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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

The Company has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
2028 and
20232024202520262027ThereafterTotal
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments
$3,431 $1,879 $1,381 $1,286 $1,234 $11,862 $21,073 
Construction commitments2,434 1,088 144 294 10 — 3,970 
Easements88 86 85 86 87 3,049 3,481 
Maintenance, service and other contracts
461 350 297 283 256 1,472 3,119 
$6,414 $3,403 $1,907 $1,949 $1,587 $16,383 $31,643 
Fuel, Capacity and Transmission Contract Commitments

The Utilities have fuel supply and related transportation and lime contracts for their coal- and natural gas-fueled generating facilities. The Utilities expect to supplement these contracts with additional contracts and spot market purchases to fulfill their future fossil fuel needs. The Utilities acquire a portion of their electricity through long-term purchases and exchange agreements. The Utilities have several power purchase agreements with renewable generating facilities that are not included in the table above as the payments are based on the amount of energy generated and there are no minimum payments. The Utilities also have contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines to facilitate delivery to their customers.

MidAmerican Energy has long-term rail transportation contracts with BNSF Railway Company ("BNSF"), an affiliate company, and Union Pacific Railroad Company for the transportation of coal to all of the MidAmerican Energy-operated coal-fueled generating facilities. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, $100 million, $76 million and $90 million, respectively, were incurred for coal transportation services, the majority of which was related to the BNSF agreement.

Construction Commitments

The Company's firm construction commitments reflected in the table above include the following major construction projects:
PacifiCorp's costs associated with certain generating plant, transmission, and distribution projects.
MidAmerican Energy's firm construction commitments primarily consisting of contracts for the repowering and construction of wind- and solar-powered generating facilities and the settlement of AROs.
Nevada Utilities' firm construction commitments consisting of costs associated with a planned 150-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 100 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Clark County, Nevada, a planned 220-MW grid-tied battery energy storage system that will be developed on the site of the retired Reid Gardner generating station in Clark County, Nevada and certain other generating plant projects and costs associated with two additional solar photovoltaic facility projects. The first project is a 250-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 200 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Humboldt County, Nevada. The second project is a 350-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 280 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Humboldt County, Nevada. Commercial operation has been delayed for both projects to an undetermined date. Both facilities will be jointly owned and operated by Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific.
AltaLink's investments in directly assigned transmission projects from the AESO.

Easements

The Company has non-cancelable easements for land on which certain of its assets, primarily wind- and solar-powered generating facilities, are located.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

The Company has entered into service agreements related to its nonregulated wind-powered and solar-powered projects with third parties to operate and maintain the projects under fixed-fee operating and maintenance agreements. Additionally, the Company has various non-cancelable maintenance, service and other contracts primarily related to turbine and equipment maintenance and various other service agreements.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact the its current and future operations. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Hydroelectric Relicensing

PacifiCorp is a party to the 2016 amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement ("KHSA"), which is intended to resolve disputes surrounding PacifiCorp's efforts to relicense the Klamath Hydroelectric Project. The KHSA establishes a process for PacifiCorp, the states of Oregon and California ("States") and other stakeholders to assess whether dam removal can occur consistent with the settlement's terms. For PacifiCorp, the key elements of the settlement include: (1) a contribution from PacifiCorp's Oregon and California customers capped at $200 million plus $250 million in California bond funds; (2) complete indemnification from harms associated with dam removal; (3) transfer of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") license to a third-party dam removal entity, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC"), who would conduct dam removal; and (4) ability for PacifiCorp to operate the facilities for the benefit of customers until dam removal commences.

In September 2016, the KRRC and PacifiCorp filed a joint application with the FERC to transfer the license for the four mainstem Klamath hydroelectric dams comprising the Lower Klamath Project (FERC Project No. 14803) from PacifiCorp to the KRRC. The FERC approved the partial transfer of the Klamath license in a July 2020 order, subject to the condition that PacifiCorp remains co-licensee. Under the amended KHSA, PacifiCorp did not agree to remain co-licensee during the surrender and removal process given concerns about liability protections for PacifiCorp and its customers. In November 2020, PacifiCorp entered a memorandum of agreement (the "MOA") with the KRRC, the Karuk Tribe, the Yurok Tribe and the States to continue implementation of the KHSA. The agreement required the States, PacifiCorp and KRRC to file a new license transfer application to remove PacifiCorp from the license for the Lower Klamath Project and add the States and KRRC as co-licensees for the purposes of surrender. In addition, the MOA provides for additional contingency funding of $45 million, equally split between PacifiCorp and the States, and for PacifiCorp and the States to equally share in any additional cost overruns in the unlikely event that dam removal costs exceed the $450 million in funding to ensure dam removal is complete. The MOA also requires PacifiCorp to cover the costs associated with certain pre-existing environmental conditions. In June 2021, the FERC approved the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams from PacifiCorp to the KRRC and the States as co-licensees. In July 2021, the Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho and California state public utility commissions conditionally approved the required property transfer applications. In August 2021, PacifiCorp notified the Public Service Commission of Utah of the property transfer, however no formal approval is required in Utah. In August 2022, the FERC staff issued a final environmental impact statement for the project, concluding that dam removal is the preferred action. In November 2022, the FERC issued a license surrender order for the project, which was accepted by the KRRC and the States in December 2022, along with the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams. Although PacifiCorp no longer owns the Lower Klamath Project, PacifiCorp will continue to operate the facilities under an operation and maintenance agreement with the KRRC until each facility is ready for removal. Removal of the Copco No. 2 facility is anticipated to begin in 2023, and removal of the remaining three dams (J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, and Iron Gate) is anticipated to begin in 2024.

Hydroelectric Commitments

Certain of PacifiCorp's hydroelectric licenses and settlement agreements contain requirements for PacifiCorp to make certain capital and operating expenditures related to its hydroelectric facilities, which are estimated to be approximately $282 million over the next 10 years.

Legal Matters

The Company is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. The Company does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. The Company is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are described below.

Wildfires Overview - PacifiCorp

A provision for a loss contingency is recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. PacifiCorp evaluates the related range of reasonably estimated losses and records a loss based on its best estimate within that range or the lower end of the range if there is no better estimate.
In California, under inverse condemnation, courts have held that investor-owned utilities can be liable for real and personal property damages from wildfires without the utility being found negligent and regardless of fault. California law also permits inverse condemnation plaintiffs to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. In both Oregon and California, PacifiCorp has equipment in areas accessed through special use permits, easements or similar agreements that may contain provisions requiring it to pay for damages caused by its equipment regardless of fault. Even if inverse condemnation or other provisions do not apply, PacifiCorp could be found liable for all damages proximately caused by negligence, including real and personal property and natural resource damages; fire suppression costs; personal injury and loss of life damages; and interest.

2020 Wildfires

In September 2020, a severe weather event resulting in high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to several major wildfires, which resulted in real and personal property and natural resource damage, personal injuries and loss of life and widespread power outages in Oregon and Northern California (the "2020 Wildfires"). The wildfires spread across certain parts of PacifiCorp's service territory and surrounding areas across multiple counties in Oregon and California, including Siskiyou County, California; Jackson County, Oregon; Douglas County, Oregon; Marion County, Oregon; Lincoln County, Oregon; and Klamath County, Oregon burning over 500,000 acres in aggregate. Third party reports for these wildfires indicate over 2,000 structures destroyed, including residences; several structures damaged; multiple individuals injured; and several fatalities. Fire suppression costs estimated by various agencies total approximately $150 million.

Investigations into the cause and origin of each wildfire are complex and ongoing and being conducted by various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Justice, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.

As of the date of this filing, numerous lawsuits have been filed in Oregon and California, including a class action complaint in Oregon, on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2020 Wildfires. The plaintiffs seek damages that include property damages, economic losses, punitive damages, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and other damages. Additionally, several insurance carriers have filed subrogation complaints in Oregon and California with allegations similar to those made in the aforementioned lawsuits. The final determinations of liability, however, will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations and litigation processes.

PacifiCorp has accrued cumulative estimated probable losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires of $477 million through December 31, 2022. The accrual includes PacifiCorp's estimate of losses for fire suppression costs, real and personal property damages, natural resource damages for certain areas and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages that are considered probable of being incurred and that it is reasonably able to estimate at this time. For certain aspects of the 2020 Wildfires for which loss is considered probable, information necessary to reasonably estimate the potential losses, such as those related to certain areas of natural resource damages, is not currently available.

It is reasonably possible PacifiCorp will incur additional losses beyond the amounts accrued; however, PacifiCorp is currently unable to estimate the range of possible additional losses that could be incurred due to the number of properties and parties involved and the variation in those types of properties and lack of available details. To the extent losses beyond the amounts accrued are incurred, additional insurance coverage is expected to be available to cover a portion of the losses.

The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
202220212020
Beginning balance$252 $252 $— 
Accrued losses225 — 252 
Payments(53)— — 
Ending balance$424 $252 $252 

PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries associated with the probable losses was $246 million and $116 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, PacifiCorp recognized probable losses net of expected insurance recoveries associated with the 2020 Wildfires of $64 million, $— million and $136 million, respectively.
2022 McKinney Fire

According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, on July 29, 2022, at approximately 2:16 p.m. Pacific Time, a wildfire began in the Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, California (the "2022 McKinney Fire") located in PacifiCorp's service territory. Third party reports indicate that the 2022 McKinney Fire resulted in 11 structures damaged, 185 structures destroyed, 12 injuries and four fatalities and consumed 60,000 acres. The cause of the 2022 McKinney Fire is undetermined and remains under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.

Due to the preliminary nature of the investigation PacifiCorp does not believe a loss is probable and therefore has not accrued any loss as of the date of this filing. While the loss is not probable, PacifiCorp estimates the potential loss, excluding losses for natural resource damages, to be $31 million, net of expected insurance recoveries. The loss estimate includes PacifiCorp's estimate of losses for fire suppression costs; real and personal property damages; and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages. PacifiCorp is unable to estimate the total potential loss, including losses for natural resource damages, because there are a number of unknown facts and legal considerations that may impact the amount of any potential liability, including the total scope and nature of claims that may be asserted against PacifiCorp. PacifiCorp has insurance available and estimates the potential insurance recoveries to be $103 million, to cover potential losses.

As of the date of this filing, multiple lawsuits have been filed in California on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2022 McKinney Fire. The plaintiffs seek damages that include property damages, economic losses, punitive damages, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and other damages but the amount of damages sought are not specified. The final determinations of liability, however, will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations and litigation processes.

Guarantees
The Company has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.
PAC  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

PacifiCorp has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Certain commitments are with related parties. Refer to Note 21 for transactions associated with these related party contracts. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
202320242025202620272028 and ThereafterTotal
Contract type:
Purchased electricity contracts -
commercially operable$547 $241 $199 $197 $197 $2,162 $3,543 
Purchased electricity contracts -
non-commercially operable— — 12 12 208 238 
Fuel contracts784 398 148 146 153 401 2,030 
Construction commitments535 210 14 — — 760 
Transmission108 100 74 65 55 418 820 
Easements21 20 20 21 21 720 823 
Maintenance, service and
other contracts101 54 55 53 53 197 513 
Total commitments$2,096 $1,023 $516 $495 $491 $4,106 $8,727 

Purchased Electricity Contracts - Commercially Operable

As part of its energy resource portfolio, PacifiCorp acquires a portion of its electricity through long-term purchases and exchange agreements. PacifiCorp has many long-term PPAs primarily with solar-powered or wind-powered generating facilities that are not included in the table above due to there being no minimum payments generally due to being dependent on wind and solar conditions. The PPAs generally range from 7 to 30 years in duration, with certain of the PPAs extending through 2054. Future payments associated with these PPAs are expected to be material. Certain of these PPAs qualify as leases as described in Note 2. Refer to Note 5 for variable lease costs associated with these lease commitments.

Included in the minimum fixed annual payments for purchased electricity above are commitments to purchase electricity from several hydroelectric systems under long-term arrangements with public utility districts. These purchases are made on a "cost-of-service" basis for a stated percentage of system output and for a like percentage of system operating expenses and debt service. These costs are included in energy costs on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. PacifiCorp is required to pay its portion of operating costs and its portion of the debt service, whether or not any electricity is produced. These arrangements accounted for less than 5% of PacifiCorp's 2022, 2021 and 2020 energy sources.

Purchased Electricity Contracts - Non-Commercially Operable

PacifiCorp has many long-term PPAs with facilities that have not yet achieved commercial operation, primarily related to wind-powered and solar-powered generated facilities and including with facilities that are not included in the table above due to there being no minimum payments generally due to being dependent on wind and solar conditions. The PPAs generally range from 7 to 30 years in duration with certain of the PPAs extending through 2054.

In September 2022, PacifiCorp entered into a purchased electricity contract for a 400 MW solar generating facility including a 200 MW battery storage unit. Minimum obligations associated with the battery storage unit are included in the table above. In January 2023, PacifiCorp entered into a PPA for a 525 MW solar generating facility with a corresponding agreement for a 150 MW battery storage unit for which the minimum obligations are being evaluated.

Future payments associated with these arrangements are expected to be material. However, to the extent these facilities do not achieve commercial obligation, PacifiCorp has no obligation to the counterparties.
Fuel Contracts

PacifiCorp has "take or pay" coal and natural gas contracts that require minimum payments.

Construction Commitments

PacifiCorp's construction commitments included in the table above relate to firm commitments and include costs associated with certain generating plant, transmission, and distribution projects.

Transmission

PacifiCorp has contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines to facilitate delivery to PacifiCorp's customers.

Easements

PacifiCorp has non-cancelable easements for land on which certain of its assets, primarily wind-powered generating facilities, are located.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

PacifiCorp is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal, wildfire prevention and mitigation and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project

PacifiCorp is a party to the 2016 amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement ("KHSA"), which is intended to resolve disputes surrounding PacifiCorp's efforts to relicense the Klamath Hydroelectric Project. The KHSA establishes a process for PacifiCorp, the states of Oregon and California ("States") and other stakeholders to assess whether dam removal can occur consistent with the settlement's terms. For PacifiCorp, the key elements of the settlement include: (1) a contribution from PacifiCorp's Oregon and California customers capped at $200 million plus $250 million in California bond funds; (2) complete indemnification from harms associated with dam removal; (3) transfer of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") license to a third-party dam removal entity, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC"), who would conduct dam removal; and (4) ability for PacifiCorp to operate the facilities for the benefit of customers until dam removal commences.

In September 2016, the KRRC and PacifiCorp filed a joint application with the FERC to transfer the license for the four mainstem Klamath hydroelectric dams comprising the Lower Klamath Project (FERC Project No. 14803) from PacifiCorp to the KRRC. The FERC approved the partial transfer of the Klamath license in a July 2020 order, subject to the condition that PacifiCorp remains co-licensee. Under the amended KHSA, PacifiCorp did not agree to remain co-licensee during the surrender and removal process given concerns about liability protections for PacifiCorp and its customers. In November 2020, PacifiCorp entered a memorandum of agreement (the "MOA") with the KRRC, the Karuk Tribe, the Yurok Tribe and the States to continue implementation of the KHSA. The agreement required the States, PacifiCorp and KRRC to file a new license transfer application to remove PacifiCorp from the license for the Lower Klamath Project and add the States and KRRC as co-licensees for the purposes of surrender. In addition, the MOA provides for additional contingency funding of $45 million, equally split between PacifiCorp and the States, and for PacifiCorp and the States to equally share in any additional cost overruns in the unlikely event that dam removal costs exceed the $450 million in funding to ensure dam removal is complete. The MOA also requires PacifiCorp to cover the costs associated with certain pre-existing environmental conditions. In June 2021, the FERC approved the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams from PacifiCorp to the KRRC and the States as co-licensees. In July 2021, the Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho and California state public utility commissions conditionally approved the required property transfer applications. In August 2021, PacifiCorp notified the Public Service Commission of Utah of the property transfer, however no formal approval is required in Utah. In August 2022, the FERC staff issued a final environmental impact statement for the project, concluding that dam removal is the preferred action. In November 2022, the FERC issued a license surrender order for the project, which was accepted by the KRRC and the States in December 2022, along with the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams. Although PacifiCorp no longer owns the Lower Klamath Project, PacifiCorp will continue to operate the facilities under an operation and maintenance agreement with the KRRC until each facility is ready for removal. Removal of the Copco No. 2 facility is anticipated to begin in 2023, and removal of the remaining three dams (J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, and Iron Gate) is anticipated to begin in 2024.
Hydroelectric Commitments

Certain of PacifiCorp's hydroelectric licenses and settlement agreements contain requirements for PacifiCorp to make certain capital and operating expenditures related to its hydroelectric facilities, which are estimated to be approximately $282 million over the next 10 years.

Legal Matters

PacifiCorp is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. PacifiCorp does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. PacifiCorp is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are described below.

Wildfires Overview

A provision for a loss contingency is recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. PacifiCorp evaluates the related range of reasonably estimated losses and records a loss based on its best estimate within that range or the lower end of the range if there is no better estimate.

In California, under inverse condemnation, courts have held that investor-owned utilities can be liable for real and personal property damages from wildfires without the utility being found negligent and regardless of fault. California law also permits inverse condemnation plaintiffs to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. In both Oregon and California, PacifiCorp has equipment in areas accessed through special use permits, easements or similar agreements that may contain provisions requiring it to pay for damages caused by its equipment regardless of fault. Even if inverse condemnation or other provisions do not apply, PacifiCorp could be found liable for all damages proximately caused by negligence, including real and personal property and natural resource damages; fire suppression costs; personal injury and loss of life damages; and interest.

2020 Wildfires

In September 2020, a severe weather event resulting in high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to several major wildfires, which resulted in real and personal property and natural resource damage, personal injuries and loss of life and widespread power outages in Oregon and Northern California. The wildfires spread across certain parts of PacifiCorp's service territory and surrounding areas across multiple counties in Oregon and California, including Siskiyou County, California; Jackson County, Oregon; Douglas County, Oregon; Marion County, Oregon; Lincoln County, Oregon; and Klamath County, Oregon burning over 500,000 acres in aggregate. Third party reports for these wildfires indicate over 2,000 structures destroyed, including residences; several structures damaged; multiple individuals injured; and several fatalities. Fire suppression costs estimated by various agencies total approximately $150 million.

Investigations into the cause and origin of each wildfire are complex and ongoing and being conducted by various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Justice, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.

As of the date of this filing, numerous lawsuits have been filed in Oregon and California, including a class action complaint in Oregon, on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2020 Wildfires. The plaintiffs seek damages that include property damages, economic losses, punitive damages, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and other damages. Additionally, several insurance carriers have filed subrogation complaints in Oregon and California with allegations similar to those made in the aforementioned lawsuits. The final determinations of liability, however, will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations and litigation processes.

PacifiCorp has accrued cumulative estimated probable losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires of $477 million, through December 31, 2022. The accrual includes PacifiCorp's estimate of losses for fire suppression costs, real and personal property damages, natural resource damages for certain areas and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages that are considered probable of being incurred and that it is reasonably able to estimate at this time. For certain aspects of the 2020 Wildfires for which loss is considered probable, information necessary to reasonably estimate the potential losses, such as those related to certain areas of natural resource damages, is not currently available.
It is reasonably possible PacifiCorp will incur additional losses beyond the amounts accrued; however, PacifiCorp is currently unable to estimate the range of possible additional losses that could be incurred due to the number of properties and parties involved and the variation in those types of properties and lack of available details. To the extent losses beyond the amounts accrued are incurred, additional insurance coverage is expected to be available to cover a portion of the losses.

The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
202220212020
Beginning balance$252 $252 $— 
Accrued losses225 — 252 
Payments(53)— — 
Ending balance$424 $252 $252 

PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries associated with the probable losses was $246 million and $116 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, PacifiCorp recognized probable losses net of expected insurance recoveries associated with the 2020 Wildfires of $64 million, $— million and $136 million, respectively.

2022 McKinney Fire

According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, on July 29, 2022, at approximately 2:16 p.m. Pacific Time, a wildfire began in the Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, California (the "2022 McKinney Fire") located in PacifiCorp's service territory. Third party reports indicate that the 2022 McKinney Fire resulted in 11 structures damaged, 185 structures destroyed, 12 injuries and four fatalities and consumed 60,000 acres. The cause of the 2022 McKinney Fire is undetermined and remains under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.

Due to the preliminary nature of the investigation PacifiCorp does not believe a loss is probable and therefore has not accrued any loss as of the date of this filing. While the loss is not probable, PacifiCorp estimates the potential loss, excluding losses for natural resource damages, to be $31 million, net of expected insurance recoveries. The loss estimate includes PacifiCorp's estimate of losses for fire suppression costs; real and personal property damages; and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages. PacifiCorp is unable to estimate the total potential loss, including losses for natural resource damages, because there are a number of unknown facts and legal considerations that may impact the amount of any potential liability, including the total scope and nature of claims that may be asserted against PacifiCorp. PacifiCorp has insurance available and estimates the potential insurance recoveries to be $103 million, to cover potential losses.

As of the date of this filing, multiple lawsuits have been filed in California on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2022 McKinney Fire. The plaintiffs seek damages that include property damages, economic losses, punitive damages, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and other damages but the amount of damages sought are not specified. The final determinations of liability, however, will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations and litigation processes.

Guarantees

PacifiCorp has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale or transfer of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on PacifiCorp's consolidated financial results.
MEC  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies    
Commitments

MidAmerican Energy had the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2022, are as follows (in millions):
2028 and
20232024202520262027ThereafterTotal
Contract type:
Coal and natural gas for generation$139 $81 $60 $29 $30 $— $339 
Electric capacity and transmission33 32 33 33 17 155 
Natural gas contracts for gas operations172 78 70 60 47 33 460 
Construction commitments699 60 24 — — 787 
Easements42 43 44 44 45 1,536 1,754 
Maintenance, services and other165 129 98 102 99 163 756 
$1,250 $423 $329 $272 $238 $1,739 $4,251 

Coal, Natural Gas, Electric Capacity and Transmission Commitments

MidAmerican Energy has coal supply and related transportation and lime contracts for its coal-fueled generating facilities. MidAmerican Energy expects to supplement the coal contracts with additional contracts and spot market purchases to fulfill its future coal supply needs. Additionally, MidAmerican Energy has a natural gas transportation contract for a natural gas-fueled generating facility. The contracts have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2027.

MidAmerican Energy has various natural gas supply and transportation contracts for its regulated natural gas operations that have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2037.

MidAmerican Energy has contracts to purchase electric capacity that have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2028. MidAmerican Energy also has contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2027.
Construction Commitments

MidAmerican Energy's firm construction commitments reflected in the table above consist primarily of contracts for the repowering and construction of wind- and solar-powered generating facilities and the settlement of AROs.

Easements

MidAmerican Energy has non-cancelable easements with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2061 for land in Iowa on which certain of its assets, primarily wind- and solar-powered generating facilities, are located.

Maintenance, Services and Other Contracts

MidAmerican Energy has other non-cancelable contracts primarily related to maintenance and services for various generating facilities with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2030.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

MidAmerican Energy is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. MidAmerican Energy believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

MidAmerican Energy is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. MidAmerican Energy does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its financial results.

Transmission Rates

MidAmerican Energy's wholesale transmission rates are set annually using FERC-approved formula rates subject to true-up for actual cost of service. In November 2013 and February 2015, a coalition of intervenors filed successive complaints with the FERC requesting that the base return on equity ("ROE") used to determine rates in effect prior to September 2016 no longer be found just and reasonable and sought to reduce the base ROE. In August 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion vacating all orders related to the complaints and remanding them back to the FERC. MidAmerican Energy cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters or the amount of refunds, if any, and accordingly, has reversed its previously accrued liability for potential refunds of amounts collected under the higher ROE during the periods covered by the complaints.
MidAmerican Funding, LLC  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Refer to Note 13 of MidAmerican Energy's Notes to Financial Statements.

Legal Matters

MidAmerican Funding is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. MidAmerican Funding does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.
NPC  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

Nevada Power has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
202320242025202620272028 and ThereafterTotal
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments
$1,149 $485 $357 $360 $349 $2,871 $5,571 
Fuel and capacity contract commitments (not commercially operable)
60 181 211 211 211 4,148 5,022 
Construction commitments525 77 20 21 10 — 653 
Easements50 64 
Maintenance, service and other contracts30 24 24 19 11 38 146 
Total commitments$1,769 $770 $614 $613 $583 $7,107 $11,456 

Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments

Purchased Power

Nevada Power has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy which have been approved by the PUCN. The expiration of these contracts range from 2023 to 2067. Purchased power includes estimated payments for contracts which meet the definition of a lease and payments are based on the amount of energy expected to be generated. See Note 5 for further discussion of Nevada Power's lease commitments.

Natural Gas

Nevada Power's gas transportation contracts expire from 2027 to 2039 and the gas supply contracts expires from 2023 to 2024.
Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments - Not Commercially Operable

Nevada Power has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy in which the facility remains under development. Amounts represent the estimated payments under renewable energy power purchase contracts, which have been approved by the PUCN and are contingent upon the developers obtaining commercial operation and their ability to deliver power.

Construction Commitments

Nevada Power's construction commitments included in the table above relate to firm commitments and include costs associated with a planned 150-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 100 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Clark County, Nevada, a planned 220-MW grid-tied battery energy storage system that will be developed on the site of the retired Reid Gardner generating station in Clark County, Nevada and certain other generating plant projects.

Easements

Nevada Power has non-cancelable easements for land. Operations and maintenance expense on non-cancelable easements totaled $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

Nevada Power has long-term service agreements for the performance of maintenance on generation units. Obligation amounts are based on estimated usage. The estimated expiration of these service agreements range from 2023 to 2031.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Nevada Power is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. Nevada Power believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Senate Bill 123

In June 2013, the Nevada State Legislature passed Senate Bill 123 ("SB 123"), which included the retirement of coal plants and replacing the capacity with renewable facilities and other generating facilities. In May 2014, Nevada Power filed its Emissions Reduction and Capacity Replacement Plan ("ERCR Plan") in compliance with SB 123. In July 2015, Nevada Power filed an amendment to its ERCR Plan with the PUCN which was approved in September 2015. In June 2015, the Nevada State Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 498, which modified the capacity replacement components of SB 123.

In compliance with SB 123, Nevada Power retired 255 MWs of coal-fueled generation in 2019 in addition to the 557 MWs of coal-fueled generation retired in 2017. Consistent with the ERCR Plan, between 2014 and 2016, Nevada Power acquired 536 MWs of natural gas generating resources, executed long-term power purchase agreements for 200 MWs of nameplate renewable energy capacity and constructed a 15-MW solar photovoltaic facility. Nevada Power has the option to acquire 35 MWs of nameplate renewable energy capacity in the future under the ERCR Plan, subject to PUCN approval.

Legal Matters

Nevada Power is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Nevada Power does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. Nevada Power is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts.
SPPC  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

Sierra Pacific has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
2028 and
20232024202520262027ThereafterTotal
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments
$413 $244 $184 $134 $127 $1,447 $2,549 
Fuel and capacity contract commitments (not commercially operable)
11 12 12 11 236 290 
Construction commitments500 741 86 268 — — 1,595 
Easements33 43 
Maintenance, service and other contracts— 25 
Total commitments$930 $1,003 $289 $419 $140 $1,721 $4,502 

Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments

Purchased Power

Sierra Pacific has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy which have been approved by the PUCN. The expiration of these contracts range from 2025 to 2047. Purchased power includes estimated payments for contracts which meet the definition of a lease and payments are based on the amount of energy expected to be generated. See Note 5 for further discussion of Sierra Pacific's lease commitments.

Coal and Natural Gas
    
Sierra Pacific has a long-term contract for the transport of coal that expires in 2024. Additionally, gas transportation contracts expire from 2023 to 2046 and the gas supply contracts expire from 2023 to 2024.
Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments - Not Commercially Operable

Sierra Pacific has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy in which the facility remains under development. Amounts represent the estimated payments under renewable energy power purchase contracts, which have been approved by the PUCN and are contingent upon the developers obtaining commercial operation and their ability to deliver power.

Construction Commitments

Sierra Pacific's construction commitments included in the table above relate to firm commitments and include costs associated with two solar photovoltaic facility projects and solar photovoltaic panels for future projects. The first project is a 250-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 200 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Humboldt County, Nevada. The second project is a 350-MW solar photovoltaic facility with an additional 280 MWs of co-located battery storage that will be developed in Humboldt County, Nevada. Commercial operation has been delayed for both projects to an undetermined date. Both facilities will be jointly owned and operated by Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific.

Easements

Sierra Pacific has non-cancelable easements for land. Operating and maintenance expense on non-cancelable easements totaled $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

Sierra Pacific has long-term service agreements for the performance of maintenance on generation units. Obligation amounts are based on estimated usage. The estimated expiration of these service agreements range from 2026 to 2046.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Sierra Pacific is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. Sierra Pacific believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

Sierra Pacific is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Sierra Pacific does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its financial results. Sierra Pacific is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts.
EEGH  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

Eastern Energy Gas is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. Eastern Energy Gas believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Carbon Regulations

In August 2016, the EPA issued a draft rule proposing to reaffirm that a source's obligation to obtain a prevention of significant deterioration or Title V permit for greenhouse gases ("GHG") is triggered only if such permitting requirements are first triggered by non-GHG, or conventional, pollutants that are regulated by the New Source Review program, and to set a significant emissions rate at 75,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions under which a source would not be required to apply best available control technology for its GHG emissions. Until the EPA ultimately takes final action on this rulemaking, Eastern Energy Gas cannot predict the impact to its results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.

Legal Matters

Eastern Energy Gas is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Eastern Energy Gas does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Surety Bonds

As of December 31, 2022, Eastern Energy Gas had purchased $19 million of surety bonds. Under the terms of the surety bonds, Eastern Energy Gas is obligated to indemnify the respective surety bond company for any amounts paid.
EGTS  
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

EGTS is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. EGTS believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Carbon Regulations

In August 2016, the EPA issued a draft rule proposing to reaffirm that a source's obligation to obtain a prevention of significant deterioration or Title V permit for greenhouse gases ("GHG") is triggered only if such permitting requirements are first triggered by non-GHG, or conventional, pollutants that are regulated by the New Source Review program, and to set a significant emissions rate at 75,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions under which a source would not be required to apply best available control technology for its GHG emissions. Until the EPA ultimately takes final action on this rulemaking, EGTS cannot predict the impact to its results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.

Legal Matters

EGTS is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. EGTS does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Surety Bonds

As of December 31, 2022, EGTS had purchased $16 million of surety bonds. Under the terms of the surety bonds, Eastern Energy Gas is obligated to indemnify the respective surety bond company for any amounts paid.