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Variable Interest Entities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]  
Variable Interest Entities
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
A VIE is an entity that is evaluated for consolidation using more than a simple analysis of voting control. The analysis to determine whether an entity is a VIE considers contracts with an entity, credit support for an entity, the adequacy of the equity investment of an entity and the relationship of voting power to the amount of equity invested in an entity. This analysis is performed either upon the creation of a legal entity or upon the occurrence of an event requiring reevaluation, such as a significant change in an entity’s assets or activities. A qualitative analysis of control determines the party that consolidates a VIE. This assessment is based on (i) what party has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) what party has rights to receive benefits or is obligated to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The analysis of the party that consolidates a VIE is a continual reassessment.
CONSOLIDATED VIEs
The obligations of these VIEs discussed in the following paragraphs are nonrecourse to the Duke Energy Registrants. The registrants have no requirement to provide liquidity to, purchase assets of or guarantee performance of these VIEs unless noted in the following paragraphs.
No financial support was provided to any of the consolidated VIEs during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, or is expected to be provided in the future, that was not previously contractually required.
Receivables Financing – DERF/DEPR/DEFR
Duke Energy Receivables Finance Company, LLC (DERF), Duke Energy Progress Receivables, LLC (DEPR) and Duke Energy Florida Receivables, LLC (DEFR) are bankruptcy remote, special purpose subsidiaries of Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida, respectively. DERF, DEPR and DEFR are wholly owned limited liability companies with separate legal existence from their parent companies and their assets are not generally available to creditors of their parent companies. On a revolving basis, DERF, DEPR and DEFR buy certain accounts receivable arising from the sale of electricity and related services from their parent companies.
DERF, DEPR and DEFR borrow amounts under credit facilities to buy these receivables. Borrowing availability from the credit facilities is limited to the amount of qualified receivables purchased. The sole source of funds to satisfy the related debt obligations is cash collections from the receivables. Amounts borrowed under the credit facilities are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Long-Term Debt.
The most significant activity that impacts the economic performance of DERF, DEPR and DEFR are the decisions made to manage delinquent receivables. Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida consolidate DERF, DEPR and DEFR, respectively, as they make those decisions.
Receivables Financing – CRC
CRC is a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity indirectly owned by Duke Energy. On a revolving basis, CRC buys certain accounts receivable arising from the sale of electricity, natural gas and related services from Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana. CRC borrows amounts under a credit facility to buy the receivables from Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana. Borrowing availability from the credit facility is limited to the amount of qualified receivables sold to CRC. The sole source of funds to satisfy the related debt obligation is cash collections from the receivables. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility are reflected on Duke Energy's Consolidated Balance Sheets as Long-Term Debt.
The proceeds Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana receive from the sale of receivables to CRC are typically 75 percent cash and 25 percent in the form of a subordinated note from CRC. The subordinated note is a retained interest in the receivables sold. Depending on collection experience, additional equity infusions to CRC may be required by Duke Energy to maintain a minimum equity balance of $3 million.
CRC is considered a VIE because (i) equity capitalization is insufficient to support its operations, (ii) power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity are not performed by the equity holder and (iii) deficiencies in net worth of CRC are funded by Duke Energy. The most significant activities that impact the economic performance of CRC are decisions made to manage delinquent receivables. Duke Energy consolidates CRC as it makes these decisions. Neither Duke Energy Ohio nor Duke Energy Indiana consolidate CRC.
Receivables Financing – Credit Facilities
The following table outlines amounts and expiration dates of the credit facilities described above.
 
Duke Energy
 
 
 
Duke Energy

 
Duke Energy

 
Duke Energy

 
 
 
Carolinas

 
Progress

 
Florida

 
CRC

 
DERF

 
DEPR

 
DEFR

Expiration date
December 2018

 
December 2018

 
February 2019

 
April 2019

Credit facility amount (in millions)
$
325

 
$
425

 
$
300

 
$
225

Amounts borrowed at December 31, 2016
325

 
425

 
300

 
225

Amounts borrowed at December 31, 2015
325

 
425

 
254

 
225


Nuclear Asset-Recovery Bonds – DEFPF
DEFPF is a bankruptcy remote, wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of Duke Energy Florida. DEFPF was formed in 2016 for the sole purpose of issuing nuclear asset-recovery bonds to finance Duke Energy Florida's unrecovered regulatory asset related to Crystal River Unit 3.
In June 2016, DEFPF issued $1,294 million of senior secured bonds and used the proceeds to acquire nuclear asset-recovery property from Duke Energy Florida. The nuclear asset-recovery property acquired includes the right to impose, bill, collect and adjust a non-bypassable nuclear asset-recovery charge from all Duke Energy Florida retail customers until the bonds are paid in full and all financing costs have been recovered. The nuclear asset-recovery bonds are secured by the nuclear asset-recovery property and cash collections from the nuclear asset-recovery charges are the sole source of funds to satisfy the debt obligation. The bondholders have no recourse to Duke Energy Florida. For additional information see Notes 4 and 6.
DEFPF is considered a VIE primarily because the equity capitalization is insufficient to support its operations. Duke Energy Florida has the power to direct the significant activities of the VIE as described above and therefore Duke Energy Florida is considered the primary beneficiary and consolidates DEFPF.
The following table summarizes the impact of DEFPF on Duke Energy Florida's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(in millions)
December 31, 2016

Receivables of VIEs
$
6

Regulatory Assets: Current
50

Current Assets: Other
53

Regulatory Assets and Deferred Debits: Regulatory assets
1,142

Current Liabilities: Other
17

Current maturities of long-term debt
62

Long-Term Debt
1,217


Commercial Renewables
Certain of Duke Energy’s renewable energy facilities are VIEs due to Duke Energy issuing guarantees for debt service and operations and maintenance reserves in support of debt financings. Assets are restricted and cannot be pledged as collateral or sold to third parties without prior approval of debt holders. The activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these renewable energy facilities were decisions associated with siting, negotiating PPAs, engineering, procurement and construction and decisions associated with ongoing operations and maintenance-related activities. Duke Energy consolidates the entities as it is responsible for all of these decisions. The table below presents material balances reported on Duke Energy's Consolidated Balance Sheets related to renewables VIEs.
(in millions)
December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Current Assets: Other
$
223

$
138

Property, plant and equipment, cost
3,419

2,015

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(453
)
(321
)
Current maturities of long-term debt
198

108

Long-Term Debt
1,097

968

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities: Deferred income taxes
275

289

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities: Other
252

33


NON-CONSOLIDATED VIEs
The following tables summarize the impact of non-consolidated VIEs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
December 31, 2016
 
Duke Energy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duke

 
Duke

 
Pipeline

 
Commercial

 
 
 
 
 
Energy

 
Energy

(in millions)
Investments

 
Renewables

 
Other

 
Total

 
Ohio

 
Indiana

Receivables from affiliated companies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
82

 
$
101

Investments in equity method unconsolidated affiliates
487

 
174

 
90

 
751

 

 

Investments and other assets
12

 

 

 
12

 

 

Total assets
$
499

 
$
174

 
$
90

 
$
763

 
$
82

 
$
101

Other current liabilities

 

 
3

 
3

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 
13

 
13

 

 

Total liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
16

 
$
16

 
$

 
$

Net assets (liabilities)
$
499

 
$
174

 
$
74

 
$
747

 
$
82

 
$
101


 
December 31, 2015
 
Duke Energy
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duke

 
Duke

 
Pipeline

 
Commercial

 
 
 
 
 
Energy

 
Energy

(in millions)
Investments

 
Renewables

 
Other

 
Total

 
Ohio

 
Indiana

Receivables from affiliated companies
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
47

 
$
60

Investments in equity method unconsolidated affiliates
113

 
235

 
39

 
387

 


 

Total assets
$
113

 
$
235

 
$
39

 
$
387

 
$
47

 
$
60

Other current liabilities

 

 
3

 
3

 

 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 
14

 
14

 

 

Total liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
17

 
$
17

 
$

 
$

Net assets
$
113

 
$
235

 
$
22

 
$
370

 
$
47

 
$
60


The Duke Energy Registrants are not aware of any situations where the maximum exposure to loss significantly exceeds the carrying values shown above except for the power purchase agreement with OVEC, which is discussed below, and various guarantees, some of which are reflected in the table above as Deferred credits and other liabilities. For more information on various guarantees, refer to Note 7.
Pipeline Investments
Duke Energy has investments in various joint ventures with pipeline projects currently under construction. These entities are considered VIEs due to having insufficient equity to finance their own activities without subordinated financial support. Duke Energy does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance, the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of these VIEs and therefore does not consolidate these entities. The table below presents Duke Energy's ownership interest and investment balance in in these joint ventures.
 
 
 
Investment Amount (in millions)
 
Ownership
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
Entity Name
Interest(a)
 
2016
 
2015
ACP
47
%
 
$
265

 
$
52

Sabal Trail
7.5
%
 
140

 
61

Constitution
24
%
 
82

 

Total
 
 
$
487

 
$
113

(a)
The percentages presented reflect Duke Energy's ownership interest as of December 31, 2016. The investment amount presented for ACP as of December 31, 2015, reflects 40 percent ownership interest prior to acquiring an additional 7 percent as a result of the Piedmont acquisition. See Notes 2 and 4 for additional information related to the Piedmont acquisition and increased ownership of ACP.
Commercial Renewables
Duke Energy has investments in various renewable energy project entities. Some of these entities are VIEs due to Duke Energy issuing guarantees for debt service and operations and maintenance reserves in support of debt financings. Duke Energy does not consolidate these VIEs because power to direct and control key activities is shared jointly by Duke Energy and other owners.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, Duke Energy recorded a $71 million pretax OTTI of certain wind project investments within Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates on Duke Energy's Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 12 for additional information related to the OTTI.
Other
Duke Energy holds a 50 percent equity interest in DATC. DATC is considered a VIE due to having insufficient equity to finance their own activities without subordinated financial support. The activities that most significantly impact DATC's economic performance are decisions related to investing in existing and development of new transmission facilities. The power to direct these activities is jointly and equally shared by Duke Energy and the other joint venture partner, American Transmission Company, LLC, therefore Duke Energy does not consolidate DATC.
Duke Energy holds a 50 percent equity interest in Pioneer. Pioneer is considered a VIE due to having insufficient equity to finance their own activities without subordinated financial support. The activities that most significantly impact Pioneer's economic performance are decisions related to the development of new transmission facilities. The power to direct these activities is jointly and equally shared by Duke Energy and the other joint venture partner, American Electric Power, therefore Duke Energy does not consolidate Pioneer.
OVEC
Duke Energy Ohio’s 9 percent ownership interest in OVEC is considered a non-consolidated VIE due to having insufficient equity to finance their activities without subordinated financial support. As a counterparty to an inter-company power agreement (ICPA), Duke Energy Ohio has a contractual arrangement to buy power from OVEC’s power plants through June 2040 commensurate with its power participation ratio, which is equivalent to Duke Energy Ohio's ownership interest. Costs, including fuel, operating expenses, fixed costs, debt amortization, and interest expense are allocated to counterparties to the ICPA based on their power participation ratio. The value of the ICPA is subject to variability due to fluctuation in power prices and changes in OVEC's cost of business, including costs associated with its 2,256 MW of coal-fired generation capacity. Deterioration in the credit quality, or bankruptcy of one or more parties to the ICPA could increase the costs of OVEC. In addition, certain proposed environmental rulemaking could result in future increased cost allocations.
CRC
See discussion under Consolidated VIEs for additional information related to CRC.
Amounts included in Receivables from affiliated companies in the above table for Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana reflect their retained interest in receivables sold to CRC. These subordinated notes held by Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana are stated at fair value. Carrying values of retained interests are determined by allocating carrying value of the receivables between assets sold and interests retained based on relative fair value. The allocated bases of the subordinated notes are not materially different than their face value because (i) the receivables generally turnover in less than two months, (ii) credit losses are reasonably predictable due to the broad customer base and lack of significant concentration and (iii) the equity in CRC is subordinate to all retained interests and thus would absorb losses first. The hypothetical effect on fair value of the retained interests assuming both a 10 percent and a 20 percent unfavorable variation in credit losses or discount rates is not material due to the short turnover of receivables and historically low credit loss history. Interest accrues to Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Indiana on the retained interests using the acceptable yield method. This method generally approximates the stated rate on the notes since the allocated basis and the face value are nearly equivalent. An impairment charge is recorded against the carrying value of both retained interests and purchased beneficial interest whenever it is determined that an OTTI has occurred.
Key assumptions used in estimating fair value are detailed in the following table.
 
Duke Energy Ohio
 
Duke Energy Indiana
 
2016

 
2015

 
2016

 
2015

Anticipated credit loss ratio
0.5
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.3
%
Discount rate
1.5
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.2
%
Receivable turnover rate
13.3
%
 
12.9
%
 
10.6
%
 
10.6
%
The following table shows the gross and net receivables sold.
 
Duke Energy Ohio
 
Duke Energy Indiana
(in millions)
2016

 
2015

 
2016

 
2015

Receivables sold
$
267

 
$
233

 
$
306

 
$
260

Less: Retained interests
82

 
47

 
101

 
60

Net receivables sold
$
185

 
$
186

 
$
205

 
$
200


The following table shows sales and cash flows related to receivables sold.
 
Duke Energy Ohio
 
Duke Energy Indiana
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in millions)
2016

 
2015

 
2014

 
2016

 
2015

 
2014

Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables sold
$
1,926

 
$
1,963

 
$
2,246

 
$
2,635

 
$
2,627

 
$
2,913

Loss recognized on sale
9

 
9

 
11

 
11

 
11

 
11

Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash proceeds from receivables sold
1,882

 
1,995

 
2,261

 
2,583

 
2,670

 
2,932

Collection fees received
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Return received on retained interests
2

 
3

 
4

 
5

 
5

 
6


Cash flows from the sales of receivables are reflected within Cash Flows From Operating Activities on Duke Energy Ohio’s and Duke Energy Indiana’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Collection fees received in connection with servicing transferred accounts receivable are included in Operation, maintenance and other on Duke Energy Ohio’s and Duke Energy Indiana’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The loss recognized on sales of receivables is calculated monthly by multiplying receivables sold during the month by the required discount. The required discount is derived monthly utilizing a three-year weighted average formula that considers charge-off history, late charge history and turnover history on the sold receivables, as well as a component for the time value of money. The discount rate, or component for the time value of money, is the prior month-end LIBOR plus a fixed rate of 1.00 percent.