Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Ameren’s subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on Ameren’s common stock and the payment of expenses by Ameren depend on distributions made to it by its subsidiaries. Ameren’s principal subsidiaries are listed below. Ameren has other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services. •Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri. •Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois, operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois. •ATXI operates a FERC rate-regulated electric transmission business in the MISO.
Consolidation	Ameren’s financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and therefore include the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, except as disclosed in Note 8 – Related-party Transactions. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have no subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated. Our accounting policies conform to GAAP. Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair statement of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations of an interim period may not give a true indication of results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Form 10-K.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy	Variable Interest Entities As of September 30, 2020, Ameren and Ameren Missouri had interests in unconsolidated variable interest entities that were established to construct wind generation facilities and, ultimately, sell those constructed facilities to Ameren Missouri. Neither Ameren nor Ameren Missouri are the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities because neither has the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the entities' activities, which include designing, financing, and constructing the wind generation facilities. As a result, these variable interest entities have not been consolidated. As of September 30, 2020, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interest entities was approximately $18 million, which primarily represents due diligence and legal costs incurred by Ameren Missouri associated with the acquisitions. The risk of a loss was assessed to be remote and, accordingly, Ameren and Ameren Missouri have not recognized a liability associated with any portion of the maximum exposure to loss. See Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters for additional information on the agreements to acquire these wind generation facilities. As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, Ameren had unconsolidated variable interests as a limited partner in various equity method investments, totaling $34 million and $28 million, respectively, included in “Other assets” on Ameren’s consolidated balance sheet. Ameren is not the primary beneficiary of these investments because it does not have the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the activities of these variable interest entities. As of September 30, 2020, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interests is limited to the investment in these partnerships of $34 million plus associated outstanding funding commitments of $37 million.
Company-owned Life Insurance	Company-owned Life Insurance Ameren and Ameren Illinois have company-owned life insurance, which is recorded at the net cash surrender value. The net cash surrender value is the amount that can be realized under the insurance policies at the balance sheet date. As of September 30, 2020, the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance at Ameren and Ameren Illinois was $260 million (December 31, 2019 – $264 million) and $114 million (December 31, 2019 – $123 million), respectively, while total borrowings against the policies were $107 million (December 31, 2019 – $114 million) at both Ameren and Ameren Illinois. Ameren and Ameren Illinois have the right to offset the borrowings against the cash surrender value of the policies and, consequently, present the net asset in “Other assets” on their respective balance sheets.
Accounting and Reporting Developments	Accounting and Reporting Developments See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for additional information about authoritative accounting guidance relating to defined benefit plan disclosures that will be effective for the Ameren Companies in the fourth quarter of 2020. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments On January 1, 2020, the Ameren Companies adopted authoritative accounting guidance that requires credit losses on most financial assets carried at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as financial guarantees or loan commitments, to be measured using a current expected credit loss (CECL) model. The guidance requires an entity to measure expected credit losses using relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. In addition, the guidance made certain changes to the impairment model applicable to available-for-sale debt securities, such as requiring credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down on impaired debt securities for which there is neither an intent nor a more-likely-than-not requirement to sell. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Ameren Companies’ financial statements and did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the adoption date. See Note 13 – Supplemental Information for additional information regarding credit losses on accounts receivable.
Derivatives, Policy	We use derivatives to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas, power and uranium, as well as the risk of changes in rail transportation surcharges through fuel oil hedges. Such price fluctuations may cause the following: •an unrealized appreciation or depreciation of our contracted commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sale prices under the commitments are compared with current commodity prices; •market values of natural gas and uranium inventories that differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory; •actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities that differ from anticipated cash outlays; and •actual off-system sales revenues that differ from anticipated revenues The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward contracts, futures, options, and swaps. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. The goal of the hedging program is generally to mitigate financial risks while ensuring that sufficient volumes are available to meet our requirements. Contracts we enter into as part of our risk management program may be settled financially, settled by physical delivery, or net settled with the counterparty. The Ameren Companies elect to present the fair value amounts of derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.
Deferred Compensation	Deferred Compensation As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the present value of benefits to be paid for deferred compensation obligations was $88 million and $86 million, respectively, which was primarily reflected in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on Ameren's consolidated balance sheet.
Revenue from Contract with Customer	Operating Revenues As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, our remaining performance obligations for contracts with a term greater than one year were immaterial. The Ameren Companies elected not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period for contracts with an initial expected term of one year or less. See Note 14 – Segment Information for disaggregated revenue information.
Excise Taxes	Excise TaxesAmeren Missouri and Ameren Illinois collect from their customers excise taxes, including municipal and state excise taxes and gross receipts taxes that are levied on the sale or distribution of natural gas and electricity.

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Ameren’s subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on Ameren’s common stock and the payment of expenses by Ameren depend on distributions made to it by its subsidiaries. Ameren’s principal subsidiaries are listed below. Ameren has other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services.

•Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri.

•Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois, operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois.

•ATXI operates a FERC rate-regulated electric transmission business in the MISO.

Consolidation

Ameren’s financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and therefore include the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated, except as disclosed in Note 8 – Related-party Transactions. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have no subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated.

Our accounting policies conform to GAAP. Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair statement of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations of an interim period may not give a true indication of results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Form 10-K.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy

Variable Interest Entities

As of September 30, 2020, Ameren and Ameren Missouri had interests in unconsolidated variable interest entities that were established to construct wind generation facilities and, ultimately, sell those constructed facilities to Ameren Missouri. Neither Ameren nor Ameren Missouri are the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities because neither has the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the entities' activities, which include designing, financing, and constructing the wind generation facilities. As a result, these variable interest entities have not been consolidated. As of September 30, 2020, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interest entities was approximately $18 million, which primarily represents due diligence and legal costs incurred by Ameren Missouri associated with the acquisitions. The risk of a loss was assessed to be remote and, accordingly, Ameren and Ameren Missouri have not recognized a liability associated with any portion of the maximum exposure to loss. See Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters for additional information on the agreements to acquire these wind generation facilities.

As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, Ameren had unconsolidated variable interests as a limited partner in various equity method investments, totaling $34 million and $28 million, respectively, included in “Other assets” on Ameren’s consolidated balance sheet. Ameren is not the primary beneficiary of these investments because it does not have the power to direct matters that most significantly affect the activities of these variable interest entities. As of September 30, 2020, the maximum exposure to loss related to these variable interests is limited to the investment in these partnerships of $34 million plus associated outstanding funding commitments of $37 million.

Company-owned Life Insurance

Ameren and Ameren Illinois have company-owned life insurance, which is recorded at the net cash surrender value. The net cash surrender value is the amount that can be realized under the insurance policies at the balance sheet date. As of September 30, 2020, the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance at Ameren and Ameren Illinois was $260 million (December 31, 2019 – $264 million) and $114 million (December 31, 2019 – $123 million), respectively, while total borrowings against the policies were $107 million (December 31, 2019 – $114 million) at both Ameren and Ameren Illinois. Ameren and Ameren Illinois have the right to offset the borrowings against the cash surrender value of the policies and, consequently, present the net asset in “Other assets” on their respective balance sheets.

Accounting and Reporting Developments

See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for additional information about authoritative accounting guidance relating to defined benefit plan disclosures that will be effective for the Ameren Companies in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

On January 1, 2020, the Ameren Companies adopted authoritative accounting guidance that requires credit losses on most financial assets carried at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as financial guarantees or loan commitments, to be measured using a current expected credit loss (CECL) model. The guidance requires an entity to measure expected credit losses using relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. In addition, the guidance made certain changes to the impairment model applicable to available-for-sale debt securities, such as requiring credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down on impaired debt securities for which there is neither an intent nor a more-likely-than-not requirement to sell. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Ameren Companies’

financial statements and did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the adoption date. See Note 13 – Supplemental Information for additional information regarding credit losses on accounts receivable.

Derivatives, Policy

We use derivatives to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas, power and uranium, as well as the risk of changes in rail transportation surcharges through fuel oil hedges. Such price fluctuations may cause the following:

•an unrealized appreciation or depreciation of our contracted commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sale prices under the commitments are compared with current commodity prices;

•market values of natural gas and uranium inventories that differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory;

•actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities that differ from anticipated cash outlays; and

•actual off-system sales revenues that differ from anticipated revenues

The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward contracts, futures, options, and swaps. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. The goal of the hedging program is generally to mitigate financial risks while ensuring that sufficient volumes are available to meet our requirements. Contracts we enter into as part of our risk management program may be settled financially, settled by physical delivery, or net settled with the counterparty.

The Ameren Companies elect to present the fair value amounts of derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.

Deferred Compensation

As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the present value of benefits to be paid for deferred compensation obligations was $88 million and $86 million, respectively, which was primarily reflected in “Other deferred credits and liabilities” on Ameren's consolidated balance sheet.

Revenue from Contract with Customer

Operating Revenues

As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, our remaining performance obligations for contracts with a term greater than one year were immaterial. The Ameren Companies elected not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period for contracts with an initial expected term of one year or less.

See Note 14 – Segment Information for disaggregated revenue information.

Excise Taxes

Excise TaxesAmeren Missouri and Ameren Illinois collect from their customers excise taxes, including municipal and state excise taxes and gross receipts taxes that are levied on the sale or distribution of natural gas and electricity.