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Organization And Basis Of Presentation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Organization And Basis Of Presentation

NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

PG&E Corporation is a holding company whose primary operating subsidiary is Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a public utility operating in northern and central California.  The Utility generates revenues mainly through the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to customers.  The Utility is primarily regulated by the CPUC and the FERC.  In addition, the NRC oversees the licensing, construction, operation, and decommissioning of the Utility’s nuclear generation facilities. 

 

On April 9, 2015, the CPUC approved final decisions in the three investigations pending against the Utility relating to (1) the Utility’s safety recordkeeping for its natural gas transmission system, (2) the Utility’s operation of its natural gas transmission pipeline system in or near locations of higher population density, and (3) the Utility’s pipeline installation, integrity management, recordkeeping and other operational practices, and other events or courses of conduct, that could have led to or contributed to the natural gas explosion that occurred in the City of San Bruno, California on September 9, 2010.  A decision was issued in each investigative proceeding to determine the violations that the Utility committed.  The CPUC also approved a fourth decision (the “Penalty Decision”) which imposes penalties on the Utility totaling $1.6 billion.  As a result of the Penalty Decision, the March 31, 2015 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income reflect total charges of $553 million, consisting of $400 million for a bill credit due to natural gas customers, $100 million of accrued fines payable to the State General Fund (bringing the total accrual for fines payable to $300 million), and $53 million of estimated disallowances related to pipeline safety improvements.  (See Note 9 below.)

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility.  PG&E Corporation’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PG&E Corporation, the Utility, and other wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries.  The Utility’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Utility and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both PG&E Corporation and the Utility.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility operate in one segment.

 

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and in accordance with the interim period reporting requirements of Form 10-Q and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management believes are necessary for the fair presentation of PG&E Corporation and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented.  The information at December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included in this quarterly report was derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheets in the 2014 Form 10-K.  This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the 2014 Form 10-K. 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions relate to the Utility’s regulatory assets and liabilities, legal and regulatory contingencies, environmental remediation liabilities, asset retirement obligations, and pension and other postretirement benefit plans obligations.  Management believes that its estimates and assumptions reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate and reasonable.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.