     

Economic hedges

    1,667        3,465        1,681        6,813        1,667        3,465        1,681        6,813   

Proprietary trading

    201        284        27        512        201        284        27        512   

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral (g)

    (1,982     (2,757     (557     (5,296     (1,982     (2,757     (557     (5,296
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity derivative assets subtotal

    (114     992        1,151        2,029        (114     992        1,151        2,029   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative assets

          —                —     

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

    —          8        —          8        —          31        —          31   

Economic hedges

    —          12        —          12        —          13        —          13   

Proprietary trading

    18        9        —          27        18        9        —          27   

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral

    (17     (12     —          (29     (17     (31     —          (48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative assets subtotal

    1        17        —          18        1        22        —          23   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other investments

    —          —          3        3        2        —          3        5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,558        6,742        2,029        13,329        5,305        6,747        2,029        14,081   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

               

Commodity derivative liabilities

               

Economic hedges

    (2,241     (3,458     (788     (6,487     (2,241     (3,458     (995     (6,694

Proprietary trading

    (195     (295     (42     (532     (195     (295     (42     (532

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral (g)

    2,416        3,557        729        6,702        2,416        3,557        729        6,702   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity derivative liabilities subtotal

    (20     (196     (101     (317     (20     (196     (308     (524
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative liabilities

          —                —     

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

    —          (12     —          (12     —          (41     —          (41

Economic hedges

    —          (2     —          (2     —          (103     —          (103

Proprietary trading

    (14     (9     —          (23     (14     (9     —          (23

Effect of netting and allocation of collateral

    25        10        —          35        25        29        —          54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate and foreign currency derivative liabilities subtotal

    11        (13     —          (2     11        (124     —          (113
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred compensation obligation

    —          (31     —          (31     —          (107     —          (107
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    (9     (240     (101     (350     (9     (427     (308     (744
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 4,549      $ 6,502      $ 1,928      $ 12,979      $ 5,296      $ 6,320      $ 1,721      $ 13,337   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

311


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) Excludes certain cash equivalents considered to be held-to-maturity and not reported at fair value.
(b) Includes $52 million and $43 million of cash received from outstanding repurchase agreements at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is offset by an obligation to repay upon settlement of the agreement as discussed in (d) below.
(c) Includes derivative instruments of $(8) million and $(10) million, which have a total notional amount of $1,236 million and $794 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The notional principal amounts for these instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding as of the fiscal years ended and do not represent the amount of the company’s exposure to credit or market loss.
(d) Excludes net liabilities of $(3) million and $(5) million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These items consist of receivables related to pending securities sales, interest and dividend receivables, repurchase agreement obligations, and payables related to pending securities purchases. The repurchase agreements are generally short-term in nature with durations generally of 30 days or less.
(e) Excludes net assets of $1 million and $3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These items consist of receivables related to pending securities sales, interest and dividend receivables, and payables related to pending securities purchases.
(f) Excludes $36 million and $35 million of cash surrender value of life insurance investment at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, at Exelon Consolidated. Excludes $13 million and $11 million of cash surrender value of life insurance investment at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, at Generation.
(g) Collateral posted to/(received from) counterparties totaled $476 million, $557 million and $201 million allocated to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 mark-to-market derivatives, respectively, as of December 31, 2015. Collateral posted to/(received from) counterparties totaled $434 million, $800 million and $172 million allocated to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 mark-to-market derivatives, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the utility Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    ComEd     PECO     BGE  

As of December 31, 2015

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets

                       

Cash equivalents

  $ 29      $ —        $ —        $ 29      $ 271      $ —        $ —        $ 271      $ 25      $ —        $ —        $ 25   

Rabbi trust investments in mutual funds (a)

    —          —          —          —          8        —          —          8        4        —          —          4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    29        —          —          29        279        —          —          279        29        —          —          29   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

               

Deferred compensation obligation

    —          (8     —          (8     —          (12     —          (12     —          (4     —          (4

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (b)

    —          —          (247     (247     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    —          (8     (247     (255     —          (12     —          (12     —          (4     —          (4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets (liabilities)

  $ 29      $ (8   $ (247   $ (226   $ 279      $ (12   $ —        $ 267      $ 29      $ (4   $ —        $ 25   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

312


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

    ComEd     PECO     BGE  

As of December 31, 2014

  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Assets

                       

Cash equivalents

  $ 25      $ —        $ —        $ 25      $ 12      $ —        $ —        $ 12      $ 103      $ —        $ —        $ 103   

Rabbi trust investments in mutual funds (a)

    —          —          —          —          9        —          —          9        5        —          —          5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    25        —          —          25        21        —          —          21        108        —          —          108   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

               

Deferred compensation obligation

    —          (8     —          (8     —          (15     —          (15     —          (5     —          (5

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (b)

    —          —          (207     (207     —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    —          (8     (207     (215     —          (15     —          (15     —          (5     —          (5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets (liabilities)

  $ 25      $ (8   $ (207   $ (190   $ 21      $ (15   $ —        $ 6      $ 108      $ (5   $ —        $ 103   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) At PECO, excludes $12 million and $14 million of the cash surrender value of life insurance investments at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) The Level 3 balance includes the current and noncurrent liability of $23 million and $224 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015, and $20 million and $187 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, related to floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.

 

313


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    Generation     ComEd           Exelon  

For The Year Ended
December 31, 2015

  Nuclear
Decommissioning
Trust Fund
Investments
    Pledged
Assets for
Zion Station
Decommissioning
    Mark-to-
Market
Derivatives
    Other
Investments
    Total
Generation
    Mark-to-
Market

Derivatives (b)
    Eliminated in
Consolidation
    Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2015

  $ 691      $ 184      $ 1,050      $ 3      $ 1,928      $ (207   $ —        $ 1,721   

Total realized / unrealized gains (losses)

               

Included in net income

    4        —          22 (a)      1        27        —          —          27   

Included in noncurrent payables to affiliates

    23        —          —          —          23        —          (23     —     

Included in payable for Zion Station decommissioning

    —          (2     —          —          (2     —          —          (2

Included in regulatory assets/liabilities

    —          —          —          —          —          (40     23        (17

Change in collateral

    —          —          29        —          29        —          —          29   

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

               

Purchases

    226        20        144        30        420        —          —          420   

Sales

    (8     (75     (25     —          (108     —          —          (108

Settlements

    (106     —          —          —          (106     —          —          (106

Transfers into Level 3

    4        —          80        —          84        —          —          84   

Transfers out of Level 3

    (4     —          (249     (1     (254     —          —          (254
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

  $ 830      $ 127      $ 1,051      $ 33      $ 2,041      $ (247   $ —        $ 1,794   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount of total gains included in income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015

  $ 4      $ —        $ 856      $ —        $ 860      $ —        $ —        $ 860   

 

314


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

    Generation     ComEd           Exelon  

For The Year Ended
December 31, 2014

  Nuclear
Decommissioning
Trust Fund
Investments
    Pledged Assets
for Zion Station
Decommissioning
    Mark-to-
Market

Derivatives (d)
    Other
Investments
    Total
Generation
    Mark-to-
Market

Derivatives (b)
    Eliminated in
Consolidation
    Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2014

  $ 350      $ 112      $ 465      $ 15      $ 942      $ (193   $ —        $ 749   

Total realized / unrealized gains (losses)

             

Included in net income

    6        —          526 (a)      —          532        —          —          532   

Included in other comprehensive income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Included in noncurrent payables to affiliates

    14        —          —          —          14        —          (14     —     

Included in payable for Zion Station decommissioning

    —          2        —          —          2        —          —          2   

Included in regulatory assets/liabilities

    —          —          —          —          —          (14     14        —     

Change in collateral

    —          —          198        —          198        —          —          198   

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

             

Purchases

    400        120        76 (c)      2        598        —          —          598   

Sales

    (15     (50     (7     (8     (80     —          —          (80

Settlements

    (64     —          —          —          (64     —          —          (64

Transfers into Level 3

    —          —          (7     —          (7     —          —          (7

Transfers out of Level 3

    —          —          (201     (6     (207     —          —          (207
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

  $ 691      $ 184      $ 1,050      $ 3      $ 1,928      $ (207   $ —        $ 1,721   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount of total gains included in income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2014

  $ 4      $ —        $ 640      $ —        $ 644      $ —        $ —        $ 644   

 

(a) Includes a reduction for the reclassification of $834 million and $114 million of realized gains due to the settlement of derivative contracts for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes $55 million of decreases in fair value and an increase for realized losses due to settlements of $(15) million recorded in purchased power expense associated with floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the year ended December 31, 2015. Includes $13 million of decreases in fair value and a reduction for realized gains due to settlements of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(c) Includes $34 million of fair value from contracts acquired as a result of the Integrys acquisition.

 

The following tables present the income statement classification of the total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Generation      Exelon  
     Operating
Revenues
     Purchased
Power and
Fuel
    Other,
net (a)
     Operating
Revenues
     Purchased
Power and
Fuel
    Other,
net (a)
 

Total gains (losses) included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2015

   $ 67       $ (45   $ 4       $ 67       $ (45   $ 4   

Change in the unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held for the year ended December 31, 2015

   $ 858       $ (2   $ 4       $ 858       $ (2   $ 4   

 

315


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

     Generation      Exelon  
     Operating
Revenues
     Purchased
Power and
Fuel
    Other,
net (a)
     Operating
Revenues
     Purchased
Power and
Fuel
    Other,
net (a)
 

Total gains (losses) included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2014

   $ 614       $ (88   $ 6       $ 614       $ (88   $ 6   

Change in the unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held for the year ended December 31, 2014

   $ 663       $ (23   $ 4       $ 663       $ (23   $ 4   

 

(a) Other, net activity consists of realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the NDT funds held by Generation.

 

Valuation Techniques Used to Determine Fair Value

 

The following describes the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the assets and liabilities shown in the tables above.

 

Cash Equivalents (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE). The Registrants’ cash equivalents include investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The cash equivalents shown in the fair value tables are comprised of investments in mutual and money market funds. The fair values of the shares of these funds are based on observable market prices and, therefore, have been categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund Investments and Pledged Assets for Zion Station Decommissioning (Exelon and Generation). The trust fund investments have been established to satisfy Generation’s and CENG’s nuclear decommissioning obligations as required by the NRC. The NDT funds hold debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through commingled funds and mutual funds, which are included in Equities, Fixed Income and Other. Generation’s and CENG’s NDT fund investments policies outline investment guidelines for the trusts and limit the trust funds’ exposures to investments in highly illiquid markets and other alternative investments. Investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, including certain short-term fixed income securities are considered cash equivalents and included in the recurring fair value measurements hierarchy as Level 1 or Level 2.

 

With respect to individually held equity securities, the trustees obtain prices from pricing services, whose prices are obtained from direct feeds from market exchanges, which Generation is able to independently corroborate. The fair values of equity securities held directly by the trust funds are based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized in Level 1. Equity securities held individually are primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ-Global Select Market, which contain only actively traded securities due to the volume trading requirements imposed by these exchanges.

 

For fixed income securities, multiple prices from pricing services are obtained whenever possible, which enables cross-provider validations in addition to checks for unusual daily movements. A primary price source is identified based on asset type, class or issue for each security. With respect to individually held fixed income securities, the trustees monitor prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of a given security if the portfolio managers challenge an assigned price and the trustees determine that another price source is considered to be preferable. Generation has obtained an understanding of how these prices are

 

316


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, Generation selectively corroborates the fair values of securities by comparison to other market-based price sources. U.S. Treasury securities are categorized as Level 1 because they trade in a highly liquid and transparent market. The fair values of fixed income securities, excluding U.S. Treasury securities, are based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information or similar securities, adjusted for observable differences and are categorized in Level 2. The fair values of private placement fixed income securities, which are included in Corporate debt, are determined using a third party valuation that contains significant unobservable inputs and are categorized in Level 3.

 

Equity, balanced and fixed income commingled funds and mutual funds are maintained by investment companies and hold certain investments in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives such as holding short term fixed income securities or tracking the performance of certain equity indices by purchasing equity securities to replicate the capitalization and characteristics of the indices. The values of some of these funds are publicly quoted. For mutual funds which are publicly quoted, the funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and have been categorized as Level 1. For commingled funds and mutual funds, which are not publicly quoted, the fund administrators value the funds using NAV as a practical expedient for fair value, which is primarily derived from the quoted prices in active markets on the underlying securities. These investments typically can be redeemed monthly with 30 or less days of notice and without further restrictions, and, as a result are categorized as Level 2.

 

Derivative instruments consisting primarily of interest rate swaps to manage risk are recorded at fair value. Derivative instruments are valued based on external price data of comparable securities and have been categorized as Level 2.

 

Middle market lending are investments in loans or managed funds which lend to private companies. Generation elected the fair value option for its investments in certain limited partnerships that invest in middle market lending managed funds. The fair value of these loans is determined using a combination of valuation models including cost models, market models, and income models. Investments in middle market lending are categorized as Level 3 because the fair value of these securities is based largely on inputs that are unobservable and utilize complex valuation models. Investments in middle market lending typically cannot be redeemed until maturity of the term loan.

 

Private equity and real estate investments include those in limited partnerships that invest in operating companies and real estate holding companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange, such as,leveraged buyouts, growth capital, venture capital, distressed investments, investments in natural resources, and direct investments in pools of real estate properties. The fair value of private equity and real estate investments is determined using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient. These investments typically cannot be redeemed and are generally liquidated over a period of 8 to 10 years from the initial investment date. Private equity and real estate valuations are reported by the fund manager and are based on the valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, operating results, discounted future cash flows, market based comparable data, and independent appraisals from sources with professional qualifications. Since these valuation inputs are not highly observable, private equity and real estate investments have been categorized as Level 3.

 

As of December 31, 2015, Generation has outstanding commitments to invest in middle market lending, corporate debt securities, private equity investments, and real estate investments of approximately $266 million. These commitments will be funded by Generation’s existing nuclear decommissioning trust funds.

 

317


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk. Generation evaluated its NDT portfolios for the existence of significant concentrations of credit risk as of December 31, 2015. Types of concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, and individual fund. As of December 31, 2015, there were no significant concentrations (generally defined as greater than 10 percent) of risk in Generation’s NDT assets.

 

See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for further discussion on the NDT fund investments.

 

Rabbi Trust Investments (Exelon, Generation, PECO and BGE). The Rabbi trusts were established to hold assets related to deferred compensation plans existing for certain active and retired members of Exelon’s executive management and directors. The Rabbi trusts assets are included in investments in the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets and consist primarily of mutual funds and life insurance policies. The mutual funds are maintained by investment companies and hold certain investments in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives, which are consistent with Exelon’s overall investment strategy. Mutual funds are publicly quoted and have been categorized as Level 1 given the clear observability of the prices. The life insurance policies are valued using the cash surrender value of the policies, which is provided by a third party. The cash surrender value inputs are not observable.

 

Mark-to-Market Derivatives (Exelon, Generation, and ComEd). 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 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 and are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask, mid-point prices and are obtained from sources 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. This includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads and contract duration. The remainder of derivative contracts are valued using the Black model, an industry standard option valuation model. The Black model takes into account inputs such as contract terms, including maturity, and market parameters, including 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, model inputs are generally observable. Such instruments are categorized in Level 2. The Registrants’ derivatives are predominately at liquid trading points. For derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs. These valuations may include an estimated basis adjustment from an illiquid trading point to a liquid trading point for which active price quotations are available. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3.

 

Exelon may utilize fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which are typically designated as fair value hedges, as a means to achieve its targeted level of variable-rate debt as a percent of total debt. In addition, the Registrants may utilize interest rate derivatives to lock in interest rate levels in anticipation of future financings. These interest rate derivatives are typically designated as cash flow hedges. Exelon determines the current fair value by calculating the net present value of expected payments and receipts under the swap agreement, based on and discounted by the market’s expectation of future interest rates. Additional inputs to the net present value calculation may include the contract terms, counterparty credit risk and other market parameters. As these inputs are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest rate swaps are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for further discussion on mark-to-market derivatives.

 

318


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Deferred Compensation Obligations (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE). The Registrants’ deferred compensation plans allow participants to defer certain cash compensation into a notional investment account. The Registrants include such plans in other current and noncurrent liabilities in their Consolidated Balance Sheets. The value of the Registrants’ deferred compensation obligations is based on the market value of the participants’ notional investment accounts. The underlying notional investments are comprised primarily of equities, mutual funds, commingled funds, and fixed income securities which are based on directly and indirectly observable market prices. Since the deferred compensation obligations themselves are not exchanged in an active market, they are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Additional Information Regarding Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Exelon, Generation, ComEd)

 

Mark-to-Market Derivatives (Exelon, Generation, ComEd). For valuations that include both observable and unobservable inputs, if the unobservable input is determined to be significant to the overall inputs, the entire valuation is categorized in Level 3. This includes derivatives valued using indicative price quotations whose contract tenure extends into unobservable periods. In instances where observable data is unavailable, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable. 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. Forward price curves for the power market utilized by the front office to manage the portfolio, are reviewed and verified by the middle office, and used for financial reporting by the back office. The Registrants consider credit and nonperformance risk in the valuation of derivative contracts categorized in Level 2 and 3, including both historical and current market data in its assessment of credit and nonperformance risk by counterparty. Due to master netting agreements and collateral posting requirements, the impacts of credit and nonperformance risk were not material to the financial statements.

 

Disclosed below is detail surrounding the Registrants’ significant Level 3 valuations. The calculated fair value includes marketability discounts for margining provisions and other attributes. Generation’s Level 3 balance generally consists of forward sales and purchases of power and natural gas, coal purchases and certain transmission congestion contracts. Generation utilizes various inputs and factors including market data and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities as well as assumptions about the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. The inputs and factors include forward commodity prices, commodity price volatility, contractual volumes, delivery location, interest rates, credit quality of counterparties and credit enhancements.

 

For commodity derivatives, the primary input to the valuation models is the forward commodity price curve for each instrument. Forward commodity price curves are derived by risk management for liquid locations and by the traders and portfolio managers for illiquid locations. All locations are reviewed and verified by risk management considering published exchange transaction prices, executed bilateral transactions, broker quotes, and other observable or public data sources. The relevant forward commodity curve used to value each of the derivatives depends on a number of factors, including commodity type, delivery location, and delivery period. Price volatility varies by

 

319


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

commodity and location. When appropriate, Generation discounts future cash flows using risk free interest rates with adjustments to reflect the credit quality of each counterparty for assets and Generation’s own credit quality for liabilities. The level of observability of a forward commodity price varies generally due to the delivery location and delivery period. Certain delivery locations including PJM West Hub (for power) and Henry Hub (for natural gas) are more liquid and prices are observable for up to three years in the future. The observability period of volatility is generally shorter than the underlying power curve used in option valuations. The forward curve for a less liquid location is estimated by using the forward curve from the liquid location and applying a spread to represent the cost to transport the commodity to the delivery location. This spread does not typically represent a majority of the instrument’s market price. As a result, the change in fair value is closely tied to liquid market movements and not a change in the applied spread. The change in fair value associated with a change in the spread is generally immaterial. An average spread calculated across all Level 3 power and gas delivery locations is approximately $2.91 and $0.27 for power and natural gas, respectively. Many of the commodity derivatives are short term in nature and thus a majority of the fair value may be based on observable inputs even though the contract as a whole must be classified as Level 3. See ITEM 7A.—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK for information regarding the maturity by year of the Registrant’s mark-to-market derivative assets and liabilities.

 

On December 17, 2010, ComEd entered into several 20-year floating to fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the procurement of long-term renewable energy and associated RECs. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for more information. The fair value of these swaps has been designated as a Level 3 valuation due to the long tenure of the positions and internal modeling assumptions. The modeling assumptions include using natural gas heat rates to project long term forward power curves adjusted by a renewable factor that incorporates time of day and seasonality factors to reflect accurate renewable energy pricing. In addition, marketability reserves are applied to the positions based on the tenor and supplier risk.

 

The table below discloses the significant inputs to the forward curve used to value these positions.

 

Type of trade

  Fair Value at
December 31, 2015
    Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range  

Mark-to-market derivatives—Economic hedges (Generation) (a)(c)

  $ 857      Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward power

price

    $11 - $88 (d) 
      Forward gas
price
    $1.18 - $8.95 (d) 
    Option Model   Volatility
percentage
    5% - 152%   

Mark-to-market derivatives—Proprietary trading (Generation) (a)(c)

  $ (7   Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward power
price
    $13 - $78 (d) 

Mark-to-market derivatives (ComEd)

  $ (247   Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward heat
rate
(b)
    9x - 10x   
      Marketability
reserve
    3.5% - 7%   
      Renewable
factor
    87% - 128%   

 

(a) The valuation techniques, unobservable inputs and ranges are the same for the asset and liability positions.
(b) Quoted forward natural gas rates are utilized to project the forward power curve for the delivery of energy at specified future dates. The natural gas curve is extrapolated beyond its observable period to the end of the contract’s delivery.

 

320


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(c) The fair values do not include cash collateral posted on level three positions of $201 million as of December 31, 2015.
(d) Unlike the previous year, the New England region was not a significant driver for the upper end of the ranges for power and gas as of December 31, 2015.

 

Type of trade

  Fair Value at
December 31, 2014
    Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range  

Mark-to-market derivatives—Economic hedges (Generation) (a)(c)

  $ 893      Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward power
price
    $15 - $120 (d) 
      Forward gas
price
    $1.52 - $14.02 (d) 
    Option Model   Volatility
percentage
    8% - 257%   

Mark-to-market derivatives— Proprietary trading (Generation) (a)(c)

  $ (15   Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward power
price
    $15 - $117 (d) 

Mark-to-market derivatives (ComEd)

  $ (207   Discounted

Cash Flow

  Forward heat
rate
(b)
    8x - 9x   
      Marketability
reserve
    3.5% - 8%   
      Renewable
factor
    86% - 126%   

 

(a) The valuation techniques, unobservable inputs and ranges are the same for the asset and liability positions.
(b) Quoted forward natural gas rates are utilized to project the forward power curve for the delivery of energy at specified future dates. The natural gas curve is extrapolated beyond its observable period to the end of the contract’s delivery.
(c) The fair values do not include cash collateral posted on level three positions of $172 million as of December 31, 2014
(d) The upper ends of the ranges are driven by the winter power and gas prices in the New England region. Without the New England region, the upper ends of the ranges for power and gas would be approximately $97 and $8.14, respectively and would be approximately $76 for power proprietary trading.

 

The inputs listed above would have a direct impact on the fair values of the above instruments if they were adjusted. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Generation’s commodity derivatives are forward commodity prices and for options is price volatility. Increases (decreases) in the forward commodity price in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair values for long positions (contracts that give Generation the obligation or option to purchase a commodity), with offsetting impacts to short positions (contracts that give Generation the obligation or right to sell a commodity). Increases (decreases) in volatility would increase (decrease) the value for the holder of the option (writer of the option). Generally, a change in the estimate of forward commodity prices is unrelated to a change in the estimate of volatility of prices. An increase to the reserves listed above would decrease the fair value of the positions. An increase to the heat rate or renewable factors would increase the fair value accordingly. Generally, interrelationships exist between market prices of natural gas and power. As such, an increase in natural gas pricing would potentially have a similar impact on forward power markets.

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund Investments and Pledged Assets for Zion Station Decommissioning (Exelon and Generation). For middle market lending, certain corporate debt securities, real estate and private equity investments the fair value is determined using a combination of valuation models including cost models, market models and income models. The valuation estimates are based on valuations of comparable companies, discounting the forecasted cash flows of the portfolio company, estimating the liquidation or collateral value of the portfolio company or its assets, considering offers from third parties to buy the portfolio company, its historical and projected

 

321


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

financial results, as well as other factors that may impact value. Significant judgment is required in the application of discounts or premiums applied to the prices of comparable companies for factors such as size, marketability, credit risk and relative performance.

 

Because Generation relies on third-party fund managers to develop the quantitative unobservable inputs without adjustment for the valuations of its Level 3 investments, quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in valuing these investments is not reasonably available to Generation. This includes information regarding the sensitivity of the fair values to changes in the unobservable inputs. Generation gains an understanding of the fund managers’ inputs and assumptions used in preparing the valuations. Generation performed procedures to assess the reasonableness of the valuations. For a sample of its Level 3 investments, Generation reviewed independent valuations and reviewed the assumptions in the detailed pricing models used by the fund managers.

 

13. Derivative Financial Instruments (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and interest rate risk related to ongoing business operations.

 

Commodity Price Risk (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

To the extent the amount of energy Generation produces differs from the amount of energy it has contracted to sell, Exelon and Generation are exposed to market fluctuations in the prices of electricity, fossil fuels and other commodities. Each of the Registrants employ established policies and procedures to manage their risks associated with market fluctuations in commodity prices by entering into physical and financial derivative contracts, including swaps, futures, forwards, options and short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and energy-related products. The Registrants believe these instruments, which are classified as either economic hedges or non-derivatives, mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Derivative accounting guidance requires that derivative instruments be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value of the derivative recognized in earnings each period. Other accounting treatments are available through special election and designation, provided they meet specific, restrictive criteria both at the time of designation and on an ongoing basis. These alternative permissible accounting treatments include normal purchase normal sale (NPNS), cash flow hedge, and fair value hedge. For commodity transactions, Generation no longer utilizes the special election provided for by the cash flow hedge designation and de-designated all of its existing cash flow hedges prior to the Constellation merger. Because the underlying forecasted transactions remained probable, the fair value of the effective portion of these cash flow hedges was frozen in Accumulated OCI and was reclassified to results of operations when the forecasted purchase or sale of the energy commodity occurred. The effect of this decision is that all derivative economic hedges related to commodities are recorded at fair value through earnings for the combined company, referred to as economic hedges in the following tables. The Registrants have applied the NPNS scope exception to certain derivative contracts for the forward sale of generation, power procurement agreements, and natural gas supply agreements. Non-derivative contracts for access to additional generation and certain sales to load-serving entities are accounted for primarily under the accrual method of accounting, which is further discussed in Note 23—Commitments and Contingencies. Additionally, Generation is exposed to certain market risks through its proprietary trading activities. The proprietary trading activities are a complement to Generation’s energy marketing portfolio, but represent a small portion of Generation’s overall energy marketing activities.

 

322


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Economic Hedging. The Registrants are exposed to commodity price risk primarily relating to changes in the market price of electricity, fossil fuels, and other commodities 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. Within Exelon, Generation has the most exposure to commodity price risk. As such, Generation uses a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to manage the commodity price risk of its electric generation facilities, including power and gas sales, fuel and energy purchases, natural gas transportation and pipeline capacity agreements and other energy-related products marketed and purchased. In order to manage these risks, Generation may enter into fixed-price derivative or non-derivative contracts to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted sales of energy and gas and purchases of fuel and energy. The objectives for entering into such hedges include fixing the price for a portion of anticipated future electricity sales at a level that provides an acceptable return on electric generation operations, fixing the price of a portion of anticipated fuel purchases for the operation of power plants, and fixing the price for a portion of anticipated energy purchases to supply load-serving customers. The portion of forecasted transactions hedged may vary based upon management’s policies and hedging objectives, the market, weather conditions, operational and other factors. Generation is also exposed to differences between the locational settlement prices of certain economic hedges and the hedged generating units. This price difference is actively managed through other instruments which include derivative congestion products, whose changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period, and auction revenue rights, which are accounted for on an accrual basis.

 

In general, increases and decreases in forward market prices have a positive and negative impact, respectively, on Generation’s owned and contracted generation positions that have not been hedged. Generation hedges commodity price risk on a ratable basis over three-year periods. As of December 31, 2015, the proportion of expected generation hedged for the major reportable segments was 90%-93%, 60%-63% and 28%-31% for 2016, 2017, and 2018, 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 for capacity 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.

 

On December 17, 2010, ComEd entered into several 20-year floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers for the procurement of long-term renewable energy and associated RECs. Delivery under the contracts began in June 2012. Pursuant to the ICC’s Order on December 19, 2012, ComEd’s commitments under the existing long-term contracts for energy and associated RECs 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 reductions was approved in March 2014. These contracts are designed to lock in a portion of the long-term commodity price risk resulting from the renewable energy resource procurement requirements in the Illinois Settlement Legislation. ComEd has not elected hedge accounting for these derivative financial instruments. ComEd records the fair value of the swap contracts on its balance sheet. Because ComEd receives full cost recovery for energy procurement and related costs from retail customers, the change in fair value each period is recorded by ComEd as a regulatory asset or liability. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

323


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

PECO has contracts to procure electric supply that were executed through the competitive procurement process outlined in its PAPUC-approved DSP Programs, which are further discussed in Note 3—Regulatory Matters. Based on Pennsylvania legislation and the DSP Programs permitting PECO to recover its electric supply procurement costs from retail customers with no mark-up, PECO’s price risk related to electric supply procurement is limited. PECO locked in fixed prices for a significant portion of its commodity price risk through full requirements contracts and block contracts. PECO has certain full requirements contracts and block contracts that are considered derivatives and qualify for the NPNS scope exception under current derivative authoritative guidance.

 

PECO’s natural gas procurement policy is designed to achieve a reasonable balance of long-term and short-term gas purchases under different pricing approaches in order to achieve system supply reliability at the least cost. PECO’s reliability strategy is two-fold. First, PECO must assure that there is sufficient transportation capacity to satisfy delivery requirements. Second, PECO must ensure that a firm source of supply exists to utilize the capacity resources. All of PECO’s natural gas supply and asset management agreements that are derivatives either qualify for the NPNS scope exception and have been designated as such, or have no mark-to-market balances because the derivatives are index priced. Additionally, in accordance with the 2015 PAPUC PGC settlement and to reduce the exposure of PECO and its customers to natural gas price volatility, PECO has continued its program to purchase natural gas for both winter and summer supplies using a layered approach of locking-in prices ahead of each season with long-term gas purchase agreements (those with primary terms of at least twelve months). Under the terms of the 2015 PGC settlement, PECO is required to lock in (i.e., economically hedge) the price of a minimum volume of its long-term gas commodity purchases. PECO’s gas-hedging program is designed to cover about 30% of planned natural gas purchases in support of projected firm sales. The hedging program for natural gas procurement has no direct impact on PECO’s financial position or results of operations as natural gas costs are fully recovered from customers under the PGC.

 

BGE has contracts to procure SOS electric supply that are executed through a competitive procurement process approved by the MDPSC. The SOS rates charged recover BGE’s wholesale power supply costs and include an administrative fee. The administrative fee includes an incremental cost component and a shareholder return component for commercial and industrial rate classes. BGE’s price risk related to electric supply procurement is limited. BGE locks in fixed prices for all of its SOS requirements through full requirements contracts. Certain of BGE’s full requirements contracts, which are considered derivatives, qualify for the NPNS scope exception under current derivative authoritative guidance. Other BGE full requirements contracts are not derivatives.

 

BGE provides natural gas to its customers under a MBR mechanism approved by the MDPSC. Under this mechanism, BGE’s actual cost of gas is compared to a market index (a measure of the market price of gas in a given period). The difference between BGE’s actual cost and the market index is shared equally between shareholders and customers. BGE must also secure fixed price contracts for at least 10%, but not more than 20%, of forecasted system supply requirements for flowing (i.e., non-storage) gas for the November through March period. These fixed-price contracts are not subject to sharing under the MBR mechanism. BGE also ensures it has sufficient pipeline transportation capacity to meet customer requirements. All of BGE’s natural gas supply and asset management agreements qualify for the NPNS scope exception and result in physical delivery.

 

Proprietary Trading. Generation also enters into certain energy-related derivatives for proprietary trading purposes. Proprietary trading includes all contracts entered into with the intent of benefiting from shifts or changes in market prices as opposed to those entered into with the intent of hedging or managing risk. Proprietary trading activities are subject to limits established by Exelon’s RMC. The

 

324


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

proprietary trading activities, which included settled physical sales volumes of 7,310 GWh, 10,571 GWh and 8,762 GWh for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are a complement to Generation’s energy marketing portfolio but represent a small portion of Generation’s revenue from energy marketing activities. ComEd, PECO and BGE do not enter into derivatives for proprietary trading purposes.

 

Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Risk (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants use a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage interest rate exposure. The Registrants utilize fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which are typically designated as fair value hedges, as a means to manage their interest rate exposure. In addition, the Registrants may utilize interest rate derivatives to lock in rate levels in anticipation of future financings, which are typically designated as cash flow hedges. These strategies are employed to manage interest rate risks. At December 31, 2015, Exelon had $800 million of notional amounts of fixed-to-floating hedges outstanding and Exelon and Generation had $738 million of notional amounts of floating-to-fixed hedges outstanding. Assuming the fair value and cash flow interest rate hedges are 100% effective, a hypothetical 50 bps increase in the interest rates associated with unhedged variable-rate debt (excluding Commercial Paper) and fixed-to-floating swaps would result in an approximately $6 million decrease in Exelon Consolidated pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2015. 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. Below is a summary of the interest rate and foreign exchange hedge balances as of December 31, 2015:

 

    Generation     Other     Exelon  

Description

  Derivatives
Designated
as Hedging
Instruments
    Economic
Hedges
    Proprietary
Trading  (a)
    Collateral
and
Netting (b)
    Subtotal     Derivatives
Designated
as Hedging
Instruments
    Economic
Hedges
    Collateral
and
Netting (b)
    Subtotal     Total  

Mark-to-market derivative assets (current assets)

  $ —        $ 10      $ 10      $ (5   $ 15      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 15   

Mark-to-market derivative assets (noncurrent assets)

    —          10        5        (1     14        25        —          —          25        39   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative assets

    —          20        15        (6     29        25        —          —          25        54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (current liabilities)

    (8     (2     (9     11        (8     —          —          —          —          (8

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)

    (8     (1     (3     4        (8     —          —          —          —          (8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative liabilities

    (16     (3     (12     15        (16     —          —          —          —          (16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative net assets (liabilities)

  $ (16   $ 17      $ 3      $ 9      $ 13      $ 25      $ —        $ —        $ 25      $ 38   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Generation enters into interest rate derivative contracts to economically hedge risk associated with the interest rate component of commodity positions. The characterization of the interest rate derivative contracts between the proprietary trading activity in the above table is driven by the corresponding characterization of the underlying commodity position that gives rise to the interest rate exposure. Generation does not utilize proprietary trading interest rate derivatives with the objective of benefiting from shifts or changes in market interest rates.
(b) Exelon and Generation net all available amounts allowed under the derivative accounting guidance on the balance sheet. These amounts include unrealized derivative transactions with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. In some cases Exelon and Generation may have other offsetting exposures subject to a master netting or similar agreement, such as accrued interest, transactions that do not qualify as derivatives, letters of credit and other forms of non-cash collateral. These are not reflected in the table above.

 

325


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table provides a summary of the interest rate and foreign exchange hedge balances recorded by the Registrants as of December 31, 2014:

 

    Generation     Other     Exelon  

Description

  Derivatives
Designated
as Hedging
Instruments
    Economic
Hedges
    Proprietary
Trading (a)
    Collateral
and
Netting (b)
    Subtotal     Derivatives
Designated
as Hedging
Instruments
    Economic
Hedges
    Collateral
and
Netting (b)
    Subtotal     Total  

Mark-to-market derivative assets (current assets)

  $ 7      $ 7      $ 20      $ (22   $ 12      $ 3      $ —        $ —        $ 3      $ 15   

Mark-to-market derivative assets (noncurrent assets)

    1        5        7        (7     6        20        1        (19   $ 2      $ 8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative assets

    8        12        27        (29     18        23        1        (19     5        23   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (current liabilities)

    (8     (2     (14     25        1        —          —          —          —          1   

Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)

    (4     —          (9     10        (3     (29     (101     19        (111     (114
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative liabilities

    (12     (2     (23     35        (2     (29     (101     19        (111     (113
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market derivative net assets (liabilities)

  $ (4   $ 10      $ 4      $ 6      $ 16      $ (6   $ (100   $ —        $ (106   $ (90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Generation enters into interest rate derivative contracts to economically hedge risk associated with the interest rate component of commodity positions. The characterization of the interest rate derivative contracts between the proprietary trading activity in the above table is driven by the corresponding characterization of the underlying commodity position that gives rise to the interest rate exposure. Generation does not utilize proprietary trading interest rate derivatives with the objective of benefiting from shifts or changes in market interest rates.
(b) Exelon and Generation net all available amounts allowed under the derivative accounting guidance on the balance sheet. These amounts include unrealized derivative transactions with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. In some cases Exelon and Generation may have other offsetting exposures subject to a master netting or similar agreement, such as accrued interest, transactions that do not qualify as derivatives, letters of credit and other forms of non-cash collateral. These are not reflected in the table above.

 

Fair Value Hedges. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. Exelon includes the gain or loss on the hedged items and the offsetting loss or gain on the related interest rate swaps in interest expense as follows:

 

         Year Ended December 31,  
    

Income Statement Location

    2015       2014       2013        2015         2014          2013    
       Gain (Loss) on Swaps     Gain (Loss) on Borrowings  

Generation

  Interest expense (a)    $ (1   $ (16   $ (15   $ —        $ 2       $ (6

Exelon

  Interest expense    $ 2      $ 3      $ (24   $ (9   $ 15       $ (3

 

(a) For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the loss on Generation swaps included $(1) million and $(17) million realized in earnings, respectively, with an immaterial amount and $4 million excluded from hedge effectiveness testing, respectively.

 

326


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

At December 31, 2015, Exelon had total outstanding fixed-to-floating fair value hedges related to interest rate swaps of $800 million, with a derivative asset of $25 million. At December 31, 2014, Exelon and Generation had outstanding fixed-to-floating fair value hedges related to interest rate swaps of $1,450 million and $550 million, with a derivative asset of $29 million and $7 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the impact on the results of operations, as a result of the ineffectiveness from fair value hedges, was a $17 million gain and $18 million gain, respectively.

 

Cash Flow Hedges. During 2014, Exelon entered into $400 million of floating-to-fixed forward starting interest rate swaps to manage a portion of the interest rate exposure associated with the anticipated refinancing of existing debt. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. In January 2015, in connection with Generation’s $750 million issuance of five-year Senior Unsecured Notes, Exelon terminated these swaps. As the original forecasted transactions were a series of future interest payments over a ten year period, a portion of the anticipated interest payments are probable not to occur. As a result, $26 million of anticipated payments were reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Other, net in Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

During the third quarter of 2014, ExGen Texas Power, LLC, a subsidiary of Generation, entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure in connection with the long-term borrowing. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information regarding the financing. The swaps have a notional amount of $500 million as of December 31, 2015 and expire in 2019. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge in the fourth quarter of 2014. At December 31, 2015, the subsidiary had a $12 million derivative liability related to the swap.

 

During the first quarter of 2014, ExGen Renewables I, LLC, a subsidiary of Generation, entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure in connection with the long-term borrowings. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information regarding the financing. The swaps have a notional amount of $189 million as of December 31, 2015 and expire in 2020. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. At December 31, 2015, the subsidiary had a $2 million derivative liability related to the swaps.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the impact on the results of operations as a result of ineffectiveness from cash flow hedges in continuing designated hedge relationships were immaterial.

 

Economic Hedges. During the third quarter of 2011, Sacramento PV Energy, a subsidiary of Generation, entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure in connection with the long-term borrowings. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information regarding the financing. The swaps have a total notional amount of $25 million as of December 31, 2015 and expire in 2027. After the closing of the Constellation merger, the swaps were re-designated as cash flow hedges. During the first quarter of 2015, the swaps were de-designated as the forecasted transaction was no longer probable of occurring. All future changes in fair value are reflected in Interest expense. At December 31, 2015, the subsidiary had a $2 million derivative liability related to these swaps, which included an immaterial amount that was amortized to Interest expense after de-designation.

 

During the third quarter of 2012, Constellation Solar Horizons, a subsidiary of Generation, entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap to manage a portion of its interest rate exposure in connection with the long-term borrowings. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information

 

327


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

regarding the financing. The swap has a notional amount of $24 million as of December 31, 2015, and expires in 2030. This swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. During the first quarter of 2015, the swaps were de-designated as the forecasted transaction was no longer probable of occurring. All future changes in fair value are reflected in Interest expense. At December 31, 2015, the derivative asset related to the swap was immaterial.

 

During the second quarter 2015, upon the issuance of debt, Exelon terminated $2,400 million of floating-to-fixed forward starting interest rate swaps. As a result of the termination of the swaps, Exelon realized a $64 million loss during the second quarter of 2015.

 

At December 31, 2015, Generation had immaterial notional amounts of interest rate derivative contracts to economically hedge risk associated with the interest rate component of commodity positions and $30 million in notional amounts of foreign currency exchange rate swaps that are marked-to-market to manage the exposure associated with international purchases of commodities in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

 

Fair Value Measurement and Accounting for the Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts (Exelon Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Fair value accounting guidance and disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities requires the fair value of derivative instruments to be shown in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements on a gross basis, even when the derivative instruments are subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements and qualify for net presentation in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A master netting agreement is an agreement between two counterparties that may have derivative and non-derivative contracts with each other providing for the net settlement of all referencing contracts via one payment stream, which takes place as the contracts deliver, when collateral is requested or in the event of default. Generation’s use of cash collateral is generally unrestricted unless Generation is downgraded below investment grade (i.e. to BB+ or Ba1). In the table below, Generation’s energy related economic hedges and proprietary trading derivatives are shown gross. The impact of the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty that are subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements, as well as netting of cash collateral including initial margin on exchange positions, is aggregated in the collateral and netting column. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $3 million and $8 million of cash collateral posted, respectively, was not offset against derivative positions because such collateral was not associated with any energy-related derivatives, were associated with accrual positions, or as of the balance sheet date there were no positions to offset. Excluded from the tables below are economic hedges that qualify for the NPNS scope exception and other non-derivative contracts that are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting.

 

ComEd’s use of cash collateral is generally unrestricted unless ComEd is downgraded below investment grade (i.e. to BB+ or Ba1).

 

Cash collateral held by PECO and BGE must be deposited in a non affiliate major U.S. commercial bank or foreign bank with a U.S. branch office that meet certain qualifications.

 

328


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table provides a summary of the derivative fair value balances recorded by the Registrants as of December 31, 2015:

 

    Generation     ComEd     Exelon  

Derivatives

  Economic
Hedges
    Proprietary
Trading
    Collateral
and
Netting (a)
    Subtotal (b)     Economic
Hedges (c)
    Total
Derivatives
 

Mark-to-market
derivative assets (current assets)

  $ 5,236      $ 108      $ (3,994   $ 1,350      $ —        $ 1,350   

Mark-to-market
derivative assets (noncurrent assets)

    1,860        22        (1,163     719        —          719   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative assets

    7,096        130        (5,157     2,069        —          2,069   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark-to-market
derivative liabilities (current liabilities)

    (4,907     (94     4,827        (174     (23     (197

Mark-to-market
derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)

    (1,673     (33     1,564        (142     (224     (366
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative liabilities

    (6,580     (127     6,391        (316     (247     (563
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative net assets (liabilities)

  $ 516      $ 3      $ 1,234      $ 1,753      $ (247   $ 1,506   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Exelon and Generation net all available amounts allowed under the derivative accounting guidance on the balance sheet. These amounts include unrealized derivative transactions with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. In some cases Exelon and Generation may have other offsetting exposures, subject to a master netting or similar agreement, such as trade receivables and payables, transactions that do not qualify as derivatives, letters of credit and other forms of non-cash collateral. These are not reflected in the table above.
(b) Current and noncurrent assets are shown net of collateral of $352 million and $180 million, respectively, and current and noncurrent liabilities are shown net of collateral of $480 million and $222 million, respectively. The total cash collateral posted, net of cash collateral received and offset against mark-to-market assets and liabilities was $1,234 million at December 31, 2015.
(c) Includes current and noncurrent liabilities relating to floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.

 

329


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table provides a summary of the derivative fair value balances recorded by the Registrants as of December 31, 2014:

 

     Generation     ComEd     Exelon  

Derivatives

  Economic
Hedges
    Proprietary
Trading
    Collateral
and
Netting (a)
    Subtotal (b)     Economic
Hedges (c)
    Total
Derivatives
 

Mark-to-market
derivative assets (current assets)

  $ 4,992      $ 456      $ (4,184   $ 1,264      $ —        $ 1,264   

Mark-to-market
derivative assets (noncurrent assets)

    1,821        56        (1,112     765        —          765   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative assets

    6,813        512        (5,296     2,029        —          2,029   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark-to-market
derivative liabilities (current liabilities)

    (4,947     (468     5,200        (215     (20     (235

Mark-to-market
derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)

    (1,540     (64     1,502        (102     (187     (289
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative liabilities

    (6,487     (532     6,702        (317     (207     (524
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market
derivative net assets (liabilities)

  $ 326      $ (20   $ 1,406      $ 1,712      $ (207   $ 1,505   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Exelon and Generation net all available amounts allowed under the derivative accounting guidance on the balance sheet. These amounts include unrealized derivative transactions with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. In some cases Exelon and Generation may have other offsetting exposures, subject to a master netting or similar agreement, such as trade receivables and payables, transactions that do not qualify as derivatives, letters of credit and other forms of non-cash collateral. These are not reflected in the table above.
(b) Current and noncurrent assets are shown net of collateral of $416 million and $171 million, respectively, and current and noncurrent liabilities are shown net of collateral of $599 million and $220 million, respectively. The total cash collateral posted, net of cash collateral received and offset against mark-to-market assets and liabilities was $1,406 million at December 31, 2014.
(c) Includes current and noncurrent liabilities relating to floating-to-fixed energy swap contracts with unaffiliated suppliers.

 

Cash Flow Hedges (Exelon, Generation and ComEd). As discussed previously, effective prior to the Constellation merger, Generation de-designated all of its cash flow hedges relating to commodity price risk. Because the underlying forecasted transactions remain at least reasonably probable, the fair value of the effective portion of these cash flow hedges was frozen in Accumulated OCI and is reclassified to results of operations when the forecasted purchase or sale of the energy commodity occurs, or becomes probable of not occurring. Generation began recording prospective changes in the fair value of these instruments through current earnings from the date of de-designation. As of December 31, 2015, no unrealized balance remains in accumulated OCI to be reclassified by Generation.

 

330


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The tables below provide the activity of Accumulated OCI related to cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, containing information about the changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges and the reclassification from Accumulated OCI into results of operations. The amounts reclassified from Accumulated OCI, when combined with the impacts of the hedged transactions, result in the ultimate recognition of net revenues or expenses at the contractual price.

 

    Income Statement
Location
  Total Cash Flow Hedge OCI  Activity,
Net of Income Tax
 
    Generation     Exelon  
    Total Cash Flow
Hedges
    Total Cash Flow
Hedges
 

Accumulated OCI derivative gain at January 1, 2014

    $ 114      $ 120   

Effective portion of changes in fair value

      (15     (31

Reclassifications from accumulated OCI to net income

  Operating revenues     (117 )(a)      (117 )(a) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated OCI derivative gain at December 31, 2014

      (18     (28

Effective portion of changes in fair value

      (8     (12

Reclassifications from accumulated OCI to net income

  Other, net     —          16 (b) 

Reclassifications from accumulated OCI to net income

  Interest expense     7 (c)      7 (c) 

Reclassifications from accumulated OCI to net income

  Operating revenues     (2     (2
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated OCI derivative gain at December 31, 2015

    $ (21   $ (19
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Amount is net of related income tax expense of $78 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(b) Amount is net of related income tax benefit of $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(c) Amount is net of related income tax expense of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, Generation’s former energy-related cash flow hedge activity impact to pre-tax earnings based on the reclassification adjustment from Accumulated OCI to earnings was a $2 million, $195 million and $683 million pre-tax gain, respectively. In addition, the effect of Exelon’s former energy-related cash flow hedge activity impact on pre-tax earnings based on the reclassification adjustment from Accumulated OCI to earnings was a $2 million, $195 million and $464 million pre-tax gain for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Given that the cash flow hedges had primarily consisted of forward power sales and power swaps and did not include power and gas options or sales, neither Exelon nor Generation will incur changes in cash flow hedge ineffectiveness in future periods relating to energy-related hedge positions as all were de-designated prior to the merger date.

 

Economic Hedges (Exelon and Generation). These instruments represent hedges that economically mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and include financial options, futures, swaps, physical forward sales and purchases, but for which the fair value or cash flow hedge elections were not made. Additionally, Generation enters into interest rate derivative contracts and foreign exchange currency swaps (“treasury”) to manage the exposure related to the interest rate component of commodity positions and international purchases of commodities in currencies other

 

331


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

than U.S. Dollars. Exelon entered into floating-to-fixed forward starting interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risks associated with anticipated future debt issuance related to the proposed PHI merger. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the following net pre-tax mark-to-market gains (losses) of certain purchase and sale contracts were reported in Operating revenues or Purchased power and fuel expense, or Interest expense at Exelon and Generation in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and are included in “Net fair value changes related to derivatives” in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In the tables below, “Change in fair value” represents the change in fair value of the derivative contracts held at the reporting date. The “Reclassification to realized at settlement” represents the recognized change in fair value that was reclassified to realized due to settlement of the derivative during the period.

 

    Generation     Intercompany
Eliminations
    Exelon
Corporate
    Exelon  

Year Ended December 31, 2015

  Operating
Revenues
    Purchased
Power
and Fuel
    Interest
Expense
    Total     Operating
Revenues (a)
    Interest
Expense
    Total  

Change in fair value of commodity positions

  $ 759      $ (355   $ —        $ 404      $ —        $ —        $ 404   

Reclassification to realized at settlement of commodity positions

    (563     409        —          (154     —          —          (154
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net commodity mark-to-market gains (losses)

    196        54        —          250        —          —          250   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of treasury positions

    13        —          —          13        —          36        49   

Reclassification to realized at settlement of treasury positions

    (6     —          —          (6     —          64        58   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net treasury mark-to market gains (losses)

    7        —          —          7        —          100        107   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net mark-to market gains (losses)

  $ 203      $ 54      $ —        $ 257      $ —        $ 100      $ 357   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Generation     Intercompany
Eliminations
    Exelon
Corporate
    Exelon  

Year Ended December 31, 2014

  Operating
Revenues
    Purchased
Power
and Fuel
    Interest
Expense
    Total     Operating
Revenues (a)
    Interest
Expense
    Total  

Change in fair value of commodity positions

  $ (413   $ (194   $ —        $ (607   $ —        $ —        $ (607

Reclassification to realized at settlement of commodity positions

    231        (223     —          8        —          —          8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net commodity mark-to-market gains (losses)

    (182     (417     —          (599     —          —          (599
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of treasury positions

    10        —          (2     8        —          (100     (92

Reclassification to realized at settlement of treasury positions

    (2     —          —          (2     —          —          (2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net treasury mark-to market gains (losses)

    8        —          (2     6        —          (100     (94
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net mark-to market gains (losses)

  $ (174   $ (417   $ (2   $ (593   $ —        $ (100   $ (693
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

332


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

    Generation     Intercompany
Eliminations
    Exelon
Corporate
    Exelon  

Year Ended December 31, 2013

  Operating
Revenues
    Purchased
Power
and Fuel
    Interest
Expense
    Total     Operating
Revenues (a)
    Interest
Expense
    Total  

Change in fair value of commodity positions

  $ 286      $ 180      $ —        $ 466      $ (6   $ —        $ 460   

Reclassification to realized at settlement of commodity positions

    (64     104        —          40        13        —          53   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net commodity mark-to-market gains (losses)

    222        284        —          506        7        —          513   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of treasury positions

    (1     —          (4     (5     —          —          (5

Reclassification to realized at settlement of treasury positions

    (1     —          —          (1     —          —          (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net treasury mark-to market gains (losses)

    (2     —          (4     (6     —          —          (6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net mark-to market gains (losses)

  $ 220      $ 284      $ (4   $ 500      $ 7      $ —        $ 507   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Prior to the Constellation merger, the five-year financial swap contract between Generation and ComEd was de-designated. As a result, all prospective changes in fair value were recorded to operating revenues and eliminated in consolidation.

 

Proprietary Trading Activities (Exelon and Generation). For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Exelon and Generation recognized the following net unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses), net realized mark-to-market gains (losses) and total net mark-to-market gains (losses) (before income taxes) relating to mark-to-market activity on commodity derivative instruments entered into for proprietary trading purposes and interest rate derivative contracts to hedge risk associated with the interest rate component of underlying commodity positions. Gains and losses associated with proprietary trading are reported as operating revenue in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and are included in “Net fair value changes related to derivatives” in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In the tables below, “Change in fair value” represents the change in fair value of the derivative contracts held at the reporting date. The “Reclassification to realized at settlement” represents the recognized change in fair value that was reclassified to realized due to settlement of the derivative during the period.

 

     Location on  Income
Statement
     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
      2015     2014     2013  

Change in fair value of commodity positions

     Operating Revenues       $ 8      $ (1   $ (22

Reclassification to realized at settlement of commodity positions

     Operating Revenues         (14     (29     (15
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net commodity mark-to-market gains (losses)

     Operating Revenues         (6     (30     (37
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of treasury positions

     Operating Revenues         8        1        1   

Reclassification to realized at settlement of treasury positions

     Operating Revenues         (10     3        (3
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net treasury mark-to market gains (losses)

     Operating Revenues         (2     4        (2
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net mark-to market gains (losses)

     Operating Revenues       $ (8   $ (26   $ (39
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants would be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties that enter into derivative instruments. The credit exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented by the fair value of contracts at the reporting date. For energy-related derivative instruments, Generation enters into enabling agreements that allow for payment netting with its

 

333


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

counterparties, which reduces Generation’s exposure to counterparty risk by providing for the offset of amounts payable to the counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty. Typically, each enabling agreement is for a specific commodity and so, with respect to each individual counterparty, netting is limited to transactions involving that specific commodity product, except where master netting agreements exist with a counterparty that allow for cross product netting. In addition to payment netting language in the enabling agreement, Generation’s credit department establishes credit limits, margining thresholds and collateral requirements for each counterparty, which are defined in the derivative contracts. Counterparty credit limits are based on an internal credit review process that considers a variety of factors, including the results of a scoring model, leverage, liquidity, profitability, credit ratings by credit rating agencies, and risk management capabilities. To the extent that a counterparty’s margining thresholds are exceeded, the counterparty is required to post collateral with Generation as specified in each enabling agreement. Generation’s credit department monitors current and forward credit exposure to counterparties and their affiliates, both on an individual and an aggregate basis.

 

The following tables provide information on Generation’s credit exposure for all derivative instruments, NPNS, and applicable payables and receivables, net of collateral and instruments that are subject to master netting agreements, as of December 31, 2015. The tables further delineate that exposure by credit rating of the counterparties and provide guidance on the concentration of credit risk to individual counterparties. The figures in the tables below exclude credit risk exposure from individual retail counterparties, Nuclear fuel procurement contracts and exposure through RTOs, ISOs, NYMEX, ICE and Nodal commodity exchanges, further discussed in ITEM 7A.—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. Additionally, the figures in the tables below exclude exposures with affiliates, including net receivables with ComEd, PECO and BGE of $15 million, $36 million and $31 million, respectively.

 

Rating as of December 31, 2015

  Total
Exposure
Before Credit
Collateral
    Credit
Collateral (a)
    Net
Exposure
    Number of
Counterparties
Greater than 10%
of Net Exposure
    Net Exposure of
Counterparties
Greater than 10%
of Net Exposure
 

Investment grade

  $ 1,397      $ 50      $ 1,347        1      $ 432   

Non-investment grade

    67        25        42        —          —     

No external ratings

       

Internally rated—investment grade

    521        —          521        —          —     

Internally rated—non-investment grade

    77        7        70        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,062      $ 82      $ 1,980        1      $ 432   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Net Credit Exposure by Type of Counterparty

   December 31, 2015  

Financial institutions

   $ 187   

Investor-owned utilities, marketers, power producers

     886   

Energy cooperatives and municipalities

     872   

Other

     35   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,980   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) As of December 31, 2015, credit collateral held from counterparties where Generation had credit exposure included $13 million of cash and $69 million of letters of credit.

 

ComEd’s power procurement contracts provide suppliers with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The credit position is based on forward market prices compared to the benchmark prices. The

 

334


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

benchmark prices are the forward prices of energy projected through the contract term and are set at the point of supplier bid submittals. If the forward market price of energy exceeds the benchmark price, the suppliers are required to post collateral for the secured credit portion after adjusting for any unpaid deliveries and unsecured credit allowed under the contract. The unsecured credit used by the suppliers represents ComEd’s net credit exposure. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd’s net credit exposure to suppliers was immaterial.

 

ComEd is permitted to recover its costs of procuring energy through the Illinois Settlement Legislation. ComEd’s counterparty credit risk is mitigated by its ability to recover realized energy costs through customer rates. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

PECO’s supplier master agreements that govern the terms of its electric supply procurement contracts, which define a supplier’s performance assurance requirements, allow a supplier to meet its credit requirements with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The amount of unsecured credit is determined based on the supplier’s lowest credit rating from the major credit rating agencies and the supplier’s tangible net worth. The credit position is based on the initial market price, which is the forward price of energy on the day a transaction is executed, compared to the current forward price curve for energy. To the extent that the forward price curve for energy exceeds the initial market price, the supplier is required to post collateral to the extent the credit exposure is greater than the supplier’s unsecured credit limit. The unsecured credit used by the suppliers represents PECO’s net credit exposure. As of December 31, 2015, PECO had no net credit exposure to suppliers.

 

PECO is permitted to recover its costs of procuring electric supply through its PAPUC-approved DSP Program. PECO’s counterparty credit risk is mitigated by its ability to recover realized energy costs through customer rates. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

PECO’s natural gas procurement plan is reviewed and approved annually on a prospective basis by the PAPUC. PECO’s counterparty credit risk under its natural gas supply and asset management agreements is mitigated by its ability to recover its natural gas costs through the PGC, which allows PECO to adjust rates quarterly to reflect realized natural gas prices. PECO does not obtain collateral from suppliers under its natural gas supply and asset management agreements. As of December 31, 2015, PECO’s credit exposure under its natural gas supply and asset management agreements with investment grade suppliers was immaterial.

 

BGE is permitted to recover its costs of procuring energy through the MDPSC-approved procurement tariffs. BGE’s counterparty credit risk is mitigated by its ability to recover realized energy costs through customer rates. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

BGE’s full requirement wholesale electric power agreements that govern the terms of its electric supply procurement contracts, which define a supplier’s performance assurance requirements, allow a supplier, or its guarantor, to meet its credit requirements with a certain amount of unsecured credit. The amount of unsecured credit is determined based on the supplier’s lowest credit rating from the major credit rating agencies and the supplier’s tangible net worth, subject to an unsecured credit cap. The credit position is based on the initial market price, which is the forward price of energy on the day a transaction is executed, compared to the current forward price curve for energy. To the extent that the forward price curve for energy exceeds the initial market price, the supplier is required to post collateral to the extent the credit exposure is greater than the supplier’s unsecured credit limit. The unsecured credit used by the suppliers represents BGE’s net credit exposure. The seller’s credit exposure is calculated each business day. As of December 31, 2015, BGE had no net credit exposure to suppliers.

 

335


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

BGE’s regulated gas business is exposed to market-price risk. This market-price risk is mitigated by BGE’s recovery of its costs to procure natural gas through a gas cost adjustment clause approved by the MDPSC. BGE does make off-system sales after BGE has satisfied its customers’ demands, which are not covered by the gas cost adjustment clause. At December 31, 2015, BGE had credit exposure of $4 million related to off-system sales which is mitigated by parental guarantees, letters of credit, or right to offset clauses within other contracts with those third-party suppliers.

 

Collateral and Contingent-Related Features (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

As part of the normal course of business, Generation routinely enters into physical or financially settled contracts for the purchase and sale of electric capacity, energy, fuels, emissions allowances and other energy-related products. Certain of Generation’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require Generation to post collateral. Generation also enters into commodity transactions on exchanges (i.e. NYMEX, ICE). The exchanges act as the counterparty to each trade. Transactions on the exchanges must adhere to comprehensive collateral and margining requirements. This collateral may be posted in the form of cash or credit support with thresholds contingent upon Generation’s credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. The collateral and credit support requirements vary by contract and by counterparty. These credit-risk-related contingent features stipulate that if Generation were to be downgraded or lose its investment grade credit rating (based on its senior unsecured debt rating), it would be required to provide additional collateral. This incremental collateral requirement allows for the offsetting of derivative instruments that are assets with the same counterparty, where the contractual right of offset exists under applicable master netting agreements. 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. In this case, Generation believes an amount of several months of future payments (i.e. capacity payments) rather than a calculation of fair value is the best estimate for the contingent collateral obligation, which has been factored into the disclosure below.

 

The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position that are not fully collateralized (excluding transactions on the exchanges that are fully collateralized) is detailed in the table below:

 

      For the Years Ended December 31,  

Credit-Risk Related Contingent Feature

       2015             2014      

Gross Fair Value of Derivative Contracts Containing this Feature (a)

   $ (932   $ (1,433

Offsetting Fair Value of In-the-Money Contracts Under Master Netting Arrangements (b)

     684        1,140   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Fair Value of Derivative Contracts Containing This Feature (c)

   $ (248   $ (293
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Amount represents the gross fair value of out-of-the-money derivative contracts containing credit-risk-related contingent features ignoring the effects of master netting agreements.
(b) Amount represents the offsetting fair value of in-the-money derivative contracts under legally enforceable master netting agreements with the same counterparty, which reduces the amount of any liability for which a Registrant could potentially be required to post collateral.
(c) Amount represents the net fair value of out-of-the-money derivative contracts containing credit-risk related contingent features after considering the mitigating effects of offsetting positions under master netting arrangements and reflects the actual net liability upon which any potential contingent collateral obligations would be based.

 

336


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Generation had cash collateral posted of $1,267 million and letters of credit posted of $497 million, and cash collateral held of $21 million and letters of credit held of $78 million as of December 31, 2015 for external counterparties with derivative positions. Generation had cash collateral posted of $1,497 million and letters of credit posted of $672 million and cash collateral held of $77 million and letters of credit held of $24 million at December 31, 2014 for external counterparties with derivative positions. In the event of a credit downgrade below investment grade (i.e. to BB+ by S&P or Ba1 by Moody’s), Generation would have been required to post additional collateral of $2.0 billion and $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts represent the potential additional collateral required after giving consideration to offsetting derivative and non-derivative positions under master netting agreements.

 

Generation’s and Exelon’s interest rate swaps contain provisions that, in the event of a merger, if Generation’s debt ratings were to materially weaken, it would be in violation of these provisions, resulting in the ability of the counterparty to terminate the agreement prior to maturity. Collateralization would not be required under any circumstance. Termination of the agreement could result in a settlement payment by Exelon or the counterparty on any interest rate swap in a net liability position. The settlement amount would be equal to the fair value of the swap on the termination date. As of December 31, 2015, Generation’s and Exelon’s swaps were in an asset position, with a fair value of $13 million and $38 million, respectively.

 

See Note 25—Segment Information for further information regarding the letters of credit supporting the cash collateral.

 

Generation entered into supply forward contracts with certain utilities, including PECO and BGE, with one-sided collateral postings only from Generation. If market prices fall below the benchmark price levels in these contracts, the utilities are not required to post collateral. However, when market prices rise above the benchmark price levels, counterparty suppliers, including Generation, are required to post collateral once certain unsecured credit limits are exceeded. Under the terms of ComEd’s standard block energy contracts, collateral postings are one-sided from suppliers, including Generation, should exposures between market prices and benchmark prices exceed established unsecured credit limits outlined in the contracts. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd held no collateral from suppliers in association with energy procurement contracts. Under the terms of ComEd’s annual renewable energy contracts, collateral postings are required to cover a fixed value for RECs only. In addition, under the terms of ComEd’s long-term renewable energy contracts, collateral postings are required from suppliers for both RECs and energy. The REC portion is a fixed value and the energy portion is one-sided from suppliers should the forward market prices exceed contract prices. As of December 31, 2015, ComEd held approximately $19 million in the form of cash and letters of credit as margin for both the annual and long-term REC obligations. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

PECO’s natural gas procurement contracts contain provisions that could require PECO to post collateral. This collateral may be posted in the form of cash or credit support with thresholds contingent upon PECO’s credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. The collateral and credit support requirements vary by contract and by counterparty. As of December 31, 2015, PECO was not required to post collateral for any of these agreements. If PECO lost its investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2015, PECO could have been required to post approximately $25 million of collateral to its counterparties.

 

PECO’s supplier master agreements that govern the terms of its DSP Program contracts do not contain provisions that would require PECO to post collateral.

 

337


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

BGE’s full requirements wholesale power agreements that govern the terms of its electric supply procurement contracts do not contain provisions that would require BGE to post collateral.

 

BGE’s natural gas procurement contracts contain provisions that could require BGE to post collateral. This collateral may be posted in the form of cash or credit support with thresholds contingent upon BGE’s credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. The collateral and credit support requirements vary by contract and by counterparty. As of December 31, 2015, BGE was not required to post collateral for any of these agreements. If BGE lost its investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2015, BGE could have been required to post approximately $35 million of collateral to its counterparties.

 

14. Debt and Credit Agreements (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Short-Term Borrowings

 

Exelon, ComEd and BGE 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.

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE had the following amounts of commercial paper borrowings at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Maximum
Program Size at
December 31,
     Outstanding
Commercial
Paper at
December 31,
     Average Interest Rate on
Commercial  Paper Borrowings for
the Year Ended December 31,
 

Commercial Paper Issuer

   2015 (a)(b)      2014 (a)(b)      2015      2014      2015     2014  

Exelon Corporate

   $ 500       $ 500       $ —         $ —           n.a.        n.a.   

Generation

     5,450         5,600         —           —           0.49     0.32

ComEd

     1,000         1,000         294         304         0.53     0.33

PECO

     600         600         —           —           n.a.        n.a.   

BGE

     600         600         210         120         0.48     0.29
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total

   $ 8,150       $ 8,300       $ 504       $ 424        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

(a) Reflects aggregate bank commitments under the revolving and bilateral credit agreements (with the exception of $275 million and $200 million bilateral agreements for Generation as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively) that backstop the commercial paper program. See discussion and Credit Facilities table below for items affecting effective program size.
(b) Excludes additional credit facilities for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE with aggregate commitments of $50 million, $34 million, $34 million and $5 million, respectively, arranged with minority and community banks located primarily within ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s service territories. The agreements for these facilities expired on October 16, 2015 and were renewed at the same amount through October 14, 2016. These facilities are solely utilized to issue letters of credit. As of December 31, 2015, letters of credit issued under these facilities totaled $7 million, $14 million, $21 million and $2 million for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively.

 

In order to maintain their respective commercial paper programs in the amounts indicated above, each Registrant must have revolving credit facilities in place, at least equal to the amount of its commercial paper program. While the amount of outstanding commercial paper does not reduce available capacity under a Registrant’s credit facility, a Registrant does not issue commercial paper in an aggregate amount exceeding the then available capacity under its credit facility.

 

338


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

At December 31, 2015, the Registrants had the following aggregate bank commitments, credit facility borrowings and available capacity under their respective credit facilities:

 

                   Available Capacity at
December 31, 2015
 

Borrower

   Aggregate Bank
Commitment (a)
     Facility Draws      Outstanding
Letters of Credit (c)
     Actual      To Support
Additional
Commercial
Paper (b)
 

Exelon Corporate

   $ 500       $ —         $ 26       $ 474       $ 474   

Generation

     5,725         —           1,449         4,276         4,174   

ComEd

     1,000         —           2         998         704   

PECO

     600         —           1         599         599   

BGE

     600         —           —           600         390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,425       $ —         $ 1,478       $ 6,947       $ 6,341   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Excludes additional credit facilities for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE with aggregate commitments of $50 million, $34 million, $34 million and $5 million, respectively, arranged with minority and community banks located primarily within ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s service territories. The agreements for these facilities expired on October 16, 2015 and were renewed at the same amount through October 14, 2016. These facilities are solely utilized to issue letters of credit. As of December 31, 2015, letters of credit issued under these facilities totaled $7 million, $14 million, $21 million and $2 million for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively.
(b) Excludes $275 million bilateral credit facilities that do not back Generation’s commercial paper program.
(c) Excludes nonrecourse debt letters of credit, see discussion below on Continental Wind.

 

As of December 31, 2015, there were no borrowings under the Registrants’ credit facilities.

 

The following tables present the short-term borrowings activity for Exelon, Generation, ComEd, and BGE during 2015, 2014 and 2013. PECO did not have any short-term borrowings during 2015, 2014 or 2013.

 

Exelon

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Average borrowings

   $ 499      $ 571      $ 254   

Maximum borrowings outstanding

     739        1,164        682   

Average interest rates, computed on a daily basis

     0.53     0.32     0.37

Average interest rates, at December 31

     0.88     0.53     0.35

 

Generation

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Average borrowings

   $ 1      $ 93      $ 42   

Maximum borrowings outstanding

     50        552        291   

Average interest rates, computed on a daily basis

     0.49     0.32     0.32

Average interest rates, at December 31

     n.a.        n.a.        n.a.   

 

339


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ComEd

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Average borrowings

   $ 461      $ 415      $ 203   

Maximum borrowings outstanding

     684        597        446   

Average interest rates, computed on a daily basis

     0.53     0.33     0.40

Average interest rates, at December 31

     0.89     0.50     0.37

 

BGE

 

     2015     2014     2013  

Average borrowings

   $ 37      $ 64      $ 35   

Maximum borrowings outstanding

     210        180        135   

Average interest rates, computed on a daily basis

     0.48     0.29     0.31

Average interest rates, computed at December 31

     0.87     0.61     0.31

 

Credit Agreements

 

On October 23, 2015, the credit agreement for CENG’s $100 million bilateral credit facility was amended and extended for an additional two years. This facility has been utilized by CENG to fund working capital and capital projects. This facility does not back Generation’s commercial paper program.

 

On January 5, 2016, Generation entered into a credit agreement establishing a $150 million bilateral credit facility, scheduled to mature in January of 2019. This facility does not back Generation’s commercial paper program.

 

Borrowings under Exelon Corporate’s, Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s revolving credit facilities bear interest at a rate based upon either the prime rate or a LIBOR-based rate, plus an adder based upon the particular registrant’s credit rating. Exelon Corporate, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE have adders of 27.5, 27.5, 7.5, 0.0 and 0.0 basis points for prime based borrowings and 127.5, 127.5, 107.5, 90.0 and 100.0 basis points for LIBOR-based borrowings. The maximum adders for prime rate borrowings and LIBOR-based rate borrowings are 65 basis points and 165 basis points, respectively. The credit agreements also require the borrower to pay a facility fee based upon the aggregate commitments. The fee varies depending upon the respective credit ratings of the borrower.

 

An event of default under any of the Registrants’ credit agreements would not constitute an event of default under any of the other Registrants’ credit agreements, except that a bankruptcy or other event of default in the payment of principal, premium or indebtedness in principal amount in excess of $100 million in the aggregate by Generation under its credit agreement would constitute an event of default under the Exelon Corporation credit agreement.

 

340


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Each credit agreement requires the affected borrower to maintain a minimum cash from operations to interest expense ratio for the twelve-month period ended on the last day of any quarter. The ratios exclude revenues and interest expenses attributable to securitization debt, certain changes in working capital, distributions on preferred securities of subsidiaries and, in the case of Exelon and Generation, interest on the debt of its project subsidiaries. The following table summarizes the minimum thresholds reflected in the credit agreements for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Exelon    Generation    ComEd    PECO    BGE

Credit agreement threshold

   2.50 to 1    3.00 to 1    2.00 to 1    2.00 to 1    2.00 to 1

 

At December 31, 2015, the interest coverage ratios at the Registrants were as follows:

 

     Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Interest coverage ratio

     9.77         12.31         7.25         8.94         10.66   

 

341


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Long-Term Debt

 

The following tables present the outstanding long-term debt at Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

Exelon

 

           Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
     Rates        2015     2014  

Long-term debt

         

Rate stabilization bonds

     5.72%  —  5.82     2017       $ 120      $ 195   

First mortgage bonds (a)

     1.20%  —  6.45     2016-2045         9,019        8,079   

Senior unsecured notes

     1.55%  —  7.60     2017-2045         9,803        7,071   

Unsecured bonds

     2.80%  —  6.35     2016-2036         1,750        1,750   

Pollution control notes

     2.50%  —  2.70     2025-2036         435        —     

Nuclear fuel procurement contracts

     3.15%  —  3.35     2018-2020         127        70   

Notes payable and other (b)(c)

     1.43%  —  7.83     2016-2053         314        174   

Junior subordinated notes

     6.50     2024         1,150        1,150   

Contract payment - junior subordinated notes

     2.50     2017         64        108   

Long-term software licensing agreement

     3.95     2024         111        —     

Nonrecourse debt:

         

Fixed rates

     2.29%  —  6.00     2031-2037         1,162        1,166   

Variable rates

     2.42%  —  5.00     2017-2030         1,058        1,101   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

          25,113        20,864   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

          (63     (37

Unamortized debt issuance costs (d)

          (180     (150

Fair value adjustment

          275        333   

Fair value hedge carrying value adjustment, net

          —          4   

Long-term debt due within one year

          (1,500     (1,802
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

        $ 23,645      $ 19,212   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts (e)

         

Subordinated debentures to ComEd
Financing III

     6.35     2033       $ 206      $ 206   

Subordinated debentures to PECO Trust III

     7.38     2028         81        81   

Subordinated debentures to PECO Trust IV

     5.75     2033         103        103   

Subordinated debentures to BGE Trust

     6.20     2043         258        258   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt to financing trusts

          648        648   

Unamortized debt issuance costs (d)

          (7     (7
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts

        $ 641      $ 641   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Substantially all of ComEd’s assets other than expressly excepted property and substantially all of PECO’s assets are subject to the liens of their respective mortgage indentures.
(b) Includes capital lease obligations of $29 million and $32 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Lease payments of $4 million, $4 million, $4 million, $5 million, $4 million, and $8 million will be made in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and thereafter, respectively.
(c) Includes financing related to Albany Green Energy, LLC (AGE), which is a consolidated variable interest entity (see Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for additional information). The agreement is scheduled to expire on November 17, 2017, at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25%. As of December 31, 2015, $100 million was outstanding.
(d) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

 

342


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(e) Amounts owed to these financing trusts are recorded as Long-term debt to financing trusts within Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Generation

 

           Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
     Rates        2015     2014  

Long-term debt

         

Senior unsecured notes

     2.00%  —  7.60     2017-2042       $ 5,971      $ 5,771   

Pollution control notes

     2.50%  —  2.70     2025-2036         435        —     

Nuclear fuel procurement contracts

     3.15%  —  3.35     2018-2020         127        70   

Notes payable and other (a)(b)

     1.43%  —  7.83     2016-2035         166        26   

Nonrecourse debt:

         

Fixed rates

     2.29%  —  6.00     2031-2037         1,162        1,166   

Variable rates

     2.42%  —  5.00     2017-2030         1,058        1,101   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

          8,919        8,134   

Fair value adjustment

          127        146   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

          (17     (14

Unamortized debt issuance costs (c)

          (70     (70

Long-term debt due within one year

          (90     (614
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

        $ 8,869      $ 7,582   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes Generation’s capital lease obligations of $21 million and $24 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Generation will make lease payments of $4 million, $4 million, $4 million, $5 million and $4 million in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, respectively. The capital lease matures in 2020.
(b) Includes financing related to Albany Green Energy, LLC (AGE), which is a consolidated variable interest entity (see Note 2 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information). The agreement is scheduled to expire on November 17, 2017, at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25%. As of December 31, 2015, $100 million was outstanding.
(c) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

 

ComEd

 

           Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
     Rates        2015     2014  

Long-term debt

         

First mortgage bonds (a)

     1.95%  —  6.45     2016-2045       $ 6,419      $ 5,829   

Notes payable and other (b)

     6.95%  —  7.49     2016-2053         148        148   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

          6,567        5,977   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

          (20     (19

Unamortized debt issuance costs (c)

          (38     (33

Long-term debt due within one year

          (665     (260
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

        $ 5,844      $ 5,665   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trust (d)

         

Subordinated debentures to ComEd Financing III

     6.35     2033       $ 206      $ 206   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt to financing trusts

          206        206   

Unamortized debt issuance costs (c)

          (1     (1
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts

        $ 205      $ 205   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

343


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) Substantially all of ComEd’s assets other than expressly excepted property are subject to the lien of its mortgage indenture.
(b) Includes ComEd’s capital lease obligations of $8 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Lease payments of less than $1 million will be made from 2016 through expiration at 2053.
(c) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(d) Amount owed to this financing trust is recorded as Long-term debt to financing trust within ComEd’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

PECO

 

           Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
     Rates        2015     2014  

Long-term debt

         

First mortgage bonds (a)

     1.20%  —  5.95     2016-2044       $ 2,600      $ 2,250   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

          2,600        2,250   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

          (5     (4

Unamortized debt issuance costs (b)

          (15     (14

Long-term debt due within one year

          (300     —     
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

        $ 2,280      $ 2,232   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts (c)

         

Subordinated debentures to PECO Trust III

     7.38     2028       $ 81      $ 81   

Subordinated debentures to PECO Trust IV

     5.75     2033         103        103   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts

        $ 184      $ 184   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Substantially all of PECO’s assets are subject to the lien of its mortgage indenture.
(b) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(c) Amounts owed to this financing trust are recorded as Long-term debt to financing trusts within PECO’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

BGE

 

           Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
     Rates        2015     2014  

Long-term debt

         

Rate stabilization bonds

     5.72%  —  5.82     2017       $ 120      $ 195   

Senior unsecured notes

     2.80%  —  6.35     2016-2036         1,750        1,750   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

          1,870        1,945   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

          (3     (3

Unamortized debt issuance costs (a)

          (9     (10

Long-term debt due within one year

          (378     (75
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

        $ 1,480      $ 1,857   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts (b)

         

Subordinated debentures to BGE Capital Trust II

     6.20     2043       $ 258      $ 258   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt to financing trusts

          258        258   

Unamortized debt issuance costs (a)

          (6     (6
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts

        $ 252      $ 252   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

344


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) Certain December 31, 2014 balances have been adjusted for the adoption of accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt costs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(b) Amount owed to this financing trust is recorded as Long-term debt to financing trust within BGE’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Long-term debt maturities at Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE in the periods 2016 through 2020 and thereafter are as follows:

 

Year

   Exelon     Generation      ComEd     PECO     BGE  

2016

   $ 1,487      $ 90       $ 665      $ 300      $ 378   

2017

     1,841        805         425        —          42   

2018

     1,393        53         840        500        —     

2019

     973        673         300        —          —     

2020

     3,311        1,911         500        —          —     

Thereafter

     16,756 (a)      5,387         4,043 (b)      1,984 (c)      1,708 (d) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 25,761      $ 8,919       $ 6,773      $ 2,784      $ 2,128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $648 million due to ComEd, PECO and BGE financing trusts.
(b) Includes $206 million due to ComEd financing trust.
(c) Includes $184 million due to PECO financing trusts.
(d) Includes $258 million due to BGE financing trust.

 

PHI Merger Financing

 

In May 2014, concurrently and in connection with entering into the agreement to acquire PHI, Exelon entered into a credit facility to which the lenders committed to provide Exelon a 364-day senior unsecured bridge credit facility of $7.2 billion to support the contemplated transaction and provide flexibility for timing of permanent financing. In June 2015, the remaining $3.2 billion bridge credit facility was terminated as a result of Exelon’s issuance of $4.2 billion of long-term debt to fund a portion of the purchase price and related costs and expenses for the pending PHI merger and for general corporate purposes.

 

In connection with the $4.2 billion issuance of Senior Unsecured Notes in 2015, the tranches due in 2025, 2035, and 2045 had to be redeemed at the principal amount plus a 1% premium of principal on December 31, 2015, if the PHI merger was not consummated or terminated prior to such date (“Special Mandatory Redemption”). Exelon also had the option to redeem those notes earlier at a 1% premium of principal, if Exelon determined that the merger would not be completed before December 31, 2015.

 

On October 29, 2015, Exelon commenced a private exchange offer (Exchange Offer) to certain eligible holders whereby, for those that took part, the outstanding Senior Unsecured Notes in the 2025, 2035 and 2045 tranches were exchanged for new Senior Unsecured Notes. The new Senior Unsecured Notes have substantially the same terms as the outstanding Senior Unsecured Notes, except the outside date with regard to the special redemption provisions is June 30, 2016, (or the date the PHI merger is terminated if earlier), rather than December 31, 2015, and under certain circumstances, can be further extended to August 31, 2016.

 

On December 2, 2015, Exelon exchanged $1.9 billion of the Senior Unsecured Notes and paid a consent fee of approximately $5 million, which has been deferred on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance

 

345


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Sheet and $4 million of third-party debt issuance costs, which were charged to earnings within Other, net on Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. On December 2, 2015, Exelon also redeemed $0.9 billion of Senior Unsecured Notes not exchanged in the Exchange Offer resulting in the payment of $9 million of redemption premium and the acceleration of the unamortized original issuance discount and deferred financing costs associated with the redeemed debt of $9 million, which were charged to earnings within Other, net on Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

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. Net proceeds from the issuance were $1.11 billion, net of a $35 million underwriter fee. The net proceeds are expected to be used to finance a portion of the merger and related costs and expenses for the pending PHI merger and for general corporate purposes. Each equity unit represents an undivided beneficial ownership interest in Exelon’s 2.50% junior subordinated notes due in 2024 and a forward equity purchase contract which settles in 2017. The junior subordinated notes are expected to be remarketed in 2017.

 

At the time of issuance, Exelon determined that the forward equity purchase contract had no value and therefore the entire $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes were allocated to debt and recorded within Long-term debt on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, at the time of issuance, the present value of the contract payments of $131 million (“Contract Payment Obligation”) were recorded to Long-term debt, representing the obligation to make contract payments, with an offsetting reduction to Common stock. The obligation for the contract payments is accreted to interest expense over the 3 year period ending in 2017 in Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During 2015, contract payments of $44 million related to the Contract Payment Obligation were included within Retirements of long-term debt in Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. During 2014, the Contract Payment Obligation was considered a non-cash financing transaction that was excluded from Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Until settlement of the equity purchase contract, earnings per share dilution resulting from the equity unit issuance will be determined under the treasury stock method.

 

Nonrecourse Debt

 

Exelon and Generation have issued nonrecourse debt financing, in which approximately $2.4 billion of generating assets and $0.2 billion of Upstream gas properties have been pledged as collateral at December 31, 2015. 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.

 

Denver Airport.    In June 2011, Generation entered into a 20-year, $7 million solar loan agreement to finance a solar construction project in Denver, Colorado. The agreement is scheduled to mature on June 30, 2031. The agreement bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.50% annually with interest payable annually. As of December 31, 2015, $7 million was outstanding.

 

CEU Upstream.    In July 2011, Generation entered into a 5-year asset-based lending agreement associated with certain Upstream gas properties that it owns. The borrowing base committed under the facility is $85 million as of December 31, 2015. The commitment level can be decreased if the assets no longer support the current borrowing base, which would result in repayment of a portion or all of the outstanding balance. The commitment can be increased up to $500 million if the assets support a

 

346


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

higher borrowing base and Generation is able to obtain additional commitments from lenders. Calculations of the borrowing base are impacted by projected production and commodity prices. The facility was amended and extended through January 2019. The agreement bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.50% and is payable monthly. As of December 31, 2015, $68 million was outstanding under the facility.

 

Sacramento PV Energy.    In July 2011, a subsidiary of Generation entered into a 19-year, $41 million nonrecourse note to finance a 30MW solar facility in Sacramento, California. The note is scheduled to mature on December 31, 2030. The note bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% and is payable quarterly. As of December 31, 2015, $33 million was outstanding. The subsidiary also executed interest rate swaps with an initial notional value of $30 million at an interest rate of 3.57% in order to convert the variable interest payments to fixed payments on 75% of the $41 million facility amount, as required by the debt covenants. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding interest rate swaps.

 

Holyoke Solar Cooperative.    In October 2011, Generation entered into a 20-year, $11 million solar loan agreement related to a solar construction project in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The agreement is scheduled to mature on December 2031. The agreement bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.25% annually with interest payable monthly. As of December 31, 2015, $10 million was outstanding.

 

Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One.    In December 2011, the DOE Loan Programs Office issued a guarantee for up to $646 million for a nonrecourse loan from the Federal Financing Bank to support the financing of the construction of the Antelope Valley facility. The project became fully operational in the first half of 2014. The loan will mature on January 5, 2037. Interest rates on the loan were fixed upon each advance at a spread of 37.5 basis points above U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity. The advances were completed as of December 31, 2015 and the outstanding loan balance will bear interest at an average blended interest rate of 2.82%. As of December 31, 2015, $574 million was outstanding. In addition, Generation has issued letters of credit to support its equity investment in the project. As of December 31, 2015, Generation had $69 million in letters of credit outstanding related to the project.

 

Constellation Solar Horizons.    In September 2012, a subsidiary of Generation entered into an 18-year $38 million nonrecourse note to recover capital used to build a 16MW solar facility in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The note is scheduled to mature on September 7, 2030. The note bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.25% with interest payable quarterly. As of December 31, 2015, $32 million was outstanding. The subsidiary also executed interest rate swaps for an initial notional amount of $29 million at an interest rate of 2.03% in order to convert the variable interest payments to fixed payments on 75% of the $38 million facility amount, as required by the debt covenants. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding interest rate swaps.

 

Continental Wind.    In September 2013, Continental Wind, LLC (Continental Wind), an indirect subsidiary of Exelon and Generation, completed the issuance and sale of $613 million senior secured notes. Continental Wind owns and operates a portfolio of wind farms in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Oregon, New Mexico and Texas with a total net capacity of 667MW. The net proceeds were distributed to Generation for its general business purposes. The notes are scheduled to mature on February 28, 2033. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.00% with interest payable semi-annually. As of December 31, 2015, $572 million was outstanding.

 

In addition, Continental Wind entered into a $131 million letter of credit facility and $10 million working capital revolver facility. Continental Wind has issued letters of credit to satisfy certain of its credit support and security obligations. As of December 31, 2015, the Continental Wind letter of credit facility had $99 million in letters of credit outstanding related to the project.

 

347


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ExGen Renewables I.    In February 2014, ExGen Renewables I, LLC (EGR), an indirect subsidiary of Exelon and Generation, borrowed $300 million aggregate principal amount pursuant to a nonrecourse senior secured loan. The proceeds were distributed to Generation for its general business purposes. The loan is scheduled to mature on February 6, 2021. The loan bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.25%, subject to a 1% LIBOR floor with interest payable quarterly. EGR indirectly owns Continental Wind. As of December 31, 2015, $258 million was outstanding. In addition to the financing, EGR entered into interest rate swaps with an initial notional amount of $240 million at an interest rate of 2.03% to manage a portion of the interest rate exposure in connection with the financing. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding interest rate swaps.

 

ExGen Texas Power.    In September 2014, ExGen Texas Power, LLC (EGTP), an indirect subsidiary of Exelon and Generation, issued $675 million aggregate principal amount of a nonrecourse senior secured term loan. The net proceeds were distributed to Generation for general business purposes. The loan is scheduled to mature on September 18, 2021. The term loan bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.75%, subject to a 1% LIBOR floor with interest payable quarterly. As of December 31, 2015, $666 million was outstanding. As part of the agreement, a revolving credit facility was established for the amount of $20 million available through, and scheduled to mature on September 18, 2019. In addition to the financing, EGTP entered into interest rate swaps with an initial notional amount of approximately $505 million at an interest rate of 2.34% to hedge a portion of the interest rate exposure in connection with this financing, as required by the debt covenants. See Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding interest rate swaps.

 

15. Income Taxes (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations is comprised of the following components:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Included in operations:

          

Federal

          

Current

   $ 407      $ 546      $ (80   $ 64      $ 25   

Deferred

     566        16        310        69        126   

Investment tax credit amortization

     (22     (19     (2     —          (1

State

          

Current

     (86     (90     7        (10     —     

Deferred

     208        49        45        20        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,073      $ 502      $ 280      $ 143      $ 189   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Included in operations:

          

Federal

          

Current

   $ 121      $ 360      $ (171   $ 28      $ 24   

Deferred

     576        (35     395        87        90   

Investment tax credit amortization

     (20     (16     (2     —          (1

State

          

Current

     42        35        7        (2     —     

Deferred

     (53     (137     39        1        27   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 666      $ 207      $ 268      $ 114      $ 140   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

348


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Included in operations:

          

Federal

          

Current

   $ 744      $ 250      $ 160      $ 126      $ 9   

Deferred

     140        360        (27     23        100   

Investment tax credit amortization

     (15     (11     (2     (1     (1

State

          

Current

     181        50        50        16        —     

Deferred

     (6     (34     (29     (2     26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,044      $ 615      $ 152      $ 162      $ 134   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The effective income tax rate from continuing operations varies from the U.S. Federal statutory rate principally due to the following:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

U.S. Federal statutory rate

     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0

Increase (decrease) due to:

          

State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit

     3.7        1.0        4.9        1.0        5.3   

Qualified nuclear decommissioning trust fund loss

     (0.4     (0.8     —          —          —     

Domestic production activities deduction

     (0.7     (1.3     —          —          —     

Health care reform legislation

     —          —          —          —          0.1   

Amortization of investment tax credit, including deferred taxes on basis difference

     (0.9     (1.5     (0.3     (0.1     (0.1

Plant basis differences

     (1.5     —          (0.1     (8.7     (0.7

Production tax credits and other credits

     (1.9     (3.4     —          —          —     

Non-controlling interest

     0.3        0.5        —          —          —     

Statute of limitations expiration

     (1.4     (2.4     —          —          —     

Other

     —          —          0.2        0.2        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     32.2     27.1     39.7     27.4     39.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

U.S. Federal statutory rate

     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0

Increase (decrease) due to:

          

State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit

     1.3        (1.9     4.5        (0.1     5.0   

Qualified nuclear decommissioning trust fund income

     2.4        4.8        —          —          —     

Domestic production activities deduction

     (2.0     (4.1     —          —          —     

Health care reform legislation

     0.1        —          0.2        —          0.2   

Amortization of investment tax credit, including deferred taxes on basis difference

     (1.1     (2.0     (0.3     (0.1     (0.3

Plant basis differences

     (1.9     —          (0.1     (10.4     0.2   

Production tax credits and other credits

     (2.4     (4.8     —          —          —     

Non-controlling interest

     (1.8     (3.7      

Statute of limitations expiration

     (2.6     (5.3     —          —          —     

Other

     (0.2     (1.1     0.3        0.1        (0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     26.8     16.9     39.6     24.5     39.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

349


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2013

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

U.S. Federal statutory rate

     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0     35.0

Increase (decrease) due to:

          

State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit

     4.8        1.8        3.4        1.6        4.9   

Qualified nuclear decommissioning trust fund income

     3.7        6.1        —          —          —     

Domestic production activities deduction

     —          —          —          —          —     

Health care reform legislation

     0.1        —          0.7        —          0.2   

Amortization of investment tax credit, including deferred taxes on basis difference

     (1.9     (3.0     (0.6     (0.1     —     

Plant basis differences

     (1.6     —          (0.8     (7.1     (0.2

Production tax credits and other credits

     (2.1     (3.4     (0.1     —          —     

Statute of limitations expiration

     (0.1     (0.2     —          —          —     

Other

     (0.3     0.4        0.3        (0.3     (0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     37.6     36.7     37.9     29.1     39.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets (liabilities), as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Plant basis differences

   $ (13,393   $ (4,269   $ (4,424   $ (2,901   $ (1,821

Accrual based contracts

     (136     (136     —          —          —     

Derivatives and other financial instruments

     (203     (181     (4     —          —     

Deferred pension and postretirement obligation

     1,801        (371     (505     (9     (47

Nuclear decommissioning activities

     (592     (592     —          —          —     

Deferred debt refinancing costs

     133        48        (15     (1     (4

Regulatory assets and liabilities

     (1,706     —          (219     16        (264

Tax loss carryforward

     103        56        —          —          33   

Tax credit carryforward

     327        374        —          —          —     

Investment in CENG

     (595     (595     —          —          —     

Other, net

     1,112        425        270        105        27   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities (net)

   $ (13,149   $ (5,241   $ (4,897   $ (2,790   $ (2,076

Unamortized investment tax credits

     (622     (598     (17     (2     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax liabilities (net) and unamortized investment tax credits

   $ (13,771   $ (5,839   $ (4,914   $ (2,792   $ (2,081
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

350


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Plant basis differences

   $ (12,143   $ (3,834   $ (3,945   $ (2,749   $ (1,660

Accrual based contracts

     (178     (178     —          —          —     

Derivatives and other financial instruments

     (46     (79     (4     —          —     

Deferred pension and postretirement obligation

     1,914        (390     (543     2        (53

Nuclear decommissioning activities

     (726     (726     —          —          —     

Deferred debt refinancing costs

     112        57        (18     (2     (4

Regulatory assets and liabilities

     (1,824     —          (286     27        (258

Tax loss carryforward

     111        48        —          11        39   

Tax credit carryforward

     97        143        —          —          —     

Investment in CENG

     (563     (563     —          —          —     

Other, net

     1,029        346        255        111        30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities (net)

   $ (12,217   $ (5,176   $ (4,541   $ (2,600   $ (1,906

Unamortized investment tax credits

     (555     (528     (20     (2     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax liabilities (net) and unamortized investment tax credits

   $ (12,772   $ (5,704   $ (4,561   $ (2,602   $ (1,911
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The following table provides the Registrants’ carryforwards and any corresponding valuation allowances as of December 31, 2015.

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Federal

            

Federal general business credits carryforward

     416 (a)      415        —           —           —     

State

            

State net operating losses and other credit carryforwards

     2,086 (b)      1,259 (b)      —           —           618 (c) 

Deferred taxes on state tax attributes (net)

     117        66        —           —           34   

Valuation allowance on state tax attributes

     13        11        —           —           1   

 

(a) Exelon’s federal general business credit carryforwards will expire beginning in 2032.
(b) Exelon’s and Generation’s state net operating losses and other carryforwards, which are presented on a post-apportioned basis, will expire beginning in 2016.
(c) BGE’s state net operating losses will expire beginning in 2026.

 

Tabular reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Registrants’ unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2015

   $ 1,829      $ 1,357      $ 149      $ 44      $ —     

Increases based on tax positions related to 2015

     108        —          —          —          106   

Change to positions that only affect timing

     (705     (659     (7     (44     —     

Increases based on tax positions prior to 2015

     79        65        —          —          14   

Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2015

     (116     (112     —          —          —     

Decrease from settlements with taxing authorities

     (31     (31     —          —          —     

Decreases from expiration of statute of limitations

     (86     (86     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015

   $ 1,078      $ 534      $ 142      $ —        $ 120   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

351


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO      BGE  

Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2014

   $ 2,175      $ 1,415      $ 324      $ 44       $ —     

Increases based on tax positions related to 2014

     15        15        —          —           —     

Change to positions that only affect timing

     (255     33        (175     —           —     

Increases based on tax positions prior to 2014

     18        18        —          —           —     

Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2014

     (1     (2     —          —           —     

Decrease from settlements with taxing authorities

     (35     (34     —          —           —     

Decreases from expiration of statute of limitations

     (88     (88     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014

   $ 1,829      $ 1,357      $ 149      $ 44       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2013

   $ 1,024      $ 876      $ 67       $ 44       $ —     

Increases based on tax positions related to 2013

     19        19        —           —           —     

Change to positions that only affect timing

     649        36        257         —           —     

Increases based on tax positions prior to 2013

     493        493        —           —           —     

Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2013

     (6     (5     —           —           —     

Decreases from expiration of statute of limitations

     (4     (4     —           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013

   $ 2,175      $ 1,415      $ 324       $ 44       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Included in Exelon’s unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are approximately $540 million and $1,129 million, respectively, of tax positions for which the ultimate tax benefit is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such benefits. The disallowance of such positions would not materially affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to, or defer the receipt of the cash tax benefit from, the taxing authority to an earlier or later period respectively.

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Liabilities (Exelon and Generation)

 

AmerGen filed income tax refund claims taking the position that nuclear decommissioning liabilities assumed as part of its acquisition of nuclear power plants are taken into account in determining the tax basis in the assets it acquired. The additional basis results primarily in reduced capital gains or increased capital losses on the sale of assets in nonqualified decommissioning funds and increased tax depreciation and amortization deductions. The IRS disagrees with this position and disallowed AmerGen’s claims. In early 2009, Generation filed a complaint in the United States Court of Federal Claims to contest this determination. On September 17, 2013, the Court granted the government’s motion denying AmerGen’s claims for refund. In the first quarter of 2014, Exelon filed an appeal of the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On March 11, 2015, the Federal Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision to deny AmerGen’s claims for refund. Exelon will not be pursuing further appeals with respect to this issue and, as a result, reduced Generation and PECO’s unrecognized tax benefits by a total of $661 million and $43 million, respectively, in the first quarter of 2015. This change in unrecognized tax benefits had no impact on Exelon, Generation, or PECO’s effective tax rate.

 

Unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the effective tax rate

 

Exelon and Generation have $538 million and $509 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015 that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate. BGE has

 

352


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

$120 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015 that, if recognized, may be included in future base rates and that portion would have no impact to the effective tax rate. Exelon and Generation had $701 million and $672 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate. In 2015, the unrecognized tax benefits decreased at Exelon and Generation due to settlements with state tax authorities and the expiration of statues of limitations for certain state jurisdictions.

 

Reasonably possible that total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within 12 months after the reporting date

 

Like-Kind Exchange

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon and ComEd have approximately $397 million and $142 million of unrecognized tax benefits that could significantly decrease within the 12 months after the reporting date as a result of a decision in the like-kind exchange litigation described below. Exelon and ComEd have unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would decrease Exelon’s effective tax rate by $69 million and increase ComEd’s effective tax rate by $11 million.

 

Settlement of Income Tax Audits and Litigation

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon, Generation, and BGE have approximately $174 million, $54 million, and $120 million of unrecognized state tax benefits that could significantly decrease within the 12 months after the reporting date as a result of completing audits, potential settlements, and expected statute of limitation expirations. Of the above unrecognized tax benefits, Exelon and Generation have $54 million that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefit related to BGE, if recognized, may be included in future base rates and that portion would have no impact to the effective tax rate.

 

Total amounts of interest and penalties recognized

 

The following table represents the net interest receivable (payable), including interest related to tax positions reflected in the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Net interest receivable (payable) as of

   Exelon     Generation      ComEd     PECO      BGE  

December 31, 2015

   $ (288   $ 80       $ (210   $ 3       $ (1

December 31, 2014

     (310     40         (203     3         (1

 

The following table sets forth the net interest expense, including interest related to tax positions, recognized in interest expense (income) in other income and deductions in the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The Registrants have not accrued any material penalties with respect to uncertain tax positions.

 

Net interest expense (income) for the years ended

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd      PECO     BGE  

December 31, 2015

   $ (13   $ (31   $ 7       $ —        $ —     

December 31, 2014

     (36     (50     6         —          1   

December 31, 2013

     391        17        281         (1     —     

 

353


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Description of tax years that remain open to assessment by major jurisdiction

 

Taxpayer

   Open Years  

Exelon (and predecessors) and subsidiaries consolidated Federal income tax returns

     1999, 2001-2014   

Exelon and subsidiaries Illinois unitary income tax returns

     2007-2014   

Constellation combined New York corporate income tax returns

     2010-March 2012   

Various separate company Pennsylvania corporate net income tax returns

     2010-2014   

BGE Maryland corporate net income tax returns

     2011-2014   

Various Exelon Maryland corporate net income tax returns

     2012-2014   

Various Constellation (Non-BGE) Maryland corporate net income tax returns

     2011-2014   

 

Other Tax Matters

 

Like-Kind Exchange

 

Exelon, through its ComEd subsidiary, took a position on its 1999 income tax return to defer approximately $1.2 billion of tax gain on the sale of ComEd’s fossil generating assets. The gain was deferred by reinvesting a portion of the proceeds from the sale in qualifying replacement property under the like-kind exchange provisions of the IRC. The like-kind exchange replacement property purchased by Exelon included interests in three municipal-owned electric generation facilities which were properly leased back to the municipalities. The IRS disagreed with this position and asserted that the entire gain of approximately $1.2 billion was taxable in 1999.

 

Exelon has been unable to reach agreement with the IRS regarding the dispute over the like-kind exchange position. The IRS has asserted that Exelon’s purchase and leaseback transaction is substantially similar to a leasing transaction, known as a SILO, which the IRS does not respect as the acquisition of an ownership interest in property. A SILO is a “listed transaction” that the IRS has identified as a potentially abusive tax shelter under guidance issued in 2005. Accordingly, the IRS has asserted that the sale of the fossil plants followed by the purchase and leaseback of the municipal owned generation facilities does not qualify as a like-kind exchange and the gain on the sale is fully subject to tax. The IRS has also asserted a penalty of approximately $90 million for a substantial understatement of tax.

 

Exelon disagrees with the IRS and continues to believe that its like-kind exchange transaction is not the same as or substantially similar to a SILO. Although Exelon has been and remains willing to settle the disagreement on terms commensurate with the hazards of litigation, Exelon does not believe a settlement is possible. Because Exelon believed, as of December 31, 2012, that it was more-likely-than-not that Exelon would prevail in litigation, Exelon and ComEd had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits with respect to the like-kind exchange position.

 

On January 9, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and reached a decision for the government in Consolidated Edison v. United States. The Court disallowed Consolidated Edison’s deductions stemming from its participation in a LILO transaction that the IRS also has characterized as a tax shelter.

 

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, Exelon is required to assess whether it is more-likely-than-not that it will prevail in litigation. Exelon continues to believe that its transaction is not a SILO and that it has a strong case on the merits. However, in light of the Consolidated Edison decision and Exelon’s current determination that settlement is unlikely, Exelon has concluded that

 

354


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

subsequent to December 31, 2012, it is no longer more-likely-than-not that its position will be sustained. As a result, in the first quarter of 2013, Exelon recorded a non-cash charge to earnings of approximately $265 million, which represents the amount of interest expense (after-tax) and incremental state income tax expense for periods through March 31, 2013 that would be payable in the event that Exelon is unsuccessful in litigation. Of this amount, approximately $172 million was recorded at ComEd. Exelon intends to hold ComEd harmless from any unfavorable impacts of the after-tax interest amounts on ComEd’s equity. As such, ComEd recorded on its consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013, a $172 million receivable and non-cash equity contributions from Exelon. Exelon and ComEd will continue to accrue interest on the unpaid tax liabilities related to the uncertain tax position, and the charges arising from future interest accruals are not expected to be material to the annual operating earnings of Exelon or ComEd. In addition, ComEd will continue to record non-cash equity contributions from Exelon in the amount of the net after-tax interest charges attributable to ComEd in connection with the like-kind exchange position. Exelon continues to believe that it is unlikely that the IRS’s assertion of penalties will ultimately be sustained and therefore no liability for the penalty has been recorded.

 

On September 30, 2013, the IRS issued a notice of deficiency to Exelon for the like-kind exchange position. Exelon filed a petition on December 13, 2013 to initiate litigation in the United States Tax Court and the trial took place in August of 2015. Exelon was not required to remit any part of the asserted tax or penalty in order to litigate the issue. While the Tax Court could reach its decision as early as 2016, the litigation could take three to five years if an appeal is necessary. Decisions in the Tax Court are not controlled by the Federal Circuit’s decision in Consolidated Edison.

 

In the first quarter of 2014, Exelon entered into an agreement to terminate its investment in one of the three municipal-owned electric generation properties in exchange for a net early termination amount of $335 million. In connection with the termination, Exelon deposited $65 million with the IRS, including $35 million by ComEd. The deposit can be redesignated to any tax year, if necessary, and may be used to satisfy any amounts owed as a result of the litigation.

 

In the event of a fully successful IRS challenge to Exelon’s like-kind exchange position, the potential tax and after-tax interest, net of the deposit discussed above and exclusive of penalties, that could become currently payable as of December 31, 2015 may be as much as $760 million, of which approximately $280 million would be attributable to ComEd after consideration of Exelon’s agreement to hold ComEd harmless. Interest will continue to accrue until such time as payment is made. An appeal of an adverse decision in the Tax Court would necessitate either the posting of a bond or the payment of the tax and interest for the tax years before the court. A final appellate decision could take several years.

 

Accounting for Generation Repairs (Exelon and Generation)

 

On April 30, 2013, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2013-24 providing guidance for determining the appropriate tax treatment of costs incurred to repair electric generation assets. Generation changed its method of accounting for deducting repairs in accordance with this guidance beginning in the 2014 tax year. The adoption of the new method resulted in Generation recording a cash tax detriment of approximately $120 million in 2014.

 

Long-Term State Tax Apportionment (Exelon and Generation)

 

The long-term state tax apportionment was revised in the fourth quarter of 2015 pursuant to Exelon’s long-term state tax apportionment policy, resulting in the recording of a deferred state tax

 

355


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

expense for Exelon and Generation of $41 million (net of Federal taxes) and $11 million (net of Federal taxes), respectively. In 2014, in accordance with the policy, Exelon and Generation recorded a deferred state tax benefit of $28 million (net of Federal taxes) and $40 million (net of Federal taxes), respectively. The amounts recorded for 2013 in accordance with the policy were immaterial.

 

Allocation of Tax Benefits (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE are all party to an agreement with Exelon and other subsidiaries of Exelon that provides for the allocation of consolidated tax liabilities and benefits (Tax Sharing Agreement). The Tax Sharing Agreement provides that each party is allocated an amount of tax similar to that which would be owed had the party been separately subject to tax. In addition, any net benefit attributable to Exelon is reallocated to the other Registrants. That allocation is treated as a contribution to the capital of the party receiving the benefit. During 2015, Generation, PECO, and BGE recorded an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement of $57 million, $16 million, and $7 million respectively. ComEd did not record an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement as a result of a tax net operating loss.

 

During 2014, Generation and PECO recorded an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement of $55 million and $25 million, respectively. ComEd and BGE did not record an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement as a result of tax net operating losses.

 

During 2013, Generation and PECO recorded an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement of $26 million and $27 million, respectively. During 2013, ComEd and BGE did not record an allocation of Federal tax benefits from Exelon under the Tax Sharing Agreement as a result of ComEd’s and BGE’s tax net operating loss generated primarily by the bonus depreciation deduction allowed under the Tax Relief Act of 2010.

 

16. Asset Retirement Obligations (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Generation has a legal obligation to decommission its nuclear power plants following the expiration of their operating licenses. To estimate its decommissioning obligation related to its nuclear generating stations for financial accounting and reporting purposes, Generation uses a probability-weighted, discounted cash flow model which, on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple outcome scenarios that include significant estimates and assumptions, and are based on decommissioning cost studies, cost escalation rates, probabilistic cash flow models and discount rates. Generation generally updates its ARO annually during the third quarter, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on its review of updated cost studies and its annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to various scenarios.

 

356


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the nuclear decommissioning ARO reflected on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015:

 

     Exelon and
Generation
 

Nuclear decommissioning ARO at January 1, 2014

   $ 4,855   

Consolidation of CENG (a)

     1,760   

Accretion expense

     334   

Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows

     19   

Costs incurred to decommission retired plants

     (7
  

 

 

 

Nuclear decommissioning ARO at December 31, 2014 (b)

     6,961   

Accretion expense

     387   

Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows

     901   

Costs incurred to decommission retired plants

     (3
  

 

 

 

Nuclear decommissioning ARO at December 31, 2015 (b)

   $ 8,246   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents the fair value of the CENG ARO liability as of April 1, 2014, the date of consolidation. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for additional information.
(b) Includes $7 million and $8 million as the current portion of the ARO at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which is included in Other current liabilities on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

During 2015, Generation’s total nuclear ARO increased by approximately $1.3 billion, reflecting impacts of ARO updates completed during 2015 to reflect changes in amounts and timing of estimated decommissioning cash flows and impacts of year-to-date accretion of the ARO liability due to the passage of time.

 

The increase in the ARO during 2015 was primarily driven by an increase of approximately $630 million for costs expected to be incurred for required site security during the decommissioning periods in which SNF remains on-site and until major reactor components and buildings have been dismantled and removed. This projected increase is based on emerging industry experience at nuclear sites in the planning or early stage of decommissioning indicating greater than originally expected numbers of security personnel required to be on site during these decommissioning periods. Generation will continue to monitor emerging security cost trends, including potential strategies to limit such costs by, for example, optimizing the transfer of SNF when DOE starts taking possession of SNF or increasing the use of dry SNF storage, and will adjust the ARO liability accordingly. The 2015 increase in the ARO includes an increase of approximately $285 million for the impacts of a change implemented in the 2015 annual assessment of Generation’s SNF storage and disposal cost estimation methodology to better align the projected timing of SNF transfers to the DOE with assumed plant shutdown dates as well as higher assumed probabilities of early retirements of certain economically challenged nuclear plants (See Note 9—Implications of Potential Early Plant Retirements for additional information) and further accretion of the obligation. These increases were partially offset by reductions in estimated cost escalation rates, primarily for labor and energy costs.

 

The financial statement impact related to the increase in the ARO due to the changes in, and timing of, estimated cash flows primarily resulted in a corresponding increase in Property, plant and equipment on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Approximately $8 million of the 2015 adjustment resulted in a credit to income, which is included in Operating and maintenance expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

357


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

During 2014, Generation’s ARO increased by approximately $2.1 billion. The increase is largely driven by the recording of an ARO on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, including subsequent purchase accounting adjustments, upon consolidation of CENG (see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC ). The change in the ARO was also driven by an increase for accretion of the obligation and an increase in the estimated costs to decommission Byron, Braidwood, and LaSalle nuclear units resulting from the completion of updated decommissioning costs studies received during 2014 as part of the annual assessment. These increases in the ARO were partially offset by decreases in the ARO due to a reduction in estimated escalation rates, primarily for labor and energy costs. The increase in the ARO due to the changes in, and timing of, estimated cash flows was offset within Property, plant and equipment on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, aside from an approximate $16 million credit to income, which is included in Operating and maintenance expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund Investments

 

NDT funds have been established for each generating station unit to satisfy Generation’s nuclear decommissioning obligations. Generally, NDT funds established for a particular unit may not be used to fund the decommissioning obligations of any other unit.

 

The NDT funds associated with Generation’s nuclear units have been funded with amounts collected from the previous owners and their respective utility customers. PECO is authorized to collect funds, in revenues, for decommissioning the former PECO nuclear plants through regulated rates, and these collections are scheduled through the operating lives of the former PECO plants. The amounts collected from PECO customers are remitted to Generation and deposited into the NDT funds for the unit for which funds are collected. Every five years, PECO files a rate adjustment with the PAPUC that reflects PECO’s calculations of the estimated amount needed to decommission each of the former PECO units based on updated fund balances and estimated decommissioning costs. The rate adjustment is used to determine the amount collectible from PECO customers. The most recent rate adjustment occurred on January 1, 2013, and the effective rates currently yield annual collections of approximately $24 million. The next five-year adjustment is expected to be reflected in rates charged to PECO customers effective January 1, 2018. Aside from the former PECO units, Generation does not currently collect any amounts, nor is there any mechanism by which Generation can seek to collect additional amounts, from utility customers. Apart from the contributions made to the NDT funds from amounts previously collected from ComEd and currently collected from PECO customers, Generation has not made contributions to the NDT funds.

 

Any shortfall of funds necessary for decommissioning, determined for each generating station unit, is ultimately required to be funded by Generation, with the exception of a shortfall for the current decommissioning activities at Zion Station, where certain decommissioning activities have been transferred to a third-party (see Zion Station Decommissioning below) and the CENG units, where any shortfall is required to be funded by both Generation and EDF. Generation, through PECO, has recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers related to a shortfall of NDT funds for the former PECO units, subject to certain limitations and thresholds, as prescribed by an order from the PAPUC. Generally, PECO, and likewise Generation will not be allowed to collect amounts associated with the first $50 million of any shortfall of trust funds compared to decommissioning costs, as well as 5% of any additional shortfalls, on an aggregate basis for all former PECO units. The initial $50 million and up to 5% of any additional shortfalls would be borne by Generation. No recourse exists to collect additional amounts from utility customers for any of Generation’s other nuclear units. With respect to

 

358


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

the former ComEd and PECO units, any funds remaining in the NDTs after all decommissioning has been completed are required to be refunded to ComEd’s or PECO’s customers, subject to certain limitations that allow sharing of excess funds with Generation related to the former PECO units. With respect to Generation’s other nuclear units, Generation retains any funds remaining after decommissioning. However, in connection with CENG’s acquisition of the Nine Mile Point and Ginna plants and settlements with certain regulatory agencies, CENG is subject to certain conditions pertaining to nuclear decommissioning trust funds that, if met, could possibly result in obligations to make payments to certain third parties (clawbacks). For Nine Mile Point and Ginna, the clawback provisions are triggered only in the event that the required decommissioning activities are discontinued or not started or completed in a timely manner. In the event that the clawback provisions are triggered for Nine Mile Point, then, depending upon the triggering event, an amount equal to 50% of the total amount withdrawn from the funds for non-decommissioning activities or 50% of any excess funds in the trust funds above the amounts required for decommissioning (including spent fuel management and decommissioning) is to be paid to the Nine Mile Point sellers. In the event that the clawback provisions are triggered for Ginna, then an amount equal to any estimated cost savings realized by not completing any of the required decommissioning activities is to be paid to the Ginna sellers. Generation expects to comply with applicable regulations and timely commence and complete all required decommissioning activities.

 

At December 31, 2015, and 2014, Exelon and Generation had NDT fund investments totaling $10,342 million and $10,537 million, respectively. For additional information related to the NDT fund investments, refer to Note 12—Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following table provides unrealized gains on NDT funds for 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Exelon and Generation  
     For the Years Ended December 31,  
         2015             2014              2013      

Net unrealized gains (losses) on decommissioning trust funds—Regulatory Agreement Units (a)

   $ (282   $ 180       $ 406   

Net unrealized gains (losses) on decommissioning trust funds—
Non-Regulatory Agreement Units
(b)(c)

     (197     134         146   

 

(a) Net unrealized gains (losses) related to Generation’s NDT funds associated with Regulatory Agreement Units are included in Regulatory liabilities on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Noncurrent payables to affiliates on Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b) Excludes $7 million, $29 million and $7 million of net unrealized gains related to the Zion Station pledged assets in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net unrealized gains related to Zion Station pledged assets are included in the Payable for Zion Station decommissioning on Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(c) Net unrealized gains (losses) related to Generation’s NDT funds with Non-Regulatory Agreement Units are included within Other, net in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Interest and dividends on NDT fund investments are recognized when earned and are included in Other, net in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Interest and dividends earned on the NDT fund investments for the Regulatory Agreement Units are eliminated within Other, net in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Accounting Implications of the Regulatory Agreements with ComEd and PECO. Based on the regulatory agreement with the ICC that dictates Generation’s obligations related to the shortfall or

 

359


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

excess of NDT funds necessary for decommissioning the former ComEd units on a unit-by-unit basis, as long as funds held in the NDT funds are expected to exceed the total estimated decommissioning obligation, decommissioning-related activities, including realized and unrealized gains and losses on the NDT funds and accretion of the decommissioning obligation, are generally offset within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The offset of decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income results in an equal adjustment to the noncurrent payables to affiliates at Generation and an adjustment to the regulatory liabilities at Exelon. Likewise, ComEd has recorded an equal noncurrent affiliate receivable from Generation and corresponding regulatory liability. Should the expected value of the NDT fund for any former ComEd unit fall below the amount of the expected decommissioning obligation for that unit, the accounting to offset decommissioning-related activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for that unit would be discontinued, the decommissioning-related activities would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and the adverse impact to Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations and financial position could be material. As of December 31, 2015, the NDT funds of each of the former ComEd units, except for Zion (see Zion Station Decommissioning below), are expected to exceed the related decommissioning obligation for each of the units. For the purposes of making this determination, the decommissioning obligation referred to is different, as described below, from the calculation used in the NRC minimum funding obligation filings based on NRC guidelines.

 

Based on the regulatory agreement supported by the PAPUC that dictates Generation’s rights and obligations related to the shortfall or excess of trust funds necessary for decommissioning the former PECO units, regardless of whether the funds held in the NDT funds are expected to exceed or fall short of the total estimated decommissioning obligation, decommissioning-related activities are generally offset within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The offset of decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income results in an equal adjustment to the noncurrent payables to affiliates at Generation and an adjustment to the regulatory liabilities at Exelon. Likewise, PECO has recorded an equal noncurrent affiliate receivable from Generation and a corresponding regulatory liability. Any changes to the PECO regulatory agreements could impact Exelon’s and Generation’s ability to offset decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, and the impact to Exelon’s and Generation’s results of operations and financial position could be material.

 

The decommissioning-related activities related to the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units are reflected in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Refer to Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 26—Related Party Transactions for information regarding regulatory liabilities at ComEd and PECO and intercompany balances between Generation, ComEd and PECO reflecting the obligation to refund to customers any decommissioning-related assets in excess of the related decommissioning obligations.

 

Zion Station Decommissioning

 

On September 1, 2010, Generation completed an Asset Sale Agreement (ASA) with EnergySolutions Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, EnergySolutions, LLC (EnergySolutions) and ZionSolutions under which ZionSolutions has assumed responsibility for decommissioning Zion

 

360


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Station, which is located in Zion, Illinois and ceased operation in 1998. Specifically, Generation transferred to ZionSolutions substantially all of the assets (other than land) associated with Zion Station, including assets held in related NDT funds. In consideration for Generation’s transfer of those assets, ZionSolutions assumed decommissioning and other liabilities, excluding the obligation to dispose of SNF and decommission the SNF dry storage facility, associated with Zion Station. Pursuant to the ASA, ZionSolutions will periodically request reimbursement from the Zion Station-related NDT funds for costs incurred related to its decommissioning efforts at Zion Station. During 2013, EnergySolutions entered a definitive acquisition agreement and was acquired by another Company. Generation reviewed the acquisition as it relates to the ASA to decommission Zion Station. Based on that review, Generation determined that the acquisition will not adversely impact decommissioning activities under the ASA.

 

ZionSolutions is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to request reimbursements from the Zion Station NDT funds as defined within the ASA. Therefore, the transfer of the Zion Station assets did not qualify for asset sale accounting treatment and, as a result, the related NDT funds were reclassified to Pledged assets for Zion Station decommissioning within Generation’s and Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and will continue to be measured in the same manner as prior to the completion of the transaction. Additionally, the transferred ARO for decommissioning was replaced with a Payable for Zion Station decommissioning in Generation’s and Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the value of the Zion Station NDT assets, net of applicable taxes, will be recorded as a change in the Payable to ZionSolutions. At no point will the payable to ZionSolutions exceed the project budget of the costs remaining to decommission Zion Station. Generation has retained its obligation for the SNF. Following ZionSolutions’ completion of its contractual obligations and transfer of the NRC license to Generation, Generation will store the SNF at Zion Station until it is transferred to the DOE for ultimate disposal, and will complete all remaining decommissioning activities associated with the SNF dry storage facility. Generation has a liability of approximately $84 million, which is included within the nuclear decommissioning ARO at December 31, 2015. Generation also has retained NDT assets to fund its obligation to maintain the SNF at Zion Station until transfer to the DOE and to complete all remaining decommissioning activities for the SNF storage facility. Any shortage of funds necessary to maintain the SNF and decommission the SNF storage facility is ultimately required to be funded by Generation. Any Zion Station NDT funds remaining after the completion of all decommissioning activities will be returned to ComEd customers in accordance with the applicable orders. The following table provides the pledged assets and payables to ZionSolutions, and withdrawals by ZionSolutions at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Exelon and Generation  
         2015              2014      

Carrying value of Zion Station pledged assets

   $ 206       $ 319   

Payable to Zion Solutions (a)

     189         292   

Current portion of payable to Zion Solutions (b)

     99         137   

Cumulative withdrawals by Zion Solutions to pay decommissioning costs (c)

     786         666   

 

(a) Excludes a liability recorded within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the tax obligation on the unrealized activity associated with the Zion Station NDT Funds. The NDT Funds will be utilized to satisfy the tax obligations as gains and losses are realized.
(b) Included in Other current liabilities within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(c) Includes project expenses to decommission Zion Station and estimated tax payments on Zion Station NDT fund earnings.

 

ZionSolutions leased the land associated with Zion Station from Generation pursuant to a Lease Agreement. Under the Lease Agreement, ZionSolutions has committed to complete the required

 

361


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

decommissioning work according to an established schedule and constructed a dry cask storage facility on the land and has loaded the SNF from the SNF pools onto the dry cask storage facility at Zion Station. Rent payable under the Lease Agreement is $1.00 per year, although the Lease Agreement requires ZionSolutions to pay property taxes associated with Zion Station and penalty rents may accrue if there are unexcused delays in the progress of decommissioning work at Zion Station or the construction of the dry cask SNF storage facility. To reduce the risk of default by ZionSolutions, EnergySolutions provided a $200 million letter of credit to be used to fund decommissioning costs in the event the NDT assets are insufficient. EnergySolutions and its parent company have also provided a performance guarantee and EnergySolutions has entered into other agreements that will provide rights and remedies for Generation and the NRC in the case of other specified events of default, including a special purpose easement for disposal capacity at the EnergySolutions site in Clive, Utah, for all LLRW volume of Zion Station.

 

NRC Minimum Funding Requirements

 

NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in specified minimum amounts to decommission the facility at the end of its life. The estimated decommissioning obligations as calculated using the NRC methodology differ from the ARO recorded on Generation’s and Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily due to differences in the type of costs included in the estimates, the basis for estimating such costs, and assumptions regarding the decommissioning alternatives to be used, potential license renewals, decommissioning cost escalation, and the growth rate in the NDT funds. Under NRC regulations, if the minimum funding requirements calculated under the NRC methodology are less than the future value of the NDT funds, also calculated under the NRC methodology, then the NRC requires either further funding or other financial guarantees.

 

Key assumptions used in the minimum funding calculation using the NRC methodology at December 31, 2015 include: (1) consideration of costs only for the removal of radiological contamination at each unit; (2) the option on a unit-by-unit basis to use generic, non-site specific cost estimates; (3) consideration of only one decommissioning scenario for each unit; (4) the plants cease operation at the end of their current license lives (with no assumed license renewals for those units that have not already received renewals and with an assumed end-of-operations date of 2019 for Oyster Creek); (5) the assumption of current nominal dollar cost estimates that are neither escalated through the anticipated period of decommissioning, nor discounted using the CARFR; and (6) assumed annual after-tax returns on the NDT funds of 2% (3% for the former PECO units, as specified by the PAPUC).

 

In contrast, the key criteria and assumptions used by Generation to determine the ARO and to forecast the target growth in the NDT funds at December 31, 2015 include: (1) the use of site specific cost estimates that are updated at least once every five years; (2) the inclusion in the ARO estimate of all legally unavoidable costs required to decommission the unit (e.g., radiological decommissioning and full site restoration for certain units, on-site spent fuel maintenance and storage subsequent to ceasing operations and until DOE acceptance, and disposal of certain low-level radioactive waste); (3) the consideration of multiple scenarios where decommissioning activities are completed under three possible scenarios ranging from 10 to 70 years after the cessation of plant operations; (4) the assumption plants cease operating at the end of an extended license life (assuming 20-year license renewal extensions, except Oyster Creek with an assumed end-of-operations date of 2019); (5) the measurement of the obligation at the present value of the future estimated costs and an annual average accretion of the ARO of approximately 5% through a period of approximately 30 years after the end of the extended lives of the units; and (6) an estimated targeted annual pre-tax return on the NDT funds of 6.1% to 6.3% (as compared to a historical 5-year annual average pre-tax return of approximately 7%).

 

362


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Generation is required to provide to the NRC a biennial report by unit (annually for units that have been retired or are within five years of the current approved license life), based on values as of December 31, addressing Generation’s ability to meet the NRC minimum funding levels. Depending on the value of the trust funds, Generation may be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, which could be significant, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that NRC minimum funding requirements are met. As a result, Exelon’s and Generation’s cash flows and financial position may be significantly adversely affected.

 

On March 31, 2014, Generation submitted its NRC required annual decommissioning funding report as of December 31, 2013 for reactors that have been shut down except for Zion Station which is included on a separate report to the NRC submitted by EnergySolutions (see Zion Station Decommissioning above). This submittal also included the required updated financial tests for the Limerick Unit 1 parent guarantee that had been established in 2013. There was no change to the amount of the parent guarantee, or the funding status of these reactors. Adequate decommissioning funding assurance was in place for all reactors owned by Generation. During 2014, the operating license for Limerick Unit 1 was extended by 20 years. As a result of this extension, and the subsequent funding assurance calculation performed by the NRC, it was found that the parent company guarantee was no longer required and thus the parent guarantee for Limerick Unit 1 has been cancelled effective March 13, 2015. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the operating license extension for Limerick Unit 1.

 

Generation filed its biennial decommissioning funding status report with the NRC on March 31, 2015. This report reflects the status of decommissioning funding assurance as of December 31, 2014. Due to increased cost estimates received in the second half of 2014, Braidwood Unit 1, Braidwood Unit 2, and Byron Unit 2 did not meet the NRC’s minimum funding assurance criteria as of December 31, 2014. NRC guidance provides licensees with two years or by the time of submitting the next biennial report (on or before March 31, 2017) to resolve funding assurance shortfalls. During this period, Generation will monitor funding assurance and new developments, including the impact of a 20-year license renewal for Braidwood and Byron, to assess the status of funding assurance and to take steps, if necessary, to address any funding shortfall on these funds on or before March 31, 2017. On February 4, 2016, Generation submitted an updated decommissioning funding status report with the NRC for Braidwood Units 1 and 2, and Byron Unit 2. This report reflected the recently approved license renewals for these units, and showed that they have adequate decommissioning funding assurance, and that the shortfall identified in the March 31, 2015 report has now been resolved. The increased security costs discussed above will be taken into consideration, as appropriate and in accordance with the regulatory requirements, in Generation’s future decommissioning funding status reports submitted to the NRC. Generation does not expect the increased costs to change Generation’s NRC minimum funding assurance status.

 

As the future values of trust funds change due to market conditions, the NRC minimum funding status of Generation’s units will change. In addition, if changes occur to the regulatory agreement with the PAPUC that currently allows amounts to be collected from PECO customers for decommissioning the former PECO units, the NRC minimum funding status of those plants could change at subsequent NRC filing dates.

 

Non-Nuclear Asset Retirement Obligations (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Generation has AROs for plant closure costs associated with its fossil and renewable generating facilities, including asbestos abatement, removal of certain storage tanks, restoring leased land to the

 

363


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

condition it was in prior to construction of renewable generating stations and other decommissioning-related activities. ComEd, PECO and BGE have AROs primarily associated with the abatement and disposal of equipment and buildings contaminated with asbestos and PCBs. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information on the Registrants’ accounting policy for AROs.

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the non-nuclear AROs reflected on the Registrants’ Consolidated Balance Sheets from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015:

 

     Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Non-nuclear AROs at January 1, 2014

   $ 351      $ 201      $ 101      $ 30      $ 19   

Net increase (decrease) due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows (a)

     (1     (2     2        —          (1

Development projects (b)

     11        11        —          —          —     

Accretion expense (c)

     15        11        3        1        —     

Liabilities held for sale (d)

     (4     (4     —          —          —     

Sale of generating assets (e)

     (20     (20     —          —          —     

Payments

     (6     (3     (2     (1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-nuclear AROs at December 31, 2014 (f)

     346        194        104        30        18   

Net increase (decrease) due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows (a)

     (10     (12     6        (4     —     

Development projects (b)

     10        10        —          —          —     

Accretion expense (c)

     16        10        5        1        —     

Sale of generating assets (e)

     (2     (2     —          —          —     

Payments

     (5     (3     (2     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-nuclear AROs at December 31, 2015 (f)

   $ 355      $ 197      $ 113      $ 27      $ 18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) During the year ended December 31, 2015, Generation recorded a decrease of $(2) million in Operating and maintenance expense. ComEd, PECO, and BGE did not record any adjustments in Operating and maintenance expense for the year ended December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2014, Generation recorded a decrease of $(2) million and ComEd recorded an increase of $1 million in Operating and maintenance expense. PECO and BGE did not record any adjustments in Operating and maintenance expense for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(b) Relates to new AROs recorded due to the construction of solar, wind and other non-nuclear generating sites.
(c) For ComEd, PECO, and BGE, the majority of the accretion is recorded as an increase to a regulatory asset due to the associated regulatory treatment.
(d) Represents AROs related to generating stations classified as held for sale. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for further information.
(e) Reflects a reduction to the ARO resulting primarily from the sales of Schuylkill generating station in 2015 and Keystone and Conemaugh generating stations in 2014. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for further information.
(f) Excludes $5 million, $2 million, $0 million and $1 million as the current portion of the ARO at December 31, 2015 for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively. Excludes $1 million, $1 million, $1 million and $1 million as the current portion of the ARO at December 31, 2014 for Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE, respectively. This is included in Other current liabilities on the Registrants’ respective Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

364


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

17. Retirement Benefits (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

As of December 31, 2015, Exelon sponsored defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for essentially all Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE and BSC employees. The table below shows the pension and other postretirement benefit plans in which employees of each operating company participated at December 31, 2015.

 

     Operating Company (d)  

Name of Plan:

   Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE      BSC  

Qualified Pension Plans:

              

Exelon Corporation Retirement Program (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Exelon Corporation Cash Balance Pension Plan (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Exelon Corporation Pension Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees (a)

     X         X               X   

Exelon New England Union Employees Pension Plan (a)

     X               

Exelon Employee Pension Plan for Clinton, TMI and Oyster Creek (a)

     X         X         X            X   

Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (b)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC (c)

     X               X         X   

Nine Mile Point Pension Plan (c)

     X                  X   

Constellation Mystic Power, LLC Union Employees Pension Plan Including Plan A and Plan B (b)

     X               

Non-Qualified Pension Plans:

              

Exelon Corporation Supplemental Pension Benefit Plan and 2000 Excess Benefit Plan (a)

     X         X         X            X   

Exelon Corporation Supplemental Management Retirement Plan (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Senior Executive Supplemental Plan (b)

     X               X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Supplemental Pension Plan (b)

     X               X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Benefits Restoration Plan (b)

     X         X            X         X   

Constellation Nuclear Plan, LLC Executive Retirement Plan (c)

     X                  X   

Constellation Energy Nuclear Plan, LLC Benefits Restoration Plan (c)

     X                  X   

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company Executive Benefit Plan (b)

     X               X         X   

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company Manager Benefit Plan (b)

     X         X            X         X   

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:

              

PECO Energy Company Retiree Medical Plan (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Exelon Corporation Health Care Program (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Exelon Corporation Employees’ Life Insurance Plan (a)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Retiree Medical Plan (b)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Retiree Dental Plan (b)

     X               X         X   

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Employee Life Insurance Plan and Family Life Insurance Plan (b)

     X         X         X         X         X   

Constellation Mystic Power, LLC Post-Employment Medical Account Savings Plan (b)

     X               

Exelon New England Union Post-Employment Medical Savings Account Plan (a)

     X               

Retiree Medical Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group LLC (c)

     X               X         X   

Retiree Dental Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group LLC (c)

     X               X         X   

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC Medical Care and Prescription Drug Plan for Retired Employees (c)

     X                  X   

 

(a) These plans are collectively referred to as the Legacy Exelon plans.
(b) These plans are collectively referred to as the Legacy Constellation Energy Group (CEG) Plans.
(c) These plans are collectively referred to as the Legacy CENG plans.
(d) Employees generally remain in their legacy benefit plans when transferring between operating companies.

 

365


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Exelon’s traditional and cash balance pension plans are intended to be tax-qualified defined benefit plans. Substantially all non-union employees and electing union employees hired on or after January 1, 2001 participate in cash balance pension plans. Effective January 1, 2009, substantially all newly-hired union-represented employees participate in cash balance pension plans. Exelon has elected that the trusts underlying these plans be treated under the IRC as qualified trusts. If certain conditions are met, Exelon can deduct payments made to the qualified trusts, subject to certain IRC limitations.

 

Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status

 

Exelon recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension and OPEB plans as an asset or liability on its balance sheet, with offsetting entries to Accumulated OCI and regulatory assets (liabilities), in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance. The measurement date for the plans is December 31.

 

During the first quarter of 2015, Exelon received an updated valuation of its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations to reflect actual census data as of January 1, 2015. This valuation resulted in an increase to the pension obligation of $45 million and an increase to the other postretirement benefit obligation of $57 million. Additionally, Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) increased by approximately $27 million (after tax), regulatory assets increased by approximately $48 million, and regulatory liabilities decreased by approximately $11 million.

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the changes in the benefit obligations and plan assets for the most recent two years for all plans combined:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
         2015             2014             2015             2014      

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Net benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 18,256      $ 15,459      $ 4,197      $ 4,451   

Service cost

     326        293        119        117   

Interest cost

     710        749        167        186   

Plan participants’ contributions

     —          —          42        42   

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (582     2,095        (341     502   

Plan amendments

     —          —          (23     (1,012

Acquisitions/divestitures  (a)

     —          594        —          142   

Curtailments

     —          (8     —          —     

Settlements

     (34     (30     —          —     

Gross benefits paid

     (923     (896     (223     (231
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 17,753      $ 18,256      $ 3,938      $ 4,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
         2015             2014             2015             2014      

Change in plan assets:

        

Fair value of net plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 14,874      $ 13,571      $ 2,430      $ 2,238   

Actual return on plan assets

     (32     1,443        4        90   

Employer contributions

     462        332        40        291   

Plan participants’ contributions

     —          —          42        42   

Gross benefits paid

     (923     (896     (223     (231

Acquisitions/divestitures  (a)

     —          454        —          —     

Settlements

     (34     (30     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of net plan assets at end of year

   $ 14,347      $ 14,874      $ 2,293      $ 2,430   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

366


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, Exelon became a sponsor of CENG’s pension and OPEB plans effective July 14, 2014. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for further information.

 

Exelon presents its benefit obligations and plan assets net on its balance sheet within the following line items:

 

     Pension Benefits      Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
         2015              2014              2015              2014      

Other current liabilities

   $ 21       $ 16       $ 27       $ 25   

Pension obligations

     3,385         3,366         —           —     

Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations

     —           —           1,618         1,742   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unfunded status (net benefit obligation less net plan assets)

   $ 3,406       $ 3,382       $ 1,645       $ 1,767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The funded status of the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations refers to the difference between plan assets and estimated obligations of the plan. The funded status changes over time due to several factors, including contribution levels, assumed discount rates and actual returns on plan assets.

 

The following tables provide the projected benefit obligations (PBO), accumulated benefit obligation (ABO), and fair value of plan assets for all pension plans with a PBO or ABO in excess of plan assets.

 

     PBO in
excess of plan assets
 
         2015              2014      

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 17,753       $ 18,256   

Fair value of net plan assets

     14,347         14,874   

 

     ABO in
excess of plan assets
 
         2015              2014      

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 17,753       $ 18,256   

Accumulated benefit obligation

     16,792         17,191   

Fair value of net plan assets

     14,347         14,874   

 

On a PBO basis, the plans were funded at 81% at December 31, 2015 compared to 81% at December 31, 2014. On an ABO basis, the plans were funded at 85% at December 31, 2015 compared to 87% at December 31, 2014. The ABO differs from the PBO in that the ABO includes no assumption about future compensation levels.

 

367


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs

 

The majority of the 2015 pension benefit cost for Exelon-sponsored plans is calculated using an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 7.00% and a discount rate of 3.94%. The majority of the 2015 other postretirement benefit cost is calculated using an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 6.46% for funded plans and a discount rate of 3.92%. A portion of the net periodic benefit cost for all pension and OPEB plans are capitalized within each of the Registrant’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents the components of Exelon’s net periodic benefit costs, prior to any capitalization, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
     2015     2014     2013     2015     2014     2013  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost

   $ 326      $ 293      $ 317      $ 119      $ 117      $ 162   

Interest cost

     710        749        650        167        186        194   

Expected return on assets

     (1,026     (994     (1,015     (151     (154     (132

Amortization of:

            

Prior service cost (credit)

     13        14        14        (174     (122     (19

Actuarial loss

     571        420        562        80        50        83   

Settlement charges

     2        2        9        —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 596      $ 484      $ 537      $ 41      $ 77      $ 288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Components of AOCI and Regulatory Assets

 

Under the authoritative guidance for regulatory accounting, a portion of current year actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs (credits) is capitalized within Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets to reflect the expected regulatory recovery of these amounts, which would otherwise be recorded to AOCI. The following tables provide the components of AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 for all plans combined.

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
     2015     2014     2013     2015     2014     2013  

Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities):

            

Current year actuarial loss (gain)

   $ 476      $ 1,639      $ (1,169   $ (194   $ 561      $ (628

Amortization of actuarial loss

     (571     (420     (562     (80     (50     (83

Current year prior service (credit) cost

     —          —          —          (23     (1,012     15   

Amortization of prior service (cost) credit

     (13     (14     (14     174        122        19   

Settlements

     (2     (2     (8     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities) (a)

   $ (110   $ 1,203      $ (1,753   $ (123   $ (379   $ (677
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Of the $110 million gain related to pension benefits, $64 million and $46 million were recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, during 2015. Of the $123 million gain related to other postretirement benefits, $63 million and $60 million were recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities), respectively, during 2015. Of the $1,203 million loss related to pension benefits, $788 million and $415 million were recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, during 2014. Of the $379 million gain related to other postretirement benefits, $162 million and $217 million were recognized

 

368


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

in AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities), respectively, during 2014. Of the $1,753 million gain related to pension benefits, $1,071 million and $682 million were recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, during 2013. Of the $677 million gain related to other postretirement benefits, $352 million and $325 million were recognized in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, during 2013.

 

The following table provides the components of Exelon’s gross accumulated other comprehensive loss and regulatory assets (liabilities) that have not been recognized as components of periodic benefit cost at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for all plans combined:

 

     Pension Benefits      Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
         2015              2014              2015             2014      

Prior service cost (credit)

   $ 36       $ 49       $ (812   $ (963

Actuarial loss

     7,310         7,407         711        985   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total (a)

   $ 7,346       $ 7,456       $ (101   $ 22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Of the $7,346 million related to pension benefits, $4,246 million and $3,100 million are included in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, at December 31, 2015. Of the $(101) million related to other postretirement benefits, $(63) million and $(38) million are included in AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities), respectively, at December 31, 2015. Of the $7,456 million related to pension benefits, $4,310 million and $3,146 million are included in AOCI and regulatory assets, respectively, at December 31, 2014. The $22 million related to other postretirement benefits is included in regulatory assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2014.

 

The following table provides the components of Exelon’s AOCI and regulatory assets(liabilities) at December 31, 2015 (included in the table above) that are expected to be amortized as components of periodic benefit cost in 2016. These estimates are subject to the completion of an actuarial valuation of Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which will reflect actual census data as of January 1, 2016 and actual claims activity as of December 31, 2015. The valuation is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016 for the majority of the benefit plans.

 

     Pension Benefits      Other
Postretirement Benefits
 

Prior service cost (credit)

   $ 13       $ (175

Actuarial loss

     501         50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (a)

   $ 514       $ (125
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Of the $514 million related to pension benefits at December 31, 2015, $290 million and $224 million are expected to be amortized from AOCI and regulatory assets in 2016, respectively. Of the $(125) million related to other postretirement benefits at December 31, 2015, $(64) million and $(61) million are expected to be amortized from AOCI and regulatory assets (liabilities) in 2016, respectively.

 

Assumptions

 

The measurement of the plan obligations and costs of providing benefits under Exelon’s defined benefit and other postretirement plans involves various factors, including the development of valuation assumptions 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 impacted by several assumptions including the discount rate applied to benefit obligations, the long-term EROA, Exelon’s expected level of contributions to the plans, the long-term expected investment rate credited to employees participating in cash balance plans and the anticipated rate of increase of health care costs. Additionally, assumptions related to plan participants include the incidence of mortality, the expected remaining service period, the level of compensation and rate of compensation increases, employee age and length of service, among other factors.

 

369


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Expected Rate of Return. In selecting the EROA, Exelon considers historical economic indicators (including inflation and GDP growth) that impact asset returns, as well as expectations regarding future long-term capital market performance, weighted by Exelon’s target asset class allocations.

 

Mortality. For the December 31, 2014 actuarial valuation, Exelon changed its assumption of mortality to reflect more recent expectations of future improvements in life expectancy. The change was supported through completion of an experience study and supplemental analyses performed by its actuaries. The change in assumption resulted in increases of $361 million and $117 million in the pension and other postretirement benefits obligations as of December 31, 2014, respectively. There were no changes to the mortality assumption in 2015.

 

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations for the plans at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Assumptions used to determine year-end benefit obligations are the assumptions used to estimate the subsequent year’s net periodic benefit costs.

 

    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    2015     2014     2013     2015     2014     2013  

Discount rate

    4.29     3.94     4.80     4.29     3.92     4.90

Rate of compensation increase

         (a)           (a)           (b)           (a)           (a)           (b) 

Mortality table

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  

Health care cost trend on covered charges

    N/A        N/A        N/A       
 
 
 
 
5.50%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017
  
  
  
  
  
 

 
 
 
 
 

 

6.00%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017

  
  
  
  
  

   
 
 
 
 
6.00%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017
  
  
  
  
  

 

(a) 3.25% through 2019 and 3.75% thereafter.
(b) 3.25% through 2018 and 3.75% thereafter.

 

370


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit costs for all the plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    2015     2014     2013     2015     2014     2013  

Discount rate

    3.94 %(a)      4.80 %(b)      3.92 %(c)      3.92 %(a)      4.90 %(b)      4.00 %(c) 

Expected return on plan assets

    7.00 %(d)      7.00 %(d)      7.50 %(d)      6.50 %(d)      6.59 %(d)      6.45 %(d) 

Rate of compensation increase

         (e)           (f)           (g)           (e)           (f)           (g) 

Mortality table

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RP-2000
table
projected to
2012 with
improvement
scale AA, with
Scale BB-2D
improvements
(adjusted)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
RP-2000
table with
Scale AA
improvements
  
  
  
  

Health care cost trend on covered charges

    N/A        N/A        N/A     

 
 
 
 
 

 

6.00%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017

  
  
  
  
  

   
 
 
 
 
6.00%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
6.50%
decreasing to
ultimate trend
of 5.00% in
2017
  
  
  
  
  

 

(a) The discount rates above represent the initial discount rates used to establish the majority of Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefits costs for the year ended December 31, 2015. Discount rates for CENG’s legacy pension and OPEB plans ranged from 3.68%-4.14% and 4.32%-4.43%, respectively.
(b) The discount rates above represent the initial discount rates used to establish the majority of Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefits costs for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain of the other postretirement benefit plans were remeasured as of April 30, 2014 using an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 6.59% and a discount rate of 4.30%. Costs of the year ended December 31, 2014 reflect the impact of this remeasurement. On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, Exelon became the sponsor of CENG’s legacy pension and OPEB plans effective July 14, 2014; discount rates for those plans, impacting 2014 costs, ranged from 3.60%-4.30% and 4.09%-4.55%, respectively. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for further information.
(c) The discount rates above represent the initial discounts rates used to establish Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefits costs for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain of the benefit plans were remeasured during the year using discount rates of 4.21% and 4.66% for pension and other postretirement benefits, respectively. Costs for the year ended December 31, 2013 reflect the impact of these remeasurements.
(d) Not applicable to pension and other postretirement benefit plans that do not have plan assets.
(e) 3.25% through 2019 and 3.75% thereafter.
(f) 3.25% through 2018 and 3.75% thereafter.
(g) 3.25% through 2017 and 3.75% thereafter.

 

371


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates impact the other postretirement benefit plan costs reported for Exelon’s participant populations with plan designs that do not have a cap on cost growth. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

Effect of a one percentage point increase in assumed health care cost trend:

  

on 2015 total service and interest cost components

   $ 12   

on postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2015

     100   

Effect of a one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend:

  

on 2015 total service and interest cost components

     (9

on postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2015

     (89

 

Health Care Reform Legislation

 

In March 2010, the Health Care Reform Acts were signed into law, which contain a number of provisions that impact retiree health care plans provided by employers, including a provision that imposes an excise tax on certain high-cost plans whereby premiums paid over a prescribed threshold will be taxed at a 40% rate. Additional legislation was passed in December 2015 that made some changes to the law, including moving the implementation date of the excise tax from 2018 to 2020. Although the excise tax does not go into effect until 2020, accounting guidance requires Exelon to incorporate the estimated impact of the excise tax in its annual actuarial valuation. The application of the legislation is still unclear and Exelon continues to monitor the Department of Labor and IRS for additional guidance. Certain key assumptions are required to estimate the impact of the excise tax on Exelon’s other postretirement benefit obligation, including projected inflation rates (based on the CPI). Exelon reflected its best estimate of the expected impact in its annual actuarial valuation.

 

Contributions

 

The following table provides contributions made by Generation, ComEd, PECO, BGE and BSC to the pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

 

     Pension Benefits      Other Postretirement Benefits  
       2015 (a)          2014 (a)          2013          2015          2014          2013    

Generation

   $ 231       $ 173       $ 119       $ 14       $ 124       $ 30   

ComEd

     143         122         118         7         125         4   

PECO

     40         11         11         —           5         20   

BGE

     1         —           —           16         17         24   

BSC (b)

     47         26         91         3         20         5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exelon

   $ 462       $ 332       $ 339       $ 40       $ 291       $ 83   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Exelon’s and Generation’s pension contributions include $36 million and $43 million related to the legacy CENG plans that was funded by CENG as provided in an Employee Matters Agreement (EMA) between Exelon and CENG for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(b) Includes $5 million, $9 million, and $72 million of pension contributions funded by Exelon Corporate, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

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

 

372


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

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). Additionally, the projected contribution reflects a funding strategy of contributing the greater of $250 million until 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.

 

Exelon plans to contribute $250 million to its qualified pension plans in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE will contribute $134 million, $30 million, $28 million, and $31 million, respectively. Exelon’s and Generation’s expected qualified pension plan contributions above include $25 million related to the legacy CENG plans that will be funded by CENG as provided in an EMA between Exelon and CENG.

 

Unlike the qualified pension plans, Exelon’s non-qualified pension plans are not funded. Exelon plans to make non-qualified pension plan benefit payments of $21 million in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE will make payments of $9 million, $2 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively.

 

Unlike the qualified pension plans, other postretirement plans are not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements. Exelon’s management has historically considered several factors in determining the level of contributions to its other postretirement benefit plans, including levels of benefit claims paid and regulatory implications (amounts deemed prudent to meet regulatory expectations and best assure continued rate recovery). In 2016, Exelon anticipates funding its other postretirement benefit plans based on the funding considerations discussed above, with the exception of those plans which remain unfunded. Exelon expects to make other postretirement benefit plan contributions, including benefit payments related to unfunded plans, of approximately $35 million in 2016, of which Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE expect to contribute $13 million, $3 million, $1 million, and $18 million, respectively.

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

 

Estimated future benefit payments to participants in all of the pension plans and postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2015 were:

 

     Pension
Benefits
     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

2016

   $ 1,153       $ 217   

2017

     997         223   

2018

     1,009         228   

2019

     1,036         235   

2020

     1,071         244   

2021 through 2025

     5,923         1,341   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total estimated future benefit payments through 2025

   $ 11,189       $ 2,488   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Allocation to Exelon Subsidiaries

 

Generation, ComEd, PECO, and BGE account for their participation in Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans by applying multi-employer accounting. Employee-related assets and

 

373


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

liabilities, including both pension and postretirement liabilities, for the legacy Exelon plans were allocated by Exelon to its subsidiaries based on the number of active employees as of January 1, 2001 as part of Exelon’s corporate restructuring. The obligation for Generation, ComEd and PECO reflects the initial allocation and the cumulative costs incurred and contributions made since January 1, 2001. Historically, Exelon has allocated the components of pension and other postretirement costs to the subsidiaries in the legacy Exelon plans based upon several factors, including the measures of active employee participation in each participating unit. Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions were allocated to legacy Exelon subsidiaries in proportion to active service costs recognized and total costs recognized, respectively. Beginning in 2015, Exelon began allocating costs related to its legacy Exelon pension and other postretirement benefit plans to its subsidiaries based on both active and retired employee participation and contributions are allocated based on accounting cost. The impact of this allocation methodology change is not material to any Registrant. For legacy CEG and legacy CENG plans, components of pension and other postretirement benefit costs and contributions have been, and will continue to be, allocated to the subsidiaries based on employee participation (both active and retired).

 

The amounts below were included in capital expenditures and Operating and maintenance expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s, BSC’s and BGE’s allocated portion of the pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs. These amounts include the recognized contractual termination benefit charges, curtailment gains, and settlement charges:

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Generation      ComEd      PECO      BSC (a)      BGE      Exelon  

2015

   $ 269       $ 206       $ 39       $ 57       $ 66         637   

2014

     250         162         36         46         67         561   

2013

     347         309         43         71         55         825   

 

(a) These amounts primarily represent amounts billed to Exelon’s subsidiaries through intercompany allocations. These amounts are not included in the Generation, ComEd, PECO or BGE amounts above.

 

Plan Assets

 

Investment Strategy. On a regular basis, Exelon evaluates its investment strategy to ensure that plan assets will be sufficient to pay plan benefits when due. As part of this ongoing evaluation, Exelon may make changes to its targeted asset allocation and investment strategy.

 

Exelon has developed and implemented a liability hedging investment strategy for its qualified pension plans that has reduced the volatility of its pension assets relative to its pension liabilities. Exelon is likely to continue to gradually increase the liability hedging portfolio as the funded status of its plans improves. The overall objective is to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns that will balance the liquidity requirements of the plans’ liabilities while striving to minimize the risk of significant losses. Trust assets for Exelon’s other postretirement plans are managed in a diversified investment strategy that prioritizes maximizing liquidity and returns while minimizing asset volatility.

 

Exelon used an EROA of 7.00% and 6.71% to estimate its 2016 pension and other postretirement benefit costs, respectively.

 

374


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan target asset allocations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 asset allocations were as follows:

 

Pension Plans

 

           Percentage of Plan Assets
at December 31,
 

Asset Category

   Target Allocation     2015     2014  

Equity securities

     32     35     33

Fixed income securities

     37     34        37   

Alternative investments (a)

     31     31        30   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       100     100
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

           Percentage of Plan Assets
at December 31,
 

Asset Category

   Target Allocation     2015     2014  

Equity securities

     39     43     42

Fixed income securities

     26     27        34   

Alternative investments (a)

     35     30        24   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       100     100
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Alternative investments include private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and private credit.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk. Exelon evaluated its pension and other postretirement benefit plans’ asset portfolios for the existence of significant concentrations of credit risk as of December 31, 2015. Types of concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, and individual fund. As of December 31, 2015, there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater than 10% of plan assets) of risk in Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

 

375


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents Exelon’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets measured and recorded at fair value on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

At December 31, 2015 (a)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Pension plan assets

       

Cash equivalents

  $ 210      $ —        $ —        $ 210   

Equities(b)

    3,571        1,462        2        5,035   

Fixed income:

       

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    1,001        79        —          1,080   

State and municipal debt

    —          61        —          61   

Corporate debt

    —          2,901        165        3,066   

Other (b)

    —          395        203        598   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    1,001        3,436        368        4,805   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Private equity

    —          —          924        924   

Hedge funds

    —          1,129        795        1,924   

Real estate

    —          —          725        725   

Private credit

    —          —          699        699   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension plan assets subtotal

    4,782        6,027        3,513        14,322   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2015 (a)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Other postretirement benefit plan assets

       

Cash equivalents

    15        —          —          15   

Equities

    510        482        —          992   

Fixed income:

       

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    11        53        —          64   

State and municipal debt

    —          131        —          131   

Corporate debt

    —          44        —          44   

Other

    155        205        —          360   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    166        433        —          599   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hedge funds

    —          312        139        451   

Real estate

    —          —          131        131   

Private credit

    —          —          103        103   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other postretirement benefit plan assets subtotal

    691        1,227        373        2,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets (c)

  $ 5,473      $ 7,254      $ 3,886      $ 16,613   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

376


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

At December 31, 2014 (a)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Pension plan assets

       

Cash equivalents

  $ 1      $ —        $ —        $ 1   

Equities (b)

    3,261        1,449        2        4,712   

Fixed income:

       

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    1,051        88        —          1,139   

State and municipal debt

    —          80        —          80   

Corporate debt

    —          3,125        120        3,245   

Other (b)

    —          930        152        1,082   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    1,051        4,223        272        5,546   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Private equity

    —          —          900        900   

Hedge funds

    —          1,355        785        2,140   

Real estate

    243        —          685        928   

Private credit

    —          —          607        607   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension plan assets subtotal

    4,556        7,027        3,251        14,834   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014 (a)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Other postretirement benefit plan assets

       

Cash equivalents

    11        —          —          11   

Equities

    480        525        —          1,005   

Fixed income:

       

U.S. Treasury and agencies

    15        59        —          74   

State and municipal debt

    —          197        —          197   

Corporate debt

    —          42        —          42   

Other

    253        272        —          525   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed income subtotal

    268        570        —          838   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hedge funds

    —          339        —          339   

Real estate

    8        —          116        124   

Private credit

    —          —          110        110   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other postretirement benefit plan assets subtotal

    767        1,434        226        2,427   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets (c)

  $ 5,323      $ 8,461      $ 3,477      $ 17,261   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 12—Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities for a description of levels within the fair value hierarchy.
(b) Includes derivative instruments of $5 million and $(3) million, which have a total notional amount of $1,774 million and $1,491 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The notional principal amounts for these instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding as of the fiscal years ended and do not represent the amount of the company’s exposure to credit or market loss.
(c) Excludes net assets of $27 million and $42 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are required to reconcile to the fair value of net plan assets. These items consist primarily of receivables related to pending securities sales, interest and dividends receivable, and payables related to pending securities purchases.

 

377


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table presents the reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value for pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Hedge
funds
    Private
equity
    Real
estate
    Fixed
income
    Equities      Private
Credit
    Total  

Pension Assets

               

Balance as of January 1, 2015

   $ 785      $ 900      $ 685      $ 272      $ 2       $ 607      $ 3,251   

Actual return on plan assets:

               

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

     (39     60        76        (14     —           (19     64   

Relating to assets sold during the period

     4        —          9        —          —           —          13   

Purchases, sales and settlements:

               

Purchases

     104        186        116        125        —           200        731   

Sales

     (57     —          (54     (7     —           (5     (123

Settlements (a)

     (2     (222     (107     (8     —           (84     (423
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

   $ 795      $ 924      $ 725      $ 368      $ 2       $ 699      $ 3,513   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

               

Balance as of January 1, 2015

   $ —        $ —        $ 116      $ —        $ —         $ 110      $ 226   

Actual return on plan assets:

               

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

     1        —          15        —          —           (7     9   

Purchases, sales and settlements:

               

Purchases

     138        —          62        —          —           —          200   

Settlements (a)

     —          —          (62     —          —           —          (62
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015

   $ 139      $ —        $ 131      $ —        $ —         $ 103      $ 373   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Hedge
funds
    Private
equity
    Real
estate
    Fixed
income
    Equities      Private
credit
    Total  

Pension Assets

               

Balance as of January 1, 2014

   $ 706      $ 806      $ 544      $ 41      $ 2       $ 371      $ 2,470   

Actual return on plan assets:

               

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

     59        112        81        7        —           20        279   

Relating to assets sold during the period

     2        —          —          —          —           1        3   

Purchases, sales and settlements:

               

Purchases

     74        169        112        227        —           265        847   

Sales

     (25     —          (19     (3     —           (13     (60

Settlements (a)

     (1     (203     (60     —          —           (37     (301

Transfers into (out of) Level 3 (b)(c)

     (30     16        27        —          —           —          13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

   $ 785      $ 900      $ 685      $ 272      $ 2       $ 607      $ 3,251   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

               

Balance as of January 1, 2014

   $ —        $ 2      $ 109      $ —        $ —         $ 4      $ 115   

Actual return on plan assets:

               

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

     —          —          13        —          —           1        14   

Purchases, sales and settlements:

               

Purchases

     —          1        1        —          —           109        111   

Sales

     —          (2     (7     —          —           (4     (13

Settlements (a)

     —          (1     —          —          —           —          (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

   $ —        $ —        $ 116      $ —        $ —         $ 110      $ 226   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

378


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) Represents cash settlements only.
(b) In connection with the Employee Matters Agreement between EDF and Exelon, Exelon assumed the pension plan assets of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC and Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC resulting in transfers into Level 3 of $56 million.
(c) As of January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2014, hedge fund investments that contained redemption restrictions limiting Exelon’s ability to redeem the investments within a reasonable period of time were classified as Level 3 investments. As of December 31, 2014, restrictions for certain investments no longer applied, therefore allowing redemption within a reasonable period of time from the measurement date at NAV. As such, these hedge fund investments are reflected as transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 of $43 million in 2014.

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 for the pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets.

 

Valuation Techniques Used to Determine Fair Value

 

Cash equivalents. Investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, including certain short-term fixed income securities and money market funds, are considered cash equivalents. The fair values are based on observable market prices and, therefore, are included in the recurring fair value measurements hierarchy as Level 1.

 

Equities. Equities consist of individually held equity securities, equity mutual funds and equity commingled funds in domestic and foreign markets. With respect to individually held equity securities, the trustees obtain prices from pricing services, whose prices are obtained from direct feeds from market exchanges, which Exelon is able to independently corroborate. Equity securities held individually, including real estate investment trusts, rights and warrants, are primarily traded on exchanges that contain only actively traded securities due to the volume trading requirements imposed by these exchanges. Equity securities are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as Level 1. Certain private placement equity securities are categorized as Level 3 because they are not publicly traded and are priced using significant unobservable inputs.

 

Equity commingled funds and mutual funds are maintained by investment companies that hold certain investments in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives, which are consistent with the plans’ overall investment strategy. The values of some of these funds are publicly quoted. For mutual funds which are publicly quoted, the funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and have been categorized as Level 1. For equity commingled funds and mutual funds which are not publicly quoted, the fund administrators value the funds using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities. These funds have been categorized as Level 2.

 

Fixed income. For fixed income securities, which consist primarily of corporate debt securities, foreign government securities, municipal bonds, asset and mortgage-backed securities, commingled funds, mutual funds and derivative instruments, the trustees obtain multiple prices from pricing vendors whenever possible, which enables cross-provider validations in addition to checks for unusual daily movements. A primary price source is identified based on asset type, class or issue for each security. With respect to individually held fixed income securities, the trustees monitor prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of a given security if the portfolio managers challenge an assigned price and the trustees determine that another price source is considered to be preferable. Exelon has obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, Exelon selectively corroborates the fair values of securities by comparison to other

 

379


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

market-based price sources. Investments in U.S. Treasury securities have been categorized as Level 1 because they trade in highly-liquid and transparent markets. Certain private placement fixed income securities have been categorized as Level 3 because they are priced using certain significant unobservable inputs and are typically illiquid. The remaining fixed income securities, including certain other fixed income investments, are based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences and are categorized as Level 2

 

Other fixed income investments primarily consist of fixed income commingled funds and mutual funds, which are maintained by investment companies and hold certain investments in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives, which are consistent with Exelon’s overall investment strategy. The values of some of these funds are publicly quoted. For mutual funds which are publicly quoted, the funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and have been categorized as Level 1. For fixed income commingled funds and mutual funds which are not publicly quoted, the fund administrators value the funds using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities. These funds have been categorized as Level 2. Certain fixed income commingled funds are valued using the NAV per fund share, which is based on the valuation of the underlying investments and include significant unobservable inputs. These funds have been categorized as Level 3.

 

Derivative instruments consisting primarily of interest rate swaps to manage risk are recorded at fair value. Derivative instruments are valued based on external price data of comparable securities and have been categorized as Level 2.

 

Private equity. Private equity investments include those in limited partnerships that invest in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange such as leveraged buyouts, growth capital, venture capital, distressed investments and investments in natural resources. Private equity valuations are reported by the fund manager and are based on the valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, operating results, discounted future cash flows and market based comparable data. Since these valuation inputs are not highly observable, private equity investments have been categorized as Level 3.

 

Hedge funds. Hedge fund investments include those seeking to maximize absolute returns using a broad range of strategies to enhance returns and provide additional diversification. The fair value of hedge funds is determined using NAV or ownership interest of the investments. Exelon has the ability to redeem these investments at NAV or its equivalent subject to certain restrictions which may include a lock-up period or a gate. For Exelon’s investments that have terms that allow redemption within a reasonable period of time from the measurement date, the hedge fund investments are categorized as Level 2. For investments that have restrictions that may limit Exelon’s ability to redeem the investments at the measurement date or within a reasonable period of time, the hedge fund investments are categorized as Level 3.

 

Real estate. Real estate funds are funds with a direct investment in pools of real estate properties. These funds are valued by investment managers on a periodic basis using pricing models that use independent appraisals from sources with professional qualifications. Since these valuation inputs are not highly observable, these real estate funds have been categorized as Level 3.

 

Private credit. Private credit investments primarily consist of limited partnerships that invest in private debt strategies. These investments are generally less liquid assets with an underlying term of 3

 

380


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

to 5 years and are intended to be held to maturity. The fair value of these investments is determined by the fund manager or administrator and include unobservable inputs such as cost, operating results, and discounted cash flows. Since the valuation inputs are not highly observable, private credit investments have been categorized as Level 3.

 

Defined Contribution Savings Plan (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants participate in various 401(k) defined contribution savings plans that are sponsored by Exelon. The plans are qualified under applicable sections of the IRC and allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines. All Registrants match a percentage of the employee contributions up to certain limits. The following table presents matching contributions to the savings plan for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Exelon (a)      Generation (a)      ComEd      PECO      BGE      BSC (b)  

2015

   $ 148       $ 80       $ 32       $ 11       $ 14       $ 11   

2014

     103         51         26         8         8         10   

2013

     85         40         22         8         8         7   

 

(a) Includes $9 million and $5 million related to CENG for the year ended December 31, 2015, and for the period from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, respectively.
(b) These amounts primarily represent amounts billed to Exelon’s subsidiaries through intercompany allocations. These costs are not included in the Generation, ComEd, PECO, or BGE amounts above.

 

18. Contingently Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Exelon, Generation)

 

In November 2015, 2015 ESA Investco, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Generation, entered into an arrangement to sell a portion of its equity to a tax equity investor. Pursuant to the operating agreement, in certain situations the equity contributions made by the noncontrolling interest holder could be contingently redeemable. These situations are outside of the control of Generation and the noncontrolling interest holder resulting in a portion of the noncontrolling interest being considered contingently redeemable and thus presented in mezzanine equity in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
2015
 

Beginning Balance

   $ —     

Cash received from noncontrolling interest

     32   

Release of contingency

     (4
  

 

 

 

Ending Balance

   $ 28   
  

 

 

 

 

381


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

19. Shareholder’s Equity (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The following table presents common stock authorized and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

                   December 31,  
                   2015      2014  
     Par Value      Shares
Authorized
     Shares Outstanding  

Common Stock

           

Exelon

     no par value         2,000,000,000         919,924,742         859,833,343   

ComEd

     $12.50         250,000,000         127,016,973         127,016,947   

PECO

     no par value         500,000,000         170,478,507         170,478,507   

BGE

     no par value         175,000,000         1,000         1,000   

 

ComEd had 73,434 and 73,533 warrants outstanding to purchase ComEd common stock at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The warrants entitle the holders to convert such warrants into common stock of ComEd at a conversion rate of one share of common stock for three warrants. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, 24,478 and 24,511 shares of common stock, respectively, were reserved for the conversion of warrants.

 

Equity Securities Offering

 

In June 2014, Exelon marketed an equity offering of 57.5 million shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $35 per share. In connection with such offering, Exelon entered into forward sale agreements with two counterparties. In July 2015, Exelon settled the forward sale agreement by the issuance of 57.5 million shares of Exelon common stock. Exelon received net cash proceeds of $1.87 billion, which was calculated based on a forward price of $32.48 per share as specified in the forward sale agreements. Use of net proceeds will be to fund the pending merger with PHI and related costs and expenses, and for general corporate purposes. The forward sale agreements are classified as equity transactions. As a result, no amounts were recorded in the consolidated financial statements until the July 2015 settlement of the forward sale agreements. However, prior to the July 2015 settlement, incremental shares, if any, were included within the calculation of diluted EPS using the treasury stock method.

 

Concurrent with the forward equity transaction, Exelon also issued $1.15 billion of junior subordinated notes in the form of 23 million equity units. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for further information on the equity units.

 

Share Repurchases

 

Share Repurchase Programs. There currently is no Exelon Board of Director authority to repurchase shares. Any previous shares repurchased are held as treasury shares, at cost, unless cancelled or reissued at the discretion of Exelon’s management. Under the previous share repurchase programs, 35 million shares of common stock are held as treasury stock with a cost of $2.3 billion at December 31, 2015. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, Exelon had no common stock repurchases.

 

Preferred and Preference Securities of Subsidiaries

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon was authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred securities, none of which were outstanding.

 

382


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd prior preferred securities and ComEd cumulative preference securities consisted of 850,000 shares and 6,810,451 shares authorized, respectively, none of which were outstanding.

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, BGE cumulative preference stock, $100 par value, consisted of 6,500,000 shares authorized of which 1,900,000 are outstanding as set forth in the table below. Shares of BGE preference stock have no voting power except for the following:

 

   

The preference stock has one vote per share on any charter amendment that i) with regards to either dividends or distribution of assets, would create or authorize any shares of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the preference stock or ii) substantially adversely affect the contract rights, as expressly set forth in BGE’s charter, of the preference stock. Each such amendment would require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the shares of preference stock outstanding; and

 

   

Whenever BGE fails to pay full dividends on the preference stock and such failure continues for one year, the preference stock shall have one vote per share on all matters, until and unless such dividends shall have been paid in full. Upon liquidation, the holders of the preference stock of each series outstanding are entitled to receive the par amount of their shares and an amount equal to the unpaid accrued dividends.

 

            December 31,  
     Redemption
Price (a)
     2015      2014      2015      2014  
        Shares Outstanding      Dollar
Amount
 

Series (without mandatory redemption)

              

7.125%, 1993 Series

   $ 100.00         400,000         400,000       $ 40       $ 40   

6.97%, 1993 Series

     100.00         500,000         500,000         50         50   

6.70%, 1993 Series

     100.00         400,000         400,000         40         40   

6.99%, 1995 Series

     100.00         600,000         600,000         60         60   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total preference stock

        1,900,000         1,900,000       $ 190       $ 190   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Redeemable, at the option of BGE, at the indicated dollar amounts per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

 

20. Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

Exelon grants stock-based awards through its LTIP, which primarily includes stock options, restricted stock units and performance share awards. At December 31, 2015, there were approximately 16 million shares authorized for issuance under the LTIP. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, exercised and distributed stock-based awards were primarily issued from authorized but unissued common stock shares.

 

The Compensation Committee of Exelon’s Board of Directors changed the mix of awards granted under the LTIP in 2013 by eliminating stock options in favor of the use of full value shares, consisting of 67% performance shares and 33% restricted stock units. The performance share awards granted in 2013 will cliff vest at the end of a three-year performance period. The performance share awards granted in 2012 and earlier had a one-year performance period and vested ratably over three years. To address the reduction in annual award opportunity resulting from the transition to a three-year cliff vesting performance period, the Compensation Committee also approved a one-time grant of

 

383


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

performance share transition awards in 2013, which vested one-third after one year, with the remaining balance vesting over a two-year performance period. These one-time 2013 performance share transition awards will be settled 50% in common stock and 50% in cash, except for awards granted to executive vice presidents and higher officers that may be settled 100% in cash if certain Exelon stock ownership requirements are satisfied. In addition to this change, in 2013 ComEd and in 2014 PECO and BGE transitioned from Exelon stock-based awards to cash award programs with payouts based on the performance of each respective utility. The following tables do not include expense related to these plans as they are not considered stock-based compensation plans under the applicable accounting guidance.

 

The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

   2015     2014     2013  

Performance share awards

   $ 41      $ 59      $ 48   

Restricted stock units

     71        61        61   

Stock options

     1        2        3   

Other stock-based awards

     6        5        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense included in operating and maintenance expense

     119        127        118   

Income tax benefit

     (46     (47     (44
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense

   $ 73      $ 80      $ 74   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The following table presents stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

Subsidiaries

   2015      2014      2013  

Generation

   $ 64       $ 52       $ 48   

ComEd

     6         7         9   

PECO

     3         3         5   

BGE

     3         5         6   

BSC (a)

     43         60         50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 119       $ 127       $ 118   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) These amounts primarily represent amounts billed to Exelon’s subsidiaries through intercompany allocations. These amounts are not included in the Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE amounts above.

 

There were no significant stock-based compensation costs capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

384


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Exelon receives a tax deduction based on the intrinsic value of the award on the exercise date for stock options and the distribution date for performance share awards and restricted stock units. For each award, throughout the requisite service period, Exelon recognizes the tax benefit related to compensation costs. The following table presents information regarding Exelon’s tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2015      2014      2013  

Realized tax benefit when exercised/distributed:

        

Restricted stock units

   $ 30       $ 17       $ 11   

Performance share awards

     18         11         11   

Stock deferral plan

     —           —           1   

 

Stock Options

 

Non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Exelon’s common stock were granted under the LTIP through 2012. Due to changes in the LTIP, there were no stock options granted in 2013, 2014 or 2015. For all stock options granted through 2012, the exercise price of the stock options is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of option grant. The vesting period of stock options is generally four years. All stock options expire ten years from the date of grant.

 

The value of stock options at the date of grant is expensed over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for stock options is generally four years. However, certain stock options become fully vested upon the employee reaching retirement-eligibility. The value of the stock options granted to retirement-eligible employees is either recognized immediately upon the date of grant or through the date at which the employee reaches retirement eligibility.

 

The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The following table presents the weighted average assumptions used in the pricing model for grants and the resulting weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted for the year ended 2012:

 

     Year ended
December 31, 2012
 

Dividend yield

     5.28

Expected volatility

     23.20

Risk-free interest rate

     1.30

Expected life (years)

     6.25   

Weighted average grant date fair value (per share)

     4.18   

 

The assumptions above relate to Exelon stock options granted in 2012 and therefore do not include stock options that were converted in connection with the merger with Constellation during the year ended 2012.

 

The dividend yield is based on several factors, including Exelon’s most recent dividend payment at the grant date and the average stock price over the previous year. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities of traded stock options in Exelon’s common stock and historical volatility over the estimated expected life of the stock options. The risk-free interest rate for a security with a term equal

 

385


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

to the expected life is based on a yield curve constructed from U.S. Treasury strips at the time of grant. For each year presented, the expected life represents the period of time the stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based on the simplified method. Exelon believes that the simplified method is appropriate due to several factors that result in historical exercise data not being sufficient to determine a reasonable estimate of expected term. Exelon uses historical data to estimate employee forfeitures, which are compared to actual forfeitures on a quarterly basis and adjusted as necessary.

 

The following table presents information with respect to stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
(per
share)
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Balance of shares outstanding at December 31, 2014

     18,830,967      $ 46.85         

Options exercised

     (7,133     21.25         

Options forfeited

     (5,250     39.81         

Options expired

     (3,245,827     47.75         
  

 

 

         

Balance of shares outstanding at December 31, 2015

     15,572,757      $ 46.68         3.85       $ 9   
  

 

 

         

Exercisable at December 31, 2015 (a)

     15,490,507      $ 46.72         3.84       $ 9   
  

 

 

         

 

(a) Includes stock options issued to retirement eligible employees.

 

The following table summarizes additional information regarding stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2015      2014      2013  

Intrinsic value (a)

   $ —         $ 3       $ 4   

Cash received for exercise price

     —           7         19   

 

(a) The difference between the market value on the date of exercise and the option exercise price.

 

The following table summarizes Exelon’s nonvested stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Shares     Weighted Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2014 (a)

     432,035      $ 39.91   

Vested

     (344,535     39.93   

Forfeited

     (5,250     39.81   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at December 31, 2015 (a)

     82,250      $ 39.81   
  

 

 

   

 

(a) Excludes 279,000 and 746,140 of stock options issued to retirement-eligible employees as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as they are fully vested.

 

At December 31, 2015, $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options are expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of less than a year.

 

386


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Restricted stock units are granted under the LTIP with the majority being settled in a specific number of shares of common stock after the service condition has been met. The corresponding cost of services is measured based on the grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit issued.

 

The value of the restricted stock units is expensed over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for restricted stock units is generally three to five years. However, certain restricted stock unit awards become fully vested upon the employee reaching retirement-eligibility. The value of the restricted stock units granted to retirement-eligible employees is either recognized immediately upon the date of grant or through the date at which the employee reaches retirement eligibility. Exelon uses historical data to estimate employee forfeitures, which are compared to actual forfeitures on a quarterly basis and adjusted as necessary.

 

The following table summarizes Exelon’s nonvested restricted stock unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value (per share)
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2014 (a)

     3,758,218      $ 31.27   

Granted

     2,132,856        36.55   

Vested

     (1,597,255     32.88   

Forfeited

     (76,232     33.06   

Undistributed vested awards (b)

     (654,333     35.35   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at December 31, 2015 (a)

     3,563,254      $ 32.92   
  

 

 

   

 

(a) Excludes 1,097,630 and 975,116 of restricted stock units issued to retirement-eligible employees as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as they are fully vested.
(b) Represents restricted stock units that vested but were not distributed to retirement-eligible employees during 2015.

 

The weighted average grant date fair value (per share) of restricted stock units granted for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $36.55, $28.71 and $31.06, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Exelon had obligations related to outstanding restricted stock units not yet settled of $97 million and $85 million, respectively, which are included in common stock in Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, Exelon settled restricted stock units with fair value totaling $75 million, $43 million and $28 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, $56 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested restricted stock units are expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 2 years.

 

Performance Share Awards

 

Performance share awards are granted under the LTIP. The 2015 and 2014 performance share awards are being settled 50% in common stock and 50% in cash at the end of the three-year performance period except for awards granted to executive vice presidents and higher officers that may be settled 100% in cash if certain ownership requirements are satisfied. The performance shares granted prior to 2012 generally vest and settle over a three-year period with the holders receiving shares of common stock and/or cash annually during the vesting period.

 

387


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The common stock portion of the performance share and one-time 2013 performance share transition awards is considered an equity award and is valued based on Exelon’s stock price on the grant date. The cash portion of the awards is considered a liability award which is remeasured each reporting period based on Exelon’s current stock price. As the value of the common stock and cash portions of the awards are based on Exelon’s stock price during the performance period, coupled with changes in the total shareholder return modifier and expected payout of the award, the compensation costs are subject to volatility until payout is established.

 

For nonretirement-eligible employees, stock-based compensation costs are recognized over the vesting period of three years using the graded-vesting method. For performance share and one-time performance share transition awards granted to retirement-eligible employees, the value of the performance shares is recognized ratably over the vesting period, which is the year of grant.

 

The following table summarizes Exelon’s nonvested performance share awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

     Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value (per share)
 

Nonvested at December 31, 2014 (a)

     2,696,097      $ 30.62   

Granted

     1,556,273        35.88   

Change in performance

     (118,398     35.88   

Vested

     (704,141     32.80   

Forfeited

     (52,167     32.25   

Undistributed vested awards (b)

     (820,505     33.95   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at December 31, 2015 (a)

     2,557,159      $ 31.88   
  

 

 

   

 

(a) Excludes 1,817,883 and 1,535,791 of performance share awards issued to retirement-eligible employees as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as they are fully vested.
(b) Represents performance share awards that vested but were not distributed to retirement-eligible employees during 2015.

 

The weighted average grant date fair value (per share) of performance share awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $35.88, $28.75, and $31.55, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, Exelon settled performance shares with a fair value totaling $46 million, $27 million and $26 million, respectively, of which $29 million, $13 million and $12 million was paid in cash, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, $27 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested performance shares are expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

 

The following table presents the balance sheet classification of obligations related to outstanding performance share awards not yet settled:

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Current liabilities (a)

   $ 28       $ 28   

Deferred credits and other liabilities (b)

     32         36   

Common stock

     35         33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 95       $ 97   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents the current liability related to performance share awards expected to be settled in cash.
(b) Represents the long-term liability related to performance share awards expected to be settled in cash.

 

388


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

21. Earnings Per Share (Exelon)

 

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing Net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, including shares to be issued upon exercise of stock options, performance share awards and restricted stock outstanding under Exelon’s LTIPs considered to be common stock equivalents. The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted earnings per share and shows the effect of the stock options, performance share awards and restricted stock on the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2015      2014      2013  

Net income attributable to common shareholders

   $ 2,269       $ 1,623       $ 1,719   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

     890         860         856   

Assumed exercise and/or distributions of stock-based awards

     3         4         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

     893         864         860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The number of stock options not included in the calculation of diluted common shares outstanding due to their antidilutive effect was approximately 16 million in 2015, 17 million in 2014, and 20 million in 2013. The number of equity units related to the PHI merger not included in the calculation of diluted common shares outstanding due to their antidilutive effect was 3 million for the year ended December 2015 and less than 1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, there were no forward units related to the PHI merger not included in the calculation of diluted common shares outstanding due to their antidilutive effect for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Refer to Note 19—Shareholder’s Equity for further information regarding the equity units and equity forward units.

 

Under share repurchase programs, 35 million shares of common stock are held as treasury stock with a cost of $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2015. In 2008, Exelon management decided to defer indefinitely any share repurchases.

 

389


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

22. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Exelon, Generation, and PECO)

 

The following tables present changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) by component for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

  Gains and
(Losses) on
Cash Flow
Hedges
    Unrealized
Gains and
(Losses) on
Marketable
Securities
    Pension and
Non-Pension
Postretirement
Benefit Plan
Items
    Foreign
Currency
Items
    AOCI of
Equity
Investments
    Total  

Exelon (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ (28   $ 3      $ (2,640   $ (19   $ —        $ (2,684
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    (12     —          (100     (21     (3     (136

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    21        —          175        —          —          196   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    9        —          75        (21     (3     60   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ (19   $ 3      $ (2,565   $ (40   $ (3   $ (2,624
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Generation (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ (18   $ 1      $ —        $ (19   $ —        $ (36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    (8     —          —          (21     (3     (32

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    5        —          —          —          —          5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    (3     —          —          (21     (3     (27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ (21   $ 1      $ —        $ (40   $ (3   $ (63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PECO (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

390


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

  Gains and
(Losses) on
Cash Flow
Hedges
    Unrealized
Gains and
(Losses) on
Marketable
Securities
    Pension and
Non-Pension
Postretirement
Benefit Plan
items
    Foreign
Currency
Items
    AOCI of
Equity
Investments
    Total  

Exelon (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ 120      $ 2      $ (2,260   $ (10   $ 108      $ (2,040
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    (31     (1     (498     (9     11        (528

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    (117     2        118        —          (119     (116
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    (148     1        (380     (9     (108     (644
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ (28   $ 3      $ (2,640   $ (19   $ —        $ (2,684
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Generation (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ 114      $ 2      $ —        $ (10   $ 108        214   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    (15     (1     —          (9     11        (14

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    (117     —          —          —          (119     (236
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    (132     (1     —          (9     (108     (250
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ (18   $ 1      $ —        $ (19   $ —        $ (36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PECO (a)

           

Beginning balance

  $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OCI before reclassifications

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (b)

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period OCI

    —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parenthesis represent a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income.
(b) See next tables for details about these reclassifications.

 

391


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ComEd, PECO, and BGE did not have any reclassifications out of AOCI to Net income during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The following tables present amounts reclassified out of AOCI to Net income for Exelon and Generation during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

Details about AOCI components

  Items reclassified out of AOCI (a)     Affected line item in the Statements
of  Operations and Comprehensive Income
         Exelon             Generation          

Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges

     

Terminated interest rate swaps

  $ (26   $ —        Other, net

Energy related hedges

    2        2      Operating revenues

Other cash flow hedges

    (11     (11   Interest expense
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    (35     (9  

Tax benefit

    14        4     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ (21   $ (5   Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan items

     

Prior service costs (b)

  $ 74      $ —       

Actuarial losses (b)

    (361     —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    (287     —       

Tax benefit

    112        —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ (175   $ —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Reclassifications

  $ (196   $ (5   Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

392


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

Details about AOCI components

  Items reclassified out of AOCI (a)     Affected line item in the Statements
of Operations and Comprehensive Income
    Exelon     Generation      

Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges

     

Energy related hedges

  $ 195      $ 195      Operating revenues
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    195        195     

Tax expense

    (78     (78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ 117      $ 117      Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains and (losses) on available for sale securities

     

Other available securities for sale

  $ (2   $ —        Other Income and Deductions
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    (2     —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ (2   $ —        Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan items

     

Prior service costs (b)

  $ 46      $ —       

Actuarial losses (b)

    (239     —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    (193     —       

Tax benefit

    75        —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ (118   $ —        Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Equity investments

     

Sale of equity method investment

  $ 5      $ 5      Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI

    193        193      Gain on Consolidation of CENG
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total before tax

    198        198     

Tax expense

    (79     (79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net of tax

  $ 119      $ 119     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Reclassifications

  $ 116      $ 236      Comprehensive income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(a) Amounts in parenthesis represent a decrease in net income.
(b) This accumulated other comprehensive income component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB cost (see Note 17—Retirement Benefits for additional details).
(c) Amortization of the deferred compensation unit plan is allocated to capital and operating and maintenance expense.

 

393


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table presents income tax expense (benefit) allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015     2014     2013  

Exelon

      

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plans:

      

Prior service benefit reclassified to periodic benefit cost

   $ 30      $ 19      $ —     

Actuarial loss reclassified to periodic cost

     (140     (93     (133

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plan valuation adjustment

     62        317        (430

Change in unrealized (gain) loss on cash flow hedges

     (6     96        166   

Change in unrealized (gain) loss on equity investments

     1        73        (71
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (53   $ 412      $ (468
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Generation

      

Change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

   $ 2      $ 84      $ 262   

Change in unrealized (gain) loss on equity investments

     1        73        (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3      $ 157      $ 190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

23. Commitments and Contingencies (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Commitments

 

Constellation Merger Commitments

 

In February 2012, the MDPSC issued an Order approving the Exelon and Constellation merger. As part of the MDPSC Order, Exelon agreed to provide a package of benefits to BGE customers, the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, resulting in an estimated direct investment in the State of Maryland of approximately $1 billion. The direct investment estimate includes $95 million to $120 million relating to the construction of a headquarters building in Baltimore for Generation’s competitive energy businesses.

 

The direct investment commitment also includes $500 million to $600 million relating to Exelon and Generation’s development or assistance in the development of 275—300 MWs of new generation in Maryland, which is expected to be completed within a period of 10 years. Exelon and Generation have incurred $393 million towards satisfying the commitment for new generation development in the state of Maryland, with approximately 220 MW of the new generation commencing with commercial operations to date. The MDPSC order contemplates various options for complying with the new generation development commitments, including building or acquiring generating assets, making subsidy or compliance payments, or in circumstances in which the generation build is delayed or certain specified provisions are elected, making liquidated damages payments. Exelon and Generation expect that the majority of these commitments will be satisfied by building or acquiring generating assets and, therefore, will be primarily capital in nature and recognized as incurred. However, during the third quarter of 2014, the conditions associated with one of the generation development commitments changed such that Exelon and Generation now believe that the most likely outcome will involve making subsidy payments and/or liquidated damages payments rather than constructing the specified generating plant. As a result, Exelon and Generation recorded a pre-tax $44 million loss contingency related to this generation development commitment which is included in Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and

 

394


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. While this $44 million loss contingency represents Generation’s best estimate of the future obligation, it is reasonably possible that Exelon and Generation could ultimately be required to make cumulative subsidy payments of up to a maximum of approximately $105 million over a 20-year period dependent on actual generating output from a successfully constructed generating plant.

 

Equity Investment Commitments

 

As part of Generation’s recent investments in technology development, Generation enters into equity purchase agreements that include commitments to invest additional equity through incremental payments to fund the anticipated needs of the planned operations of the associated companies. The commitment includes approximately $20 million of in-kind services and 100% of 2015 ESA Investco, LLC’s equity commitment since 2015 ESA Investco, LLC is consolidated by Generation (see Note 2—Variable Interest Entities for additional details). As of December 31, 2015, Generation’s estimated commitment relating to its equity purchase agreements, including in-kind services contributions, is anticipated to be as follows:

 

     Total  

2016 (a)

   $ 299   

2017

     21   

2018

     7   

2019

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 327   
  

 

 

 

 

(a) The noncontrolling interest holder of 2015 ESA Investco, LLC will contribute up to $172 million in support of a portion of this equity commitment.

 

Commercial Commitments

 

Exelon’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

            Expiration within  
     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021
and beyond
 

Letters of credit (non-debt) (a)

   $ 1,583       $ 1,565       $ 5       $ —         $ —         $ 13       $ —     

Surety bonds (b)

     809         733         49         3         2         16         6   

Financing trust guarantees (c)

     628         —           —           —           —           —           628   

Energy marketing contract guarantees (d)

     3,126         3,126         —           —           —           —           —     

Nuclear insurance premiums (e)

     3,060         —           —           —           —           —           3,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 9,206       $ 5,424       $ 54       $ 3       $ 2       $ 29       $ 3,694   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Letters of credit (non-debt)—Exelon and certain of its subsidiaries maintain non-debt letters of credit to provide credit support for certain transactions as requested by third parties.
(b) Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.
(c) Includes $200 million of Trust Preferred Securities of ComEd Financing III, $178 million of Trust Preferred Securities of PECO Trust III and IV and $250 million of Trust Preferred Securities of BGE Capital Trust II.
(d)

Energy marketing contract guarantees—Guarantees issued to ensure performance under energy commodity contracts. Amount includes approximately $3.1 billion of guarantees issued by Exelon and Generation on behalf of its Constellation businesses to allow it the flexibility needed to conduct business with counterparties without having to post other forms of

 

395


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

collateral. The majority of these guarantees contain evergreen provisions that require the guarantee to remain in effect until cancelled. Exelon’s estimated net exposure for obligations under commercial transactions covered by these guarantees is approximately $0.5 billion at December 31, 2015, which represents the total amount Exelon could be required to fund based on December 31, 2015 market prices.

(e) Nuclear insurance premiums—Represents the maximum amount that Generation would be required to pay for retrospective premiums in the event of nuclear disaster at any domestic site under the Secondary Financial Protection pool as required under the Price-Anderson Act as well as the current aggregate annual retrospective premium obligation that could be imposed by NEIL. See the Nuclear Insurance section within this note for additional details on Generation’s nuclear insurance premiums.

 

Generation’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

            Expiration within  
     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021
and beyond
 

Letters of credit (non-debt) (a)

   $ 1,503       $ 1,485       $ 5       $ —         $ —         $ 13       $ —     

Surety bonds

     737         692         45         —           —           —           —     

Energy marketing contract guarantees (b)

     1,532         1,532         —           —           —           —           —     

Nuclear insurance premiums (c)

     3,060         —           —           —           —           —           3,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 6,832       $ 3,709       $ 50       $ —         $ —         $ 13       $ 3,060   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Letters of credit (non-debt)—Non-debt letters of credit maintained to provide credit support for certain transactions as requested by third parties.
(b) Energy marketing contract guarantees—Guarantees issued to ensure performance under energy commodity contracts. Amount includes approximately $1.5 billion of guarantees issued by Generation on behalf of its Constellation businesses to allow it the flexibility needed to conduct business with counterparties without having to post other forms of collateral. The majority of these guarantees contain evergreen provisions that require the guarantee to remain in effect until cancelled. Generation’s estimated net exposure for obligations under commercial transactions covered by these guarantees is approximately $0.3 billion at December 31, 2015, which represents the total amount Generation could be required to fund based on December 31, 2015 market prices.
(c) Nuclear insurance premiums—Represents the maximum amount that Generation would be required to pay for retrospective premiums in the event of nuclear disaster at any domestic site, including CENG sites, under the Secondary Financial Protection pool as required under the Price-Anderson Act as well as the current aggregate annual retrospective premium obligation that could be imposed by NEIL. See the Nuclear Insurance section within this note for additional details on Generation’s nuclear insurance premiums.

 

ComEd’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

            Expiration within  
     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021
and beyond
 

Letters of credit (non-debt) (a)

   $ 16       $ 16       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Surety bonds (b)

     8         6         —           2         —           —           —     

Financing trust guarantees (c)

     200         —           —           —           —           —           200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 224       $ 22       $ —         $ 2       $ —         $ —         $ 200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Letters of credit (non-debt)—ComEd maintains non-debt letters of credit to provide credit support for certain transactions as requested by third parties.
(b) Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.
(c) Performance guarantees—Reflects full and unconditional guarantee of Trust Preferred Securities of ComEd Financing III which is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of ComEd.

 

396


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

PECO’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

            Expiration within  
     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021
and beyond
 

Letters of credit (non-debt) (a)

   $ 22       $ 22       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Surety bonds (b)

     9         9         —           —           —           —           —     

Financing trust guarantees (c)

     178         —           —           —           —           —           178   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 209       $ 31       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 178   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Letters of credit (non-debt)—PECO maintains non-debt letters of credit to provide credit support for certain transactions as requested by third parties.
(b) Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.
(c) Performance guarantees—Reflects full and unconditional guarantee of Trust Preferred Securities of PECO Trust III and IV, which are 100% owned finance subsidiaries of PECO.

 

BGE’s commercial commitments as of December 31, 2015, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

            Expiration within  
     Total      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021
and beyond
 

Letters of credit (non-debt) (a)

   $ 2       $ 2       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Surety bonds (b)

     10         10         —           —           —           —           —     

Financing trust guarantees (c)

     250         —           —           —           —           —           250   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 262       $ 12       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 250   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Letters of credit (non-debt)—BGE maintains non-debt letters of credit to provide credit support for certain transactions as requested by third parties.
(b) Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.
(c) Performance guarantee—Reflects full and unconditional guarantee of Trust Preferred Securities of BGE Capital Trust which is an unconsolidated VIE of BGE.

 

Leases

 

Minimum future operating lease payments, including lease payments for contracted generation, vehicles, real estate, computers, rail cars, operating equipment and office equipment, as of December 31, 2015 were:

 

     Exelon (a)      Generation  (a)(b)      ComEd (c)      PECO (c)      BGE (c)(d)  

2016

   $ 133       $ 86       $ 14       $ 3       $ 12   

2017

     109         69         9         3         10   

2018

     86         57         5         2         9   

2019

     74         45         5         2         8   

2020

     70         44         3         2         7   

Remaining years

     702         655         1         —           19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total minimum future lease payments

   $ 1,174       $ 956       $ 37       $ 12       $ 65   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Excludes Generation’s contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements.
(b)

The Generation column above includes minimum future lease payments associated with a 20-year lease agreement for the Baltimore headquarters that became effective during the second quarter of 2015. Generation’s total commitments under the

 

397


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

lease agreement are $4 million, $10 million, $11 million, $13 million, $14 million, and $271 million related to years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and thereafter, respectively.

(c) Amounts related to certain real estate leases and railroad licenses effectively have indefinite payment periods. As a result, ComEd, PECO and BGE have excluded these payments from the remaining years, as such amounts would not be meaningful. ComEd’s, PECO’s, and BGE’s annual obligation for these arrangements, included in each of the years 2016—2020, was $2 million, $3 million, and $1 million respectively.
(d) Includes all future lease payments on a 99 year real estate lease that expires in 2106.

 

The following table presents the Registrants’ rental expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

   Exelon      Generation (a)      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

2015

   $ 922       $ 851       $ 12       $ 9       $ 32   

2014

     865         806         15         14         12   

2013

     806         744         15         21         11   

 

(a) Includes contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements that are not included in the minimum future operating lease payments table above. Payments made under Generation’s contracted generation lease agreements totaled $798 million, $755 million and $694 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Excludes contract amortization associated with purchase accounting and contract acquisitions.

 

For information regarding capital lease obligations, see Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements.

 

Nuclear Insurance

 

Generation is subject to liability, property damage and other risks associated with major incidents at any of its nuclear stations, including the CENG nuclear stations. Generation has mitigated its financial exposure to these risks through insurance and other industry risk-sharing provisions.

 

The Price-Anderson Act was enacted to ensure the availability of funds for public liability claims arising from an incident at any of the U.S. licensed nuclear facilities and also to limit the liability of nuclear reactor owners for such claims from any single incident. As of December 31, 2015, the current liability limit per incident is $13.5 billion and is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation and changes in the number of licensed reactors. An inflation adjustment must be made at least once every 5 years and the last inflation adjustment was made effective September 10, 2013. In accordance with the Price-Anderson Act, Generation maintains financial protection at levels equal to the amount of liability insurance available from private sources through the purchase of private nuclear energy liability insurance for public liability claims that could arise in the event of an incident. As of December 31, 2015, the amount of nuclear energy liability insurance purchased is $375 million for each operating site. Additionally, the Price-Anderson Act requires a second layer of protection through the mandatory participation in a retrospective rating plan for power reactors (currently 103 reactors) resulting in an additional $13.1 billion in funds available for public liability claims. Participation in this secondary financial protection pool requires the operator of each reactor to fund its proportionate share of costs for any single incident that exceeds the primary layer of financial protection. Under the Price-Anderson Act, the maximum assessment in the event of an incident for each nuclear operator, per reactor, per incident (including a 5% surcharge), is $127.3 million, payable at no more than $19 million per reactor per incident per year. Exelon’s maximum liability per incident is approximately $2.7 billion, including CENG’s related liability.

 

In addition, the U.S. Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay public liability claims exceeding the $13.5 billion limit for a single incident.

 

398


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

As part of the execution of the NOSA on April 1, 2014, Generation executed an Indemnity Agreement pursuant to which Generation agreed to indemnify EDF and its affiliates against third-party claims that may arise from any future nuclear incident (as defined in the Price-Anderson Act) in connection with the CENG nuclear plants or their operations. Exelon guarantees Generation’s obligations under this indemnity. See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for additional information on Generation’s operations relating to CENG.

 

Generation is required each year to report to the NRC the current levels and sources of property insurance that demonstrates Generation possesses sufficient financial resources to stabilize and decontaminate a reactor and reactor station site in the event of an accident. The property insurance maintained for each facility is currently provided through insurance policies purchased from NEIL, an industry mutual insurance company of which Generation is a member.

 

NEIL may declare distributions to its members as a result of favorable operating experience. In recent years NEIL has made distributions to its members, but Generation cannot predict the level of future distributions or if they will continue at all. Generation’s portion of the distribution declared by NEIL is estimated to be $20.7 million for 2015, and was $18.3 million for 2014 and $18.5 million for 2013. The distributions were recorded as a reduction to Operating and maintenance expense within Exelon and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Premiums paid to NEIL by its members are subject to assessment for adverse loss experience (the retrospective premium obligation). NEIL has never exercised this assessment since its formation in 1973, and while Generation cannot predict the level of future assessments, or if they will be imposed at all, as of December 31, 2015, the current maximum aggregate annual retrospective premium obligation for Generation is approximately $365 million. NEIL requires its members to maintain an investment grade credit rating or to ensure collectability of their annual retrospective premium obligation by providing a financial guarantee, letter of credit, deposit premium, or some other means of assurance.

 

NEIL provides “all risk” property damage, decontamination and premature decommissioning insurance for each station for losses resulting from damage to its nuclear plants, either due to accidents or acts of terrorism. If the decision is made to decommission the facility, a portion of the insurance proceeds will be allocated to a fund, which Generation is required by the NRC to maintain, to provide for decommissioning the facility. In the event of an insured loss, Generation is unable to predict the timing of the availability of insurance proceeds to Generation and the amount of such proceeds that would be available. In the event that one or more acts of terrorism cause accidental property damage within a twelve-month period from the first accidental property damage under one or more policies for all insured plants, the maximum recovery for all losses by all insureds will be an aggregate of $3.2 billion plus such additional amounts as the insurer may recover for all such losses from reinsurance, indemnity and any other source, applicable to such losses.

 

For its insured losses, Generation is self-insured to the extent that losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Uninsured losses and other expenses, to the extent not recoverable from insurers or the nuclear industry, could also be borne by Generation. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

 

Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation

 

Under the NWPA, the DOE is responsible for the development of a geologic repository for and the disposal of SNF and high-level radioactive waste. As required by the NWPA, Generation is a party to

 

399


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

contracts with the DOE (Standard Contracts) to provide for disposal of SNF from Generation’s nuclear generating stations. In accordance with the NWPA and the Standard Contracts, Generation historically had paid the DOE one mill ($0.001) per kWh of net nuclear generation for the cost of SNF disposal. On November 19, 2013, the D.C. Circuit Court ordered the DOE to submit to Congress a proposal to reduce the current SNF disposal fee to zero, unless and until there is a viable disposal program. On May 9, 2014, the DOE notified Generation that the SNF disposal fee remained in effect through May 15, 2014, after which time the fee was set to zero. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2015, Generation did not incur any expense in SNF disposal fees. For the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, Generation incurred expense of $49 million and $136 million, respectively, in SNF disposal fees recorded in Purchased power and fuel expense within Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, including Exelon’s share of Salem and net of co-owner reimbursements (not including such fees incurred by CENG). Until such time as a new fee structure is in effect, Exelon and Generation will not accrue any further costs related to SNF disposal fees. This fee may be adjusted prospectively in order to ensure full cost recovery. The NWPA and the Standard Contracts required the DOE to begin taking possession of SNF generated by nuclear generating units by no later than January 31, 1998. The DOE, however, failed to meet that deadline and its performance has been, and is expected to be, delayed significantly.

 

The 2010 Federal budget (which became effective October 1, 2009) eliminated almost all funding for the creation of the Yucca Mountain repository while the Obama administration devised a new strategy for long-term SNF management. A Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on America’s Nuclear Future, appointed by the U.S. Energy Secretary, released a report on January 26, 2012, detailing comprehensive recommendations for creating a safe, long-term solution for managing and disposing of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.

 

In early 2013, the DOE issued an updated “Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste” in response to the BRC recommendations. This strategy included a consolidated interim storage facility that is planned to be operational in 2025.

 

Generation uses the 2025 date as the assumed date for when the DOE will begin accepting SNF for purposes of determining nuclear decommissioning asset retirement obligations.

 

In August 2004, Generation and the DOJ, in close consultation with the DOE, reached a settlement under which the government agreed to reimburse Generation, subject to certain damage limitations based on the extent of the government’s breach, for costs associated with storage of SNF at Generation’s nuclear stations pending the DOE’s fulfillment of its obligations. Settlement agreements pertaining to Calvert Cliffs and Ginna were executed during 2011, and Nine Mile Point during 2012, (the “DOE Settlement Agreements”), as amended in 2014 for Calvert Cliffs and Nine Mile Point, under which the government has agreed to reimburse the costs associated with SNF storage expended or to be expended through 2016 as a result of the DOE delays. The DOE Settlement Agreement is expected to be amended for Ginna in a similar manner as needed. Generation, including CENG, submits annual reimbursement requests to the DOE for costs associated with the storage of SNF. In all cases, reimbursement requests are made only after costs are incurred and only for costs resulting from DOE delays in accepting the SNF.

 

400


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Under the settlement agreement, Generation has received cumulative cash reimbursements for costs incurred as follows:

 

     Total      Net (a)  

Cumulative cash reimbursements (b)

   $ 945       $ 804   

 

(a) Total after considering amounts due to co-owners of certain nuclear stations and to the former owner of Oyster Creek.
(b) Includes $53 million and $49 million, respectively, for amounts received since April 1, 2014, for costs incurred under the CENG DOE Settlement Agreements prior to the consolidation of CENG.

 

As of December 31, 2015, and 2014, the amount of SNF storage costs for which reimbursement has been or will be requested from the DOE under the DOE settlement agreements is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014  

DOE receivable—current (a)

   $ 76      $ 82   

DOE receivable—noncurrent (b)

     14        7   

Amounts owed to co-owners (a)(c)

     (5     (5

 

(a) Recorded in Accounts receivable, other.
(b) Recorded in Deferred debits and other assets, other
(c) Non-CENG amounts owed to co-owners are recorded in Accounts receivable, other. CENG amounts owed to co-owners are recorded in Accounts payable. Represents amounts owed to the co-owners of Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, and Nine Mile Point Unit 2 generating facilities.

 

The Standard Contracts with the DOE also required the payment to the DOE of a one-time fee applicable to nuclear generation through April 6, 1983. The fee related to the former PECO units has been paid. Pursuant to the Standard Contracts, ComEd previously elected to defer payment of the one-time fee of $277 million for its units (which are now part of Generation), with interest to the date of payment, until just prior to the first delivery of SNF to the DOE. As of December 31, 2015, the unfunded SNF liability for the one-time fee with interest was $1,021 million. Interest accrues at the 13-week Treasury Rate. The 13-week Treasury Rate in effect, for calculation of the interest accrual at December 31, 2015, was 0.112%. The liabilities for SNF disposal costs, including the one-time fee, were transferred to Generation as part of Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring. The outstanding one-time fee obligations for the Nine Mile Point, Ginna, Oyster Creek and TMI units remain with the former owners. The Clinton and Calvert Cliffs units have no outstanding obligation. See Note 12—Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities for additional information.

 

Environmental Matters

 

General. The Registrants’ operations have in the past, and may in the future, require substantial expenditures in order to comply with environmental laws. Additionally, under Federal and state environmental laws, the Registrants are generally liable for the costs of remediating environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by them and of property contaminated by hazardous substances generated by them. The Registrants own or lease a number of real estate parcels, including parcels on which their operations or the operations of others may have resulted in contamination by substances that are considered hazardous under environmental laws. In addition, the Registrants are currently involved in a number of proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been deposited and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future.

 

401


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE have identified sites where former MGP activities have or may have resulted in actual site contamination. For almost all of these sites, there are additional PRPs that may share responsibility for the ultimate remediation of each location.

 

   

ComEd has identified 42 sites, 17 of which have been remediated and approved by the Illinois EPA or the U.S. EPA and 25 that are currently under some degree of active study and/or remediation. ComEd expects the majority of the remediation at these sites to continue through at least 2020.

 

   

PECO has identified 26 sites, 16 of which have been remediated in accordance with applicable PA DEP regulatory requirements. The remaining 10 sites are currently under some degree of active study and/or remediation. PECO expects the majority of the remediation at these sites to continue through at least 2021.

 

   

BGE has identified 13 former gas manufacturing or purification sites that it currently owns or owned at one time through a predecessor’s acquisition. Two gas manufacturing sites require some level of remediation and ongoing monitoring under the direction of the MDE. The required costs at these two sites are not considered material. An investigation of an additional gas purification site was completed during the first quarter of 2015 at the direction of the MDE. For more information, see the discussion of the Riverside site below.

 

ComEd, pursuant to an ICC order, and PECO, pursuant to settlements of natural gas distribution rate cases with the PAPUC, are currently recovering environmental remediation costs of former MGP facility sites through customer rates. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the associated regulatory assets. BGE is authorized to recover, and is currently recovering, environmental costs for the remediation of the former MGP facility sites from customers; however, while BGE does not have a rider for MGP clean-up costs, BGE has historically received recovery of actual clean-up costs in distribution rates. ComEd, PECO and BGE have recorded regulatory assets for the recovery of these costs.

 

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Registrants had accrued the following undiscounted amounts for environmental liabilities in Other current liabilities and Other deferred credits and other liabilities within their respective Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

December 31, 2015

   Total environmental
investigation
and  remediation reserve
     Portion of total related to  MGP
investigation and remediation (a)
 

Exelon

   $ 369       $ 301   

Generation

     63         —     

ComEd

     266         264   

PECO

     37         35   

BGE (a)

     3         2   

 

December 31, 2014

   Total environmental
investigation
and remediation reserve
     Portion of total related to  MGP
investigation and remediation
 

Exelon

   $ 347       $ 277   

Generation

     63         —     

ComEd

     238         235   

PECO

     45         42   

BGE

     1         —     

 

(a) For BGE, includes reserve for Riverside, a gas purification site. See discussion below for additional information.

 

402


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The historical nature of the MGP sites and the fact that many of the sites have been buried and built over, impacts the ability to determine a precise estimate of the ultimate costs prior to initial sampling and determination of the exact scope and method of remedial activity. Management determines its best estimate of remediation costs using all available information at the time of each study, including probabilistic and deterministic modeling for ComEd and PECO, and the remediation standards currently required by the applicable state environmental agency. Prior to completion of any significant clean up, each site remediation plan is approved by the appropriate state environmental agency.

 

During the third quarter of 2015, ComEd and PECO completed an annual study of their future estimated MGP remediation requirements. For ComEd, the results of the study resulted in a $50 million increase to ComEd’s environmental liabilities and related regulatory assets. The increase at ComEd was primarily driven by refined assumptions and scopes based on further experience and analysis, including one site where a new option is being considered for a facility under which contamination exists and certain sites where another PRP leads the remediation efforts and ComEd shares responsibility. For PECO, the results of the study resulted in a $1 million decrease to PECO’s environmental liabilities and related regulatory assets.

 

The Registrants cannot reasonably estimate whether they will incur other significant liabilities for additional investigation and remediation costs at these or additional sites identified by the Registrants, environmental agencies or others, or whether such costs will be recoverable from third parties, including customers.

 

Water Quality

 

Groundwater Contamination. In October 2007, a subsidiary of Constellation entered into a consent decree with the MDE relating to groundwater contamination at a third-party facility that was licensed to accept fly ash, a byproduct generated by coal-fired plants. The consent decree required the payment of a $1 million penalty, remediation of groundwater contamination resulting from the ash placement operations at the site, replacement of drinking water supplies in the vicinity of the site, and monitoring of groundwater conditions. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, Generation’s remaining groundwater contamination reserve was $12 million and $13 million respectively.

 

Air Quality

 

Notices and Finding of Violations and Midwest Generation Bankruptcy. In December 1999, ComEd sold several generating stations to Midwest Generation, LLC (Midwest Generation), a subsidiary of Edison Mission Energy (EME). Under the terms of the sale agreement, Midwest Generation and EME assumed responsibility for environmental liabilities associated with the ownership, occupancy, use and operation of the stations, including responsibility for compliance by the stations with environmental laws before their purchase by Midwest Generation. Midwest Generation and EME additionally agreed to indemnify and hold ComEd and its affiliates harmless from claims, fines, penalties, liabilities and expenses arising from third party claims against ComEd resulting from or arising out of the environmental liabilities assumed by Midwest Generation and EME under the terms of the agreement governing the sale. In connection with Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring, Generation assumed ComEd’s rights and obligations with respect to its former generation business, including its rights and obligations under the sale agreement with Midwest Generation and EME.

 

403


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Under a supplemental agreement reached in 2003, Midwest Generation agreed to reimburse ComEd and Generation for 50% of the specific asbestos claims pending as of February 2003 and related expenses less recovery of insurance costs and agreed to a sharing arrangement for liabilities and expenses associated with future asbestos-related claims as specified in the agreement.

 

On December 17, 2012 (Petition Date), EME and certain of its subsidiaries, including Midwest Generation, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

 

In 2012, the Bankruptcy Court approved the rejection of an agency agreement related to a coal rail car lease under which Midwest Generation had agreed to reimburse ComEd for all obligations incurred under the coal rail car lease. The rejection left Generation as the party responsible for making all remaining payments under the lease and performing all other obligations thereunder. A settlement was reached in January 2015, to resolve the claims related to the coal rail car lease for approximately $14 million and Exelon recorded a gain upon receipt of the funds, within Operating and maintenance expense in Exelon’s and Generation’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. No further action is expected related to the rail car lease.

 

On March 11, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered its Order Confirming Debtors’ Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. On April 1, 2014 (Effective Date), NRG Energy purchased EME’s portfolio of generation, including Midwest Generation and the Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (Plan) became effective. As part of the Plan, the sale agreement, including the environmental indemnity, and the asbestos cost-sharing agreement were rejected.

 

Generation increased its reserve for asbestos-related bodily injury claims pertaining to Midwest Generations’ share of liability as a result of the rejection of the asbestos cost sharing agreement in the bankruptcy proceedings. Exelon and Generation may be entitled to damages associated with the rejection of the agreement and a claim has been filed by Exelon for such damages. These amounts are considered to be contingent gains and would not be recognized until realized.

 

As a prior owner of the generating stations, ComEd (and Generation, through its agreement in Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring to assume ComEd’s rights and obligations associated with its former generation business) could face liability (along with any other potentially responsible parties) for environmental conditions at the stations requiring remediation, with the determination of the allocation among the parties subject to many uncertain factors. ComEd and Generation are unable to predict whether and to what extent they may ultimately be held responsible for remediation and other costs relating to the generating stations and as a result no liability has been recorded as of December 31, 2015. Any liability imposed on ComEd or Generation for environmental matters relating to the generating stations could have a material adverse impact on their future results of operations and cash flows.

 

Solid and Hazardous Waste

 

Cotter Corporation. The U.S. EPA has advised Cotter Corporation (Cotter), a former ComEd subsidiary, that it is potentially liable in connection with radiological contamination at a site known as the West Lake Landfill in Missouri. On February 18, 2000, ComEd sold Cotter to an unaffiliated third-party. As part of the sale, ComEd agreed to indemnify Cotter for any liability arising in connection with the West Lake Landfill. In connection with Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring, this responsibility to indemnify Cotter was transferred to Generation. On May 29, 2008, the U.S. EPA issued a Record of Decision approving the remediation option submitted by Cotter and the two other PRPs that required

 

404


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

additional landfill cover. By letter dated January 11, 2010, the U.S. EPA requested that the PRPs perform a supplemental feasibility study for a remediation alternative that would involve complete excavation of the radiological contamination. On September 30, 2011, the PRPs submitted the final supplemental feasibility study to the U.S. EPA for review. Since, June 2012, the U.S. EPA has requested that the PRPs perform a series of additional analyses and groundwater and soil sampling as part of the supplemental feasibility study, that are now scheduled to be completed in mid-2016 to enable the EPA to propose a remedy for public comment by the end of 2016. Thereafter the U.S. EPA will select a final remedy and enter into a Consent Decree with the PRPs to effectuate the remedy. A complete excavation remedy would be significantly more expensive than the previously selected additional cover remedy; however, Generation believes the likelihood that the U.S. EPA would require a complete excavation remedy is remote. The U.S. EPA is also reviewing a partial excavation remedy; however, until the current sampling is concluded there is no basis to determine the likelihood and estimate of a partial excavation remedy. The current estimated cost of the landfill cover remediation for the site is approximately $60 million, which will be allocated among all PRPs. Recent investigation has identified a number of other parties who may be PRPs and could be liable to contribute to the final remedy. Further investigation is underway. Generation has accrued what it believes to be an adequate amount to cover its anticipated share of such liability.

 

During December 2015, the U.S. EPA took two actions related to the West Lake Landfill designed to abate what it termed as imminent and dangerous conditions at the landfill. The first involved installation of a non-combustible interim surface cover to protect against surface fires in areas where radiological materials are believed to have been disposed. Generation has accrued what it believes to be an adequate amount to cover its anticipated liability for this interim action. The second action involved EPA’s public statement that it will require the PRPs to construct a barrier wall in an adjacent landfill to prevent a subsurface fire from spreading to those areas of the West Lake Landfill where radiological materials are believed to have been disposed. At this time, EPA has not provided sufficient details related to the basis for and the requirements and design of a barrier wall to enable Generation to determine the likelihood such a remedy will ultimately be implemented, assess the degree to which Generation may have liability as a potentially responsible party, or develop a reasonable estimate of the potential incremental costs. It is reasonably possible, however, that resolution of this matter could have a material, unfavorable impact on Generation’s and Exelon’s future results of operations and cash flows. Finally, one of the other PRPs, the landfill owner and operator of the adjacent landfill, has indicated that it will be making a contribution claim against Cotter for costs that it has incurred to prevent the subsurface fire from spreading to those areas of the West Lake Landfill where radiological materials are believed to have been disposed. At this time, Generation and Exelon do not possess sufficient information to assess this claim and are therefore unable to determine the impact on their future results of operations and cash flows.

 

On February 2, 2015, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to transfer remediation authority over the West Lake landfill from the U.S. EPA to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Such legislation would become final upon passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and the signature of the President, and be subject to annual funding appropriations in the U.S. Budget. Remediation under FUSRAP would not alter the liability of the PRPs, but could delay the determination of a final remedy and its implementation.

 

On August 8, 2011, Cotter was notified by the DOJ that Cotter is considered a PRP with respect to the government’s clean-up costs for contamination attributable to low level radioactive residues at a former storage and reprocessing facility named Latty Avenue near St. Louis, Missouri. The Latty Avenue site is included in ComEd’s indemnification responsibilities discussed above as part of the sale

 

405


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

of Cotter. The radioactive residues had been generated initially in connection with the processing of uranium ores as part of the U.S. government’s Manhattan Project. Cotter purchased the residues in 1969 for initial processing at the Latty Avenue facility for the subsequent extraction of uranium and metals. In 1976, the NRC found that the Latty Avenue site had radiation levels exceeding NRC criteria for decontamination of land areas. Latty Avenue was investigated and remediated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to funding under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. The DOJ has not yet formally advised the PRPs of the amount that it is seeking, but it is believed to be approximately $90 million. The DOJ and the PRPs agreed to toll the statute of limitations until August 2016 so that settlement discussions could proceed. Based on Generation’s preliminary review, it appears probable that Generation has liability to Cotter under the indemnification agreement and has established an appropriate accrual for this liability.

 

Commencing in February 2012, 37 lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Among the defendants were Exelon, Generation and ComEd, all of which were subsequently dismissed from the case, and Cotter, which remains a defendant. The suits allege that individuals living in the North St. Louis area developed some form of cancer due to Cotter’s negligent or reckless conduct in processing, transporting, storing, handling and/or disposing of radioactive materials. Plaintiffs have asserted claims for negligence, strict liability, emotional distress, medical monitoring, and violations of the Price-Anderson Act. The complaints do not contain specific damage claims. In the event of a finding of liability, it is reasonably possible that Exelon would be considered liable due to its indemnification responsibilities of Cotter described above. The court has dismissed the lawsuits filed by 30 of the plaintiffs. Pre-trial motions and discovery are proceeding in the remaining cases and a proposed pre-trial scheduling order has been filed with the court. At this stage of the litigation, Generation and ComEd cannot estimate a range of loss, if any.

 

68th Street Dump. In 1999, the U.S. EPA proposed to add the 68th Street Dump in Baltimore, Maryland to the Superfund National Priorities List, and notified BGE and 19 others that they are PRPs at the site. In March 2004, BGE and other PRPs formed the 68th Street Coalition and entered into consent order negotiations with the U.S. EPA to investigate clean-up options for the site under the Superfund Alternative Sites Program. In May 2006, a settlement among the U.S. EPA and 19 of the PRPs, including BGE, with respect to investigation of the site became effective. The settlement requires the PRPs, over the course of several years, to identify contamination at the site and recommend clean-up options. The PRPs submitted their investigation of the range of clean-up options in the first quarter of 2011. Although the investigation and options provided to the U.S. EPA are still subject to U.S. EPA review and selection of a remedy, the range of estimated clean-up costs to be allocated among all of the PRPs is in the range of $50 million to $64 million. On September 30, 2013, U.S. EPA issued the Record of Decision identifying its preferred remedial alternative for the site. The estimated cost for the alternative chosen by U.S. EPA is consistent with the PRPs’ estimated range of costs noted above. Based on Generation’s preliminary review, it appears probable that Generation has liability and has established an appropriate accrual for its share of the estimated clean-up costs. A wholly owned subsidiary of Generation has agreed to indemnify BGE for most of the costs related to this settlement and clean-up of the site.

 

Rossville Ash Site. The Rossville Ash Site is a 32-acre property located in Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland, which was used for the placement of fly ash from 1983-2007. The property is owned by Constellation Power Source Generation, LLC (CPSG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Generation. In 2008, CPSG investigated and remediated the property by entering it into the Maryland Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) to address any historic environmental concerns and ready the site for appropriate future redevelopment. The site was accepted into the program in 2010 and is currently

 

406


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

going through the process to remediate the site and receive closure from MDE. Exelon currently estimates the cost to close the site to be approximately $9 million, which has been fully reserved as of December 31, 2015.

 

Sauer Dump. On May 30, 2012, BGE was notified by the U.S. EPA that it is considered a PRP at the Sauer Dump Superfund site in Dundalk, Maryland. The U.S. EPA offered BGE and three other PRPs the opportunity to conduct an environmental investigation and present cleanup recommendations at the site. In addition, the U.S. EPA is seeking recovery from the PRPs of $1.7 million for past cleanup and investigation costs at the site. On March 11, 2013, BGE and three other PRPs signed an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with the U.S. EPA which requires the PRPs to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the site to determine what, if any, are the appropriate and recommended cleanup activities for the site. The ultimate outcome of this proceeding is uncertain. Since the U.S. EPA has not selected a cleanup remedy and the allocation of the cleanup costs among the PRPs has not been determined, an estimate of the range of BGE’s reasonably possible loss, if any, cannot be determined.

 

Riverside. In 2013, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), at the request of U.S. EPA, conducted a site inspection and limited environmental sampling of certain portions of the 170 acre Riverside property owned by BGE. The site consists of several different parcels with different current and historical uses. The sampling included soil and groundwater samples for a number of potential environmental contaminants. The sampling confirmed the existence of contaminants consistent with the known historical uses of the various portions of the site. In March 2014, the MDE requested that BGE conduct an investigation of three specific areas of the site, and a site-wide investigation of soils, sediment, groundwater, and surface water to complement the MDE sampling. The field investigation was completed in January 2015, and a final report was provided to MDE on June 2, 2015. On November 3, 2015, MDE provided BGE with its comments and recommendations on the report which require BGE to conduct further investigation and sampling at the site to better delineate the nature and extent of historic contamination, including off-site sediment and soil sampling. MDE did not request any interim remediation at this time. Upon completion of the investigation the MDE will determine if the site requires further action and/or remediation. Based upon the investigation to date, BGE has established what it believes is an appropriate reserve. As the investigation and potential remediation proceed, it is possible that additional reserves could be established, in amounts that could be material to BGE.

 

Litigation and Regulatory Matters

 

Asbestos Personal Injury Claims (Exelon, Generation, PECO and BGE).

 

Exelon and Generation. Generation maintains a reserve for claims associated with asbestos-related personal injury actions in certain facilities that are currently owned by Generation or were previously owned by ComEd and PECO. The reserve is recorded on an undiscounted basis and excludes the estimated legal costs associated with handling these matters, which could be material.

 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Generation had reserved approximately $95 million and $100 million, respectively, in total for asbestos-related bodily injury claims. As of December 31, 2015, approximately $21 million of this amount related to 228 open claims presented to Generation, while the remaining $74 million of the reserve is for estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims anticipated to arise through 2050, based on actuarial assumptions and analyses, which are updated on an annual basis. On a quarterly basis, Generation monitors actual experience against the number of forecasted claims to be received and expected claim payments and evaluates whether an adjustment to the reserve is necessary.

 

407


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

On November 22, 2013, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act does not apply to an employee’s disability or death resulting from occupational disease, such as diseases related to asbestos exposure, which manifests more than 300 weeks after the employee’s last employment-based exposure, and that therefore the exclusivity provision of the Act does not preclude such employee from suing his or her employer in court. The Supreme Court’s ruling reverses previous rulings by the Pennsylvania Superior Court precluding current and former employees from suing their employers in court, despite the fact that the same employee was not eligible for workers compensation benefits for diseases that manifest more than 300 weeks after the employee’s last employment-based exposure to asbestos. Since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling in November 2013, Exelon, Generation, and PECO have experienced an increase in asbestos-related personal injury claims brought by former PECO employees, all of which have been reserved against on a claim by claim basis. Those additional claims are taken into account in projecting estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims.

 

On November 4, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court found that the provisions of the Illinois’ Workers’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act barred an employee from bringing a direct civil action against an employer for latent diseases, including asbestos-related diseases that fall outside the 25-year limit of the statute of repose. The Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling reversed previous rulings by the Illinois Court of Appeals, which initially ruled that the Illinois Worker’s Compensation law should not apply in cases where the diagnosis of an asbestos related disease occurred after the 25-year maximum time period for filing a Worker’s Compensation claim. As a result of this ruling, Exelon, Generation, and ComEd have not recorded an increase to the asbestos-related bodily injury liability as of December 31, 2015.

 

There is a reasonable possibility that Exelon may have additional exposure to estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims in excess of the amount accrued and the increases could have a material adverse effect on Exelon’s, Generation’s and PECO’s future results of operations and cash flows.

 

BGE. Since 1993, BGE and certain Constellation (now Generation) subsidiaries have been involved in several actions concerning asbestos. The actions are based upon the theory of “premises liability,” alleging that BGE and Generation knew of and exposed individuals to an asbestos hazard. In addition to BGE and Generation, numerous other parties are defendants in these cases.

 

Approximately 454 individuals who were never employees of BGE or certain Constellation subsidiaries have pending claims each seeking several million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages. Cross-claims and third-party claims brought by other defendants may also be filed against BGE and certain Constellation subsidiaries in these actions. To date, most asbestos claims which have been resolved have been dismissed or resolved without any payment by BGE or certain Constellation subsidiaries and a small minority of these cases has been resolved for amounts that were not material to BGE or Generation’s financial results.

 

Discovery begins in these cases after they are placed on the trial docket. At present, only two of the pending cases are set for trial. Given the limited discovery in these cases, BGE and Generation do not know the specific facts that are necessary to provide an estimate of the reasonably possible loss relating to these claims; as such, no accrual has been made and a range of loss is not estimable. The specific facts not known include:

 

   

the identity of the facilities at which the plaintiffs allegedly worked as contractors;

 

   

the names of the plaintiffs’ employers;

 

408


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

   

the dates on which and the places where the exposure allegedly occurred; and

 

   

the facts and circumstances relating to the alleged exposure.

 

Insurance and hold harmless agreements from contractors who employed the plaintiffs may cover a portion of any awards in the actions.

 

Continuous Power Interruption (ComEd)

 

Section 16-125 of the Illinois Public Utilities Act provides that in the event an electric utility, such as ComEd, experiences a continuous power interruption of four hours or more that affects (in ComEd’s case) more than 30,000 customers, the utility may be liable for actual damages suffered by customers as a result of the interruption and may be responsible for reimbursement of local governmental emergency and contingency expenses incurred in connection with the interruption. Recovery of consequential damages is barred. The affected utility may seek from the ICC a waiver of these liabilities when the utility can show that the cause of the interruption was unpreventable damage due to weather events or conditions, customer tampering, or certain other causes enumerated in the law. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, ComEd did not have any material liabilities recorded for these storm events.

 

Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawsuit (ComEd)

 

On November 19, 2013, a class action complaint was filed in the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of a single individual and a presumptive class that would include all customers that ComEd enrolled in its Outage Alert text message program. The complaint alleged that ComEd violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending text messages to customers without first obtaining their consent to receive such messages. The complaint sought certification of a class along with statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and an order prohibiting ComEd from sending additional text messages. ComEd and the plaintiff agreed in principle to settle the suit for $5 million, with payments to the class commencing in the fourth quarter 2015.

 

Fund Transfer Restrictions (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Under applicable law, Exelon may borrow or receive an extension of credit from its subsidiaries. Under the terms of Exelon’s intercompany money pool agreement, Exelon can lend to, but not borrow from the money pool.

 

The Federal Power Act declares it to be unlawful for any officer or director of any public utility “to participate in the making or paying of any dividends of such public utility from any funds properly included in capital account.” What constitutes “funds properly included in capital account” is undefined in the Federal Power Act or the related regulations; however, FERC has consistently interpreted the provision to allow dividends to be paid as long as: (1) the source of the dividends is clearly disclosed; (2) the dividend is not excessive; and (3) there is no self-dealing on the part of corporate officials. While these restrictions may limit the absolute amount of dividends that a particular subsidiary may pay, Exelon does not believe these limitations are materially limiting because, under these limitations, the subsidiaries are allowed to pay dividends sufficient to meet Exelon’s actual cash needs.

 

Under Illinois law, ComEd may not pay any dividend on its stock unless, among other things, “[its] earnings and earned surplus are sufficient to declare and pay same after provision is made for

 

409


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

reasonable and proper reserves,” or unless it has specific authorization from the ICC. ComEd has also agreed in connection with financings arranged through ComEd Financing III that it 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.

 

PECO’s Articles of Incorporation prohibit payment of any dividend on, or other distribution to the holders of, common stock if, after giving effect thereto, the capital of PECO represented by its common stock together with its retained earnings is, in the aggregate, less than the involuntary liquidating value of its then outstanding preferred securities. On May 1, 2013, PECO redeemed all outstanding preferred securities. As a result, the above ratio calculation is no longer applicable. Additionally, PECO may 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.

 

BGE is subject to certain dividend restrictions established by the MDPSC. First, BGE was prohibited from paying a dividend on its common shares through the end of 2014. Second, BGE is prohibited 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. Finally, BGE must notify the MDPSC that it intends to declare a dividend on its common shares at least 30 days before such a dividend is paid. There are no other limitations on BGE paying common stock dividends unless: (1) BGE elects to defer interest payments on the 6.20% Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures due 2043, and any deferred interest remains unpaid; or (2) any dividends (and any redemption payments) due on BGE’s preference stock have not been paid.

 

Baltimore City Franchise Taxes (BGE)

 

The City of Baltimore claims that BGE has maintained electric facilities in the City’s public right-of-ways for over one hundred years without the proper franchise rights from the City. BGE has reviewed the City’s claim and believes that it lacks merit. BGE has not recorded an accrual for payment of franchise fees for past periods as a range of loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Franchise fees assessed in future periods may be material to BGE’s results of operations and cash flows.

 

General (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

The Registrants are involved in various other litigation matters that are being defended and handled in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. The Registrants maintain accruals for such losses that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss, particularly where (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or

 

410


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

unsettled legal theories. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.

 

Income Taxes (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

See Note 15—Income Taxes for information regarding the Registrants’ income tax refund claims and certain tax positions, including the 1999 sale of fossil generating assets.

 

24. Supplemental Financial Information (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Supplemental Statement of Operations Information

 

The following tables provide additional information about the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Taxes other than income

              

Utility (a)

   $ 474       $ 105       $ 236       $ 133       $ 85   

Property

     407         250         27         11         119   

Payroll

     201         118         28         14         16   

Other

     118         16         5         2         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxes other than income

   $ 1,200       $ 489         296       $ 160       $ 224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Taxes other than income

              

Utility (a)

   $ 456       $ 89       $ 238       $ 128       $ 86   

Property

     396         240         25         15         114   

Payroll

     200         118         28         14         18   

Other

     102         18         2         2         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxes other than income

   $ 1,154       $ 465       $ 293       $ 159       $ 221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Taxes other than income

              

Utility (a)

   $ 449       $ 79       $ 241       $ 129       $ 82   

Property

     302         205         24         14         112   

Payroll

     159         89         27         13         15   

Other

     185         16         7         2         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total taxes other than income

   $ 1,095       $ 389       $ 299       $ 158       $ 213   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Generation’s utility tax represents gross receipts tax related to its retail operations and ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s utility taxes represent municipal and state utility taxes and gross receipts taxes related to their operating revenues. The offsetting collection of utility taxes from customers is recorded in revenues on the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

411


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

  Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Other, Net

         

Decommissioning-related activities:

         

Net realized income on decommissioning trust funds (a)

         

Regulatory agreement units

  $ 232      $ 232      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    156        156        —          —          —     

Net unrealized losses on decommissioning trust funds—

         

Regulatory agreement units

    (282     (282     —          —          —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    (197     (197     —          —          —     

Net unrealized gains on pledged assets—

         

Zion Station decommissioning

    7        7        —          —          —     

Regulatory offset to decommissioning trust fund-related activities (b)

    21        21        —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decommissioning-related activities

    (63     (63     —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income (loss)

    8        3        —          (2     4 (c) 

Long-term lease income

    15        —          —          —          —     

Interest income related to uncertain income tax positions

    1        1        —          —          —     

AFUDC—Equity

    24        —          5        5        14   

Terminated interest rate swaps (d)

    (26     —          —          —          —     

PHI merger related debt exchange (e)

    (22     —          —          —          —     

Other

    17        (1     16        2        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other, net

  $ (46   $ (60   $ 21      $ 5      $ 18   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

  Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Other, Net

         

Decommissioning-related activities:

         

Net realized income on decommissioning trust funds (a)

         

Regulatory agreement units

  $ 216      $ 216      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    159        159        —          —          —     

Net unrealized gains on decommissioning trust funds—

         

Regulatory agreement units

    180        180        —          —          —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    134        134        —          —          —     

Net unrealized gains on pledged assets—

         

Zion Station decommissioning

    29        29        —          —          —     

Regulatory offset to decommissioning trust fund-related activities (b)

    (358     (358     —         
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decommissioning-related activities

    360        360        —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income

    1        1        —          (1     7 (c) 

Long-term lease income

    24        —          —          —          —     

Interest income related to uncertain income tax positions

    40        54        —          —          —     

AFUDC—Equity

    21        —          3        6        12   

Other

    9        (9     14        2        (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other, net

  $ 455      $ 406      $ 17      $ 7      $ 18   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

412


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

  Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Other, Net

         

Decommissioning-related activities:

         

Net realized income on decommissioning trust funds (a)

         

Regulatory agreement units

  $ 256      $ 256      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    77        77        —          —          —     

Net unrealized gains on decommissioning trust funds—

         

Regulatory agreement units

    406        406        —          —          —     

Non-regulatory agreement units

    146        146        —          —          —     

Net unrealized gains on pledged assets—

         

Zion Station decommissioning

    7        7        —          —          —     

Regulatory offset to decommissioning trust fund-related activities (b)

    (546     (546     —            —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decommissioning-related activities

    346        346        —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income

    8        (1     —          (1     9 (c) 

Long-term lease income

    28        —          —          —          —     

Interest income related to uncertain income tax positions

    24        4        —          —          —     

AFUDC—Equity

    22        —          11        4        7   

Other

    32        6        15        3        1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other, net

  $ 460      $ 355      $ 26      $ 6      $ 17   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes investment income and realized gains and losses on sales of investments within the nuclear decommissioning trust funds.
(b) Includes the elimination of NDT fund activity for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of net income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for those units. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.
(c) Relates to the cash return on BGE’s rate stabilization deferral. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the rate stabilization deferral.
(d) In January 2015, in connection with Generation’s $750 million issuance of five-year Senior Unsecured Notes, Exelon terminated certain floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps. As the original forecasted transactions were a series of future interest payments over a ten year period, a portion of the anticipated interest payments are probable not to occur. As a result, $26 million of anticipated payments were reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Other, net in Exelon’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
(e) See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements and 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information on the PHI merger related debt exchange.

 

413


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following tables provide additional information regarding the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion

              

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 2,227       $ 1,007       $ 635       $ 240       $ 289   

Regulatory assets

     170         —           72         20         77   

Amortization of intangible assets, net

     54         47         —           —           —     

Amortization of energy contract assets and liabilities (a)

     22         22         —           —           —     

Nuclear fuel (b)

     1,116         1,116         —           —           —     

ARO accretion (c)

     398         397         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion

   $ 3,987       $ 2,589       $ 707       $ 260       $ 366   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion

              

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 2,080       $ 922       $ 588       $ 227       $ 288   

Regulatory assets

     191         —           99         9         83   

Amortization of intangible assets, net

     44         44         —           —           —     

Amortization of energy contract assets and liabilities (a)

     135         135         —           —           —     

Nuclear fuel (b)

     1,073         1,073         —           —           —     

ARO accretion (c)

     345         345         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion

   $ 3,868       $ 2,519       $ 687       $ 236       $ 371   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Depreciation, amortization, accretion and depletion

              

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 1,893       $ 813       $ 545       $ 219       $ 264   

Regulatory assets

     212         —           119         9         84   

Amortization of intangible assets, net

     48         43         5         —           —     

Amortization of energy contract assets and liabilities (a)

     430         507         —           —           —     

Nuclear fuel (b)

     921         921         —           —           —     

ARO accretion (c)

     275         275         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total depreciation, amortization and accretion

   $ 3,779       $ 2,559       $ 669       $ 228       $ 348   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Included in Operating revenues or Purchased power and fuel on the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
(b) Included in Purchased power and fuel expense on the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
(c) Included in Operating and maintenance expense on the Registrants’ Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

414


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Cash paid (refunded) during the year:

          

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

   $ 930      $ 348      $ 308      $ 94      $ 120   

Income taxes (net of refunds)

     342        476        (265     64        73   

Other non-cash operating activities:

          

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit costs

   $ 637      $ 269      $ 206      $ 39      $ 65   

Loss from equity method investments

     7        8        —          —          —     

Provision for uncollectible accounts

     120        22        53        30        15   

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

     10        9        1        —          —     

Stock-based compensation costs

     97        —          —          —          —     

Other decommissioning-related activity (a)

     (82     (82     —          —          —     

Energy-related options (b)

     21        21        —          —          —     

Amortization of regulatory asset related to debt costs

     7        —          5        2        —     

Amortization of rate stabilization deferral

     73        —          —          —          73   

Amortization of debt fair value adjustment

     (17     (17     —          —          —     

Amortization of debt costs

     58        15        4        2        2   

Discrete impacts from EIMA (c)

     144        —          144        —          —     

Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment

     23        23        —          —          —     

Other

     11        —          3        (3     (18
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other non-cash operating activities

   $ 1,109      $ 268      $ 416      $ 70      $ 137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

          

Change in PPE related to ARO update

   $ 885      $ 885      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Change in capital expenditures not paid

     96        82        34        (13     (9

Non-cash financing of capital projects

     77        77        —          —          —     

Nuclear fuel procurement (d)

     57        57        —          —          —     

Indemnification of like-kind exchange position (e)

     —          —          7        —          —     

Long-term software licensing agreement (f)

     95        —          —          —          —     

 

(a) Includes the elimination of NDT fund activity for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of operating revenues, ARO accretion, ARC amortization, investment income and income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for these units. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.
(b) Includes option premiums reclassified to realized at the settlement of the underlying contracts and recorded to results of operations.
(c) Reflects the change in distribution rates pursuant to EIMA, which allows for the recovery of costs by a utility through a pre-established performance-based formula rate tariff. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for more information.
(d) Relates to the nuclear fuel procurement contract for the purchase of fixed quantities of converted uranium, which was delivered to Generation in 2015. Generation is required to make payments starting September 28, 2018, with the final payment being due no later than September 30, 2020.
(e) See Note 15—Income Taxes for discussion of the like-kind exchange tax position.
(f) Relates to a long-term software license agreement entered into on May 30, 2015. Exelon is required to make payments starting August of 2015 through May of 2024. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information.

 

415


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Cash paid (refunded) during the year:

          

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

   $ 940      $ 322      $ 292      $ 94      $ 111   

Income taxes (net of refunds)

     314        227        (6     85        (21

Other non-cash operating activities:

          

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit costs

   $ 560      $ 249      $ 162      $ 36      $ 64   

Loss from equity method investments

     22        20        —          —          —     

Provision for uncollectible accounts

     156        14        26        52        64   

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

     5        5        —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation costs

     91        —          —          —          —     

Other decommissioning-related activity (a)

     (132     (132     —          —          —     

Energy-related options (b)

     122        122        —          —          —     

Amortization of regulatory asset related to debt costs

     11        —          8        3        —     

Amortization of rate stabilization deferral

     65        —          —          —          65   

Amortization of debt fair value adjustment

     (23     (23     —          —          —     

Merger-related commitments

     44        44        —          —          —     

Amortization of debt costs

     53        12        4        2        2   

Discrete impacts from EIMA (c)

     53        —          53        —          —     

Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment

     29        29        —          —          —     

Other

     (2     6        2        (1     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other non-cash operating activities

   $ 1,054      $ 346      $ 255      $ 92      $ 180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

          

Change in PPE related to ARO update

   $ 72      $ 72      $ —        $ —        $ —     

Change in capital expenditures not paid

     220        (61 )(d)      78        —          25   

Fair value of net assets recorded upon CENG consolidation (e)

     3,400        3,400        —          —          —     

Issuance of equity units (f)

     131        —          —          —          —     

Nuclear fuel procurement (g)

     70        70        —          —          —     

Indemnification of like-kind exchange position (h)

     —          —          5        —          —     

 

(a) Includes the elimination of NDT fund activity for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of operating revenues, ARO accretion, ARC amortization, investment income and income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for these units. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.
(b) Includes option premiums reclassified to realized at the settlement of the underlying contracts and recorded to results of operations.
(c) Reflects the change in distribution rates pursuant to EIMA, which allows for the recovery of costs by a utility through a pre-established performance-based formula rate tariff. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for more information.
(d) Includes $170 million of changes in capital expenditures not paid between December 31, 2014 and 2013 related to Antelope Valley.
(e) See Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC for additional information.
(f) Relates to the present value of the contract payments for the equity units issued by Exelon. See Note 20—Stock-Based Compensation Plans for additional information.
(g) Relates to the nuclear fuel procurement contracts for the purchase of fixed quantities of uranium, which was delivered to Generation in 2014. Generation is required to make payments starting June 30, 2016, with the final payment being due no later than June 30, 2018.
(h) See Note 15—Income Taxes for discussion of the like-kind exchange tax position.

 

416


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd     PECO     BGE  

Cash paid (refunded) during the year:

          

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

   $ 866      $ 291      $ 283      $ 95      $ 130   

Income taxes (net of refunds)

     112        (18     33        70        42   

Other non-cash operating activities:

          

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit costs

   $ 825      $ 345      $ 308      $ 43      $ 56   

Gain from equity method investments

     (10     (10     —          —          —     

Provision for uncollectible accounts

     101        10        (15     61        44   

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

     9        9        —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation costs

     120        —          —          —          —     

Other decommissioning-related activity (a)

     (169     (169     —          —          —     

Energy-related options (b)

     104        104        —          —          —     

Amortization of regulatory asset related to debt costs

     12        —          9        3        —     

Amortization of rate stabilization deferral

     66        —          —          —          66   

Amortization of debt fair value adjustment

     (34     (34     —          —          —     

Discrete impacts from EIMA (c)

     (271     —          (271     —          —     

Amortization of debt costs

     18        10        1        2        2   

Other

     (53     5        (4     (1     (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other non-cash operating activities

   $ 718      $ 270      $ 28      $ 108      $ 153   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

          

Change in PPE related to ARO update

   $ (128   $ (128   $ —        $ —        $ 4   

Change in capital expenditures not paid

     (38     (107 )(d)      (8     13        (48

Consolidated VIE dividend to noncontrolling interest

     63        63        —          —          —     

Indemnification of like-kind exchange position (e)

     —          —          176        —          —     

 

(a) Includes the elimination of NDT fund activity for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of operating revenues, ARO accretion, ARC amortization, investment income and income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for these units. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.
(b) Includes option premiums reclassified to realized at the settlement of the underlying contracts and recorded to results of operations.
(c) Reflects the change in distribution rates pursuant to EIMA, which allows for the recovery of costs by a utility through pre-established performance-based formula rate tariff. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters.
(d) Includes $55 million of changes in capital expenditures not paid between December 31, 2013 and 2012 related to Antelope Valley.
(e) See Note 15—Income Taxes for discussion of the like-kind exchanged tax position.

 

DOE Smart Grid Investment Grant (Exelon, PECO and BGE). For the year ended December 31, 2014, PECO has included in the capital expenditures line item under investing activities of the cash flow statement capital expenditures of $2 million and reimbursements of $5 million related to PECO’s DOE SGIG programs. For the year ended December 31, 2015, PECO had no capital expenditures or reimbursements, as the DOE SGIG program was completed during 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013, Exelon, PECO and BGE have included in the capital expenditures line item under investing activities of the cash flow statement capital expenditures of $74 million, $27 million and $47 million, and reimbursements of $95 million, $37 million and $58 million, related to PECO’s and BGE’s DOE SGIG programs. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding the DOE SGIG.

 

417


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

 

The following tables provide additional information about assets and liabilities of the Registrants at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

December 31, 2015

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Investments

              

Equity method investments:

              

Financing trusts (a)

   $ 22       $ —         $ 6       $ 8       $ 8   

Bloom

     63         63         —           —           —     

Net Power

     23         23         —           —           —     

Other equity method investments

     4         3         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity method investments

     112         89         6         8         8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other investments:

              

Net investment in leases (b)

     358         6         —           —           —     

Employee benefit trusts and investments (c)

     85         31         —           20         4   

Other cost method investments

     55         55         —           —           —     

Other available for sale investments

     29         29         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 639       $ 210       $ 6       $ 28       $ 12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

   Exelon      Generation      ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Investments

              

Equity method investments:

              

Financing trusts (a)

   $ 22       $ —         $ 6       $ 8       $ 8   

Bloom

     13         13         —           —           —     

Net Power

     9         9         —           —           —     

Sunnyside

     5         5         —           —           —     

Other equity method investments

     1         1         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity method investments

     50         28         6         8         8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other investments:

              

Net investment in leases (b)

     367         7         —           —           —     

Employee benefit trusts and investments (c)

     85         27         —           23         4   

Other cost method investments

     37         37         —           —           —     

Other available for sale investments

     5         5         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 544       $ 104       $ 6       $ 31       $ 12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes investments in affiliated financing trusts, which were not consolidated within the financial statements of Exelon and are shown as investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 1—Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.
(b) Represents direct financing lease investments. See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets for additional information.
(c) The Registrants’ investments in these marketable securities are recorded at fair market value.

 

418


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following tables provide additional information about liabilities of the Registrants at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

December 31, 2015

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Accrued expenses

            

Compensation-related accruals (a)

   $ 1,014      $ 547      $ 183       $ 66       $ 57   

Taxes accrued

     293        186        63         4         23   

Interest accrued

     915        77        443         35         27   

Severance accrued

     21        11        3         —           1   

Other accrued expenses

     133        114        14         4         2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

   $ 2,376      $ 935      $ 706       $ 109       $ 110   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

   Exelon     Generation     ComEd      PECO      BGE  

Accrued expenses

            

Compensation-related accruals (a)

   $ 832      $ 447      $ 153       $ 50       $ 58   

Taxes accrued

     305        248        59         3         42   

Interest accrued

     240        66        102         33         29   

Severance accrued

     49        33        2         1         2   

Other accrued expenses

     113 (b)      92 (b)      15         4         —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

   $ 1,539      $ 886      $ 331       $ 91       $ 131   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Primarily includes accrued payroll, bonuses and other incentives, vacation and benefits.
(b) Includes $19 million for amounts accrued related to Antelope Valley as of December 31, 2014.

 

25. Segment Information (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Operating segments for each of the Registrants are determined based on information used by the chief operating decision maker(s) (CODM) in deciding how to evaluate performance and allocate resources at each of the Registrants.

 

Exelon has nine reportable segments, which include ComEd, PECO, BGE and Generation’s six power marketing reportable segments, consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and all other power regions referred to collectively as “Other Power Regions”, which includes activities in the South, West and Canada. ComEd, PECO and BGE each represent a single reportable segment, and as such, no separate segment information is provided for these Registrants. Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE’s CODMs evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to ComEd, PECO and BGE based on net income and return on equity.

 

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 to these same geographic regions. Descriptions of each of Generation’s six reportable segments are as follows:

 

   

Mid-Atlantic represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

 

419


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

   

Midwest represents operations in the western half of PJM, which includes portions of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, and the United States footprint of MISO, excluding MISO’s Southern Region, which covers all or most of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, the remaining parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not covered by PJM, and parts of Montana, Missouri and Kentucky.

 

   

New England represents the operations within ISO-NE covering the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

 

   

New York represents operations within ISO-NY, which covers the state of New York in its entirety.

 

   

ERCOT represents operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas, covering most of the state of Texas.

 

   

Other Power Regions:

 

   

South represents operations in the FRCC, MISO’s Southern Region, and the remaining portions of the SERC not included within MISO or PJM, which includes all or most of Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Missouri, Kentucky and Texas. Generation’s South region also includes operations in the SPP, covering Kansas, Oklahoma, most of Nebraska and parts of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas.

 

   

West represents operations in the WECC, which includes California ISO, and covers the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and parts of New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota.

 

   

Canada represents operations across the entire country of Canada and includes AESO, OIESO and the Canadian portion of MISO.

 

The CODMs for Exelon and Generation evaluate the performance of Generation’s power marketing activities and allocate resources based on revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense (RNF). Generation believes that RNF is a useful measurement of operational performance. RNF 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. Generation’s operating revenues include all sales to third parties and affiliated sales to ComEd, PECO, and BGE. 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 Generation’s owned generation and fuel costs associated with tolling agreements. The results of Generation’s other business activities are not regularly reviewed by the CODM and are therefore not classified as operating segments or included in the regional reportable segment amounts. These activities include natural gas, as well as other miscellaneous business activities that are not significant to Generation’s overall operating revenues or results of operations. Further, Generation’s unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on economic hedging activities and its amortization of certain intangible assets and liabilities relating to commodity contracts recorded at fair value from mergers and acquisitions are also not included in the regional reportable segment amounts. Exelon and Generation do not use a measure of total assets in making decisions regarding allocating resources to or assessing the performance of these reportable segments.

 

420


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

An analysis and reconciliation of the Registrants’ reportable segment information to the respective information in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 is as follows:

 

    Generation (a)     ComEd     PECO     BGE     Other (b)     Intersegment
Eliminations
    Exelon  

Operating revenues (c):

             

2015

             

Competitive businesses electric revenues

  $ 15,944      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (744   $ 15,200   

Competitive businesses natural gas revenues

    2,433        —          —          —          —          —          2,433   

Competitive businesses other revenues

    758        —          —          —          —          (1     757   

Rate-regulated electric revenues

    —          4,905        2,486        2,490        —          (5     9,876   

Rate-regulated natural gas revenues

    —          —          546        645        —          (15     1,176   

Shared service and other revenues

    —          —          —          —          1,372        (1,367     5   

2014

             

Competitive businesses electric revenues

  $ 14,533      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (760   $ 13,773   

Competitive businesses natural gas revenues

    2,705        —          —          —          —          (1     2,704   

Competitive businesses other revenues

    155        —          —          —          —          (1     154   

Rate-regulated electric revenues

    —          4,564        2,448        2,460        —          (5     9,467   

Rate-regulated natural gas revenues

    —          —          646        705        —          (26     1,325   

Shared service and other revenues

    —          —          —          —          1,285        (1,279     6   

2013

             

Competitive businesses electric revenues

  $ 13,862      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (1,366   $ 12,496   

Competitive businesses natural gas revenues

    1,721        —          —          —          —          —          1,721   

Competitive businesses other revenues

    47        —          —          —          —          (1     46   

Rate-regulated electric revenues

    —          4,464        2,500        2,405        —          (4     9,365   

Rate-regulated natural gas revenues

    —          —          600        660        —          (14     1,246   

Shared service and other revenues

    —          —          —          —          1,241        (1,227     14   

Intersegment revenues (d):

             

2015

  $ 745      $ 4      $ 2      $ 14      $ 1,367      $ (2,127   $ 5   

2014

    762        4        2        25        1,280        (2,067     6   

2013

    1,367        3        1        13        1,237        (2,607     14   

Depreciation and amortization

             

2015

  $ 1,054      $ 707      $ 260      $ 366      $ 63      $ —        $ 2,450   

2014

    967        687        236        371        53        —          2,314   

2013

    856        669        228        348        52        —          2,153   

Operating expenses (c):

             

2015

  $ 16,872      $ 3,889      $ 2,404      $ 2,578      $ 1,444      $ (2,131   $ 25,056   

2014

    16,923        3,586        2,522        2,726        1,353        (2,071     25,039   

2013

    13,976        3,510        2,434        2,616        1,324        (2,618     21,242   

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

             

2015

  $ (8   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ (7

2014

    (20     —          —          —          —          —          (20

2013

    10        —          —          —          —          —          10   

Interest expense, net:

             

2015

  $ 365      $ 332      $ 114      $ 99      $ 123      $ —        $ 1,033   

2014

    356        321        113        106        169        —          1,065   

2013

    357        579        115        122        183        —          1,356   

Income (loss) before income taxes:

             

2015

  $ 1,850      $ 706      $ 521      $ 477      $ (219   $ (5   $ 3,330   

2014

    1,226        676        466        351        (227     (6     2,486   

2013

    1,675        401        557        344        (191     (13     2,773   

Income taxes:

             

2015

  $ 502      $ 280      $ 143      $ 189      $ (41   $ —        $ 1,073   

2014

    207        268        114        140        (63     —          666   

2013

    615        152        162        134        (20     1        1,044   

Net income (loss):

             

2015

  $ 1,340      $ 426      $ 378      $ 288      $ (177   $ (5   $ 2,250   

2014

    1,019        408        352        211        (164     (6     1,820   

2013

    1,060        249        395        210        (171     (14     1,729   

Capital expenditures:

             

2015

  $ 3,841      $ 2,398      $ 601      $ 719      $ 65      $ —          7,624   

2014

    3,012        1,689        661        620        95        —          6,077   

2013

    2,752        1,433        537        587        86        —          5,395   

Total assets:

             

2015

  $ 46,529      $ 26,532      $ 10,367      $ 8,295      $ 15,389      $ (11,728   $ 95,384   

2014

    44,951        25,358        9,860        8,056        9,711        (11,520     86,416   

 

421


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

(a) Generation includes the six power marketing reportable segments shown below: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions. For the year ended December 31, 2015, intersegment revenues for Generation include revenue from sales to PECO of $224 million and sales to BGE of $502 million in the Mid-Atlantic region, and sales to ComEd of $18 million in the Midwest region, which eliminate upon consolidation. For the year ended December 31, 2014, intersegment revenues for Generation include revenue from sales to PECO of $198 million and sales to BGE of $387 million in the Mid-Atlantic region, and sales to ComEd of $176 million in the Midwest region, which eliminate upon consolidation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, intersegment revenues for Generation include revenue from sales to PECO of $405 million and sales to BGE of $455 million in the Mid-Atlantic region, and sales to ComEd of $506 million in the Midwest region, net of $7 million related to the unrealized mark-to-market losses related to the ComEd swap, which eliminate upon consolidation.
(b) Other primarily includes Exelon’s corporate operations, shared service entities and other financing and investment activities.
(c) For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, utility taxes of $105 million, $89 million and $79 million, respectively, are included in revenues and expenses for Generation. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, utility taxes of $236 million, $238 million and $241 million, respectively, are included in revenues and expenses for ComEd. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, utility taxes of $133 million, $128 million and $129 million, respectively, are included in revenues and expenses for PECO. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, utility taxes of $85 million, $86 million and $82 million are included in revenues and expenses for BGE, respectively.
(d) Intersegment revenues exclude sales to unconsolidated affiliates. The intersegment profit associated with Generation’s sale of certain products and services by and between Exelon’s segments is not eliminated in consolidation due to the recognition of intersegment profit in accordance with regulatory accounting guidance. For Exelon, these amounts are included in operating revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Generation total revenues:

 

    2015     2014     2013  
    Revenues
from
external
customers (b)
    Intersegment
revenues
    Total
revenues
    Revenues
from
external
customers (b)(d)
    Intersegment
revenues (d)
    Total
revenues
    Revenues
from
external
customers (b)(d)
    Intersegment
revenues(d)
    Total
revenues
 

Mid-Atlantic (a)

  $ 5,974      $ (74   $ 5,900      $ 5,414      $ (155   $ 5,259      $ 5,261      $ (57   $ 5,204   

Midwest

    4,712        (2     4,710        4,488        (13     4,475        4,298        (28     4,270   

New England

    2,217        (5     2,212        1,468        (46     1,422        1,279        (42     1,237   

New York

    996        (11     985        846        (3     843        717        (3     714   

ERCOT

    863        (6     857        938        (3     935        1,223        (7     1,216   

Other Power Regions

    1,182        (80     1,102        1,379        (70     1,309        1,084        (116     968   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues for Reportable Segments

  $ 15,944      $ (178   $ 15,766      $ 14,533      $ (290   $ 14,243      $ 13,862      $ (253   $ 13,609   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other (c)

    3,191        178        3,369        2,860        290        3,150        1,768        253        2,021   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Generation Consolidated Operating Revenues

  $ 19,135      $ —        $ 19,135      $ 17,393      $ —        $ 17,393      $ 15,630      $ —        $ 15,630   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, beginning on April 1, 2014, CENG’s revenues are included on a fully consolidated basis.
(b) Includes all wholesale and retail electric sales to third parties and affiliated sales to ComEd, PECO and BGE.
(c) Other represents activities not allocated to a region. See text above for a description of included activities. Also includes a $7 million increase to revenues, a $289 million decrease to revenues, and a $767 million decrease to revenues for the amortization of intangible assets related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, unrealized mark-to-market gains of $203 million, losses of $174 million, and gains of $220 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, and elimination of intersegment revenues.
(d)

Exelon corrected an error in the December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 balances within Intersegment revenues and Revenues from external customers for an overstatement of Intersegment revenues for Reportable Segments of $284 million and

 

422


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

 

$252 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an understatement of Revenues from external customers for Reportable Segments of $284 million and $252 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an understatement of Intersegment revenues for Other of $284 million and $252 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and an overstatement of Revenues from external customers for Other of $284 million and $252 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The error is not considered material to any prior period, and there is no net impact to Total Revenues.

 

Generation total revenues net of purchased power and fuel expense:

 

    2015     2014     2013  
    RNF from
external
customers (b)
    Intersegment
RNF
    Total
RNF
    RNF from
external
customers (b)(d)
    Intersegment
RNF (d)
    Total
RNF
    RNF from
external
customers (b)(d)
    Intersegment
RNF (d)
    Total
RNF
 

Mid-Atlantic (a)

  $ 3,556      $ 15      $ 3,571      $ 3,544      $ (113   $ 3,431      $ 3,287      $ (17   $ 3,270   

Midwest

    2,912        (20     2,892        2,607        (8     2,599        2,606        (20     2,586   

New England

    519        (58     461        450        (99     351        299        (114     185   

New York

    584        50        634        439        44        483        (55     51        (4

ERCOT

    425        (132     293        573        (256     317        627        (191     436   

Other Power Regions

    440        (190     250        517        (190     327        397        (196     201   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues net of purchased power and fuel expense for Reportable Segments

  $ 8,436      $ (335   $ 8,101      $ 8,130      $ (622   $ 7,508      $ 7,161      $ (487   $ 6,674   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other (c)

    678        335        1,013        (662     622        (40     272        487        759   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Generation Revenues net of purchased power and fuel expense

  $ 9,114      $ —        $ 9,114      $ 7,468      $ —        $ 7,468      $ 7,433      $ —        $ 7,433   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) On April 1, 2014, Generation assumed operational control of CENG’s nuclear fleet. As a result, beginning on April 1, 2014, CENG’s revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense are included on a fully consolidated basis.
(b) Includes purchases and sales from third parties and affiliated sales to ComEd, PECO and BGE.
(c) Other represents activities not allocated to a region. See text above for a description of included activities. Also includes a $8 million increase in RNF, a $124 million decrease in RNF, and a $488 million decrease in RNF for the amortization of intangible assets related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, unrealized mark-to-market gains of $257 million, losses of $591 million, and gains of $504 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, and the elimination of intersegment revenue net of purchased power and fuel expense.
(d) Exelon corrected an error in the December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 balances within Intersegment RNF and RNF from external customers for an understatement of $8 million and an overstatement of $134 million of Intersegment RNF for Reportable Segments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an understatement of RNF from external customers for Reportable Segments of $11 million and $134 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an overstatement of $8 million and an understatement $134 million of Intersegment RNF for Other for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and an overstatement of RNF from external customers for Other of $11 million and $134 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This also included an understatement of total RNF for Reportable Segments and an overstatement of total RNF for Other of $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The error is not considered material to any prior period, and there is no net impact to Generation Total RNF for 2013 or 2014.

 

423


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

26. Related Party Transactions (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon

 

The financial statements of Exelon include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues from affiliates:

      

PECO (a)

   $ 1      $ 1      $ 10   

CENG (b)

     —          17        56   

BGE (a)

     4        5        4   

Other

     4        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues from affiliates

   $ 9      $ 23      $ 70   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase power and fuel from affiliates:

      

CENG (c)

   $ —        $ 282      $ 992   

Keystone Fuels, LLC (d)

     —          138        144   

Conemaugh Fuels, LLC (d)

     —          99        98   

Safe Harbor Water Power Corp (d)

     —          12        22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total purchase power and fuel from affiliates

   $ —        $ 531      $ 1,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense to affiliates, net:

      

ComEd Financing III

   $ 13      $ 13      $ 13   

PECO Trust III

     6        6        6   

PECO Trust IV

     6        6        6   

BGE Capital Trust II

     16        16        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense to affiliates, net

   $ 41      $ 41      $ 41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) in equity method investments:

      

CENG (e)

   $ —        $ (19   $ 9   

Qualifying facilities and domestic power projects

     (8     (1     1   

Other

   $ 1      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings (losses) in equity method investments

   $ (7   $ (20   $ 10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

424


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Payables to affiliates (current):

     

ComEd Financing III

   $ 4       $ 4   

PECO Trust III

     1         1   

BGE Capital Trust II

     3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (current)

   $ 8       $ 8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt due to financing trusts:

     

ComEd Financing III

   $ 205       $ 205   

PECO Trust III

     81         81   

PECO Trust IV

     103         103   

BGE Capital Trust II

     252         252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt due to financing trusts

   $ 641       $ 641   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) The intersegment profit associated with the sale of certain products and services by and between Exelon’s segments is not eliminated in consolidation due to the recognition of intersegment profit in accordance with regulatory accounting guidance. For Exelon, these amounts are included in operating revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.
(b) Beginning in 2012, Generation entered into a power services agency agreement (PSAA) with the CENG plants, which as of April 1, 2014, was amended and extended until the permanent cessation of power generation by the CENG generation plants. The PSAA is an agreement under which Generation provides scheduling, asset management and billing services to the CENG plants for a specified monthly fee. The charges for services reflect the cost of the services. On April 1, 2014, Generation and CENG entered into a Nuclear Operating Services Agreement (NOSA) pursuant to which Generation will operate the CENG nuclear generation fleet owned by CENG subsidiaries and provide corporate and administrative services for the remaining life of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were part of the Generation nuclear fleet. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.
(c) CENG owns 100% of four nuclear units in Maryland and New York and 82% of Nine Mile Point Unit 2 in New York. Beginning in 2012, Generation had a PPA under which it purchased 85% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG that was not sold to third parties under pre-existing unit-contingent PPAs through 2014. Beginning on January 1, 2015 and continuing to the end of the life of the respective plants, Generation will purchase on a unit-contingent basis 50.01% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG and a subsidiary of EDF will purchase on a unit-contingent basis 49.99% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG (EDF PPA) not sold to third parties. Beginning April 1, 2014, sales to Generation are eliminated in consolidation. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.
(d) During 2014, Generation closed the sale of Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, Keystone Fuels, LLC, and Conemaugh Fuels LLC. Generation recorded purchase power and fuel costs from affiliates related to these generating assets during the time these assets were still partially owned by Generation. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for more information.
(e) Prior to April 1, 2014, Generation’s total gain (loss) in equity method investments includes equity investment income (loss) and amortization of the basis difference established as a result of purchase accounting applied upon Constellation merger in 2012. CENG was fully consolidated on April 1, 2014. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.

 

425


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Transactions involving Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE are further described in the tables below.

 

Generation

 

The financial statements of Generation include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015     2014     2013  

Operating revenues from affiliates:

      

ComEd (a)

   $ 18      $ 176      $ 506   

PECO (b)

     224        198        405   

BGE (c)

     502        387        455   

CENG (d)

     —          17        56   

BSC

     1        1        1   

Other

     4        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues from affiliates

   $ 749      $ 779      $ 1,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase power and fuel from affiliates:

      

ComEd

   $ —        $ 1      $ 1   

BGE

     14        25        13   

CENG (e)

     —          282        992   

Keystone Fuels, LLC (i)

     —          138        144   

Conemaugh Fuels, LLC (i)

     —          99        98   

Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation (i)

     —          12        22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total purchase power and fuel from affiliates

   $ 14      $ 557      $ 1,270   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance from affiliates:

      

ComEd (f)

   $ 4      $ 3      $ 2   

PECO (f)

     2        2        1   

BSC (g)

     614        618        571   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating and maintenance from affiliates

   $ 620      $ 623      $ 574   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense to affiliates, net:

      

Exelon Corporate (j)

   $ 43      $ 53      $ 59   

Earnings (losses) in equity method investments

      

CENG (h)

   $ —        $ (19   $ 9   

Qualifying facilities and domestic power projects

     (8     (1     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings (losses) in equity method investments

   $ (8   $ (20   $ 10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capitalized costs

      

BSC (g)

   $ 76      $ 91      $ 93   

Cash distribution paid to member

   $ 2,474      $ 645      $ 625   

Contribution from member

   $ 47      $ 53      $ 26   

 

426


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Receivables from affiliates (current):

     

ComEd (a)

   $ 15       $ 43   

PECO (b)

     36         29   

BGE (c)

     31         40   

Other

     1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables from affiliates (current)

   $ 83       $ 113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intercompany money pool (current):

     

Exelon Corporate

   $ 1,252       $ —     

Long-term debt due to affiliates (current):

     

Exelon Corporate (l)

   $ —         $ 556   

Payables to affiliates (current):

     

Exelon Corporate (j)

   $ 16       $ 12   

BSC (g)

     78         83   

ComEd

     9         12   

Other

     1         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (current)

   $ 104       $ 107   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt due to affiliates (noncurrent):

     

Exelon Corporate (l)

   $ 933       $ 943   

Payables to affiliates (noncurrent):

     

BSC (g)

   $ —         $ 1   

ComEd (k)

     2,172         2,389   

PECO (k)

     405         490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (noncurrent)

   $ 2,577       $ 2,880   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Generation has an ICC-approved RFP contract with ComEd to provide a portion of ComEd’s electricity supply requirements. Generation also sells RECs to ComEd. In addition, Generation had revenue from ComEd associated with the settled portion of the financial swap contract established as part of the Illinois Settlement. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.
(b) Generation provides electric supply to PECO under contracts executed through PECO’s competitive procurement process. In addition, Generation has five-year and ten-year agreements with PECO to sell non-solar and solar AECs, respectively. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.
(c) Generation provides a portion of BGE’s energy requirements under its MDPSC-approved market-based SOS and gas commodity programs. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.
(d) Beginning in 2012, Generation entered into a power services agency agreement (PSAA) with the CENG plants, which as of April 1, 2014, was amended and extended until the permanent cessation of power generation by the CENG generation plants. The PSAA is an agreement under which Generation provides scheduling, asset management and billing services to the CENG plants for a specified monthly fee. The charges for services reflect the cost of the services. On April 1, 2014, Generation and CENG entered into a Nuclear Operating Services Agreement (NOSA) pursuant to which Generation will operate the CENG nuclear generation fleet owned by CENG subsidiaries and provide corporate and administrative services for the remaining life of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were part of the Generation nuclear fleet. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.
(e) CENG owns 100% of four nuclear units in Maryland and New York and 82% of Nine Mile Point Unit 2 in New York. Beginning in 2012, Generation had a PPA under which it purchased 85% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG that was not sold to third parties under pre-existing unit-contingent PPAs through 2014. Beginning on January 1, 2015 and continuing to the end of the life of the respective plants, Generation will purchase on a unit-contingent basis 50.01% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG and a subsidiary of EDF will purchase on a unit-contingent basis 49.99% of the nuclear plant output owned by CENG (EDF PPA) not sold to third parties. Beginning April 1, 2014, sales to Generation are eliminated in consolidation. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.

 

427


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(f) Generation requires electricity for its own use at its generating stations. Generation purchases electricity and distribution and transmission services from PECO and only distribution and transmission services from ComEd for the delivery of electricity to its generating stations.
(g) Generation 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. A portion of such services is capitalized.
(h) Prior to April 1, 2014, Generation’s total gain (loss) in equity method investments includes equity income (loss) and amortization of the basis difference established as a result of purchase accounting applied upon Constellation merger in 2012. CENG was fully consolidated on April 1, 2014. For further information regarding the Investment in CENG, see Note 5—Investment in Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC.
(i) During 2014, Generation closed the sale of Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, Keystone Fuels, LLC, and Conemaugh Fuels LLC. Generation recorded purchase power and fuel costs from affiliates related to these generating assets during the time these assets were still partially owned by Generation. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for more information.
(j) The balance consists of interest owed to Exelon Corporation related to the senior unsecured notes, as well as, expense related to certain invoices Exelon Corporation processed on behalf of Generation.
(k) Generation has long-term payables to ComEd and PECO as a result of the nuclear decommissioning contractual construct whereby, to the extent NDT funds are greater than the underlying ARO at the end of decommissioning, such amounts are due back to ComEd and PECO, as applicable, for payment to their respective customers. See Note 16—Asset Retirement Obligations.
(l) 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 affiliate on Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and intercompany notes receivable at Exelon Corporate, which are eliminated in consolidation on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

ComEd

 

The financial statements of ComEd include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015      2014      2013  

Operating revenues from affiliates

        

Generation

   $ 4       $ 4       $ 3   

Purchased power from affiliate

        

Generation (a)

   $ 18       $ 176       $ 512   

Operating and maintenance from affiliate

        

BSC (b)

   $ 195       $ 166       $ 157   

Interest expense to affiliates, net:

        

ComEd Financing III

   $ 13       $ 13       $ 13   

Capitalized costs

        

BSC (b)

   $ 103       $ 77       $ 69   

Cash dividends paid to parent

   $ 299       $ 307       $ 220   

Contribution from parent

   $ 202       $ 273       $ —     

 

428


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Prepaid voluntary employee beneficiary association trust (c)

   $ 11       $ 13   

Receivable from affiliates (current):

     

Voluntary employee beneficiary association trust

   $ 2       $ 2   

Generation

     9         12   

Exelon Corporate (e)

     188         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivable from affiliates (current)

   $ 199       $ 14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivable from affiliates (noncurrent):

     

Generation (d)

   $ 2,172       $ 2,389   

Exelon Corporate (e)

     —           182   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivable from affiliates (noncurrent)

   $ 2,172       $ 2,571   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payables to affiliates (current):

     

Generation (a)

   $ 15       $ 43   

BSC (b)

     39         32   

ComEd Financing III

     4         4   

PECO

     2         2   

Exelon Corporate

     2         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (current)

   $ 62       $ 84   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt to ComEd financing trust

     

ComEd Financing III

   $ 205       $ 205   

 

(a) ComEd procures a portion of its electricity supply requirements from Generation under an ICC-approved RFP contract. ComEd also purchases RECs from Generation. In addition, purchased power expense includes the settled portion of the financial swap contract with Generation, which expired in 2013. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters and Note 13—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
(b) ComEd 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. A portion of such services is capitalized.
(c) The voluntary employee benefit association trusts covering active employees are included in corporate operations and are funded by the Registrants. A prepayment to the active welfare plans has accumulated due to actuarially determined contribution rates, which are the basis for ComEd’s contributions to the plans, being higher than actual claim expense incurred by the plans over time. The prepayment is included in other current assets.
(d) ComEd has a long-term receivable from Generation as a result of the nuclear decommissioning contractual construct for generating facilities previously owned by ComEd. To the extent the assets associated with decommissioning are greater than the applicable ARO at the end of decommissioning, such amounts are due back to ComEd for payment to ComEd’s customers.
(e) Represents indemnification from Exelon Corporate related to the like-kind exchange transaction.

 

429


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

PECO

 

The financial statements of PECO include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015      2014      2013  

Operating revenues from affiliates:

        

Generation (a)

   $ 2       $ 2       $ 1   

Purchased power from affiliate

        

Generation (b)

   $ 220       $ 194       $ 392   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates:

        

BSC (c)

   $ 107       $ 96       $ 98   

Generation

     3         3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating and maintenance from affiliates

   $ 110       $ 99       $ 101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense to affiliates, net:

        

PECO Trust III

   $ 6       $ 6       $ 6   

PECO Trust IV

     6         6         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense to affiliates, net

   $ 12       $ 12       $ 12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capitalized costs

        

BSC (c)

   $ 40       $ 39       $ 46   

Cash dividends paid to parent

   $ 279       $ 320       $ 332   

Contribution from parent

   $ 16       $ 24       $ 27   

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Prepaid voluntary employee beneficiary association trust (d)

   $ 2       $ 3   

Receivable from affiliate (current):

     

ComEd

   $ 2       $ 2   

BGE

     —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivable from affiliates (current)

   $ 2       $ 3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivable from affiliate (noncurrent):

     

Generation (e)

   $ 405       $ 490   

Payables to affiliates (current):

     

Generation (b)

   $ 36       $ 29   

BSC (c)

     17         20   

Exelon Corporate

     1         2   

PECO Trust III

     1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (current)

   $ 55       $ 52   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt to financing trusts:

     

PECO Trust III

   $ 81       $ 81   

PECO Trust IV

     103         103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt to financing trusts

   $ 184       $ 184   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) PECO provides energy to Generation for Generation’s own use.

 

430


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(b) PECO purchases electric supply from Generation under contracts executed through its competitive procurement process. In addition, PECO has five-year and ten-year agreements with Generation to purchase non-solar and solar AECs, respectively. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information on AECs.
(c) PECO 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. A portion of such services is capitalized.
(d) The voluntary employee beneficiary association trusts covering active employees are included in corporate operations and are funded by the Registrants. A prepayment to the active welfare plans has accumulated due to actuarially determined contribution rates, which are the basis for PECO’s contributions to the plans, being higher than actual claim expense incurred by the plans over time.
(e) PECO has a long-term receivable from Generation as a result of the nuclear decommissioning contractual construct, whereby, to the extent the assets associated with decommissioning are greater than the applicable ARO at the end of decommissioning, such amounts are due back to PECO for payment to PECO’s customers.

 

BGE

 

The financial statements of BGE include related party transactions as presented in the tables below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2015      2014      2013  

Operating revenues from affiliates:

        

Generation (a)

   $ 14       $ 25       $ 13   

Purchased power from affiliate

        

Generation (b)

   $ 498       $ 382       $ 452   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates:

        

BSC (c)

   $ 118       $ 103       $ 83   

Interest expense to affiliates, net:

        

BGE Capital Trust II

   $ 16       $ 16       $ 16   

Capitalized costs

        

BSC (c)

   $ 28       $ 19       $ 15   

Cash dividends paid to parent

   $ 158       $ —         $ —     

Contribution from parent

   $ 7       $ —         $ —     

 

     December 31,  
     2015      2014  

Prepaid voluntary employee beneficiary association trust (d)

   $ —         $ 1   

Payables to affiliates (current):

     

Generation (b)

   $ 31       $ 40   

BSC (c)

     17         17   

Exelon Corporate

     1         5   

PECO

     —           1   

BGE Capital Trust II

     3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total payables to affiliates (current)

   $ 52       $ 66   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt to BGE financing trust

     

BGE Capital Trust II

   $ 252       $ 252   

 

(a) BGE provides energy to Generation for Generation’s own use.
(b) BGE procures a portion of its electricity and gas supply requirements from Generation under its MDPSC-approved market-based SOS and gas commodity programs. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters for additional information.

 

431


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

(c) BGE 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. A portion of such services is capitalized.
(d) The voluntary employee benefit association trusts covering active employees are included in corporate operations and are funded by the Registrants. A prepayment to the active welfare plans has accumulated due to actuarially determined contribution rates, which are the basis for BGE’s contributions to the plans, being higher than actual claim expense incurred by the plans over time. The prepayment is included in other current assets.

 

27. Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon

 

The data shown below, which may not equal the total for the year due to the effects of rounding and dilution, includes all adjustments that Exelon considers necessary for a fair presentation of such amounts:

 

     Operating Revenues      Operating Income     Net Income
on Common
Stock
 
         2015              2014          2015     2014     2015      2014  

Quarter ended:

               

March 31

   $ 8,830       $ 7,237       $ 1,366 (a)    $ 168 (b)    $ 693       $ 90   

June 30

     6,514         6,024         1,134 (a)      842 (b)      638         522   

September 30

     7,401         6,912         1,200 (a)      1,738 (b)      629         993   

December 31

     6,702         7,255         707        348        309         18 (c) 

 

(a) In the first, second, and third quarter of 2015, Exelon reclassified $(1) million, $7 million, and $2 million, respectively, to Operating income for presentation purposes in Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The reclassifications did not affect Exelon’s Net (Loss) Income on Common Stock.
(b) In the first, second, and third quarter of 2014, Exelon reclassified $5 million, $13 million, and $339 million, respectively, to Operating income for presentation purposes in Exelon’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The reclassifications did not affect Exelon’s Net (Loss) Income on Common Stock.
(c) Includes charges to earnings related to the impairments of certain generating assets which were held for sale and certain Upstream exploration assets. See Note 8—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

     Average Basic Shares
Outstanding
(in millions)
     Net Income
per Basic Share
 
         2015              2014          2015      2014  

Quarter ended:

     

March 31

     862         858       $ 0.80       $ 0.10   

June 30

     863         860         0.74         0.61   

September 30

     913         861         0.69         1.15   

December 31

     921         861         0.34         0.02   

 

     Average Diluted Shares
Outstanding
(in millions)
     Net Income
per Diluted Share
 
         2015              2014              2015              2014      

Quarter ended:

           

March 31

     867         861       $ 0.80       $ 0.10   

June 30

     866         864         0.74         0.60   

September 30

     915         863         0.69         1.15   

December 31

     924         868         0.33         0.02   

 

432


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

The following table presents the New York Stock Exchange—Composite Common Stock Prices and dividends by quarter on a per share basis:

 

     2015      2014  
     Fourth
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     First
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     First
Quarter
 

High price

   $ 31.37       $ 34.44       $ 34.98       $ 38.25       $ 38.93       $ 36.26       $ 37.73       $ 33.94   

Low price

     25.09         28.41         31.28         31.71         33.07         30.66         33.11         26.45   

Close

     27.77         29.70         31.42         33.61         37.08         34.09         36.48         33.56   

Dividends

     0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310         0.310   

 

Generation

 

The data shown below includes all adjustments that Generation considers necessary for a fair presentation of such amounts:

 

     Operating Revenues      Operating (Loss) Income     Net (Loss) Income
on Membership
Interest
 
         2015              2014              2015 (a)              2014             2015              2014      

Quarter ended:

               

March 31

   $ 5,840       $ 4,390       $ 719 (a)    $ (384 )(b)    $ 443       $ (185

June 30

     4,232         3,789         703 (a)      441 (b)      398         340   

September 30

     4,768         4,412         622 (a)      1,225 (b)      377         771   

December 31

     4,294         4,802         230        (105     154         (91

 

(a) In the first, second, and third quarter of 2015, Generation reclassified $(1) million, $7 million, and $1 million, respectively, to Operating (loss) income for presentation purposes in Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The reclassifications did not affect Generation’s Net (Loss) Income on Membership Interest.
(b) In the first, second, and third quarter of 2014, Generation reclassified $5 million, $12 million, and $338 million, respectively, to Operating (loss) income for presentation purposes in Generation’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The reclassifications did not affect Generation’s Net (Loss) Income on Membership Interest.

 

ComEd

 

The data shown below includes all adjustments that ComEd considers necessary for a fair presentation of such amounts:

 

     Operating Revenues      Operating Income     Net Income  
         2015              2014              2015              2014         2015      2014  

Quarter ended:

                

March 31

   $ 1,185       $ 1,134       $ 230       $ 238      $ 90       $ 98   

June 30

     1,148         1,128         243         258 (a)      99         111   

September 30

     1,376         1,222         327         287 (a)      149         126   

December 31

     1,196         1,079         217         196        87         73   

 

(a) In both the second and third quarter of 2014, ComEd reclassified $1 million to Operating income for presentation purposes in ComEd’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The reclassifications did not affect ComEd’s Net (Loss) Income.

 

433


Table of Contents

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

PECO

 

The data shown below includes all adjustments that PECO considers necessary for a fair presentation of such amounts:

 

     Operating Revenues      Operating Income      Net Income
on Common
Stock
 
         2015              2014              2015              2014          2015      2014  

Quarter ended:

                 

March 31

   $ 985       $ 993       $ 223       $ 149       $ 139       $ 89   

June 30

     661         656         124         134         70         84   

September 30

     740         693         154         133         90         81   

December 31

     645         750         128         156         79         98   

 

BGE

 

The data shown below includes all adjustments that BGE considers necessary for a fair presentation of such amounts:

 

     Operating Revenues      Operating
Income
     Net Income
attributable to
Common Shareholders
 
         2015              2014          2015      2014          2015              2014      

Quarter ended:

                 

March 31

   $ 1,036       $ 1,054       $ 204       $ 169       $ 106       $ 85   

June 30

     628         653         99         55         44         16   

September 30

     725         697         110         102         51         46   

December 31

     746         761         144         113         74         52   

 

434


Table of Contents
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

During the fourth quarter of 2015, 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, 2015, 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.

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—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 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, any of Exelon’s, Generation’s, ComEd’s, PECO’s and BGE’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

During 2015 management included an assessment of internal controls over financial reporting of Integrys, a business acquired on November 1, 2014, that was excluded from management’s prior year evaluation consistent with guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission that an assessment of internal controls of a recently acquired business may be omitted. The total revenues related to the Integrys business are 7.45% and 11.46%, respectively, and total assets related to Integrys are approximately 0.53% and 1.08%, respectively, of Exelon’s and Generation’s related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE—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, 2015. As a result of that assessment, management determined

 

435


Table of Contents

that there were no material weaknesses as of December 31, 2015 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. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE

 

None.

 

436


Table of Contents

PART III

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, and PECO Energy 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, BGE, and PECO are not presented.

 

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 10, 2016.

 

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 2016 proxy statement (2016 Exelon Proxy Statement) and the ComEd information statement (2016 ComEd Information Statement) to be filed with the SEC before April 29, 2016 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 Bruce G. Wilson, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, 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.

 

437


Table of Contents
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by this item will be set forth under Executive Compensation Data and Report of the Compensation Committee in the 2016 Exelon Proxy Statement or the ComEd 2016 Information Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

438


Table of Contents
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 2016 Exelon Proxy Statement or the ComEd 2016 Information Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Exelon Equity Compensation Plans

 

[A]    [B]      [C]      [D]  

Plan Category

   Number of securities to
be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
Options, warrants and
rights (Note 1)
     Weighted-average
price of outstanding
Options, warrants
and rights (Note 2)
     Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
column [B]) (Note 3)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     29,694,000       $ 35.67         30,102,000   

 

(1) Balance includes stock options, unvested performance shares, and unvested restricted shares that were granted under the Exelon LTIP or predecessor company plans and shares awarded under those plans and deferred into the stock deferral plan, as well as deferred stock units granted to directors as part of their compensation. For performance shares granted in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the total includes the maximum number of shares that could be granted, if performance, total shareholder return modifier, and individual performance multipliers were all at maximum, a total of 9,016,000 shares. At target, the number of securities to be issued for such awards is 4,508,000. The deferred stock units granted to directors includes 338,000 shares to be issued upon the conversion of deferred stock units awarded to members of the Exelon board of directors, and 102,000 shares to be issued upon the conversion of stock units held by members of the Exelon board of directors that were earned under a legacy Constellation Energy Group plan. Conversion of stock units to shares will occur after the director terminates service to the Exelon board or the board of any of its subsidiary companies. See Note 20—Common Stock of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the material features of the plans.
(2) Includes outstanding restricted stock units and performance shares that can be exercised for no consideration. Without such instruments, the weighted-average price of outstanding options, warrants and rights shown in column [C] would be $46.68.
(3) Includes 22,289,000 shares available for issuance from the company’s employee stock purchase plan.

 

No ComEd securities are authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

 

439


Table of Contents
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 2016 Exelon Proxy Statement or the ComEd 2016 Information Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

440


Table of Contents
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 2016 in the 2016 Proxy Statement and the 2016 ComEd Information Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

 

441


Table of Contents

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

 

     Exelon

 

1.   

Financial Statements:

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated February 10, 2016 of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.   

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate) at December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

  

Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.

 

442


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)

 

Condensed Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating expenses

      

Operating and maintenance

   $ —        $ 9      $ 9   

Operating and maintenance from affiliates

     43        38        34   

Other

     4        3        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     47        50        55   

Operating loss

     (47 )      (50 )      (55 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income and (deductions)

      

Interest expense, net

     (168     (237     (116

Equity in earnings of investments

     2,461        1,779        1,903   

Interest income from affiliates, net

     43        53        36   

Other, net

     (43     (2     (78
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income

     2,293        1,593        1,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,246        1,543        1,690   

Income taxes

     (23 )      (80 )      (29 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,269      $ 1,623      $ 1,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

      

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plans:

      

Prior service cost (benefit) reclassified to periodic costs

   $ (46   $ (30   $ —     

Actuarial loss reclassified to periodic cost

     220        147        208   

Transition obligation reclassified to periodic cost

     —          —          —     

Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit plan valuation
adjustment

     (99     (497     669   

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

     9        (148     (248

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

     —          1        2   

Unrealized gain on equity investments

     (3     8        106   

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

     (21     (9     (10

Reversal of CENG equity method AOCI

     —          (116     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     60        (644 )      727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 2,329      $ 979      $ 2,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

443


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ 3,071      $ 806      $ 1,053   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Return on investment of direct financing lease termination

     —          335        —     

Changes in Exelon intercompany money pool

     (1,217     (83     (60

Note receivable from affiliates

     550        —          484   

Capital expenditures

     —          1        —     

Change in restricted cash

     —          —          38   

Investment in affiliates

     (212     (70     (38

Other investing activities

     (55     (126     15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     (934 )      57        439   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Changes in short-term borrowings

     —          —          10   

Issuance of long-term debt

     4,200        1,150        —     

Retirement of long-term debt

     (2,263     (23     (450

Issuance of common stock

     1,868        —          —     

Dividends paid on common stock

     (1,105     (1,065     (1,249

Proceeds from employee stock plans

     32        35        47   

Other financing activities

     (58     (84     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     2,674        13        (1,648 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4,811        876        (156 ) 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     879        3        159   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,690      $ 879      $ 3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

444


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015      2014  
ASSETS      

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,690       $ 879   

Accounts receivable, net

     

Other accounts receivable

     272         209   

Accounts receivable from affiliates

     20         24   

Notes receivable from affiliates

     1,478         818   

Regulatory assets

     241         254   

Other

     5         22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,706         2,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     53         54   

Deferred debits and other assets

     

Regulatory assets

     3,072         3,186   

Investments in affiliates

     26,119         26,670   

Deferred income taxes

     2,036         2,147   

Non-pension postretirement benefit asset

     108         —     

Notes receivable from affiliates

     933         943   

Other

     404         149   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred debits and other assets

     32,672         33,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 40,431       $ 35,355   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

445


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

     December 31,  

(In millions)

   2015     2014  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 188      $ —     

Long-term debt due within one year

     60        1,409   

Accounts payable

     5        2   

Accrued expenses

     440        25   

Regulatory liabilities

     63        51   

Pension obligations

     52        45   

Other

     1        30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     809        1,562   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     6,017        2,818   

Long-term debt to affiliate

     —          182   

Deferred credits and other liabilities

    

Regulatory liabilities

     31        37   

Pension obligations

     7,520        7,638   

Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations

     —          16   

Deferred income taxes

     134        93   

Other

     122        398   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     7,807        8,182   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     14,633        12,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock (No par value, 2000 shares authorized, 920 shares and 860 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

     18,678        16,709   

Treasury stock, at cost (35 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

     (2,327     (2,327

Retained earnings

     12,068        10,910   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

     (2,624     (2,684
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     25,795        22,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

BGE preference stock not subject to mandatory redemption

     3        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 40,431      $ 35,355   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

446


Table of Contents

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. Exelon owned none of PECO’s preference securities, which PECO redeemed in 2013.

 

2. Mergers

 

On April 29, 2014, Exelon and Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI) signed an agreement and plan of merger (as subsequently amended and restated as of July 18, 2014, the Merger Agreement) to combine the two companies in an all cash transaction. The resulting company will retain the Exelon name. See Note 4—Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Merger Agreement with PHI.

 

For BGE’s debt, the difference between fair value and book value of BGE’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as a regulatory asset at Exelon Corporate as Exelon did not apply push-down accounting to BGE as part of the 2012 Constellation Merger. See Note 3—Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the fair value of BGE long-term debt regulatory asset.

 

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

Credit Agreements

 

On May 30, 2014, Exelon Corporate amended and extended its unsecured syndicated revolving credit facility with aggregate bank commitments of $500 million through May 2019. As of December 31, 2015, Exelon Corporation had available capacity under those commitments of $474 million. See Note 14—Debt and Credit Agreements of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding Exelon Corporation’s credit agreement.

 

447


Table of Contents

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

          Maturity
Date
     December 31,  
    

Rates

      2015     2014  

Long-term debt

          

Junior subordinated notes

   6.5%      2024       $ 1,150      $ 1,150   

Contract payment—junior subordinated notes

   2.5%      2017         64        108   

Senior unsecured notes (a)

   1.6% – 7.6%      2017-2045         4,639        2,658   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

           5,853        3,916   

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

           (4     1   

Unamortized debt issuance costs

           (47     (23

Fair value adjustment of consolidated subsidiary

           275        333   

Long-term debt due within one year

           (60     (1,409
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

         $ 6,017      $ 2,818   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and thereafter are as follows:

 

2016

   $ 45   

2017

     569   

2018

     —     

2019

     —     

2020

     1,450   

Remaining years

     3,789   
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ 5,853   
  

 

 

 

 

4. Commitments and Contingencies

 

See Note 23—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.

 

448


Table of Contents

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:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

(In millions)

   2015     2014     2013  

Operating and maintenance from affiliates:

      

BSC (a)

   $ 43      $ 38      $ 34   

Interest income from affiliates, net:

      

Generation

   $ 43      $ 53      $ 36   

Equity in earnings of investments:

      

Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC (b)

   $ 1,079      $ 958      $ 834   

Exelon Ventures Company, LLC (c)

     —          926        1,076   

UII, LLC

     20        (6     (2

Exelon Transmission Company, LLC

     (8     (7     (5

Exelon Enterprise

     (1     (1     —     

Generation

     1,371        (91     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity in earnings of investments

   $ 2,461      $ 1,779      $ 1,903   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash contributions received from affiliates

   $ 3,209      $ 1,370      $ 1,175   

 

449


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Exelon Corporate)

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

     December 31,  

(in millions)

   2015     2014  

Accounts receivable from affiliates (current):

    

BSC (a)

   $ —        $ 2   

Generation

     16        12   

ComEd

     2        3   

PECO

     1        2   

BGE

     1        5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accounts receivable from affiliates (current)

   $ 20      $ 24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes receivable from affiliates (current):

    

BSC (a)

   $ 226      $ 262   

Generation (d)

     1,252        556   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivable from affiliates (current):

   $ 1,478      $ 818   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in affiliates:

    

BSC (a)

   $ 191      $ 193   

Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC (b)

     14,163        13,590   

UII, LLC

     102        130   

Exelon Transmission Company, LLC

     3        1   

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust

     7        9   

Exelon Enterprises

     22        23   

Generation

     11,637        12,720   

Other

     (6     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in affiliates

   $ 26,119      $ 26,670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes receivable from affiliates (non-current):

    

Generation (d)

   $ 933      $ 943   

Notes payable to affiliates (current):

    

ComEd

   $ 188      $ —     

Long-term debt to affiliates (non-current):

    

ComEd

   $ —        $ 182   

 

(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 and BGE.
(c) Exelon Ventures Company, LLC primarily consisted of Generation and was fully dissolved as of December 31, 2014. Exelon Enterprises, Exelon Generation Company, LLC, and Exelon Consolidations are now directly owned Exelon Corporate investments as of December 31, 2014.
(d) 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 affiliate on Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and intercompany notes receivable at Exelon Corporate, which are eliminated in consolidation on Exelon’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

450


Table of Contents

Exelon Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D     Column E  
            Additions and adjustments              

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions     Balance at
End
of Period
 
     (in millions)  

For the year ended December 31, 2015

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 311       $ 113       $ 27 (b)    $ 167 (c)    $ 284   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     50         —           (27     10        13   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     95         10         2        2        105   

For the year ended December 31, 2014

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 272       $ 175       $ 69 (b)    $ 205 (c)    $ 311   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     13         —           37        —          50   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     58         5         34        2        95   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 293       $ 121       $ 37 (b)    $ 179 (c)    $ 272   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     36         1         —          24        13   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     53         17         —          12        58   

 

(a) Excludes the non-current allowance for uncollectible accounts related to PECO’s installment plan receivables of $8 million, $8 million, and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
(b) Includes charges for late payments and non-service receivables.
(c) Write-off of individual accounts receivable.

 

451


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Generation

 

1.

   Financial Statements:
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated February 10, 2016 of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.

  

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

  

Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto

 

452


Table of Contents

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D     Column E  
            Additions and adjustments              

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
    Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions     Balance at
End
of Period
 
     (in millions)  

For the year ended December 31, 2015

           

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 60       $ 22      $ —        $ 5      $ 77   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     48         —          (27     10        11   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     93         9        —          —          102   

For the year ended December 31, 2014

           

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 57       $ 14      $ 8      $ 19      $ 60   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     11         —          37        —          48   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     55         5        32        (1     93   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

           

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 84       $ (16   $ —        $ 11      $ 57   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     35         1        —          25        11   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     50         16        —          11        55   

 

453


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

ComEd

1.

   Financial Statements:
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated February 10, 2016 of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.

  

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

  

Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto

 

454


Table of Contents

Commonwealth Edison Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D     Column E  
            Additions and adjustments              

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions     Balance at
End
of Period
 
     (in millions)  

For the year ended December 31, 2015

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 84       $ 39       $ 18 (a)    $ 66 (b)    $ 75   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     2         1         2        2        3   

For the year ended December 31, 2014

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 62       $ 45       $ 33 (a)    $ 56 (b)    $ 84   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     2         —           2        2        2   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 70       $ 33       $ 29 (a)    $ 70 (b)    $ 62   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     2         1         —          1        2   

 

(a) Primarily charges for late payments and non-service receivables.
(b) Write-off of individual accounts receivable.

 

455


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

PECO

1.

   Financial Statements:
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated February 10, 2016 of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.

  

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

  

Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto

 

456


Table of Contents

PECO Energy Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D     Column E  
            Additions and adjustments              

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions     Balance at
End
of Period
 
     (in millions)  

For the year ended December 31, 2015

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 100       $ 37       $ 9 (b)    $ 63 (c)    $ 83   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     1         —           —          —          1   

For the year ended December 31, 2014

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 107       $ 52       $ 11 (b)    $ 70 (c)    $ 100   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     1         —           —          —          1   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts (a)

   $ 99       $ 61       $ 7 (b)    $ 60 (c)    $ 107   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     1         —           —          —          1   

 

(a) Excludes the non-current allowance for uncollectible accounts related to PECO’s installment plan receivables of $8 million, $8 million, and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
(b) Primarily charges for late payments.
(c) Write-off of individual accounts receivable.

 

457


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

BGE

1.

   Financial Statements:
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated February 10, 2016 of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.

  

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

  

Schedules not included are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto

 

458


Table of Contents

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary Companies

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C     Column D     Column E  
            Additions and adjustments              

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
     Charged
to Other
Accounts
    Deductions     Balance at
End
of Period
 
     (in millions)  

For the year ended December 31, 2015

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 67       $ 15       $ —   (b)    $ 33 (a)    $ 49   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     1         —           —          —          1   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     —           —           —          —          —     

For the year ended December 31, 2014

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 46       $ 64       $ 17 (b)    $ 60 (a)    $ 67   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     1         —           —          —          1   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     1         —           —          1        —     

For the year ended December 31, 2013

            

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

   $ 40       $ 43       $ 1      $ 38 (a)    $ 46   

Deferred tax valuation allowance

     1         —           —          —          1   

Reserve for obsolete materials

     1         —           —          —          1   

 

(a) Write-off of individual accounts receivable.
(b) Primarily charges for late payments.

 

459


Table of Contents

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.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

2-1    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 28, 2011 by and among Exelon Corporation, Bolt Acquisition Corporation and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 28, 2011, Exhibit No. 2-1).
2-2    Distribution and Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2012, by and among Exelon Corporation, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and RF HoldCo LLC (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 2-3).
2-3    Contribution and Assignment Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2012, by and among Exelon Corporation, Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC and RF HoldCo LLC (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 2-4).
2-4    Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2012, by and among Exelon Corporation, Exelon Ventures Company, LLC and Exelon Generation Company, LLC (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 2-5).
2-5    Purchase Agreement dated as of August 8, 2012 by and between Constellation Power Source Generation, Inc. and Raven Power Holdings, LLC. (File No. 333-85496, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, Exhibit 2-1).
2-6    Master Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2010, by and between Electricite de France, S.A. and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Designated as Exhibit No. 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 1, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
2-7    Put Termination Agreement dated as of November 3, 2010, by and among EDF Inc. (formerly known as EDF Development, Inc.), E.D.F. International S.A., Constellation Nuclear, LLC, and Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC. (Designated as Exhibit No. 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
2-8    Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2010, by and among Constellation Energy Group, Inc., Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and RF HoldCo LLC. (Designated as Exhibit No. 99.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
2-9    Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2010, by and between RF HoldCo LLC and GSS Holdings (Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Utility), Inc. (Designated as Exhibit No. 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
2-10-1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 29, 2014, by and among Exelon Corporation, Pepco Holdings, Inc. and Purple Acquisition Corp. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 30, 2014, Exhibit 2.1).
2-10-2    Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 18, 2014, among Pepco Holdings, Inc., Exelon Corporation and Purple Acquisition Corp. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated July 21, 2014, Exhibit 2.1).

 

460


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

2-10-3    Subscription Agreement for Series A Non-Voting Non-Convertible Preferred Stock, dated as of April 29, 2014, by and between Pepco Holdings, Inc. and Exelon Corporation (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 30, 2014, Exhibit 2.2).
3-1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Exelon Corporation, as amended May 8, 2007 (File No. 001-16169, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, Exhibit 3-1-2).
3-2    Exelon Corporation Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective as of March 12, 2012 (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit 3-1).
3-3    Certificate of Formation of Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Registration Statement No. 333-85496, Form S-4, Exhibit 3-1).
3-4    First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Exelon Generation Company, LLC executed as of January 1, 2001 (File No. 333-85496, 2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3-8).
3-5    Restated Articles of Incorporation of Commonwealth Edison Company Effective February 20, 1985, including Statements of Resolution Establishing Series, relating to the establishment of three new series of Commonwealth Edison Company preference stock known as the “$9.00 Cumulative Preference Stock,” the “$6.875 Cumulative Preference Stock” and the “$2.425 Cumulative Preference Stock” (File No. 1-1839, 1994 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3-2).
3-6    Commonwealth Edison Company Amended and Restated By-Laws, Effective January 23, 2006 As Further Amended January 28, 2008 and July 27, 2009. (File No. 001-1839, Form 8-K dated July 27, 2009, Exhibit 3.1).
3-7    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of PECO Energy Company (File No. 1-01401, 2000 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3-3).
3-8    PECO Energy Company Amended Bylaws (File 000-16844, Form 8-K dated May 6, 2009, Exhibit 99.1).
3-9    Articles of Amendment to the Charter of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company as of February 2, 2010. (Designated as Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2010, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
3-10    Articles of Restatement to the Charter of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, restated as of August 16, 1996. (Designated as Exhibit No. 3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
3-11    Bylaws of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, as amended and restated as of May 10, 2012. (File No. 1-16169, 2013 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3-11).
3-12    Operating Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2010, by and among RF HoldCo LLC, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and GSS Holdings (BGE Utility), Inc. (Designated as Exhibit No. 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2010, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
4-1    First and Refunding Mortgage dated May 1, 1923 between The Counties Gas and Electric Company (predecessor to PECO Energy Company) and Fidelity Trust Company, Trustee (U.S. Bank National Association, as current successor trustee), (Registration No. 2-2281, Exhibit B-1).
4-1-2    Reserved.

 

461


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-1-3    Supplemental Indentures to PECO Energy Company’s First and Refunding Mortgage:
  

Dated as of

  

File Reference

  

Exhibit No.

   May 1, 1927    2-2881    B-1(c)
   March 1, 1937    2-2881    B-1(g)
   December 1, 1941    2-4863    B-1(h)
   November 1, 1944    2-5472    B-1(i)
   December 1, 1946    2-6821    7-1(j)
   September 1, 1957    2-13562    2(b)-17
   May 1, 1958    2-14020    2(b)-18
   March 1, 1968    2-34051    2(b)-24
   March 1, 1981    2-72802    4-46
   March 1, 1981    2-72802    4-47
   December 1, 1984    1-01401, 1984 Form 10-K    4-2(b)
   March 1, 1993    1-01401, 1992 Form 10-K    4(e)-86
   May 1, 1993    1-01401, March 31, 1993 Form 10-Q    4(e)-88
   May 1, 1993    1-01401, March 31, 1993 Form 10-Q    4(e)-89
   April 15, 2004    0-6844, September 30, 2004 Form 10-Q    4-1-1
   September 15, 2006    000-16844, Form 8-K dated September 25, 2006    4.1
   March 1, 2007    000-16844, Form 8-K dated March 19, 2007    4.1
   March 15, 2009    000-16844, Form 8-K dated March 26, 2009    4.1
   September 1, 2012    000-16844, Form 8-K dated September 17, 2012    4.1
   September 15, 2013    000-16844, Form 8-K dated September 23, 2013    4.1
   September 15, 2013    000-16844, Form 8-K dated September 23, 2013    4.1
   September 1, 2014    000-16169, Form 8-K dated September 15, 2014    4.1
   September 15, 2015    000-16844, Form 8-K dated October 5, 2015    4.1
4-2    Exelon Corporation Direct Stock Purchase Plan (Registration Statement No. 333-206474, Form S-3, Prospectus).
4-3    Mortgage of Commonwealth Edison Company to Illinois Merchants Trust Company, Trustee (BNY Mellon Trust Company of Illinois, as current successor Trustee), dated July 1, 1923, as supplemented and amended by Supplemental Indenture thereto dated August 1, 1944. (Registration No. 2-60201, Form S-7, Exhibit 2-1).

 

462


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-3-1    Supplemental Indentures to Commonwealth Edison Company Mortgage.
  

Dated as of

  

File Reference

  

Exhibit No.

  

August 1, 1946

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

April 1, 1953

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

March 31, 1967

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

April 1, 1967

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

February 28, 1969

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

May 29, 1970

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

June 1, 1971

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

April 1, 1972

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

May 31, 1972

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

June 15, 1973

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

May 31, 1974

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

June 13, 1975

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

May 28, 1976

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

June 3, 1977

  

2-60201, Form S-7

  

2-1

  

May 17, 1978

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

August 31, 1978

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

June 18, 1979

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

June 20, 1980

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 16, 1981

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 30, 1982

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 15, 1983

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 13, 1984

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 15, 1985

  

2-99665, Form S-3

  

4-3

  

April 15, 1986

  

33-6879, Form S-3

  

4-9

   January 13, 2003   

001-01839, Form 8-K dated

January 22, 2003

   4-4
   February 22, 2006    001-01839, Form 8-K dated March 6, 2006    4.1
   August 1, 2006    001-01839, Form 8-K dated August 28, 2006    4.1
   September 15, 2006    001-01839, Form 8-K dated October 2, 2006    4.1
   March 1, 2007    001-01839, Form 8-K dated March 23, 2007    4.1
   August 30, 2007    001-01839, Form 8-K dated September 10, 2007    4.1
   December 20, 2007    001-01839, Form 8-K dated January 16, 2008    4.1

 

463


Table of Contents
  

Dated as of

  

File Reference

  

Exhibit No.

   March 10, 2008    001-01839, Form 8-K dated March 27, 2008    4.1
   July 12, 2010    001-01839, Form 8-K dated August 2, 2010    4.1
   August 22, 2011    001-01839, Form 8-K dated September 7, 2011    4.1
   September 17, 2012    001-01839, Form 8-K dated October 1, 2012    4.1
   August 1, 2013    001-01839, Form 8-K dated August 19, 2013    4.1
   January 2, 2014    001-01839, Form 8-K dated January 10, 2014    4.1
   October 28, 2014    001-01839, Form 8-K dated November 10, 2014    4.1
   February 18, 2015    001-01839, Form 8-K dated March 2, 2015    4.1
   November 4, 2015    001-01839, Form 8-K dated November 19, 2015    4.1

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-3-2    Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of February 20, 2002, under the provisions of the Mortgage of Commonwealth Edison Company dated July 1, 1923, and Indentures Supplemental thereto, regarding corporate trustee (File No. 1-1839, 2001 Form 10-K, Exhibit 4-4-2).
4-3-3    Instrument dated as of January 31, 1996, under the provisions of the Mortgage of Commonwealth Edison Company dated July 1, 1923 and Indentures Supplemental thereto, regarding individual trustee (File No. 1-1839, 1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit 4-29).
4-4    Indenture dated as of September 1, 1987 between Commonwealth Edison Company and Citibank, N.A. (U.S. Bank National Association, as current successor trustee), Trustee relating to Notes (Registration No. 33-20619, Form S-3, Exhibit 4-13).
4-5    Indenture dated December 19, 2003 between Exelon Generation Company, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (File No. 333-85496, 2003 Form 10-K, Exhibit 4-6).
4-6    Indenture to Subordinated Debt Securities dated as of June 24, 2003 between PECO Energy Company, as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (File No. 0-16844, June 30, 2003 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1).
4-7    Form of 4.25% Senior Note due 2022 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC. (File 333-85496, Form 8-K dated June 18, 2012, Exhibit 4.1).
4-8    Form of 5.60% Senior Note due 2042 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC. (File 333-85496, Form 8-K dated June 18, 2012, Exhibit 4.2).
4-9    Form of 2.80% Senior Note due 2022 issued by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. (File 1-1910, Form 8-K dated August 17, 2012, Exhibit 4.1).
4-10    Form of 3.35% Senior Note due 2023 Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. (File 1-1910, Form 8-K dated June 17, 2013, Exhibit 4.1).
4-11    Form of 6.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2033 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2013, Exhibit No. 4.2).

 

464


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-12    Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between PECO Energy Company, as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of June 24, 2003 (File No. 0-16844, June 30, 2003 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.2).
4-13    PECO Energy Capital Trust IV Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust among PECO Energy Company, as Sponsor, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Delaware Trustee and Property Trustee, and J. Barry Mitchell, George R. Shicora and Charles S. Walls as Administrative Trustees dated as of June 24, 2003 (File No. 0-16844, June 30, 2003 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.3).
4-14    Indenture dated May 1, 2001 between Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (File No. 1-16169, June 30, 2005 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4-10).
4-15    Form of $500,000,000 5.625% senior notes due 2035 dated June 9, 2005 issued by Exelon Corporation (File No. 1-16169, Form 8-K dated June 9, 2005, Exhibit 99.3).
4-16    Indenture dated as of September 28, 2007 from Exelon Generation Company, LLC to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (File 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007, Exhibit 4.1).
4-17    Form of 5.20% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2019 (File 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 23, 2009, Exhibit 4.1).
4-18    Form of 6.25% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2039 (File 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 23, 2009, Exhibit 4.2).
4-19    Form of 4.00% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2020 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2010, Exhibit 4.1).
4-20    Form of 5.75% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2041 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2010, Exhibit 4.2).
4-21    Indenture between Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and the Bank of New York, Trustee dated as of March 24, 1999. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated March 29, 1999, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 333-75217.)
4-22    First Supplemental Indenture between Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and the Bank of New York, Trustee dated as of January 24, 2003. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated January 24, 2003, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 333-102723).
4-23    Indenture dated as of July 24, 2006 between Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed July 24, 2006, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 333-135991).
4-24    First Supplemental Indenture between Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of June 27, 2008. (Designated as Exhibit 4(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
4-25    Indenture dated June 19, 2008 between Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
4-26    Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2013, among Continental Wind, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2013, Exhibit No. 4.1).

 

465


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-27    Indenture dated July 1, 1985, between Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and The Bank of New York (Successor to Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company), Trustee. (Designated as Exhibit 4(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 2-98443); as supplemented by Supplemental Indentures dated as of October 1, 1987 (Designated as Exhibit 4(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 13, 1987, File No. 1-1910) and as of January 26, 1993 (Designated as Exhibit 4(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 29, 1993, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
4-28    Indenture and Security Agreement dated as of July 9, 2009, between Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (including form of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Officer’s Certificate and form of Senior Secured Bond) (Designated as Exhibit Nos. 4(u) and 4(u)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated July 9, 2009, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 333-157637 and 333-157637-01).
4-29    Indenture dated as of July 24, 2006 between Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. (Designated as Exhibit 4(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed July 24, 2006, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 333-135991).
4-30    Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of October 1, 2009, to the Indenture and Security Agreement dated as of July 9, 2009, between Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
4-31    Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Deed of Easement and Right-of-Way Grant dated as of July 9, 2009 (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(u)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated July 9, 2009, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 333-157637 and 333-157637-01).
4-32    Indenture dated as of June 29, 2007, by and between RSB BondCo LLC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee and Securities Intermediary. (Designated as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 5, 2007, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
4-33    Series Supplement to Indenture dated as of June 29, 2007 by and between RSB BondCo LLC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee and Securities Intermediary (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1 1910).
4-34    Replacement Capital Covenant dated June 27, 2008. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
4-35    Amendment to Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of March 12, 2012, amending the Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of June 27, 2008 (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 99.4).
4-36    Officers’ Certificate, dated December 14, 2010, establishing the 5.15% Notes due December 1, 2020 of Constellation Energy Group, Inc., with the form of Notes attached thereto. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4 (b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).

 

466


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

4-37    Officers’ Certificate, November 16, 2011, establishing the 3.50% Notes due November 15, 2021 of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, with the form of Notes attached thereto. (Designated as Exhibit No. 4(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2011, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
4-38-1    Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.1).
4-38-2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.(File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.2).
4-38-3    Form of 2.50% Notes due 2024 (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.1).
4-38-4    Purchase Contract and Pledge Agreement, between Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Purchase Contract Agent, Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.4).
4-38-5    Form of Remarketing Agreement (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.5).
4-38-6    Form of Corporate Unit (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.6).
4-38-7    Form of Treasury Unit (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 23, 2014, Exhibit 4.7).
4-39-1    Indenture, dated as of June 11, 2015, among Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Exelon Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 11, 2015).
4-39-2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 11, 2015, among Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Exelon Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 11, 2015).
4-39-3    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 2, 2015, among Exelon Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Exelon Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 2, 2015).
4-39-4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2015, among Exelon Corporation, Barclays Capital Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Exelon Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 2, 2015).
10-1    Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2014, among ExGen Renewables I Holding, LLC and Barclays Bank PLC (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated February 12, 2014, Exhibit 10.1).
10-1-1    Credit Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2014, among ExGen Texas Power, LLC, ExGen Texas Power Holdings, LLC, Wolf Hollow I Power, LLC, Colorado Bend I Power, LLC, Laporte Power, LLC, Handley Power, LLC and Mountain Creek Power, LLC, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as depositary agent. (File No. 1-16169, Form 8-K dated September 18, 2014, Exhibit 10.1).
10-2    Exelon Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Stock Unit Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2011). * (File No. 001-16169, 2010 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.1).

 

467


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10-3    Form of Exelon Corporation Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (as amended and restated Effective March 12, 2012). *
10-4    Reserved.
10-5    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Exelon Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan* (File No. 1-16169, 2001 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-6-1).
10-6    Forms of Transferable Stock Option Award Agreement under the Exelon Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan* (File No. 1-16169, 2001 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-6-2).
10-7    Forms of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Exelon Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan* (File No. 1-16169, 2001 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-6-3).
10-8    Unicom Corporation Deferred Compensation Unit Plan, as amended *(File Nos. 1-11375 and 1-1839, 1995 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-12).
10-9    Amendment Number One to the Unicom Corporation Deferred Compensation Unit Plan, as amended January 1, 2008 * (File No. 001-16169, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.16).
10-10    Unicom Corporation Retirement Plan for Directors, as amended *(Registration Statement No. 333-49780, Form S-8, Exhibit 4-12).
10-11    Commonwealth Edison Company Retirement Plan for Directors, as amended *(Registration Statement No. 333-49780, Form S-8, Exhibit 4-13).
10-12    Exelon Corporation Supplemental Management Retirement Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009) * (File No. 001-16169, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.19).
10-13    PECO Energy Company Supplemental Pension Benefit Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009) (File No. 000-16844, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.20).
10-14    Exelon Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Senior Executives (As Amended Effective January 1, 2014 * (File No. 1-16169, Exelon Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2014, Appendix A).
10-15    Form of change in control employment agreement for senior executives effective January 1, 2009 * (File No. 001-16169. 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.23).
10-16    Form of change in control employment agreement (amended and restated as of January 1, 2009) * (File No. 001-16169, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.24).
10-17    Exelon Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated effective July 1, 2013. (File No. 1-16169, Schedule 14A dated March 14, 2013 Appendix A).
10-18    Exelon Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Registration Statement No. 333-122704, Form S-4, Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) filed June 3, 2005, Annex H).
10-19    Form of Stock Option Grant Instrument under the Exelon Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (File No. 1-16169, Form 8-K filed January 27, 2006, Exhibit 99.2).
10-20    Exelon Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Unincorporated Subsidiaries (Registration Statement No. 333-122704, Form S-4, Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) filed June 3, 2005, Annex I).
10-21    Exelon Corporation Senior Management Severance Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective April 1, 2013).* (File No. 001-16169, 2013 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.21).
10-21-1    Exelon Corporation Senior Management Severance Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective November 1, 2015)

 

468


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10-22    Form of Separation Agreement under Exelon Corporation Senior Management Severance Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009) * (File No. 001-16169, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.30).
10-23    Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2010, among Exelon Generation Company, LLC and UBS AG, Stamford Branch (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated February 22, 2011, Exhibit No. 10-1).
10-24    Exelon Corporation Executive Death Benefits Plan dated as of January 1, 2003 * (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-52).
10-25    First Amendment to Exelon Corporation Executive Death Benefits Plan, Effective January 1, 2006 * (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-53).
10-26    Amendment Number One to the Exelon Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, Effective December 4, 2006 (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-54).
10-27    Amendment Number Two to the Exelon Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 28, 2002), Effective December 4, 2006 (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-55).
10-28    Exelon Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005) (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-56).
10-29    Exelon Corporation Stock Deferral Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005) (File No. 1-16169, 2006 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-57).
10-30    Commonwealth Edison Company Long-Term Incentive Plan, Effective January 1, 2007 (File No. 1-16169, March 31, 2007 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10-1).
10-31    Amendment Number One to the Exelon Corporation Stock Deferral Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005) (File No. 1-16169, June 30, 2007 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 10-3).
10-32    Restricted stock unit award agreement (File 1-16169, Form 8-K dated August 31, 2007, Exhibit 99.1).
10-33    Reserved.
10-34    Form of Exelon Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended effective December 18, 2014.
10-34-1    Form of Exelon Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2014.
10-34-2    Form of Exelon Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2015.
10-34-3    Amendment Number Two to the Exelon Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 21, 2014), Effective October 26, 2015.
10-35    Form of Change in Control Employment Agreement Effective February 10, 2011. * (File 1-16169, 2011 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10-44).
10-36    Credit Agreement for $500,000,000 dated as of March 23, 2011 between Exelon Corporation and Various Financial Institutions (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 23, 2011, Exhibit No. 10-2).
10-37    Credit Agreement for $5,300,000,000 dated as of March 23, 2011 between Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Various Financial Institutions (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated March 23, 2011, Exhibit No. 10-3).
10-38    Credit Agreement for $600,000,000 dated as of March 23, 2011 between PECO Energy Company and Various Financial Institutions (File No. 000-16844, Form 8-K dated March 23, 2011, Exhibit No. 10-4).

 

469


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10-39    Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 2012 among Commonwealth Edison Company, Various Financial Institutions, as Lenders, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (File No. 001-01839, Form 8-K dated March 28, 2012, Exhibit No. 99-1).
10-40    Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of March 23, 2011 among Exelon Corporation, as Borrower, the various financial institutions named therein, as Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated August 10, 2013, Exhibit No. 99-1).
10-41    Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 2012 among Commonwealth Edison Company, as Borrower, the various financial institutions named therein, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (File No. 001-1839, Form 8-K dated August 10, 2013, Exhibit No. 99-2).
10-42    Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2011, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 23, 2011, among Exelon Generation Company, LLC, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 4-6).
10-43    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(b) to the Constellation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-44    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(c) to the Constellation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-45    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Benefits Restoration Plan, amended and restated effective June 1, 2010. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(b) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-46    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Supplemental Pension Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(e) to the Constellation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-47    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Senior Executive Supplemental Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(f) to the Constellation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-48    Executive Annual Incentive Plan of Constellation Energy Group, Inc., as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(d) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-49    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Executive Supplemental Benefits Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(a) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-50    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(b) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).

 

470


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10-51    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit 10(b) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-52    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. 2002 Senior Management Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit 10(a) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-53    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Management Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated. * (Designated as Exhibit 10(d) to the Constellation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-54    Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 4, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
10-55    Form of Grant Agreement for Stock Units with Sales Restriction. * (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(x) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-56    Rate Stabilization Property Servicing Agreement dated as of June 29, 2007 by and between RSB BondCo LLC and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, as servicer (Designated as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 5, 2007, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
10-57    Administration Agreement dated as of June 29, 2007 by and between RSB BondCo LLC and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, as administrator (Designated as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 5, 2007, filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, File No. 1-1910).
10-58    Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2009, by and among Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC, Constellation Nuclear, LLC, CE Nuclear, LLC, EDF Development Inc., and for certain limited purposes, E.D.F. International S.A. and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 12, 2009, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
10-59    Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC, by and among Constellation Nuclear, LLC, CE Nuclear, LLC, EDF Inc. (formerly known as EDF Development, Inc.), and E.D.F. International S.A. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(s) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-60    Amendment No. 2 to the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC, by and among Constellation Nuclear, LLC, CE Nuclear, LLC, EDF Inc. (formerly known as EDF Development, Inc.), and E.D.F. International S.A. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10(t) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-61    Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC, by and among Constellation Nuclear, LLC, CE Nuclear, LLC, EDF Inc. (formerly known as EDF Development, Inc.), and E.D.F. International S.A. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).

 

471


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10-62    Termination Agreement dated as of November 3, 2010, by and among EDF Inc. (formerly known as EDF Development, Inc.), E.D.F. International S.A., and Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 2010, filed by Constellation Energy Group, Inc., File No. 1-12869).
10-63    Settlement Agreement between EDF Inc., Exelon Corporation, Exelon Energy Delivery Company, LLC, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company dated January 16, 2012. (Designated as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 19, 2012, File Nos. 1-12869 and 1-1910).
10-64-10-70    Reserved.
10-71-1    Commitment Letter for $7.221 Billion Senior Unsecured Bridge Facility, dated April 29, 2014 (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 30, 2014, Exhibit No. 10.1).
10-71-2    364-Day Bridge Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, among Exelon Corporation, as Borrower, the various financial institutions named therein, as Lenders, and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 30, 2014, Exhibit No. 10.1).
10-71-3    Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated May 30, 2014, among Exelon Corporation, as Borrower, the financial institutions signatory therein, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 4, 2014, Exhibit 10.2).
10-71-4    Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated May 30, 2014, among Exelon Generation Company, LLC, as Borrower, the financial institutions signatory therein, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 4, 2014, Exhibit 10.3).
10-71-5    Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated May 30, 2014, among PECO Energy Company, as Borrower, the financial institutions signatory therein, as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 4, 2014, Exhibit 10.4).
10-71-6    Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2014, among Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, as Borrower, the financial institutions signatory therein, as Lenders and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Administrative Agent. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 4, 2014, Exhibit 10.6).
10-72-1    Confirmation of Base Issuer Forward Transaction, dated June 11, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and Barclays Capital, Inc., acting as Agent for Barclays Bank PLC (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Exhibit 10.1).
10-72-2    Confirmation of Base Issuer Forward Transaction, dated June 11, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and Goldman Sachs & Co. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Exhibit 10.2).
10-72-3    Confirmation of Additional Issuer Forward Transaction, dated June 13, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and Barclays Capital, Inc., acting as Agent for Barclays Bank PLC (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Exhibit 10.3).
10-72-4    Confirmation of Additional Issuer Forward Transaction, dated June 13, 2014, between Exelon Corporation and Goldman Sachs & Co. (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated June 17, 2014, Exhibit 10.4).
12-1    Exelon Corporation Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
12-2    Exelon Generation Company, LLC Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
12-3    Commonwealth Edison Company Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

472


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

12-4    PECO Energy Company Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
12-5    Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preference Stock Dividends.
14    Exelon Code of Conduct, as amended March 12, 2012 (File No. 1-16169, Form 8-K dated March 14, 2012, Exhibit No. 14-1).
   Subsidiaries
21-1   

Exelon Corporation

21-2    Exelon Generation Company, LLC
21-3    Commonwealth Edison Company
21-4    PECO Energy Company
21-5    Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accountants
23-1    Exelon Corporation
23-2    Exelon Generation Company, LLC
23-3    Commonwealth Edison Company
23-4    PECO Energy Company
23-5    Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
   Power of Attorney (Exelon Corporation)
24-1    Anthony K. Anderson
24-2    Ann C. Berzin
24-3    John A. Canning, Jr.
24-4    Christopher M. Crane
24-5    Yves C. de Balmann
24-6    Nicholas DeBenedictis
24-7    Paul L. Joskow
24-8   

Linda P. Jojo

24-9    Robert J. Lawless
24-10    Richard W. Mies
24-11    John W. Rogers, Jr.
24-12    Mayo A. Shattuck III
24-13    Stephen D. Steinour
   Power of Attorney (Commonwealth Edison Company)
24-14    James W. Compton
24-15    Christopher M. Crane
24-16    A. Steven Crown
24-17    Nicholas DeBenedictis
24-18    Peter V. Fazio, Jr.
24-19    Michael Moskow
24-20    Denis P. O’Brien

 

473


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

24-21    Anne R. Pramaggiore
24-22    Reserved.
   Power of Attorney (PECO Energy Company)
24-23    Craig L. Adams
24-24    Christopher M. Crane
24-25    M. Walter D’Alessio
24-26    Nicholas DeBenedictis
24-27   

Nelson A. Diaz

24-28    Rosemarie B. Greco
24-29    Charisse R. Lillie
24-30    Denis P. O’Brien
24-31    Ronald Rubin
   Power of Attorney (Baltimore Gas and Electric Company)
24-32    Ann C. Berzin
24-33    Christopher M. Crane
24-34    Michael E. Cryor
24-35    James R. Curtiss
24-36    Calvin G. Butler, Jr.
24-37    Joseph Haskins, Jr.
24-38    Carla D. Hayden
24-39    Denis P. O’Brien
24-40    Michael D. Sullivan
   Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed by the following officers for the following registrants:
31-1    Filed by Christopher M. Crane for Exelon Corporation
31-2    Filed by Jonathan W. Thayer for Exelon Corporation
31-3    Filed by Kenneth W. Cornew for Exelon Generation Company, LLC
31-4    Filed by Bryan P. Wright for Exelon Generation Company, LLC
31-5    Filed by Anne R. Pramaggiore for Commonwealth Edison Company
31-6    Filed by Joseph R. Trpik, Jr. for Commonwealth Edison Company
31-7    Filed by Craig L. Adams for PECO Energy Company
31-8    Filed by Phillip S. Barnett for PECO Energy Company
31-9    Filed by Calvin G. Butler, Jr. for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
31-10    Filed by David M. Vahos Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
   Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 United States Code as to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed by the following officers for the following registrants:
32-1    Filed by Christopher M. Crane for Exelon Corporation
32-2    Filed by Jonathan W. Thayer for Exelon Corporation
32-3    Filed by Kenneth W. Cornew for Exelon Generation Company, LLC

 

474


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

32-4    Filed by Bryan P. Wright for Exelon Generation Company, LLC
32-5    Filed by Anne R. Pramaggiore for Commonwealth Edison Company
32-6    Filed by Joseph R. Trpik, Jr. for Commonwealth Edison Company
32-7    Filed by Craig L. Adams for PECO Energy Company
32-8    Filed by Phillip S. Barnett for PECO Energy Company
32-9    Filed by Calvin G. Butler, Jr. for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
32-10    Filed by David M. Vahos Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
101.INS    XBRL Instance
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

* Compensatory plan or arrangements in which directors or officers of the applicable registrant participate and which are not available to all employees.

 

475


Table of Contents

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/S/    CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE        

Christopher M. Crane

  

President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/S/    JOHNATHAN W. THAYER        

Jonathan W. Thayer

  

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/S/    DUANE M. DESPARTE        

Duane M. DesParte

  

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

This annual report has also been signed below by Darryl M. Bradford, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:

 

Anthony K. Anderson

Ann C. Berzin

John A. Canning, Jr.

Yves C. de Balmann

Nicholas DeBenedictis

Paul L. Joskow

  

Linda P. Jojo

Robert J. Lawless

Richard W. Mies

John W. Rogers, Jr.

Mayo A. Shattuck III

Stephen D. Steinour

 

By:   

/S/    DARRYL M. BRADFORD        

  February 10, 2016
Name:    Darryl M. Bradford  

 

476


Table of Contents

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/S/    KENNETH W. CORNEW        

Kenneth W. Cornew

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/S/    BRYAN P. WRIGHT        

Bryan P. Wright

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/S/    ROBERT M. AIKEN        

Robert M. Aiken

  

Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

477


Table of Contents

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY
By:  

/s/    ANNE R. PRAMAGGIORE        

Name:   Anne R. Pramaggiore
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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    ANNE R. PRAMAGGIORE        

Anne R. Pramaggiore

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/s/    JOSEPH R. TRPIK JR.        

Joseph R. Trpik, Jr.

  

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    GERALD J. KOZEL        

Gerald J. Kozel

  

Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE        

Christopher M. Crane

  

Chairman and Director

 

This annual report has also been signed below by Anne R. Pramaggiore, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:

 

James W. Compton

A. Steven Crown

Nicholas DeBenedictis

Peter V. Fazio, Jr.

  

Michael Moskow

Denis P. O’Brien

 

By:   

/s/    ANNE R. PRAMAGGIORE        

  February 10, 2016
Name:    Anne R. Pramaggiore  

 

478


Table of Contents

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

PECO ENERGY COMPANY

By:

 

/s/    CRAIG L. ADAMS        

Name:   Craig L. Adams
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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    CRAIG L. ADAMS        

Craig L. Adams

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/s/    PHILLIP S. BARNETT        

Phillip S. Barnett

  

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    SCOTT A. BAILEY        

Scott A. Bailey

  

Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE        

Christopher M. Crane

  

Chairman and Director

 

This annual report has also been signed below by Craig L. Adams, Attorney-in-Fact, on behalf of the following Directors on the date indicated:

 

M. Walter D’Alessio   

Charisse R. Lillie

Nicholas DeBenedictis   

Denis P. O’Brien

Nelson A. Diaz    Ronald Rubin
Rosemarie B. Greco   

 

By:   

/s/    CRAIG L. ADAMS        

   February 10, 2016
Name:    Craig L. Adams     

 

479


Table of Contents

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

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 10th day of February, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    CALVIN G. BUTLER, JR.        

Calvin G. Butler, Jr.

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    DAVID M. VAHOS        

David M. Vahos

  

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    MATTHEW N. BAUER        

Matthew N. Bauer

  

Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    CHRISTOPHER M. CRANE        

Christopher M. Crane

  

Chairman and Director

 

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.
Michael E. Cryor    Carla D. Hayden
James R. Curtiss    Denis O’Brien
Michael D. Sullivan     

 

By:   

/s/    CALVIN G. BUTLER, JR.        

   February 10, 2016
Name:    Calvin G. Butler, Jr.     

 

480