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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. However, the use of a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between bid and ask prices) is permitted. Fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements but also the impact of the Companies’ own nonperformance risk on their liabilities. Fair value measurements assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability (the market with the most volume and activity for the asset or liability from the perspective of the reporting entity), or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market in which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). Dominion Energy applies fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities including commodity, interest rate, and foreign currency derivative instruments, and other investments including those held in nuclear decommissioning, Dominion Energy’s rabbi, and pension and other postretirement benefit plan trusts, in accordance with the requirements discussed above. Virginia Power applies fair value measurements to certain assets and liabilities including commodity and interest rate derivative instruments and other investments including those held in the nuclear decommissioning trust, in accordance with the requirements discussed above. The Companies apply credit adjustments to their derivative fair values in accordance with the requirements described above.

Inputs and Assumptions

Fair value is based on actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, price information is sought from external sources, including industry publications, and to a lesser extent, broker quotes. When evaluating pricing information provided by Designated Contract Market settlement pricing, other pricing services, or brokers, the Companies consider the ability to transact at the quoted price, i.e. if the quotes are based on an active market or an inactive market and to the extent which pricing models are used, if pricing is not readily available. If pricing information from external sources is not available, or if the Companies believe that observable pricing is not indicative of fair value, judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value. In those cases 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 sources.

For options and contracts with option-like characteristics where observable pricing information is not available from external sources, the Companies generally use a modified Black-Scholes Model that considers time value, the volatility of the underlying commodities and other relevant assumptions when estimating fair value. The Companies use other option models under special circumstances, including but not limited to Spread Approximation Model and a Swing Option Model. For contracts with unique characteristics, the

Companies may estimate fair value using a discounted cash flow approach deemed appropriate in the circumstances and applied consistently from period to period. For individual contracts, the use of different valuation models or assumptions could have a significant effect on the contract’s estimated fair value.

The inputs and assumptions used in measuring fair value include the following:

For commodity derivative contracts:

•

Forward commodity prices

•

Transaction prices

•

Price volatility

•

Price correlation

•

Volumes

•

Commodity location

•

Interest rates

•

Credit quality of counterparties and the Companies

•

Credit enhancements

•

Time value

For interest rate derivative contracts:

•

Interest rate curves

•

Credit quality of counterparties and the Companies

•

Notional value

•

Credit enhancements

•

Time value

For foreign currency derivative contracts:

•

Foreign currency forward exchange rates

•

Interest rates

•

Credit quality of counterparties and the Companies

•

Notional value

•

Credit enhancements

•

Time value

For investments:

•

Quoted securities prices and indices

•

Securities trading information including volume and restrictions

•

Maturity

•

Interest rates

•

Credit quality

Levels

The Companies also utilize the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

•

Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that they have the ability to access at the measurement date. Instruments categorized in Level 1 primarily consist of financial instruments such as certain exchange-traded derivatives, and exchange-listed equities, U.S. and international equity securities, mutual funds and certain Treasury securities held in nuclear decommissioning trust funds for the Companies and benefit plan trust funds and rabbi trust funds for Dominion Energy.

•

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 primarily include commodity forwards and swaps, interest rate swaps and cash and cash equivalents, corporate debt instruments, government securities and other fixed income investments held in nuclear decommissioning trust funds for the Companies and foreign currency swaps, benefit plan trust funds and rabbi trust funds for Dominion Energy.

•

Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Instruments categorized in Level 3 for the Companies consist of long-dated commodity derivatives, FTRs, certain natural gas options and other modeled commodity derivatives.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these cases, the lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability. Alternative investments, consisting of investments in partnerships, joint ventures and other alternative investments held in nuclear decommissioning and benefit plan trust funds, are generally valued using NAV based on the proportionate share of the fair value as determined by reference to the most recent audited fair value financial statements or fair value statements provided by the investment manager adjusted for any significant events occurring between the investment manager’s and the Companies’ measurement date. Alternative investments recorded at NAV are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Transfers out of Level 3 represent assets and liabilities that were previously classified as Level 3 for which the inputs became observable for classification in either Level 1 or Level 2. Because the activity and liquidity of commodity markets vary substantially between regions and time periods, the availability of observable inputs for substantially the full term and value of the Companies’ over-the-counter derivative contracts is subject to change.

Level 3 Valuations

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 and futures contracts. An option model is used to value Level 3 physical options. The discounted cash flow model for forwards and futures 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 following table presents Dominion Energy’s quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2020. The range and weighted average are presented in dollars for market price inputs and percentages for price volatility.

	Fair Value (millions)		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input		Range	Weighted Average⁽¹⁾
Assets
Physical and financial forwards:
Natural gas⁽²⁾	$	95	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per Dth)	⁽³⁾	(1) - 4		(1	)
FTRs		15	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per MWh)	⁽³⁾	(1) - 4		1
Total assets	$	110
Liabilities
Financial forwards:
FTRs	$	5	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per MWh)	⁽³⁾	(4) - 3		—
Physical options:
Natural gas		2	Option model	Market price (per Dth)	⁽³⁾	2 - 5		4
				Price volatility	⁽⁴⁾	20% - 56%		38	%
Total liabilities	$	7

(1)	Averages weighted by volume.

(2)	Includes basis.

(3)	Represents market prices beyond defined terms for Levels 1 and 2.

(4)	Represents volatilities unrepresented in published markets.

Sensitivity of the fair value measurements to changes in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows:

Significant Unobservable Inputs	Position	Change to Input	Impact on Fair Value Measurement
Market price	Buy	Increase (decrease)	Gain (loss)
Market price	Sell	Increase (decrease)	Loss (gain)
Price volatility	Buy	Increase (decrease)	Gain (loss)
Price volatility	Sell	Increase (decrease)	Loss (gain)

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Dominion Energy

See Note 9 for information regarding nonrecurring fair value measurements associated with Dominion Energy’s retained noncontrolling interest in Cove Point, charges related to Fowler Ridge, Dominion Energy’s sale of its interest in Blue Racer and Dominion Energy’s retained noncontrolling interest in businesses and assets contributed to Wrangler. See Note 10 for information regarding an impairment charge recorded associated with non-wholly-owned nonregulated solar facilities in partnerships.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy with a separate reconciliation of fair value measurements categorized as Level 3. Fair value disclosures for assets held in Dominion Energy’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans are presented in Note 22.

Dominion Energy

The following table presents Dominion Energy’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(millions)
December 31, 2020
Assets
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	57	$	110	$	167
Interest rate		—		230		—		230
Investments⁽¹⁾:
Equity securities:
U.S.		4,648		—		—		4,648
Fixed income:
Corporate debt instruments		—		629		—		629
Government securities		508		730		—		1,238
Cash equivalents and other		32		15		—		47
Total assets	$	5,188	$	1,661	$	110	$	6,959
Liabilities
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	48	$	7	$	55
Interest rate		—		431		—		431
Total liabilities	$	—	$	479	$	7	$	486
December 31, 2019
Assets
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	55	$	19	$	74
Interest rate		—		11		—		11
Foreign currency		—		8		—		8
Investments⁽¹⁾:
Equity securities:
U.S.		4,195		—		—		4,195
Fixed income:
Corporate debt instruments		—		463		—		463
Government securities		473		719		—		1,192
Cash equivalents and other		19		1		—		20
Total assets	$	4,687	$	1,257	$	19	$	5,963
Liabilities
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	75	$	56	$	131
Interest rate		—		606		—		606
Foreign currency		—		3		—		3
Total liabilities	$	—	$	684	$	56	$	740

(1)

Includes investments held in the nuclear decommissioning trusts and rabbi trusts. Excludes $340 million and $274 million of assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient which are not required to be categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the net change in Dominion Energy’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category:

	2020			2019			2018
(millions)
Balance at January 1,	$	(37	)	$	64		$	150
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings:
Operating Revenue		—			(1	)		(2	)
Electric fuel and other energy-related purchases		(33	)		(22	)		(15	)
Purchased gas		—			2			—
Discontinued operations		1			—			—
Included in other comprehensive income		—			—			1
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities		140			(90	)		(44	)
Settlements		33			17			(27	)
Purchases		—			(10	)		—
Sales		(1	)		6			—
Transfers out of Level 3		—			(3	)		1
Balance at December 31,	$	103		$	(37	)	$	64

There were no unrealized gains and losses included in earnings in the Level 3 fair value category relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Virginia Power

The following table presents Virginia Power’s quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2020. The range and weighted average are presented in dollars for market price inputs and percentages for price volatility.

	Fair Value (millions)		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input		Range	Weighted Average⁽¹⁾
Assets
Physical and financial forwards:
Natural gas⁽²⁾	$	95	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per Dth)	⁽³⁾	(1) - 4		(1	)
FTRs		15	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per MWh)	⁽³⁾	(1) - 4		1
Total assets	$	110
Liabilities
Financial forwards:
FTRs	$	5	Discounted cash flow	Market price (per MWh)	⁽³⁾	(4) - 3		—
Physical options:
Natural gas		2	Option model	Market price (per Dth)	⁽³⁾	2 - 5		4
				Price volatility	⁽⁴⁾	20% - 56%		38	%
Total liabilities	$	7

(1)	Averages weighted by volume.

(2)	Includes basis.

(3)	Represents market prices beyond defined terms for Levels 1 and 2.

(4)	Represents volatilities unrepresented in published markets.

Sensitivity of the fair value measurements to changes in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows:

Significant Unobservable Inputs	Position	Change to Input	Impact on Fair Value Measurement
Market price	Buy	Increase (decrease)	Gain (loss)
Market price	Sell	Increase (decrease)	Loss (gain)
Price volatility	Buy	Increase (decrease)	Gain (loss)
Price volatility	Sell	Increase (decrease)	Loss (gain)

The following table presents Virginia Power’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(millions)
December 31, 2020
Assets
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	5	$	110	$	115
Interest rate		—		66		—		66
Investments⁽¹⁾:
Equity securities:
U.S.		2,171		—		—		2,171
Fixed income:
Corporate debt instruments		—		348		—		348
Government securities		201		309		—		510
Cash equivalents and other		13		—		—		13
Total assets	$	2,385	$	728	$	110	$	3,223
Liabilities
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	22	$	7	$	29
Interest rate		—		376		—		376
Total liabilities	$	—	$	398	$	7	$	405
December 31, 2019
Assets
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	3	$	19	$	22
Interest rate		—		2		—		2
Investments⁽¹⁾:
Equity securities:
U.S.		1,920		—		—		1,920
Fixed income:
Corporate debt instruments		—		256		—		256
Government securities		186		361		—		547
Cash equivalents and other		—		1		—		1
Total assets	$	2,106	$	623	$	19	$	2,748
Liabilities
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	47	$	56	$	103
Interest rate		—		363		—		363
Total liabilities	$	—	$	410	$	56	$	466

(1)

Includes investments held in the nuclear decommissioning trusts. Excludes $167 million and $159 million of assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient which are not required to be categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the net change in Virginia Power’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category:

	2020			2019			2018
(millions)
Balance at January 1,	$	(37	)	$	60		$	147
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings:
Electric fuel and other energy-related purchases		(33	)		(22	)		(17	)
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities		140			(88	)		(45	)
Settlements		33			13			(25	)
Balance at December 31,	$	103		$	(37	)	$	60

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Substantially all of the Companies’ financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below, which are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of cash, restricted cash and equivalents, customer and other receivables, affiliated receivables, short-term debt, affiliated current borrowings, payables to affiliates and accounts payable are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For the Companies’ financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:

December 31,	2020				2019
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾
(millions)
Dominion Energy
Long-term debt⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	31,996	$	38,773	$	32,055	$	36,155
Supplemental 364-Day credit facility borrowings		225		225		—		—
Junior subordinated notes⁽⁴⁾		3,411		3,633		4,797		4,953
Virginia Power
Long-term debt⁽⁴⁾	$	13,207	$	16,455	$	12,326	$	14,281

(1)

Fair value is estimated using market prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. All fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of debt issuances with short-term maturities and variable rates refinanced at current market rates is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

(2)

Carrying amount includes current portions included in securities due within one year and amounts which represent the unamortized debt issuance costs, discount or premium, and foreign currency remeasurement adjustments. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, includes the valuation of certain fair value hedges associated with Dominion Energy’s fixed rate debt of $3 million and $4 million, respectively.

(3)	Includes amounts classified as held for sale, see Note 3.

(4)	Carrying amount includes current portions included in securities due within one year and amounts which represent the unamortized debt issuance costs, discount or premium.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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