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Jason Gambone, Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP Jamie Saunders, Sr. Consultant, Deloitte & Touche LLP Kelly Louque, Sr. Staff Accountant, Entergy Corporation May 17, 2016 FERC Accounting and Reporting Requirements To help protect your privacy, PowerPoint has blocked automatic download of this picture. To help protect your privacy, PowerPoint has blocked automatic download of this picture.
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Page 1: FERC Accounting and Reporting Requirements · 2016-05-11 · FERC Accounting & Reporting. FERC reporting using XML • Conversion of certain FERC forms (including Form 1 and Form

Jason Gambone, Director, Deloitte & Touche LLPJamie Saunders, Sr. Consultant, Deloitte & Touche LLPKelly Louque, Sr. Staff Accountant, Entergy Corporation

May 17, 2016

FERC Accounting and Reporting Requirements

To help protect your privacy, PowerPoint has blocked automatic download of this picture.

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Page 2: FERC Accounting and Reporting Requirements · 2016-05-11 · FERC Accounting & Reporting. FERC reporting using XML • Conversion of certain FERC forms (including Form 1 and Form

Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC All rights reserved.2

FERC Overview About FERCFERC – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

– An independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil • Provides regulation over rates for wholesale sales and

transmission of electricity in interstate commerce.• Provides oversight of mandatory reliability standards for

the bulk power system. • Promoters of strong national energy infrastructure,

including adequate transmission facilities. • Provides regulation of jurisdictional issuances of stock and

debt securities, assumptions of obligations and liabilities, and mergers.*

* FERC website – www.ferc.gov

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Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC All rights reserved.3

FERC Overview Federal Power ActKey Provisions: Section 203Section 203 regulates Corporate Activities and Transactions by public utilities such as:

• Mergers & Consolidations • Sale, lease, or disposal of assets exceeding $10M• Purchase and acquisition of securities exceeding $10M• Purchase, lease, or acquire generation for interstate wholesale sales exceeding $10M

Filing Process includes a comprehensive application by the jurisdictional public utility involved in any of the covered Section 203 activities. This is supported by:

• Contracts• Proposed accounting entries• Agreements• Additional documentation supporting the underlying transaction

Stakeholder Intervention• Motion to Intervene – Under §385.214 Intervention (Rule 214), a stakeholder(s) has the

right to intervene upon filing a notice or a motion to intervene

FERC can accept, reject, set for settlement, or find the filing deficient.

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Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC All rights reserved.4

FERC Overview Federal Power ActKey Provisions: Section 203Key Considerations: Mergers & Other Section 203 transactions

• Mergers must be consistent with public interest;• The FERC focuses on four factors: the effect on competition, the effect on rates, the

effect on regulation, and the ability for cross-subsidization (Order 707) Order reaffirming commission policy and termination proceeding RM11-14, RM96-6

• Majority of filings contain a hold harmless provision which (Policy on hold harmless PL15-3) :

‒ Mitigates adverse effects on rates (does not allow transactional (transitional) costs through)

‒ Clarifies controls & procedures to track and identify subjected costs‒ Commit to a hold harmless period (which is no longer a specific period (i.e., 5

years) as of 2015)‒ Show cost savings based on executed transaction (if seeking recovery in later

years)

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Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC All rights reserved.5

FERC Overview Federal Power ActKey Provisions: Section 205Section 205 requires rates on file. Jurisdictional public utilities must file all rates, terms, and conditions made, demanded, or received in connection with interstate transmission or wholesale electricity sales. These rates are provided through the filing of a tariff or schedules.

Absent a waiver, rates must be filed at least 60 days before they become effective. Any rates charged for interstate transmission and wholesale sale of electricity must be on file with the FERC. This filing should include:

• Rates• Terms• Conditions• Additional documentation supporting proposed rate

Public Notice of Filing Issued – Providing time for responses

FERC can accept, reject, suspend, or find the filing deficient. It can also set the rates for settlement, trial type or oral hearing.

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Copyright © 2015 Deloitte Development LLC All rights reserved.6

FERC Overview Federal Power ActKey Provisions: Section 205 (cont’d)Key Considerations: Rates on File• Rates are just and reasonable - A just and reasonable rate is cost justified and market

justified• Rates are not unduly discriminatory or preferential • Filed rate doctrine – Rates on file are the rates charged• Rates are subject to interest and refundsKey Provisions: Section 206 Section 206 allows the FERC, after a hearing held upon its own motion or upon complaint by customer or competitor, may determine that an existing rate, term, or condition is not just or reasonable, unduly discriminatory or preferential, the FERC should determine the just and reasonable rate.

No filing Process, the burden of proof lies with the FERC. Upon Commission review, this process can result in refunds & interest up to 15 months.

Key Considerations:• Rates are just and reasonable• Rates are not unduly discriminatory or preferential • Filed rate doctrine• Burden of proof on the Commission

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FERC Accounting & ReportingUSofA Numbering System

The account numbering plan used herein consists of a system of three-digit whole numbers as follows:

• Assets and other debits100-199• Liabilities and other credits200-299• Plant Accounts300-399• Income Accounts 400-432, 434-435• Operating Revenue440-459 • Operation & Maintenance 500-599• Customer accounts, customer

service and informational, sales, and general and administrative expenses

900-949

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFinancial StatementsFERC reporting

– Form 1 – Annual reporting of major electric utility• Form 1f – Annual report of non-major electric utility

– Form 2 – Annual reporting of major natural gas company• Form 2a – Non-major Natural Gas Pipeline annual report

– Form 60 - Annual Report of Centralized Service Companies– Form 3-Q - Quarterly Financial Report of Electric Utilities,

Licensees, and Natural Gas Companies

Form 1 and Form 2 have a due date of April 18, 2016Form 60 has a due date of May 1 Form 3 Q have a due date of 60 days (Major) or 70 days (Non-major) after quarter end

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesExamples of common differences:

– All Subsidiaries, regardless of ownership percentage or control, are accounted for using the equity method

– No distinction in FERC reporting between current and long term classification for certain accounts such as debt, regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities

– For FERC reporting, power purchase and sale transactions with an RTO are netted based on hourly volumes; separate netting for real time and day ahead markets (under GAAP, different units of account for netting are acceptable)

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesCommon differences (cont.)

– Accumulated cost of removal is included in accumulated depreciation for FERC reporting (classified as a regulatory liability in SEC reporting)

– Revenues and expenses from nonutility activities are classified in the “below the line” accounts under FERC reporting (typically classified within operations under GAAP)

– FERC allows reporting as regulatory assets incurred costs that can be reasonably expected to be recovered (under GAAP, amounts must be probable of recovery)

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesCommon differences (cont.)

–Income tax differences – Balance Sheet• FERC reporting

–Deferred income tax assets (account 190) and deferred income tax liabilities (accounts 281, 282 and 283) are presented gross

• US GAAP reporting–Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted by

jurisdiction and recorded as noncurrent deferred tax assets or liabilities, as appropriate.

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesCommon differences (cont.)

–Income tax differences – Income statement• For FERC reporting, income tax expense amounts are

classified in a variety of above the line and below the line accounts

• Below the line income tax expense or benefit applies to the various pre tax revenue and expense amounts that are classified below the line

• Best practice-prepare a separate effective tax rate analysis for the above the line and below the line accounts

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesCommon differences (cont.)

–Uncertain tax positions• FERC Docket A107-2-000 (May 25, 2007) sets forth

guidance• Certain classifications that are required or permitted

under GAAP for uncertain tax positions (ASC 740-45) are not permitted under FERC reporting

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC to U.S GAAP Accounting DifferencesCommon differences (cont.)

–Uncertain tax positions• Uncertain tax positions related to temporary

differences must continue to be classified within the deferred tax accounts under FERC reporting (the liability for uncertain tax benefits under GAAP may not be combined with the deferred tax accounts)

• Interest must be charged to account 431 and penalties must be charged to account 426.3 (under GAAP, an acceptable policy is to include interest and penalties in income tax expense)

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC reporting using XML• Conversion of certain FERC forms (including Form 1 and

Form 2) to XML– North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) will develop

the standards and protocols to report to FERC using XML• Expected to take 2-4 years (informal goal to be ready for testing in

2.5 years)• Expressed desire for industry involvement, including testing in a

sandbox environment• Companies will need to develop systems to export data to FERC

using XML‒ Multiple vendors interested in providing this service

• EEI/AGA task force to provide industry input and keep us informed• Continued use of Visual Fox Pro until XML is ready

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FERC Accounting & ReportingAccountant Certification• Code of Federal Regulations and Instructions for filing Form

1, 1-F, 2 and 2-A require a CPA certification statement

• The certification should:– Attest to the conformity, in all material respects, of the financial

statements with the uniform system of accounts and published accounting releases

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FERC Accounting & ReportingAccountant CertificationSchedules covered by CPA Certification:• Comparative balance sheet• Statement of income for the year (total with separate

columns for electric, gas and other utility)• Statement of retained earnings (for current year)• Statement of cash flows (for current year)• Notes to financial statements

Note that the Statement of Accumulated Comprehensive Income, Comprehensive Income and Hedging Activities (pages 122a and 122b of Form 1) is not required to be audited

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FERC Accounting & ReportingAccountant Certification• Most audit firm reports state that the audit of the financial statements was

conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the US (the AICPA auditing standards)

• The AICPA issued new reporting standards that changed the wording of the standard auditors’ report effective for calendar year 2012

• Many audit firm reports include an “emphasis of matter” paragraph (noting that the uniform system of accounts is a basis of accounting other than GAAP) and a report restriction paragraph

• The audit firm report must be submitted within 30 days of the Form 1 or 2 due date

• Filers are encouraged to file the audit firm report electronically, although it can be mailed

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FERC Accounting & ReportingFERC & EEI/AGA • Annually, the EEI/AGA FERC Accounting Liaison Group meets

with the FERC Chief Accountant and his staff to discuss and exchange views on industry accounting issues– This group was created in 1965– Current Chair is Tom Mitchell from American Electric Power

Services Corporation– AGA participated for the first time in 2015– Meeting was held on August 12, 2015 in Washington, DC– Attended by 14 company representatives (13 companies)– Attended by 8 FERC staff, including Steven Hunt, Deputy Chief

Accountant

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FERC Research ToolsFERC.gov & e-LibraryThe FERC.gov website provides access to resources regarding FERC accounting and reporting guidance

– FERC.gov allows key word searches• Examples of searches:

– Annual Enforcement Report– Accounting Matters– Uniform System of Accounts– Landmark Orders

eLibrary allows you to search by docket or group of dockets– Search by key words – Includes wildcard search capability under “General Search”

• Docket prefix defines the type of filing or document

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FERC Research ToolsFERC.gov & e-Library

Under Advance Search

Most widely used search

options

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FERC Research ToolsFERC.gov & e-Library

Accession No. Feature:

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FERC Research ToolsFERC.gov & e-Library

Standard FERC Docket Prefixes

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FERC - Office of EnforcementOrganization ChartNew Director, Larry Parkinson and Deputy Director, Lee Ann Watson

* FERC website – www.ferc.gov

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FERC Office of Enforcement – Audit Trends

* FERC 2013 -2015 Report on Enforcement, Docket No. AD13-07

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FERC - Office of EnforcementAreas of FocusContinued areas of focus for FERC Staff include:• Formula Rates - Specifically mentioned - are the balance sheet amounts proper

for ratemaking (accruals, goodwill, fair value adjustments)– Short-term recurring accruals are not a concern– Long-term accruals may be excluded from formula rates (not considered

for ratemaking purposes or for those with market based rates)• Examples: contract retentions, legal reserves, contingencies

• Tax Prepayments – Recording of income tax payments in which a refund has been elected in Account 165, Prepayments, resulting in over-recoveries.

• Mergers & Acquisitions– Goodwill – Internal Merger Costs – Policy on Hold Harmless (PL15-3)

• Allocated Labor – Inappropriate or unsupported allocation of labor costs between transmission and distribution projects when an employee supported both.

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FERC - Office of EnforcementAreas of FocusContinued areas of focus for FERC Staff include:• Plant Classification – Distribution plant placed into service without appropriate

policies and controls being utilized to ensure project costs are properly classified.

• Regulatory Assets – Need to be supported

• Service Company Allocations – Allocation methodologies need to be supported

• Natural Gas Accounting & Reporting– Erroneous Accounting and reporting

‒ Penalty revenues assessed to noncompliant shippers, transmission mains and compression station expenses, line pack inventory changes, shipper imbalances and cash-outs, lost and unaccounted-for gas, gains from the sale of cushion gas

• Tariff Issues

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FERC - Office of EnforcementAudit Determination & SelectionCompanies are selected for audit using a risk based assessment based on the Commission’s strategic plan areas of focus

• FERC staff does not target a particular company• Audit plan is approved by the Chair of the Commission

Culture of compliance assessment by the FERC staff• Drives the audit procedures and level of testing• Recommended Internal Audit (IA) involvement regarding

compliance with FERC regulations– Normally see involvement with GAAP reporting but not FERC– Examples where IA can be involved were development of

formula rates, compliance with hold harmless commitments, merger reviews, and Order 1000 commitments

Necessary part of regulation

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Audit Determination & SelectionFERC – Office of Enforcement

Significant Events

Relevant Risks facing the markets

Consults with other offices with FERC

Industry Outreach

Regulatory Environment

COMPREHENSIVE RISK

ASSESSMENT

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FERC - Office of EnforcementPreparing for an Audit A few recommended tips:• Provide concise responses to every data request on key areas

• Request rolling submission of responses if tight deadline

• Request site visit agenda/topic areas in advance for preparation

• Provide overviews through conference calls of areas that aren’t as critical

• Research Orders, filings, and guidance relevant to the scope area(s)

• Ensure accounting practices are understood (ratemaking and/or acctg, retail or wholesale)

• Provide copies of overview materials

• Provide an open flow of communication

• Ask for clarification on topics, issues, areas of audit

• Provide observations and walk-throughs of systems supporting audit scope areas

Presenter
Presentation Notes
120 day report. Fiscal year begins on October 1, 2015. Audits usually commence between October 15 and November 15
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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & AccountingThere were 22 audits completed in 2015

Legend: MBR = market based rates; EQR = electronic quarterly reporting; FR = formula rates; OATT = open access transmission tariff; NDT = nuclear decommissioning trust; Acct/Rpt = accounting & reporting; DR=Demand Response; RR=record retention; M=merger

Search by docket number at www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp

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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & AccountingAs of April 2016, there were 13 audits commenced for FY16:

Legend: MBR = market based rates; EQR = electronic quarterly reporting; FR = formula rates; OATT = open access transmission tariff; NDT = nuclear decommissioning trust; Acct/Rpt = accounting & reporting; DR=Demand Response; RR=record retention; M=merger

Search by docket number at www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp

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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & AccountingOther Dockets issued by FERC Staff:

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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & Accounting• Included in 2015 Report on Enforcement compliance alert section

– A&G – included nonoperational expenses and maintenance expenses– Merger goodwill – included in the equity component of the capital

structure– Depreciation rates – using state approved or blended rates without FERC

approval– Merger costs – including any merger-related costs– Tax prepayments – overpayments recorded as prepayments– Unused inventory and equipment – remove unused items from

construction projects– Allocated labor – need current time studies– ARO – need specific FERC approval to include costs in formula rates– Below-the-line costs – instances of lobbying, donations, penalties, and

compromise settlements being charged above-the-line– Plant Classification – distribution plant included in transmission plant

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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & Accounting• Key Orders and Guidance related to findings:

– Acquisition Premiums/Goodwill ‒ Order 592, Commission Policy on Mergers‒ AC11-46

– Depreciation rates‒ Order 618, Depreciation Accounting‒ Section 302(a) of FPA‒ 18 C.F.R. § 35.1(e)

– Merger costs‒ PL15-3, Policy Statement on Hold Harmless Commitment‒ Below-the-line in Account 426.5, Other Deductions‒ General Instruction No. 5, Submittal of Questions

– Tax prepayments‒ 2015 Report on Enforcement, Account 143 or 146, as appropriate‒ Account 236, Taxes Accrued

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FERC - Office of EnforcementDivision of Audits & Accounting

– Consolidated Method of Accounting‒ Order 469, Adopt Equity Method of Accounting‒ Account 123.1, Investment in Subsidiary Companies

– Asset Retirement Obligations‒ Order 631, Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Rate Filing Requirements

for AROs – Formula Rates

‒ Staff’s Guidance on Formula Rates– Regulatory Assets & Liabilities

‒ Order 552, Revisions to the USoA…..Regulatory created Assets and Liabilities

– Deferred Tax Liabilities associated with AFUDC Equity‒ AI93-5, Accounting for Income Taxes

– Gas Imbalances (not reported net)‒ Order 581, Revisions of USoA….Reporting Requirements for Natural Gas‒ Account 174, Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Assets (Receivables)‒ Account 242, Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities (Payables)

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FERC - Office of EnforcementRecent Audit Activity• Docket No. PA14-2

– Scope: formula rates, accounting and reporting– Key Findings:

‒ Accounting for Merger Transaction Costs‒ Merger Transaction Internal Labor Costs‒ Merger Transaction Outside Services and Related Costs‒ Use of the Consolidated Method of Accounting

– Pertinent Guidance:‒ Account 426.5, Other Deductions‒ Order No. 469 states, in part, Under the equity method of accounting, the utility’s

investment account is increased or decreased to reflect the utility’s proportionate share of a subsidiary’s current earnings applicable to common stock regardless of whether the earnings are actually paid out as dividends to the utility. When dividends are received, the investment account is reduced by an equivalent amount.

‒ Account No. 123.1, Investments in Subsidiary CompaniesB. This account shall be maintained in such a manner as to show separately for each subsidiary: the cost of such investments in the securities of the subsidiary at the time of acquisition; the amount of equity in the subsidiary's undistributed net earnings or net losses since acquisition; advances or loans to such subsidiary; and full particulars regarding any such investments that are pledged.

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FERC - Office of EnforcementRecent Audit Activity• Docket No. FA15-1

– Scope: FERC gas tariff, accounting regulations in the USofA, Form 2 reporting requirements, compliance review program

– Key Findings:‒ Accounting for Imbalances‒ Accounting and reporting accruals and third-party reimbursements‒ Accounting and reporting of ADIT‒ Accounting and reporting accrued taxes

– Pertinent Guidance:‒ Order No. 581 explained that pipelines should record a receivable and payable for all

customer gas that is used to meet imbalances to reflect their right to receive gas from one shipper and their obligation to provide gas to another shipper.

‒ Account 252, Customer Advances for Construction, states: This account shall include advances by customers for construction which are to be refunded either wholly or in part. When a customer is refunded the entire amount to which he is entitled, according to the agreement or rule under which the advance was made, the balance, if any, remaining in this account shall be credited to the respective plant account.

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FERC - Office of EnforcementRecent Audit Activity• Docket No. FA15-1 continued,

– Pertinent Guidance‒ Accounting for Income Taxes, Docket No. AI93-5-000 states: An entity shall record

the deferred tax liability for the equity component of AFUDC in Account 282, Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Other Property, and any corresponding regulatory asset in Account 182.3, Other Regulatory Assets. The regulatory asset is itself a temporary difference for which deferred incomes taxes shall be recognized and recorded in Account 283, Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Other.

‒ Accrued Taxes: Destin did not make any offsetting entries to remove the accrued income taxes in Account 236, which resulted in a cumulative balance reported in Account 236 since 2005. Destin must adjust the Account 236 balances to reflect the correct accrued taxes and credit the excess amount to Account 211, Miscellaneous Paid-In Capital, taking into consideration the estimated and final income tax payments made by its member companies.

• Docket No. FA15-14– Scope: merger, accounting and reporting– Key Findings:

‒ Accounting for Merger Transaction Costs– Pertinent Guidance

‒ Account 426.5, Other Deductions

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestOther Topics Addressed by FERC:

• RTO filings – changes in accounting policies or corrections– Encourage dialogue with customers in formula rate updates with

respect to new GAAP and correction of any errors

• Proposed policy statement on hold harmless commitments– Issued in January 2015– EEI and 8 others filed comments in March 2015– Most significant issue is making commitments unlimited in

duration

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestPensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs

• Exposure Draft released in January 2016– Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost– Proposed changes

• Service cost presented as an operating expense• Remaining components presented in a separate non-operating item

in the income statement• Only the service cost component would be eligible for capitalization

– EEI/AGA Comment Letter– May result in complex tracking of amounts capitalized for

regulatory accounting vs GAAP• Would differences be classified as regulatory assets and liabilities?

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestLease ASU 2016-02

• All leases will be presented on the balance sheet

• Straight-line expense for former operating leases

• Effective for years ending after 12/15/18

• Modified retrospective adoption to first balance sheet presented

• What FERC account will be utilized for the “right of use” asset for operating leases that are currently off-balance sheet?

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestDiscontinued Operations

• Discussed recently issued guidance by FASB and potential impact on FERC accounting and reporting– ASU 2014-08 – Reporting Discontinued Operations and

Disclosure of Components of an Entity• Disposal of an entity or a group of components of an entity

required to be reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results (whether held for sale, sold, or disposed of other than sale, such as an abandonment or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff)

• No impact on FERC reporting since FERC has no presentation of discontinued operations on the FERC Income Statement

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FERC – Relevant Topics Additional Topics of InterestRevenue from contracts with customers

• ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers– Overall, we do not expect significant accounting impacts on the

industry from applying the ASU, but given its principles-based requirements and the elimination of industry-specific guidance, we are working diligently to identify and address any potential issues.

– Potential issues include contract modifications, price and volume variability contracts, contributions in aid of construction, and presentation of operating revenue.

– Open question not discussed with FERC Staff: FERC formula rate revenue recognition• AICPA industry task force is currently evaluating• Is the alternative revenue program:

– All amounts billed to customers under formula rates – Only the true-up amount

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestExtraordinary and Unusual Items

• ASU 2015-01 – Extraordinary and Unusual Items – Eliminates the concept of extraordinary items for presentation on

the face of the income statement.– Potential additional FERC vs. GAAP difference unless FERC

decides to revise the USofA to eliminate Accounts 434, 435, and 409.3.

– We understand FERC staff observed that there may be instances where FERC may require the continued use of the extraordinary items accounts depending on the nature of the transaction.

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestPresentation of Debt Issuance Costs

• ASU 2015-03 – Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs– Present debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a direct

deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with discounts.

– Will result in another FERC vs. GAAP difference.– FERC Account 181 is presented as a deferred asset on the

FERC balance sheet.– Account 181 should continue to be used to avoid understating

the long term debt balances used to determine debt/equity weighting.

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestCloud Computing Arrangements

•ASU 2015-5 Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

The guidance in this Subtopic applies only to internal-use software that a customer obtains access to in a hosting arrangement if both of the following criteria are met:a. The customer has the contractual right to take possession of the

software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty

b. 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

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestCloud Computing Arrangements

• ASU 2015-5 Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement– Many common cloud computing arrangements would be treated

as service contracts and expensed as they are incurred, and companies would no longer be permitted to analogize to lease accounting to capitalize such contracts.

– However, there are several remaining considerations for the utility that may result in a diversity of accounting practice:• Capitalization treatment of ancillary costs (e.g., up-front fees,

customization, integration, testing)• Appropriate balance sheet classification for capitalized costs• Income statement treatment of costs of cloud computing • Treatment of cloud costs on the FERC forms

– No feedback from the FERC Staff – assuming we will follow GAAP for FERC

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FERC – Relevant TopicsAdditional Topics of InterestMeasurement of Inventory

• ASU 2015-11 – Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory– Other than inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory

method, the subsequent measurement of inventory should be at the lower of cost and net realizable value• Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the

ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation

– Little if any impact expected on regulated utilities with cost based ratemaking

– Unregulated operations may be impacted

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Q & A

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