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New Financial Accounting Standards (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]  
New Financial Accounting Standards
New Financial Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued a revenue recognition standard that will supersede the revenue recognition requirements within Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance under the Codification through Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The purpose of the new guidance is to create a consistent framework for revenue recognition. The guidance clarifies how to measure and recognize revenue arising from customer contracts to depict the transfer of goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive. Amendments were issued subsequently to clarify key areas including principal/agent considerations, performance obligations, licensing, sales taxes, noncash consideration, and contracts. The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, however, the Companies plan to adopt the new standard for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

Under the new standard, companies may use either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Companies anticipate using the modified retrospective approach.

The Companies have completed their analyses of the impact of the new standard on the majority of their various revenue streams.

The majority of the Companies’ sales are derived from tariffs to provide electric, gas, and steam service to customers. For such tariffs, the Companies expect that the revenue from contracts with customers under ASU 2014-09 will be equivalent to revenue from electricity, gas, or steam supplied in that period which is consistent with current practice. Consequently, the Companies do not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact the amount and/or timing of such revenues.

Con Edison has also completed its evaluation for the majority of the revenue at the Clean Energy Businesses, including revenue from the sale of energy-related products and services to retail customers, revenue from operating renewable and energy infrastructure projects, and revenue from the sale of renewable energy credits. For such revenues, Con Edison expects that the revenue from contracts with customers under ASU 2014-09 will not be materially different from revenue recorded consistent with current practice. Consequently, Con Edison does not anticipate that the new standard will materially impact the amount and/or timing of such revenues.

The Companies continue to review the potential impacts of the remaining revenue at the Utilities and the Clean Energy Businesses on the Companies' financial position, results of operations and liquidity as well as the additional disclosures and related controls required under the new standard, and anticipate completing such reviews during the fourth quarter of 2017.

In February 2016, the FASB issued amendments on financial reporting of leasing transactions through ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)." The amendments require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of their leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). Lessor accounting is similar to the current model, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. For income statement purposes, the pattern of expense recognition will be dependent on whether transactions are designated as operating leases or finance leases. The amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and provide for certain practical expedients. Based on the existing portfolio of leases at implementation, for leases currently classified as operating leases, the Companies expect to recognize on the statements of financial position right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The Companies are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance on the Companies’ results of operations and liquidity.

In January 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for Business Combinations through ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business and provide guidance on evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In January 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for the subsequent measurement of goodwill through ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The amendments in this update simplify goodwill impairment testing by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test wherein an entity has to compute the implied fair value of goodwill by performing procedures to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities. Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value up to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In February 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for other income through ASU 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets.” The amendments in this update clarify the scope of assets within Subtopic 610-20 and add guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The amendments are effective upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09, and therefore will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In March 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for retirement benefits through ASU 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The amendments in this update modify the presentation of net benefit cost, where the service component must be disaggregated from the other components of net benefit cost and be presented in the same line item as current employee compensation costs. The remaining components of the net benefit cost should be presented outside of income from operations. Additionally, the update allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Companies are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In March 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for debt securities through ASU 2017-08, “Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” The amendments in this update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In May 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for stock compensation through ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” The amendments in this update specify that changes to value, vesting conditions, or classification of an existing share-based payment award require application of modification accounting in Topic 718. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In August 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance for derivatives and hedging through ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The amendments in this update provide greater clarification on hedge accounting for risk components, presentation and disclosure of hedging instruments, and overall targeted improvements to simplify hedge accounting. For public entities, the amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Companies are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance on the Companies’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity.