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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

The financial statements of Ameren are prepared on a consolidated basis. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have no subsidiaries, and therefore their financial statements are not prepared on a consolidated basis. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated.

Our accounting policies conform to GAAP. Our financial statements reflect all adjustments (which include normal, recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair presentation of our results. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations of an interim period may not give a true indication of results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K.

Earnings Per Share

There were no material differences between Ameren’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2013, and 2012. The number of dilutive restricted stock shares and performance share units had an immaterial impact on earnings per share.

Intangible Assets

Ameren and Ameren Missouri classify emission allowances and renewable energy credits as intangible assets. Ameren Illinois consumes renewable energy credits as they are purchased through the IPA procurement process and expenses them immediately. We evaluate intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount might be impaired.

At March 31, 2013, Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s intangible assets consisted of renewable energy credits obtained through wind and solar power purchase agreements. The book value of Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s renewable energy credits was $16 million and $16 million, respectively, at March 31, 2013. The book value of Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s renewable energy credits was $14 million and $14 million, respectively, at December 31, 2012.

Renewable energy credits and emission allowances are charged to purchased power expense and fuel expense, respectively, as they are used in operations.

Excise Taxes

Excise taxes levied on us are reflected on Ameren Missouri electric customer bills and on Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois natural gas customer bills. They are recorded gross in “Operating Revenues - Electric,” “Operating Revenues - Gas” and “Operating Expenses - Taxes other than income taxes” on the statement of income or the statement of income and comprehensive income. Excise taxes reflected on Ameren Illinois electric customer bills are imposed on the consumer and are therefore not included in revenues and expenses. They are recorded as tax collections payable and included in “Taxes accrued” on the balance sheet.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013, was $190 million, $126 million, and $4 million, for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits (detriments) as of March 31, 2013, that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $48 million, $1 million, and $(1) million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, respectively. The Ameren amount increased by $47 million in the first three months of 2013. This increase was primarily due to uncertainty related to the historical computation of Ameren’s tax basis in its stock investment in AER.

Ameren’s federal income tax returns for the years 2007 through 2010 are before the Appeals Office of the Internal Revenue Service. Ameren’s federal income tax return for the year 2011 is currently under examination.

It is reasonably possible that a settlement will be reached with the Appeals Office of the Internal Revenue Service in the next 12 months for the years 2007 through 2010. This settlement, primarily related to uncertain tax positions for capitalization versus currently deductible repair expense and research tax deductions, is expected to result in a decrease in uncertain tax benefits of approximately $126 million, $110 million, and $5 million for Ameren, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois, respectively. In addition, it is reasonably possible that other events will occur during the next 12 months that would cause the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the Ameren Companies to increase or decrease. However, the Ameren Companies do not believe any such increases or decreases, including the decrease from the reasonably possible IRS Appeals Office settlement discussed above, would be material to their results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three years after filing of the return. The Ameren Companies do not currently have material state income tax issues under examination, administrative appeals, or litigation. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Based on the transaction agreement to divest New AER to IPH, Ameren will retain the AROs associated with the Meredosia and Hutsonville energy centers. Therefore, these AROs are classified as continuing operations. See Note 2 - Divestiture Transactions and Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Noncontrolling Interest

Ameren's noncontrolling interests comprised the 20% of EEI not owned by Ameren and the preferred stock not subject to mandatory redemption of Ameren's subsidiaries. These noncontrolling interests were classified as a component of equity separate from Ameren's equity in its consolidated balance sheet.

Accounting and Reporting Developments

The following is a summary of recently adopted authoritative accounting guidance that could impact the Ameren Companies.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, FASB amended its guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. The amended guidance changed the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. It requires entities to report components of comprehensive income either in a continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance was effective for the Ameren Companies beginning in the first quarter of 2012 with retroactive application required. The implementation of the amended guidance did not affect the Ameren Companies’ results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

In February 2013, FASB amended this guidance to require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated OCI by component. In addition, an entity is required to present significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated OCI by the respective line items of net income either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the footnotes. This guidance was effective for the Ameren Companies beginning in the first quarter of 2013. The implementation of this amendment did not affect the Ameren Companies’ results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. The only amounts reclassified out of accumulated OCI for the Ameren Companies related to pension and other postretirement plan activity. These amounts were immaterial during the first quarter of 2013 and 2012, and therefore no additional disclosures required.

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

In December 2011, FASB issued additional authoritative guidance to improve information disclosed about financial and derivative instruments. The guidance requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of the financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on financial position. In January 2013, FASB amended this guidance to limit the scope to derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. The amendments did not affect the Ameren Companies’ results of operations, financial positions, or liquidity, as this guidance only requires additional disclosures. The Ameren Companies adopted this guidance for the first quarter of 2013. See Note 7 - Derivative Financial Instruments for the required additional disclosures.

Derivatives

We use derivatives principally to manage the risk of changes in market prices for natural gas, coal, diesel, electricity, and uranium. Such price fluctuations may cause the following:


•	an unrealized appreciation or depreciation of our contracted commitments to purchase or sell when purchase or sale prices under the commitments are compared with current commodity prices;


•	market values of coal, natural gas, and uranium inventories that differ from the cost of those commodities in inventory; and


•	actual cash outlays for the purchase of these commodities that differ from anticipated cash outlays.

The derivatives that we use to hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward contracts, futures, options, and swaps. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. The goal of the hedging program is generally to mitigate financial risks while ensuring that sufficient volumes are available to meet our requirements. Contracts we enter into as part of our risk management program may be settled financially, settled by physical delivery, or net settled with the counterparty.

Retirement Benefits

Ameren’s pension and postretirement plans are funded in compliance with income tax regulations and to meet federal funding or regulatory requirements. As a result, Ameren expects to fund its pension plans at a level equal to the greater of the pension expense or the legally required minimum contribution. Considering Ameren’s assumptions at March 31, 2013, its estimated investment performance through March 31, 2013, and its pension funding policy, Ameren expects to make annual contributions of $60 million to $150 million in each of the next five years, with aggregate estimated contributions of $550 million. These amounts are estimates which may change with actual investment performance, changes in interest rates, any pertinent changes in government regulations, and any voluntary contributions. Our policy for postretirement benefits is primarily to fund the voluntary employee’s beneficiary association (VEBA) trusts to match the annual postretirement expense.