COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are involved in legal, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions, authorities and governmental agencies with respect to matters that arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts of money. We believe that the final disposition of these proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes to our financial statements in this report and in our Form 10-K, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

Reference is made to Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters, Note 14 – Related Party Transactions, Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 16 – Divestiture Transactions and Discontinued Operations under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K. See also Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters, Note 8 – Related Party Transactions, and Note 10 – Callaway Energy Center.

Callaway Energy Center

The following table presents insurance coverage at Ameren Missouri’s Callaway energy center at June 30, 2016. The property coverage and the nuclear liability coverage must be renewed on April 1 and January 1, respectively, of each year. Both coverages were renewed in 2016.



Type and Source of Coverage	Maximum Coverages			Maximum Assessments for Single Incidents
Public liability and nuclear worker liability:
American Nuclear Insurers	$	375		$	—
Pool participation	12,986		^(a)	127		^(b)
	$	13,361	^(c)	$	127
Property damage:
NEIL	$	2,750	^(d)	$	30	^(e)
European Mutual Association for Nuclear Insurance	450		^(f)	—
	$	3,200		$	30
Replacement power:
NEIL	$	490	^(g)	$	7	^(e)


(a)	Provided through mandatory participation in an industrywide retrospective premium assessment program.


(b)	Retrospective premium under the Price-Anderson Act. This is subject to retrospective assessment with respect to a covered loss in excess of $375 million in the event of an incident at any licensed United States commercial reactor, payable at $19 million per year.

(c)

Limit of liability for each incident under the Price-Anderson liability provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. A company could be assessed up to $127 million per incident for each licensed reactor it operates with a maximum of $19 million per incident to be paid in a calendar year for each reactor. This limit is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation and changes in the number of licensed reactors.


(d)	NEIL provides $2.75 billion in property damage, decontamination, and premature decommissioning insurance for radiation events. NEIL provides $2.3 billion in property damage for nonradiation events.


(e)	All NEIL insured plants could be subject to assessments should losses exceed the accumulated funds from NEIL.


(f)	European Mutual Association for Nuclear Insurance provides $450 million in excess of the $2.75 billion and $2.3 billion property coverage for radiation and nonradiation events, respectively, provided by NEIL.


(g)	Provides replacement power cost insurance in the event of a prolonged accidental outage. Weekly indemnity up to $4.5 million for 52 weeks, which commences after the first twelve weeks of an outage, plus up to $3.6 million per week for a minimum of 71 weeks thereafter for a total not exceeding the policy limit of $490 million. Nonradiation events are sub-limited to $328 million.

The Price-Anderson Act is a federal law that limits the liability for claims from an incident involving any licensed United States commercial nuclear energy center. The limit is based on the number of licensed reactors. The limit of liability and the maximum potential annual payments are adjusted at least every five years for inflation to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The most recent five-year inflationary adjustment became effective in September 2013. Owners of a nuclear reactor cover this exposure through a combination of private insurance and mandatory participation in a financial protection pool, as established by the Price-Anderson Act.

Losses resulting from terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities are covered under NEIL’s insurance policies, subject to an industrywide aggregate policy limit of $3.24 billion within a 12-month period, or $1.83 billion for events not involving radiation contamination.

If losses from a nuclear incident at the Callaway energy center exceed the limits of, or are not covered by insurance, or if coverage is unavailable, Ameren Missouri is at risk for any uninsured losses. If a serious nuclear incident were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

Other Obligations

To supply a portion of the fuel requirements of Ameren Missouri’s energy centers, Ameren Missouri has entered into various long-term commitments for the procurement of coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, and methane gas. Additionally, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have entered into various long-term commitments for purchased power and natural gas for distribution. At June 30, 2016, total obligations related to commitments for coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, purchased power, methane gas, equipment, and meter reading services, among other agreements, at Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois were $4,465 million, $2,614 million, and $1,790 million, respectively. For additional information regarding our obligations and commitments at December 31, 2015, see Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies under Part II, Item 8 of the Form 10-K.

In April 2016, Ameren Illinois conducted a procurement event, administered by the IPA, to purchase energy products through May 31, 2019. In this event, Ameren Illinois contracted to purchase approximately 3,609,800 megawatthours of energy products for $105 million from June 1, 2016, through May 31, 2019. See Note 8 – Related Party Transactions for additional information regarding the energy product agreement between Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois as a result of this procurement event.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations enforced by federal, state, and local authorities. Such requirements can impact the siting, development and operation of new and existing generation, transmission, distribution and natural gas storage facilities. Such requirements can encompass emissions, discharges to water, water usage, impacts to air, land, and water, and chemical and waste handling. Complex and lengthy approval processes are required to obtain, modify or renew permits and licenses for new or existing facilities. Additionally, the use and handling of various chemicals or hazardous materials at some of our facilities require release prevention plans and emergency response procedures.

The EPA has promulgated several environmental regulations that will have a significant impact on the electric utility industry. Over time, compliance with these regulations could be costly for Ameren Missouri, which operates coal-fired power plants. Significant new rules include the regulation of CO₂ emissions from existing power plants through the Clean Power Plan and from new power plants through the revised NSPS; the CSAPR, which requires further reductions of SO₂ emissions and NO_x emissions from power plants; a regulation governing management and storage of CCR; the MATS, which require reduction of emissions of mercury, toxic metals, and acid gases from power plants; revised NSPS for particulate matter, SO₂, and NO_x emissions from new sources; new effluent standards applicable to wastewater discharges from power plants; and new regulations under the Clean Water Act that could require significant capital expenditures, such as modifications to water intake structures at Ameren Missouri’s energy centers. The EPA also periodically reviews and revises national ambient air quality standards, including those standards associated with emissions from power plants, such as particulate matter, ozone, SO₂and NO_x. Certain of these new regulations are being or are likely to be challenged through litigation, so their ultimate implementation, as well as the timing of any such implementation, is uncertain. Although many details of future regulations are unknown, the individual or combined effects of new environmental regulations could result in significant capital expenditures and increased operating costs for Ameren and Ameren Missouri. Compliance with all of these environmental laws and regulations could be prohibitively expensive, result in the closure or alteration of the operation of some of Ameren Missouri’s energy centers, or require capital investment. Ameren and Ameren Missouri expect that these costs would be recoverable through rates, subject to MoPSC prudence review, but the nature and timing of costs and their recovery could result in regulatory lag.

Ameren Missouri's current plan for compliance with existing environmental regulations for air emissions includes burning ultra-low-sulfur coal and installing new or optimizing existing pollution control equipment. Ameren and Ameren Missouri estimate that they will need to make capital expenditures of $600 million to $700 million in the aggregate from 2016 through 2020 in order to comply with existing environmental regulations. Additionally, Ameren Missouri may be required to install additional air emissions controls within the next six to 10 years. This estimate includes capital expenditures required for the CCR regulations, the Clean Water Act rule applicable to cooling water intake structures at existing power plants, and the Clean Water Act effluent limitation guidelines applicable to steam electric generating units, all of which are discussed below. These estimates do not include the potential impacts of the Clean Power Plan discussed below. The actual amount of capital expenditures required to comply with existing environmental regulations may vary substantially from the above estimate due to uncertainty as to the precise compliance strategies that will be used and their ultimate cost, among other things.

The following sections describe the more significant new environmental laws and rules and environmental enforcement and remediation matters that affect or could affect our operations.

Clean Air Act

Federal and state laws require significant reductions in SO₂and NO_x through either emission source reductions or the use and retirement of emission allowances. The first phase of the CSAPR emission reduction requirements became effective in 2015 and the second phase of emission reduction requirements will become effective in 2017; additional emission reduction requirements may apply in subsequent years. To achieve compliance with the CSAPR, Ameren Missouri burns ultra-low-sulfur coal, operates two scrubbers at its Sioux energy center, and optimizes other existing pollution control equipment. Ameren Missouri does not expect to make additional capital investments to comply with the current CSAPR requirements. However, Ameren Missouri expects to incur additional costs to lower its emissions at one or more of its energy centers to comply with the CSAPR in future years. These higher costs are expected to be recovered from customers through the FAC or higher base rates.

CO₂ Emissions Standards

The Clean Power Plan, which sets forth CO₂emissions standards applicable to existing power plants, was issued by the EPA in August 2015 but stayed by the United States Supreme Court in February 2016, pending the outcome of various appeals, as discussed below.

If upheld, the Clean Power Plan would require Missouri and Illinois to reduce CO₂ emissions from power plants within their states significantly below 2005 levels by 2030. The rule contains interim compliance periods commencing in 2022 that would require each state to demonstrate progress in achieving its CO₂ reduction target. Ameren continues to evaluate the Clean Power Plan's potential impacts to its operations, including those related to electric system reliability, and to its level of investment in customer energy efficiency programs, renewable energy, and other forms of generation. Significant uncertainty exists regarding the impact of the Clean Power Plan, as its implementation will depend upon plans to be developed by the states. Numerous legal challenges are pending, which could result in the rule being declared invalid or the nature and timing of CO₂ emissions reductions being revised. All implementation requirements are deferred until such time as these legal challenges are concluded. A decision by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2016 or the first quarter of 2017, and subsequent appeals to the United States Supreme Court are likely. We cannot predict the outcome of such legal challenges or their impact on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. If the rule is ultimately upheld and implemented in substantially similar form to the rule when issued, compliance measures could result in the closure or alteration of the operation of some of Ameren Missouri’s coal and natural-gas-fired energy centers, which could result in increased operating costs and require Ameren Missouri to make new or accelerated capital expenditures. Ameren Missouri expects substantially all of these increased costs to be recoverable, subject to MoPSC prudence review, through higher rates to customers, which could be significant.

In 2015, the EPA also issued final regulations that set CO₂ emissions standards for new power plants. These new standards establish separate emissions limits for new natural-gas-fired combined cycle plants and new coal-fired plants.

Federal and state legislation or regulations that mandate limits on the emission of CO₂ may result in significant increases in capital expenditures and operating costs, which could lead to increased liquidity needs and higher financing costs. Mandatory limits on the emission of CO₂ could increase costs for Ameren Missouri’s customers or have a material adverse effect on Ameren's and Ameren Missouri's results of operations, financial position, and liquidity if regulators delay or deny recovery in rates of these compliance costs. The cost of Ameren Illinois’ purchased power and gas purchased for resale could increase. However, Ameren Illinois expects these costs would be recovered from customers with no material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. Ameren's and Ameren Missouri's earnings might benefit from increased investment to comply with CO₂ emission limitations to the extent that the investments are reflected and recovered on a timely basis in rates charged to customers.

NSR and Clean Air Litigation

In January 2011, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the EPA, filed a complaint against Ameren Missouri in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The EPA's complaint, as amended in October 2013, alleges that in performing projects at its Rush Island coal-fired energy center in 2007 and 2010, Ameren Missouri violated provisions of the Clean Air Act and Missouri law. Ameren Missouri anticipates that a trial of this case will begin in August 2016. Ameren Missouri believes its defenses are meritorious and is defending itself vigorously. However, there can be no assurances that it will be successful in its efforts.

The ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity of Ameren and Ameren Missouri. A resolution of this matter could result in increased capital expenditures for the installation of pollution control equipment and increased operations and maintenance expenses. We are unable to predict the ultimate resolution of these matters or the costs that might be incurred.

Clean Water Act

In 2014, the EPA issued its final rule applicable to cooling water intake structures at existing power plants. The rule requires a case-by-case evaluation and plan for reducing aquatic organisms impinged on the facility’s intake screens or entrained through the plant's cooling water system. Additionally, in 2015, the EPA issued its final rule to revise the effluent limitation guidelines applicable to steam electric generating units. Effluent limitation guidelines are national standards for water discharges that are based on the effectiveness of available control technology. The EPA's rule prohibits effluent discharges of certain waste streams and imposes more stringent limitations on certain components in water discharges from power plants. All of Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired and nuclear energy centers are subject to the cooling water intake structures rule and all of Ameren Missouri’s coal-fired energy centers are subject to the effluent limitations rule. Implementation of both rules will occur during the renewal process of each energy center’s water discharge permits, which will occur between 2018 and 2023. The rules could have an adverse effect on Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity if their implementation requires extensive modifications to the cooling water systems and water discharge systems at Ameren Missouri’s energy centers and if those investments are not recovered on a timely basis in electric rates charged to Ameren Missouri’s customers.

Ash Management

In 2015, the EPA issued regulations regarding the management and disposal of CCR. These regulations will affect CCR disposal and handling costs at Ameren Missouri's energy centers. The regulations allow for the management of CCR as a solid waste, as well as for its continued beneficial uses, such as recycling, which could reduce the amount to be disposed. The regulations also establish criteria regarding the structural integrity, location, and operation of CCR impoundments and landfills. They require groundwater monitoring, and closure of impoundments if the groundwater standards are not achieved. Ameren Missouri's capital expenditure plan includes the cost of constructing landfills as part of its environmental compliance plan.

The new regulations do not apply to ash ponds at plants no longer in operation, such as Ameren’s Meredosia and Hutsonville energy centers.

Remediation

The Ameren Companies are involved in a number of remediation actions to clean up sites impacted by the use or disposal of materials containing hazardous substances. Federal and state laws can require responsible parties to fund remediation actions regardless of their degree of fault, the legality of original disposal, or the ownership of a disposal site. Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois have each been identified by federal or state governments as a potentially responsible party at several contaminated sites.

As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Illinois owned or was otherwise responsible for 44 former MGP sites in Illinois, which are in various stages of investigation, evaluation, remediation, and closure. Ameren Illinois estimates it could substantially conclude remediation efforts by 2025. The ICC allows Ameren Illinois to recover remediation and litigation costs associated with its former MGP sites from its electric and natural gas utility customers through environmental adjustment rate riders. Costs are subject to annual review by the ICC. As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Illinois estimated the obligation related to these former MGP sites at $217 million to $306 million. Ameren and Ameren Illinois recorded a liability of $217 million to represent the estimated minimum obligation for these sites, as no other amount within the range was a better estimate.

The scope and extent to which these former MGP sites are remediated may increase as remediation efforts continue. Considerable uncertainty remains in these estimates because many site-specific factors can influence the ultimate actual costs, including unanticipated underground structures, the degree to which groundwater is encountered, regulatory changes, local ordinances, and site accessibility. The actual costs may vary substantially from these estimates.

Ameren Illinois is also responsible for the cleanup of some underground storage tanks and a water treatment plant in Illinois. As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Illinois recorded a liability of $0.7 million to represent its best estimate of its obligation for these sites.

In 2008, the EPA issued an administrative order to three companies, including Ameren Missouri, to conduct a site investigation at a former coal tar distillery in St. Louis, Missouri. While Ameren Missouri is the current owner of the site, it did not conduct any of the manufacturing operations involving coal tar or its byproducts. Site investigation activities and studies are complete, and reports have been submitted to the EPA for review. Based upon the results of those studies, it is unlikely that further remediation will be required. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2016, Ameren Missouri did not record a liability for remediation at this site.

Ameren Missouri also participated in the investigation of various sites known as Sauget Area 2 located in Sauget, Illinois. In 2000, the EPA notified Ameren Missouri and numerous other companies, including Solutia, Inc., that former landfills and lagoons at those sites may contain soil and groundwater contamination. From about 1926 until 1976, Ameren Missouri operated an energy center adjacent to Sauget Area 2. Ameren Missouri currently owns a parcel of property at Sauget Area 2 that was once used by others as a landfill.

In December 2013, the EPA issued its record of decision for Sauget Area 2 approving the investigation and the remediation actions recommended by the potentially responsible parties. Further negotiation among the potentially responsible parties will determine how to fund the implementation of the EPA-approved cleanup remedies. As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Missouri estimated its obligation related to Sauget Area 2 at $1 million to $2.5 million. Ameren Missouri recorded a liability of $1 million to represent its estimated minimum obligation for this site, as no other amount within the range was a better estimate.

In December 2012, Ameren Missouri signed an administrative order with the EPA and agreed to investigate soil and groundwater conditions at an Ameren Missouri-owned substation in St. Charles, Missouri. As of June 30, 2016, Ameren Missouri estimated and recorded a $0.6 million liability related to the site. Although monitoring will continue for some time, no significant remediation measures are anticipated.

Our operations or those of our predecessor companies involve the use of, disposal of, and in appropriate circumstances, the cleanup of substances regulated under environmental laws. We are unable to determine whether such practices will result in future environmental commitments or will affect our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

Ameren Missouri Municipal Taxes

The cities of Creve Coeur and Winchester, Missouri, on behalf of themselves and other municipalities in Ameren Missouri’s service area, filed a class action lawsuit in November 2011, against Ameren Missouri in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. The lawsuit alleges that Ameren Missouri failed to collect and pay gross receipts taxes or license fees on certain revenues, including revenues from wholesale power and interchange sales. Ameren and Ameren Missouri recorded immaterial liabilities on their respective balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, representing their estimate of the probable taxes and fees due as a result of this lawsuit. Ameren Missouri believes there is a remote possibility that a liability relating to this lawsuit could be material to Ameren and Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity. Ameren Missouri believes its defenses are meritorious and is defending itself vigorously. However, there can be no assurances that Ameren Missouri will be successful in its efforts.