XML 28 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.3
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms and abbreviations used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms.

FE was incorporated under Ohio law in 1996. FE’s principal business is the holding, directly or indirectly, of all of the outstanding equity of its principal subsidiaries: OE, CEI, TE, Penn (a wholly owned subsidiary of OE), JCP&L, ME, PN, FESC, MP, AGC (a wholly owned subsidiary of MP), PE and WP. Additionally, FET is a majority-owned subsidiary of FE, and is the parent company of ATSI, MAIT, PATH and TrAIL. In addition, FE holds all of the outstanding equity of other direct subsidiaries including FEV, which currently holds a 33-1/3% equity ownership in Global Holding, the holding company for a joint venture in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations.
On November 6, 2021, FirstEnergy, along with FET, entered into the FET P&SA I, with Brookfield and the Brookfield Guarantors, pursuant to which FET agreed to issue and sell to Brookfield at the closing, and Brookfield agreed to purchase from FET, certain newly issued membership interests of FET, such that Brookfield would own 19.9% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of FET, for a purchase price of $2.375 billion. The transaction closed on May 31, 2022. The difference between the cash consideration received, net of transaction costs of approximately $37 million, and the carrying value of the NCI of $451 million was recorded as an increase to OPIC. FirstEnergy presents the third-party investors’ ownership portion of FirstEnergy's net income, net assets and comprehensive income as NCI. NCI is included as a component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

FE and its subsidiaries are principally involved in the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity. FirstEnergy’s ten utility operating companies comprise one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, based on serving over six million customers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. FirstEnergy’s transmission operations include approximately 24,000 miles of lines and two regional transmission operation centers. AGC and MP control 3,580 MWs of total capacity.
These interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements and notes prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

FE and its subsidiaries follow GAAP and comply with the related regulations, orders, policies and practices prescribed by the SEC, FERC, and, as applicable, the PUCO, the PPUC, the MDPSC, the NYPSC, the WVPSC, the VSCC and the NJBPU. The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for any future period. FE and its subsidiaries have evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.

FE and its subsidiaries consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries over which they exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which they have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation as appropriate and permitted pursuant to GAAP. FE and its subsidiaries consolidate a variable interest entity when it is determined that it is the primary beneficiary. Investments in affiliates over which FE and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have a controlling financial interest, follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the percentage of FE’s ownership share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, including presenting long-term debt and other long-term obligations within “Noncurrent Liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as compared to “Total Capitalization”.

Economic Conditions

Economic conditions following the global pandemic have increased supply chain lead times across numerous material categories, with some as much as tripling from pre-pandemic lead times. Some key suppliers have struggled with labor shortages and raw material availability, which along with inflationary pressure that appears to be moderating, have increased costs and decreased the availability of certain materials, equipment and contractors. FirstEnergy has taken steps to mitigate these risks and does not currently expect service disruptions or any material impact on its capital spending plan. However, the situation remains fluid and a prolonged continuation or further increase in supply chain disruptions could have an adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. Additionally, interest rates have increased significantly,
which has caused the interest expense on borrowings under the various FirstEnergy credit facilities and new capital market issuances to be significantly higher.
Sale of Equity Interest in FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC

On February 2, 2023, FE, along with FET, entered into the FET P&SA II with Brookfield and the Brookfield Guarantors, pursuant to which FE agreed to sell to Brookfield at the closing, and Brookfield agreed to purchase from FE, an incremental 30% equity interest in FET for a purchase price of $3.5 billion. The majority of the purchase price is expected to be paid in cash upon closing, and the remainder will be payable by the issuance of a promissory note, which is expected to be repaid by the end of 2024. As a result of the consummation of the transaction, Brookfield’s interest in FET will increase from 19.9% to 49.9%, while FE will retain the remaining 50.1% ownership interests of FET. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the FERC, which was received on August 14, 2023, and certain state utility commissions, and completion of review by the CFIUS. In addition, pursuant to the FET P&SA II, FirstEnergy made the necessary filings with the applicable regulatory authorities for the PA Consolidation. The FET Minority Equity Interest Sale is expected to close in early 2024. Upon closing, FET will continue to be consolidated in FirstEnergy’s GAAP financial statements.

Pursuant to the terms of the FET P&SA II, in connection with the closing, Brookfield, FET and FE will enter into the A&R FET LLC Agreement, which will amend and restate in its entirety the current limited liability company agreement of FET. The A&R FET LLC Agreement, among other things, provides for the governance, exit, capital and distribution, and other arrangements for FET from and following the closing. Under the A&R FET LLC Agreement, at the closing, the FET Board will consist of five directors, two appointed by Brookfield and three appointed by FE. Each of Brookfield’s and FE’s respective appointment rights are subject to such party maintaining certain minimum ownership percentages. The A&R FET LLC Agreement contains certain investor protections, including, among other things, requiring Brookfield's approval for FET and its subsidiaries to take certain major actions. Under the terms of the A&R FET LLC Agreement, for so long as Brookfield holds at least a 30.0% interest in FET, Brookfield’s consent is required for FET or any of its subsidiaries to, among other things, undertake certain acquisitions or dispositions in excess of certain dollar thresholds, establish or amend the annual budget, incur cost overruns on certain capital expenditures projects during any fiscal year in excess of a certain percentage overage of the budgeted amounts or incur cost overruns on the aggregate capital expenditure budget of FET’s subsidiaries during any fiscal year in excess of a certain percentage overage of the aggregated budgeted amount, make material decisions relating to litigation where either the potential liability exposure is in excess of a certain threshold dollar amount or such proceeding would reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on Brookfield or FET, make certain material regulatory filings, incur or refinance indebtedness by FET or its subsidiaries, which, in the case of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to cause such subsidiary to deviate from its targeted capital structure, enter into joint ventures, appoint or replace any member of its transmission leadership team, amend the accounting policies of FET or its subsidiaries (but only if FE is no longer the majority owner of FET), take any action that would reasonably be expected to cause a default or breach of any material contract of FET or any of its subsidiaries, create certain material liens (excluding certain permitted liens), or cause any reorganization of FET or any of its subsidiaries. The A&R FET LLC Agreement also includes provisions relating to the resolution of disputes and to address deadlocks between FET members and provides a mechanism to preserve FE’s economic interest in the MAIT Class B distributions.

Consolidation of Pennsylvania Companies

FirstEnergy is proceeding with the consolidation of the Pennsylvania Companies into FE PA, a new, single operating entity. The PA Consolidation will require, among other steps: (a) the transfer of certain Pennsylvania-based transmission assets owned by WP to KATCo, (b) the contribution of Class B equity interests of MAIT currently held by PN and ME to FE (and ultimately transferred to FET as part of the FET Minority Equity Interest Sale), (c) the formation of FE PA and (d) the merger of each of the Pennsylvania Companies with and into FE PA, with FE PA surviving such mergers as the successor-in-interest to all assets and liabilities of the Pennsylvania Companies. Following completion of the PA Consolidation, FE PA will be FE’s only regulated utility in Pennsylvania encompassing the operations previously conducted individually by the Pennsylvania Companies. Consummation of the PA Consolidation is contingent upon numerous conditions, including the approval of NYPSC and PPUC, which filings were submitted on March 6, 2023. Subject to receipt of the remaining regulatory approvals, FirstEnergy expects that the PA Consolidation will close by early 2024.
Capitalized Financing Costs

For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, capitalized financing costs on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $12 million and $15 million, respectively, of allowance for equity funds used during construction and $14 million and $8 million, respectively, of capitalized interest. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, capitalized financing costs on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $31 million and $39 million, respectively, of allowance for equity funds used during construction and $38 million and $20 million, respectively, of capitalized interest.
Discontinued Operations
On February 27, 2020, the FES Debtors emerged from bankruptcy and were deconsolidated from FirstEnergy’s consolidated federal income tax group. The bankruptcy, emergence and deconsolidation resulted in FirstEnergy recognizing certain income tax benefits and charges, which were classified as discontinued operations. During the third quarter of 2023, FirstEnergy recognized a $21 million tax-effected charge to income tax expense as a result of identifying an out of period adjustment related
to the allocation of certain deferred income tax liabilities associated with the FES Debtors and their tax return deconsolidation in 2020. This adjustment at Corporate/Other for segment reporting was immaterial to the 2023 and prior period financial statements, and is reflected within “Discontinued Operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and “Loss on disposal, net of tax” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow.
Equity Method Investments

Investments over which FE and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have a controlling financial interest, follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an Investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The percentage of FE's ownership share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and reflected in “Other Income (Expense)”.
Equity method investments included within "Investments" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $93 million and $90 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Global Holding - FEV currently holds a 33-1/3% equity ownership in Global Holding, the holding company for a joint venture in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations with coal sales primarily focused on international markets. FEV is not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the joint venture’s economic performance. FEV's ownership interest is subject to the equity method of accounting. For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, pre-tax income related to FEV’s ownership in Global Holding was $43 million and $57 million, respectively, and $132 million and $133 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. FEV’s pre-tax equity earnings and investment in Global Holding are included in Corporate/Other for segment reporting.
As of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the equity method investment was $54 million and $57 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, FEV received cash dividends from Global Holding of $135 million and $120 million, which were classified with “Cash from Operating Activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow.
PATH WV - PATH, a proposed transmission line from West Virginia through Virginia into Maryland which PJM cancelled in 2012, is a series limited liability company that is comprised of multiple series, each of which has separate rights, powers and duties regarding specified property and the series profits and losses associated with such property. A subsidiary of FE owns 100% of the Allegheny Series (PATH-Allegheny) and 50% of the West Virginia Series (PATH-WV), which is a joint venture with a subsidiary of AEP. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of PATH-WV, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of PATH-WV. FirstEnergy's ownership interest in PATH-WV is subject to the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the equity method investment was $18 million.
Goodwill

FirstEnergy evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on July 31 and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. For 2023, FirstEnergy performed a qualitative assessment of the Regulated Distribution and Regulated Transmission reporting units' goodwill, assessing economic, industry and market considerations in addition to the reporting units' overall financial performance. Key factors used in the assessment included: growth rates, interest rates, expected capital expenditures, utility sector market performance, regulatory and legal developments, and other market considerations. It was determined that the fair values of these reporting units were, more likely than not, greater than their carrying values and a quantitative analysis was not necessary.
Reference Rate Reform

In March of 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (issued March 2020 and subsequently updated). This ASU, which introduces Topic ASC 848 to the FASB codification, provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions, that if elected, will ease the financial reporting burdens related to the market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates.

On April 27, 2023, FE, FET, the Utilities and the Transmission Companies entered into amendments to the 2021 Credit Facilities to, among other things: (i) permit the sale from FE to Brookfield of an incremental 30% equity interest in FET for a purchase price of $3.5 billion, (ii) permit the consolidation of the Pennsylvania Companies into a new, single operating entity, FE PA, which will be FE’s only regulated utility in Pennsylvania encompassing the operations previously conducted individually by the Pennsylvania Companies, and (iii) transition the benchmark interest rate for borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facilities from LIBOR to SOFR. During the second quarter of 2023, FirstEnergy utilized the optional expedient within ASC 848 to account for the amendments to the credit facilities as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis.
New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Pronouncements - FirstEnergy is currently assessing the impact of new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB that has not yet been adopted and the impact it will have on its financial statements and disclosures, as well as the potential to early adopt where applicable. The current expectation is that such new standards will not significantly impact FirstEnergy's financial reporting.