Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Companies’ accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in the Companies’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated in Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 6, 2018.

Estimates

The Companies make certain estimates and assumptions in preparing their Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Consolidation

The Companies’ accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include, after eliminating intercompany transactions and balances, their accounts, those of their respective majority-owned subsidiaries and non-wholly-owned entities in which they have a controlling financial interest.

Consolidation, consolidated entities and noncontrolling interest

For certain partnership structures, income is allocated based on the liquidation value of the underlying contractual arrangements. At September 30, 2018, Dominion Energy owns the general partner, 60.9% of the common units and 37.5% of the convertible preferred interests in Dominion Energy Midstream. The public’s ownership interest in Dominion Energy Midstream is reflected as noncontrolling interest in Dominion Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, at September 30, 2018, Dominion Energy owns 50% of the units in and consolidates Four Brothers and Three Cedars. In August 2018, NRG’s ownership interest in Four Brothers and Three Cedars was transferred to GIP. GIP’s ownership interest in Four Brothers and Three Cedars, as well as Terra Nova Renewable Partners’ 33% interest in certain Dominion Energy merchant solar projects, is reflected as noncontrolling interest in Dominion Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the Companies’ 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes have been reclassified as a result of the adoption of revised accounting guidance pertaining to certain net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs, restricted cash and equivalents and certain distributions from equity method investees. In addition, certain other amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation for comparative purposes; however, such reclassifications did not affect the Companies’ net income, total assets, liabilities, equity or cash flows

Operating Revenue

Operating revenue is recorded on the basis of services rendered, commodities delivered or contracts settled and includes amounts yet to be billed to customers. Dominion Energy and Virginia Power collect sales, consumption and consumer utility taxes and Dominion Energy Gas collects sales taxes; however, these amounts are excluded from revenue. Dominion Energy’s customer receivables include accrued unbilled revenue based on estimated amounts of electricity and natural gas delivered but not yet billed to utility customers. Virginia Power’s customer receivables include accrued unbilled revenue based on estimated amounts of electricity delivered but not yet billed to customers. Dominion Energy Gas’ customer receivables include accrued unbilled revenue based on estimated amounts of natural gas delivered and services provided but not yet billed to customers.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Dominion Energy, subsequent to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, are as follows:

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

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Regulated electric sales consist primarily of state-regulated retail electric sales, and federally-regulated wholesale electric sales and electric transmission services;

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Nonregulated electric sales consist primarily of sales of electricity at market-based rates and contracted fixed rates, and associated hedging activity;

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Regulated gas sales consist primarily of state-regulated natural gas sales and related distribution services;

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Nonregulated gas sales consist primarily of sales of natural gas production at market-based rates and contracted fixed prices, sales of gas purchased from third parties and associated hedging activity;

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Regulated gas transportation and storage sales consist of FERC-regulated sales of transmission and storage services and state-regulated gas distribution charges to retail distribution service customers opting for alternate suppliers and sales of gathering services;

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Nonregulated gas transportation and storage sales consist primarily of LNG terminalling services;

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Other regulated revenue consists primarily of miscellaneous service revenue from electric and gas distribution operations and sales of excess electric capacity and other commodities; and

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Other nonregulated revenue consists primarily of NGL gathering and processing, sales of NGL production and condensate, extracted products and associated hedging activity. Other nonregulated revenue also includes services performed for Atlantic Coast Pipeline, sales of energy-related products and services from Dominion Energy’s retail energy marketing operations, service concession arrangements and gas processing and handling revenue.

Other Revenue

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Other revenue consists primarily of alternative revenue programs, gains and losses from derivative instruments not subject to hedge accounting and lease revenues.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Dominion Energy, prior to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, were as follows:

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Regulated electric sales consisted primarily of state-regulated retail electric sales, and federally-regulated wholesale electric sales and electric transmission services;

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Nonregulated electric sales consisted primarily of sales of electricity at market-based rates and contracted fixed rates, and associated derivative activity;

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Regulated gas sales consisted primarily of state- and FERC-regulated natural gas sales and related distribution services and associated derivative activity;

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Nonregulated gas sales consisted primarily of sales of natural gas production at market-based rates and contracted fixed prices, sales of gas purchased from third parties, gas trading and marketing revenue and associated derivative activity;

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Gas transportation and storage sales consisted primarily of FERC-regulated sales of transmission and storage services. Also included were state-regulated gas distribution charges to retail distribution service customers opting for alternate suppliers and sales of gathering services; and

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Other revenue consisted primarily of sales of NGL production and condensate, extracted products and associated derivative activity. Other revenue also included miscellaneous service revenue from electric and gas distribution operations, sales of energy-related products and services from Dominion Energy’s retail energy marketing operations and gas processing and handling revenue.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Virginia Power, subsequent to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, are as follows:

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

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Regulated electric sales consist primarily of state-regulated retail electric sales, and federally-regulated wholesale electric sales and electric transmission services;

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Other regulated revenue consists primarily of sales of excess capacity and other commodities and miscellaneous service revenue from electric distribution operations; and

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Other nonregulated revenue consists primarily of sales to non-jurisdictional customers from certain solar facilities, revenue from renting space on certain electric transmission poles and distribution towers and service concession arrangements.

Other Revenue

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Other revenue consists primarily of alternative revenue programs, gains and losses from derivative instruments not subject to hedge accounting and lease revenues.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Virginia Power, prior to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, were as follows:

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Regulated electric sales consisted primarily of state-regulated retail electric sales, and federally-regulated wholesale electric sales and electric transmission services; and

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Other revenue consisted primarily of miscellaneous service revenue from electric distribution operations and miscellaneous revenue from generation operations, including sales of capacity and other commodities.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Dominion Energy Gas, subsequent to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, are as follows:

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

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Regulated gas sales consist primarily of state-regulated natural gas sales and related distribution services;

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Nonregulated gas sales consist primarily of sales of gas purchased from third parties and royalty revenues;

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NGL revenue consists primarily of NGL gathering and processing, sales of NGL production and condensate, extracted products and associated hedging activity;

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Management service revenue consists primarily of services performed for Atlantic Coast Pipeline;

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Other regulated revenue consists primarily of miscellaneous regulated revenues; and

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Other nonregulated revenue consists primarily of miscellaneous service revenue.

Other Revenue

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Other revenue consists primarily of gains and losses from derivative instruments not subject to hedge accounting.

The primary types of sales and service activities reported as operating revenue for Dominion Energy Gas, prior to the adoption of revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, were as follows:

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Regulated gas sales consisted primarily of state- and FERC-regulated natural gas sales and related distribution services;

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Nonregulated gas sales consisted primarily of sales of natural gas production at market-based rates and contracted fixed prices and sales of gas purchased from third parties. Revenue from sales of gas production was recognized based on actual volumes of gas sold to purchasers and was reported net of royalties;

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NGL revenue consisted primarily of sales of NGL production and condensate, extracted products and associated derivative activity; and

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Other revenue consisted primarily of miscellaneous service revenue, gas processing and handling revenue.

Alternative revenue programs compensate Dominion Energy and Virginia Power for certain projects and initiatives. Revenues arising from these programs are presented separately from revenue arising from contracts with customers in the categories above. Currently, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power account for the equity return for under-recovery of certain riders under the alternative revenue program guidance.

Revenues from electric and gas sales are recognized over time, as the customers of the Companies consume gas and electricity as it is delivered. Transportation and storage contracts are primarily stand-ready service contracts that include fixed reservation and variable usage fees. LNG terminalling services are also stand-ready service contracts, primarily consisting of fixed fees, offset by service credits associated with the start-up phase of the Liquefaction Project. Fixed fees are recognized ratably over the life of the contract as the stand-ready performance obligation is satisfied, while variable usage fees are recognized when Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas have a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the performance obligation completed to date. Sales of products, such as NGLs, typically transfer control and are recognized as revenue upon delivery of the product. The customer is able to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the product at the time the product is delivered. The contract with the customer states the final terms of the sale, including the description, quantity and price of each product or service purchased. Payment for most sales and services varies by contract type, but is typically due within a month of billing.

Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas typically receive or retain NGLs and natural gas from customers when providing natural gas processing, transportation or storage services. The revised guidance for revenue from contracts with customers requires entities to include the fair value of the noncash consideration in the transaction price. Therefore, subsequent to the adoption of the revised guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers, Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas record the fair value of NGLs received during natural gas processing as service revenue recognized over time, and continue to recognize revenue from the subsequent sale of the NGLs to customers upon delivery. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas typically retain natural gas under certain transportation service arrangements that are intended to facilitate performance of the service and allow for natural losses that occur. As the intent of the allowance is to enable fulfillment of the contract rather than to provide compensation for services, the fuel allowance is not included in revenue.

Cash, Restricted Cash and Equivalents

Restricted Cash and Equivalents

The Companies hold restricted cash and equivalent balances that primarily consist of amounts held for certain customer deposits, future debt payments on SBL Holdco and Dominion Solar Projects III, Inc.’s term loan agreements and a distribution reserve at Cove Point. Upon adoption of revised accounting guidance in January 2018, restricted cash and equivalents are included within the Companies’ Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, with the change in balance no longer considered a separate investing activity. The guidance required retrospective application which resulted in an adjustment to Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas’ other cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which had been previously reported as $6 million and $16 million, respectively. There was no impact to Virginia Power for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The following table provides a reconciliation of the total cash, restricted cash and equivalents reported within the Companies’ Consolidated Balance Sheets to the corresponding amounts reported within the Companies’ Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

	Cash, Restricted Cash and Equivalents at End of Period				Cash, Restricted Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period
	September 30, 2018		September 30, 2017		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
(millions)
Dominion Energy
Cash and cash equivalents	$	310	$	227	$	120	$	261
Restricted cash and equivalents⁽¹⁾		77		74		65		61
Cash, restricted cash and equivalents shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	387	$	301	$	185	$	322
Virginia Power
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22	$	16	$	14	$	11
Restricted cash and equivalents⁽¹⁾		10		—		10		—
Cash, restricted cash and equivalents shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	32	$	16	$	24	$	11
Dominion Energy Gas
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4	$	13	$	4	$	23
Restricted cash and equivalents ⁽¹⁾		22		29		26		20
Cash, restricted cash and equivalents shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	26	$	42	$	30	$	43

(1)	Restricted cash and equivalent balances are presented within other current assets in the Companies’ Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments

Distributions from Equity Method Investees

Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas each hold investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Effective January 2018, Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas classify distributions from equity method investees as either cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows according to the nature of the distribution. Distributions received are classified on the basis of the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution as either a return on investment (classified as cash flows from operating activities) or a return of an investment (classified as cash flows from investing activities) when such information is available to Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas. Previously, distributions were determined to be either a return on an investment or return of an investment based on a cumulative earnings approach whereby any distributions received in excess of earnings were considered to be a return of an investment. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas have applied this approach on a retrospective basis. As a result, distributions from equity method investees were reclassified within Dominion Energy’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows from other investing activities to other adjustments from operating activities, which were previously reported as ($95) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. There was no impact to Dominion Energy Gas for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Investments

Debt and Equity Securities with Readily Determinable Fair Values

Dominion Energy accounts for and classifies investments in debt securities as trading or available-for-sale securities. Virginia Power classifies investments in debt securities as available-for-sale securities.

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Debt securities classified as trading securities include securities held by Dominion Energy in rabbi trusts associated with certain deferred compensation plans. These securities are reported in other investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with net realized and unrealized gains and losses included in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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Debt securities classified as available-for-sale securities include all other debt securities, primarily comprised of securities held in the nuclear decommissioning trusts. These investments are reported at fair value in nuclear decommissioning trust funds in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses (including any other-than-temporary impairments) on investments held in Virginia Power’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are recorded to a regulatory liability for certain jurisdictions subject to cost-based regulation. For all other available-for-sale debt securities, including those held in Dominion Energy’s merchant generation nuclear decommissioning trusts, net realized gains and losses (including any other-than-temporary impairments) are included in other income and unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of AOCI, after-tax.

In determining realized gains and losses for debt securities, the cost basis of the security is based on the specific identification method.

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values include securities held by Dominion Energy in rabbi trusts associated with certain deferred compensation plans and securities held by Dominion Energy and Virginia Power in the nuclear decommissioning trusts. Dominion Energy and Virginia Power record all equity securities with a readily determinable fair value, or for which they are permitted to estimate fair value using NAV (or its equivalent), at fair value in nuclear decommissioning trust funds and other investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power may elect a measurement alternative for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. Under the measurement alternative, equity securities are reported at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Dominion Energy and Virginia Power qualitatively assess equity securities reported using the measurement alternative to determine whether an investment is impaired on an ongoing basis. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities held in Virginia Power’s nuclear decommissioning trusts are recorded to a regulatory liability for certain jurisdictions subject to cost-based regulation. For all other equity securities, including those held in Dominion Energy’s merchant generation nuclear decommissioning trusts and rabbi trusts, net realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Values

The Companies account for illiquid and privately held securities without readily determinable fair values under either the equity method or cost method. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values include:

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Equity method investments when the Companies have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Dominion Energy’s investments are included in investments in equity method affiliates and Dominion Energy Gas’ investments are included in investments in their Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas record equity method adjustments in other income and earnings from equity method investee, respectively, in their Consolidated Statements of Income, including their proportionate share of investee income or loss, gains or losses resulting from investee capital transactions, amortization of certain differences between the carrying value and the equity in the net assets of the investee at the date of investment and other adjustments required by the equity method.

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Cost method investments when Dominion Energy and Virginia Power do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. Dominion Energy’s and Virginia Power’s investments are included in other investments and nuclear decommissioning trust funds. Cost method investments are reported at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

The Companies periodically review their investments in debt securities and equity method investments to determine whether a decline in fair value should be considered other-than-temporary. If a decline in the fair value of any security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down to its fair value at the end of the reporting period.

Decommissioning Trust Investments – Special Considerations for Debt Securities

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The recognition provisions of other-than-temporary impairment guidance apply only to debt securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity.

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Using information obtained from their nuclear decommissioning trust fixed-income investment managers, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power record in earnings any unrealized loss for a debt security when the manager intends to sell the debt security or it is more-likely-than-not that the manager will have to sell the debt security before recovery of its fair value up to its cost basis. If that is not the case, but the debt security is deemed to have experienced a credit loss, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power record the credit loss in earnings and any remaining portion of the unrealized loss in AOCI. Credit losses are evaluated primarily by considering the credit ratings of the issuer, prior instances of non-performance by the issuer and other factors.

Property, Plant and Equipment

In the second quarter of 2018, Virginia Power recorded an adjustment for the retroactive application of depreciation rates for regulated nuclear plants to comply with Virginia Commission requirements. This adjustment resulted in a decrease of $7 million ($5 million after-tax) and $53 million ($41 million after-tax) in depreciation expense in Virginia Power’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. This revision is expected to decrease annual depreciation expense by approximately $30 million ($23 million after-tax).

New Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance for revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The Companies adopted this revised accounting guidance for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Upon the adoption of the standard, Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas recorded the cumulative-effect of a change in accounting principle of $3 million to retained earnings and membership interests, respectively, and to establish a contract asset related to changes in the timing of revenue recognition for three existing contracts with customers at DETI.

As a result of adopting this revised accounting guidance, Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas record offsetting operating revenue and other energy-related purchases for non-cash consideration of performing processing and fractionation services related to NGLs. Such amounts at Dominion Energy were $24 million and $74 million, respectively, and at Dominion Energy Gas were $21 million and $71 million, respectively, recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. No such amounts were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas no longer record offsetting operating revenue and purchased gas for fuel retained to offset costs on certain transportation and storage arrangements. Such amounts at Dominion Energy were $20 million and $83 million, respectively, and at Dominion Energy Gas were $16 million and $64 million, respectively, recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The guidance became effective for the Companies’ interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 and the Companies adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method. Upon adoption of this guidance for equity securities held at January 1, 2018, Dominion Energy and Virginia Power recorded the cumulative-effect of a change in accounting principle to reclassify net unrealized gains from AOCI to retained earnings and to recognize equity securities previously categorized as cost method investments at fair value (using NAV) in nuclear decommissioning trust funds in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. Dominion Energy and Virginia Power reclassified approximately $1.1 billion ($734 million after-tax) and $119 million ($73 million after-tax), respectively, of net unrealized gains from AOCI to retained earnings. Dominion Energy and Virginia Power also recorded approximately $36 million ($22 million after-tax) in net unrealized gains on equity securities previously classified as cost method investments, of which $3 million was recorded to retained earnings and $33 million was recorded to regulatory liabilities for net unrealized gains subject to cost-based regulation. As a result of adopting this revised accounting guidance, Dominion Energy recorded unrealized gains on equity securities, net of regulatory deferrals, of $148 million ($116 million after-tax) and $146 million ($116 million after-tax) in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, resulting in an $0.18 gain per share for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. Virginia Power recorded unrealized gains on equity securities, net of regulatory deferrals, of $15 million ($12 million after-tax) and $13 million ($11 million after-tax), respectively, in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Derecognition and Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets

In February 2017, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The guidance became effective for the Companies’ interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018, and the Companies adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method. Upon adoption of the standard, Dominion Energy recorded the cumulative-effect of a change in accounting principle to reclassify $127 million from noncontrolling interests to common stock related to the sale of a noncontrolling interest in certain merchant solar projects completed in December 2015 and January 2016.

Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs

In March 2017, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance for the presentation of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. The update requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs be classified in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees, while other components of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs are classified outside of income from operations. In addition, only the service cost component remains eligible for capitalization during construction. These changes do not impact the accounting by participants in a multi-employer plan.

This guidance became effective for the Companies beginning January 1, 2018 with a retrospective adoption for income statement presentation and a prospective adoption for capitalization. Dominion Energy’s and Dominion Energy Gas’ Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 have been recast to reflect retrospective adoption for the presentation of the non-service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. Previously, the non-service cost component for Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Gas was reflected in other operations and maintenance in the Consolidated Statements of Income, along with the service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. Subsequent to the adoption of this guidance, the non-service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs is recorded in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As previously reported, Dominion Energy’s other operations and maintenance expense and other income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $649 million and $73 million, respectively, and were $2.2 billion and $249 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Dominion Energy Gas’ other operations and maintenance expense and other income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $53 million and $6 million, respectively, and were $312 million and $16 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Tax Reform

In February 2018, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance to provide clarification on the application of the 2017 Tax Reform Act for balances recorded within AOCI. The revised guidance provides for stranded amounts within AOCI from the impacts of the 2017 Tax Reform Act to be reclassified to retained earnings. The Companies adopted this guidance for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, Dominion Energy reclassified a benefit of $289 million from AOCI to retained earnings, Virginia Power reclassified a benefit of $3 million from AOCI to retained earnings and Dominion Energy Gas reclassified a benefit of $26 million from AOCI to membership interests. The amounts reclassified reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate, and the federal benefit of state income taxes, on the components of the Companies’ AOCI.

Fair Value Measurements

The Companies enter into certain physical and financial forwards, futures, options and swaps, which are considered Level 3 as they have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation. The discounted cash flow method is used to value Level 3 physical and financial forwards, futures, and swaps contracts. An option model is used to value Level 3 physical options. The discounted cash flow model for forwards, futures, and swaps calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, original transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate of return, and credit spreads. The option model calculates mark-to-market valuations using variations of the Black-Scholes option model. The inputs into the models are the forward market prices, implied price volatilities, risk-free rate of return, the option expiration dates, the option strike prices, the original sales prices, and volumes. For Level 3 fair value measurements, certain forward market prices and implied price volatilities are considered unobservable. The unobservable inputs are developed and substantiated using historical information, available market data, third-party data, and statistical analysis. Periodically, inputs to valuation models are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third-party pricing sources.

Regulatory Matters Involving Potential Loss Contingencies

As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, the Companies are involved in various regulatory matters. Certain regulatory matters may ultimately result in a loss; however, as such matters are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending reviews or orders, and/or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, it is not possible for the Companies to estimate a range of possible loss. For matters for which the Companies cannot estimate a range of possible loss, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the regulatory process such that the Companies are able to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters for which the Companies are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any estimated range is based on currently available information, involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties and may not represent the Companies’ maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such regulatory matters will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current matters not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the outcome from such matters would have a material effect on the Companies’ financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, the Companies are involved in legal proceedings before various courts and are periodically subject to governmental examinations (including by regulatory authorities), inquiries and investigations. Certain legal proceedings and governmental examinations involve demands for unspecified amounts of damages, are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, such that it is not possible for the Companies to estimate a range of possible loss. For such matters for which the Companies cannot estimate, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the litigation or investigative processes such that the Companies are able to estimate a range of possible loss. For legal proceedings and governmental examinations for which the Companies are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any accrued liability is recorded on a gross basis with a receivable also recorded for any probable insurance recoveries. Estimated ranges of loss are inclusive of legal fees and net of any anticipated insurance recoveries. Any estimated range is based on currently available information and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Any estimated range of possible loss may not represent the Companies’ maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such legal proceedings and governmental examinations will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current proceedings not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings would have a material effect on the Companies’ financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Guarantees, Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit

Dominion Energy also enters into guarantee arrangements on behalf of its consolidated subsidiaries, primarily to facilitate their commercial transactions with third parties. If any of these subsidiaries fail to perform or pay under the contracts and the counterparties seek performance or payment, Dominion Energy would be obligated to satisfy such obligation. To the extent that a liability subject to a guarantee has been incurred by one of Dominion Energy’s consolidated subsidiaries, that liability is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Dominion Energy is not required to recognize liabilities for guarantees issued on behalf of its subsidiaries unless it becomes probable that it will have to perform under the guarantees. Terms of the guarantees typically end once obligations have been paid. Dominion Energy currently believes it is unlikely that it would be required to perform or otherwise incur any losses associated with guarantees of its subsidiaries’ obligations.