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Fair Value Accounting
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Accounting
Note 7 — Fair Value Accounting
The amounts reflected on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020,
and December 31, 2019, for cash equivalents, restricted cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other accounts receivable, short-term debt, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. Cleco applies the provisions of the fair value measurement standard to its non-recurring, non-financial measurements including business combinations, as well as impairment related to goodwill and other long-lived assets.
The following tables summarize the carrying value and estimated market value of Cleco and Cleco Power’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AT MAR. 31, 2020
 
 
AT DEC. 31, 2019
 
(THOUSANDS)
CARRYING
VALUE*

 
FAIR VALUE

 
CARRYING
VALUE*

 
FAIR VALUE

Long-term debt
$
3,174,821

 
$
3,295,214

 
$
3,188,664

 
$
3,371,915


* The carrying value of long-term debt does not include deferred issuance costs of $13.2 million at March 31, 2020, and $13.7 million at December 31, 2019.
Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AT MAR. 31, 2020
 
 
AT DEC. 31, 2019
 
(THOUSANDS)
CARRYING
VALUE*

 
FAIR VALUE

 
CARRYING
VALUE*

 
FAIR VALUE

Long-term debt
$
1,369,716

 
$
1,696,053

 
$
1,380,688

 
$
1,601,865


* The carrying value of long-term debt does not include deferred issuance costs of $7.2 million at March 31, 2020, and $7.4 million at December 31, 2019.

In order to fund capital requirements, Cleco issues fixed and variable rate long-term debt with various tenors. The fair value of this class fluctuates as the market interest rates for fixed and variable rate debt with similar tenors and credit ratings change. The fair value of the debt could also change from period to period due to changes in the credit rating of the Cleco entity by which the debt was issued. The fair value of long-term debt is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
Cleco classifies assets and liabilities that are measured at their fair value according to three different levels depending on the inputs used in determining fair value.
The following tables disclose for Cleco and Cleco Power the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT REPORTING DATE
 
(THOUSANDS)
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
QUOTED PRICES
IN ACTIVE MARKETS
FOR IDENTICAL
ASSETS
(LEVEL 1)

 
SIGNIFICANT
OTHER
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

 
QUOTED PRICES
IN ACTIVE MARKETS
FOR IDENTICAL
ASSETS
(LEVEL 1)

 
SIGNIFICANT
OTHER
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

Asset description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutional money market funds
$
352,549

 
$

 
$
352,549

 
$

 
$
129,643

 
$

 
$
129,643

 
$

FTRs
1,779

 

 

 
1,779

 
6,822

 

 

 
6,822

Other commodity derivatives
213

 

 
213

 

 
201

 

 
201

 

Total assets
$
354,541

 
$

 
$
352,762

 
$
1,779

 
$
136,666

 
$

 
$
129,844

 
$
6,822

Liability description
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

FTRs
$
683

 
$

 
$

 
$
683

 
$
1,044

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,044

Other commodity derivatives
12,494

 

 
12,494

 

 
5,373

 

 
5,373

 

Total liabilities
$
13,177

 
$

 
$
12,494

 
$
683

 
$
6,417

 
$

 
$
5,373

 
$
1,044

Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT REPORTING DATE
 
(THOUSANDS)
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
QUOTED PRICES IN ACTIVE MARKETS
FOR IDENTICAL
ASSETS
(LEVEL 1)

 
SIGNIFICANT
OTHER
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

 
QUOTED PRICES
IN ACTIVE MARKETS
FOR IDENTICAL
ASSETS
(LEVEL 1)

 
SIGNIFICANT
OTHER
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

Asset description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Institutional money market funds
$
198,006

 
$

 
$
198,006

 
$

 
$
74,903

 
$

 
$
74,903

 
$

FTRs
1,673

 

 

 
1,673

 
6,311

 

 

 
6,311

Total assets
$
199,679

 
$

 
$
198,006

 
$
1,673

 
$
81,214

 
$

 
$
74,903

 
$
6,311

Liability description
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

FTRs
$
524

 
$

 
$

 
$
524

 
$
586

 
$

 
$

 
$
586

Total liabilities
$
524

 
$

 
$

 
$
524

 
$
586

 
$

 
$

 
$
586



The following tables summarize the net changes in the net fair value of FTR assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for Cleco and Cleco Power:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAR. 31,
 
(THOUSANDS)
2020

 
2019

Beginning balance
$
5,778

 
$
22,887

Unrealized losses*
(1,398
)
 
(1,917
)
Purchases
466

 
5,237

Settlements
(3,750
)
 
(18,397
)
Ending balance
$
1,096

 
$
7,810

* Cleco Power’s unrealized losses are reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on Cleco’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cleco Cajun’s unrealized (losses) gains are reported through Purchased power on Cleco’s Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.
Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAR. 31,
 
(THOUSANDS)
2020

 
2019

Beginning balance
$
5,725

 
$
22,887

Unrealized losses*
(1,311
)
 
(2,939
)
Purchases
466

 
1,286

Settlements
(3,731
)
 
(16,422
)
Ending balance
$
1,149

 
$
4,812

* Unrealized losses are reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.


The following tables quantify the significant unobservable inputs used in developing the fair value of Level 3 positions for Cleco and Cleco Power as of March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FAIR VALUE
 
 
VALUATION TECHNIQUE
 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS
 
FORWARD PRICE RANGE
 
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FORWARD PRICE RANGE)
ASSETS

 
LIABILITIES

 
 
 
 
 
LOW

 
HIGH

FTRs at Mar. 31, 2020
$
1,779

 
$
683

 
RTO auction pricing
 
FTR price - per MWh
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
2.93

FTRs at Dec. 31, 2019
$
6,822

 
$
1,044

 
RTO auction pricing
 
FTR price - per MWh
 
$
(2.57
)
 
$
2.86


Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FAIR VALUE
 
 
VALUATION TECHNIQUE
 
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS
 
FORWARD PRICE RANGE
 
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FORWARD PRICE RANGE)
ASSETS

 
LIABILITIES

 
 
 
 
 
LOW

 
HIGH

FTRs at Mar. 31, 2020
$
1,673

 
$
524

 
RTO auction pricing
 
FTR price - per MWh
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
2.93

FTRs at Dec. 31, 2019
$
6,311

 
$
586

 
RTO auction pricing
 
FTR price - per MWh
 
$
(2.04
)
 
$
2.86



Cleco utilizes different valuation techniques for fair value calculations. In order to measure the fair value for Level 1 assets and liabilities, Cleco obtains the closing price from
published indices in active markets for the various instruments and multiplies this price by the appropriate number of instruments held. Level 2 fair values are determined by
obtaining the closing price of similar assets and liabilities from published indices in active markets. Institutional money market funds assets are discounted to the current period using a U.S. Treasury published interest rate as a proxy for a risk-free rate of return. Level 3 fair values occur in situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and prices are not observable. Cleco has consistently applied the Level 2 and Level 3 fair value techniques from fiscal period to fiscal period. Significant increases or decreases in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly different fair value measurement. The assets and liabilities reported at fair value are grouped into classes based on the underlying nature and risks associated with the individual asset or liability.
At March 31, 2020, Cleco and Cleco Power were exposed to concentrations of credit risk through their short-term investments classified as cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents. The following tables present the institutional money market funds in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as recorded on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019:
Cleco
 
 
 
(THOUSANDS)
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents
$
338,611

 
$
103,409

Current restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
4,054

 
$
11,100

Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
9,883

 
$
15,134


Cleco Power
 
 
 
(THOUSANDS)
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents
$
184,911

 
$
49,509

Current restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
4,054

 
$
11,100

Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents
$
9,041

 
$
14,294



If the money market funds failed to perform under the terms of the investments, Cleco and Cleco Power would be exposed to a loss of the invested amounts. Collateral on these types of investments is not required by either Cleco or Cleco Power. The Level 2 institutional money market funds asset consists of a single class. In order to capture interest income and minimize risk, cash is invested in money market funds that invest primarily in short-term securities issued by the U.S. Treasury to maintain liquidity and achieve the goal of a net asset value of a dollar. The risks associated with this class are counterparty risk of the fund manager and risk of price volatility associated with the underlying securities of the fund.
Other commodity derivatives include fixed price physical forwards and swap transactions. These contracts contain counterparty credit risk because they are transacted directly with a counterparty and are not cleared on an exchange. With respect to any open trading contracts that Cleco has entered into or may enter into in the future, Cleco may be required to provide credit support or pay liquidated damages under such contracts. The amount of credit support that Cleco may be required to provide at any point in the future is dependent on
the amount of the initial contract, changes in the market price, changes in open contracts, and changes in the amounts counterparties owe to Cleco. Changes in any of these factors could cause the amount of requested credit support to increase or decrease. These other commodity derivatives are recorded at fair value and categorized as Level 2 because pricing is indexed to other contracts.
Cleco Power and Cleco Cajun’s FTRs were priced using MISO’s monthly auction prices. Forward seasonal periods are not included in every monthly auction; therefore, the average of the most recent seasonal auction prices is used for monthly valuation. FTRs are categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements because the only relevant pricing available comes from MISO auctions, which occur monthly in the Multi-Period Monthly Auction.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, and the year ended December 31, 2019, Cleco did not experience any transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy.

Commodity Contracts
The following tables present the fair values of derivative instruments and their respective line items as recorded on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
 
 
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
 
(THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET LINE ITEM
 
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

Commodity-related contracts
 
 
 
 
FTRs
 
 
 
 
 
Current
Energy risk management assets
 
$
1,779

 
$
6,822

Current
Energy risk management liabilities
 
(683
)
 
(1,044
)
Other commodity derivatives
 
 
 
 
Current
Energy risk management assets
 
213

 
201

Current
Energy risk management liabilities
 
(9,014
)
 
(3,069
)
Non-current
Other deferred credits
 
(3,480
)
 
(2,304
)
Commodity-related contracts, net
 
$
(11,185
)
 
$
606


Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
 
(THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET LINE ITEM
 
AT MAR. 31, 2020

 
AT DEC. 31, 2019

Commodity-related contracts
 
 
 
 
FTRs
 
 
 
 
 
Current
Energy risk management assets
 
$
1,673

 
$
6,311

Current
Energy risk management liabilities
 
(524
)
 
(586
)
Commodity-related contracts, net
 
$
1,149

 
$
5,725



The following tables present the effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Cleco and Cleco Power’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and 2019:
Cleco
 
 
 
 
 
AMOUNT OF GAIN(LOSS) RECOGNIZED IN INCOME ON DERIVATIVES
 
 
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAR. 31,
 
(THOUSANDS)
INCOME STATEMENT LINE ITEM
2020

 
2019

Commodity-related contracts
 
 
 
 
FTRs(1)
Electric operations
$
1,396

 
$
5,209

FTRs(1)
Purchased power
(381
)
 
(3,324
)
Other commodity derivatives
Fuel used for electric generation
(7,108
)
 

Total
 
$
(6,093
)
 
$
1,885

(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2020, unrealized losses associated with FTRs for Cleco Power of $1.3 million were reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on the balance sheet. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, unrealized losses associated with FTRs for Cleco Power of $2.9 million were reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on the balance sheet.
Cleco Power
 
 
 
 
 
AMOUNT OF GAIN(LOSS) RECOGNIZED IN INCOME ON DERIVATIVES
 
 
 
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAR. 31,
 
(THOUSANDS)
INCOME STATEMENT LINE ITEM
2020

 
2019

Commodity-related contracts
 
 
 
 
FTRs(1)
Electric operations
$
1,396

 
$
5,206

FTRs(1)
Purchased power
(751
)
 
(1,983
)
Total
 
$
645

 
$
3,223


(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2020, unrealized losses associated with FTRs of $1.3 million were reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on the balance sheet. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, unrealized losses associated with FTRs of $2.9 million were reported through Accumulated deferred fuel on the balance sheet.
 
The total volume of FTRs that Cleco Power had outstanding at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was 3.4 million MWh and 9.2 million MWh, respectively. The total volume of FTRs that Cleco had outstanding at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was 5.4 million MWh and 14.6 million MWh, respectively. The total volume of other commodity derivatives Cleco had outstanding at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was 54.8 million MMBtus and 58.5 million MMBtus, respectively.