Variable Interest Entities

The accounting rules for consolidation address the consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) by a business enterprise that is the primary beneficiary. A VIE is an entity that does not have a sufficient equity investment at risk to permit it to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the business enterprise that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and either absorbs a significant amount of the VIE’s losses or has the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

Con Edison enters into arrangements including leases, partnerships and electricity purchase agreements, with various entities. As a result of these arrangements, Con Edison retains or may retain a variable interest in these entities.

CECONY

CECONY had a variable interest in a non-consolidated VIE, Astoria Energy, LLC (Astoria Energy), with which CECONY entered into a long-term electricity purchase agreement that expired in April 2016. CECONY has ongoing long-term electricity purchase agreements with the following two potential VIEs: Cogen Technologies Linden Venture, LP and Brooklyn Navy Yard Cogeneration Partners, LP. In 2016, requests were made of these counterparties for information necessary to determine whether the entity was a VIE and whether CECONY is the primary beneficiary; however, the information was not made available. See Note I for information on these electricity purchase agreements, the payments pursuant to which constitute CECONY's maximum exposure to loss with respect to the potential VIEs.

Con Edison Development

Con Edison has a variable interest in OCI Solar San Antonio 4 LLC (Texas Solar 4), which is a consolidated entity in which Con Edison Development has an 80 percent membership interest. Con Edison is the primary beneficiary since the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economics of Texas Solar 4 is held by Con Edison Development. Texas Solar 4 owns a project company that developed a 40 MW (AC) solar electric production project in Texas. Electricity generated by the project is sold to the City of San Antonio pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, Con Edison’s consolidated balance sheet includes $54 million and $58 million in net assets (as detailed in the table below) and the noncontrolling interest of the third party of $7 million and $9 million related to Texas Solar 4, respectively. Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were immaterial.



(Millions of Dollars)	2016	2015
Restricted cash	$8	$9
Receivable from parent company	35	32
Non-utility property, less accumulated depreciation of $9 and $5, respectively	104	107
Other assets	8	11
Total assets (a)	$155	$159
Long-term debt due within one year	$3	$2
Other liabilities	38	37
Long-term debt	60	62
Total liabilities (b)	$101	$101


(a)	The assets of Texas Solar 4 represent assets of a consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE.


(b)	The liabilities of Texas Solar 4 represent liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.

The following table summarizes the VIEs in which Con Edison Development has entered into as of December 31, 2016:



Project Name (a)	Generating Capacity (b) (MW AC)	Power Purchase Agreement Term in Years	Year of Initial Investment	Location	Maximum Exposure to Loss (Millions of Dollars) (c)
Copper Mountain Solar 3	128	20	2014	Nevada	$179
Mesquite Solar 1	83	20	2013	Arizona	108
Copper Mountain Solar 2	75	25	2013	Nevada	84
California Solar	55	25	2012	California	69
Broken Bow II	38	25	2014	Nebraska	48
Texas Solar 4	32	25	2014	Texas	47

(a)

With the exception of Texas Solar 4, Con Edison’s ownership interest is 50 percent and these projects are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. With the exception of Texas Solar 4, Con Edison is not the primary beneficiary since the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economics of the entities are shared equally between Con Edison Development and third parties. Con Edison’s ownership interest in Texas Solar 4 is 80 percent and is consolidated in the financial statements. Con Edison is the primary beneficiary since the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economics of Texas Solar 4 is held by Con Edison Development.


(b)	Represents Con Edison Development’s ownership interest in the project.

(c)

For investments accounted for under the equity method, maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of the investment on the consolidated balance sheet. For consolidated investments, such as Texas Solar 4, maximum exposure is equal to the net assets of the project on the consolidated balance sheet less any applicable noncontrolling interest ($7 million for Texas Solar 4). Con Edison did not provide any financial or other support during the year that was not previously contractually required.