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Regulatory Matters (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Regulated Operations [Abstract]  
Summary of Utilities Rate Plans
The following tables contain a summary of the Utilities’ rate plans:
CECONY – Electric
 
 
  
 
Effective period
 
January 2014 – December 2016
  
January 2017 – December 2019 (b)
Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1 – $(76.2) million (a)
Yr. 2 – $124.0 million (a)
Yr. 3 – None
  
Yr. 1 – $195 million (c)
Yr. 2 – $155 million (c)
Yr. 3 – $155 million (c)
Amortizations to income of net regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
Yr. 1 and 2 – $(37) million (d)
Yr. 3 – $123 million (d)
  
Yr. 1 – $84 million
Yr. 2 – $83 million
Yr. 3 – $69 million
Other revenue sources
 
Retention of $90 million of annual transmission congestion revenues.
  
Retention of $75 million of annual transmission congestion revenues.

Potential earnings adjustment mechanism incentives for energy efficiency and other potential incentives of up to:
Yr. 1 – $28 million
Yr. 2 – $47 million
Yr. 3 – $64 million
In 2017 and 2018, the company recorded $13 million and $25 million of earnings adjustment mechanism incentives for energy efficiency, respectively. The company also achieved other incentives of $5 million in 2017 and 2018 that, pursuant to the rate plan, is being recorded ratably in earnings from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, the company recorded $3 million for service terminations.
Revenue decoupling mechanisms
 
In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company deferred for customer benefit $146 million, $98 million and $101 million of revenues, respectively.
  
Continuation of reconciliation of actual to authorized electric delivery revenues.
In 2017 and 2018, the company deferred for customer benefit $45 million and $(6) million of revenues, respectively.
Recoverable energy costs (e)
 
Current rate recovery of purchased power and fuel costs.
  
Continuation of current rate recovery of purchased power and fuel costs.
Negative revenue adjustments
 
Potential penalties (up to $400 million annually) if certain performance targets are not met. In 2014, the company recorded a $5 million negative revenue adjustment. In 2015 and 2016, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments.
  
Potential penalties if certain performance targets relating to service, reliability, safety and other matters are not met:
Yr. 1 – $376 million
Yr. 2 – $341 million
Yr. 3 – $352 million
In 2017 and 2018, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments.
Cost reconciliations
 
In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company deferred $57 million, $26 million and $68 million of net regulatory liabilities, respectively (f).
  
Continuation of reconciliation of expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, variable-rate tax-exempt debt, major storms, property taxes (f), municipal infrastructure support costs (g), the impact of new laws and environmental site investigation and remediation to amounts reflected in rates (h).
In 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $35 million and $189 million of net regulatory assets, respectively.
Net utility plant reconciliations
 
Target levels reflected in rates were:
Transmission and distribution:
Yr. 1 – $16,869 million
Yr. 2 – $17,401 million
Yr. 3 – $17,929 million
Storm hardening:
Yr. 1 – $89 million; Yr. 2 – $177 million;
Yr. 3 – $268 million
Other: Yr. 1 – $2,034 million;
Yr. 2 – $2,102 million; Yr. 3 – $2,069 million
The company deferred $6 million and $17 million as a regulatory liability in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In 2016, $9 million was deferred as a regulatory asset.
  
Target levels reflected in rates:
Electric average net plant target excluding advanced metering infrastructure (AMI):
Yr. 1 – $21,689 million
Yr. 2 – $22,338 million
Yr. 3 – $23,002 million
AMI:
Yr. 1 – $126 million
Yr. 2 – $257 million
Yr. 3 – $415 million
The company deferred $0.4 million as a regulatory asset in 2017. In 2018, $0.4 was deferred as a regulatory liability.

Average rate base
 
Yr. 1 – $17,323 million
Yr. 2 – $18,113 million
Yr. 3 – $18,282 million
  
Yr. 1 – $18,902 million
Yr. 2 – $19,530 million
Yr. 3 – $20,277 million
Weighted average cost of capital (after-tax)
 
Yr. 1 – 7.05 percent
Yr. 2 – 7.08 percent
Yr. 3 – 6.91 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 6.82 percent
Yr. 2 – 6.80 percent
Yr. 3 – 6.73 percent
Authorized return on common equity
 
Yrs. 1 and 2 – 9.2 percent
Yr. 3 – 9.0 percent
  
9.0 percent
Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 9.04 percent
Yr. 2 – 10.16 percent
Yr. 3 – 9.66 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 9.30 percent
Yr. 2 – 9.36 percent
Earnings sharing
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.8 percent for Yrs. 1 and 2 and 9.6 percent for Yr. 3 are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs. In 2014 the company had no earnings above the threshold. Actual earnings were $44.4 million and $6.5 million above the threshold for 2015 and 2016, respectively.
  
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.5 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs accumulated in the rate year.

In 2017, the company had no earnings above the threshold but recorded a positive adjustment related to 2016 of $5.7 million in earnings.

In 2018, the company had no earnings sharing above the threshold.
Cost of long-term debt
 
Yr. 1 – 5.17 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.23 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.09 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 4.93 percent
Yr. 2 – 4.88 percent
Yr. 3 – 4.74 percent
Common equity ratio
 
48 percent
  
48 percent
(a)
The impact of these base rate changes was deferred; this amount was amortized to $0 at December 31, 2016.
(b)
In January 2017, the NYSPSC approved the September 2016 Joint Proposal for CECONY's electric rate plan for January 2017 through December 2019. If at the end of any year, Con Edison’s investments in its non-utility businesses exceed 15 percent of Con Edison’s total consolidated revenues, assets or cash flow, or if the ratio of holding company debt to total consolidated debt rises above 20 percent, CECONY is required to notify the NYSPSC and submit a ring-fencing plan or a demonstration why additional ring-fencing measures (see Note S) are not necessary.
(c)
The electric base rate increases are in addition to a $48 million increase resulting from the December 2016 expiration of a temporary credit under the prior rate plan. At the NYSPSC’s option, these increases are being implemented with increases of $199 million in each rate year. Base rates reflect recovery by the company of certain costs of its energy efficiency, system peak reduction and electric vehicle programs (Yr. 1 - $20.5 million; Yr. 2 - $49 million; and Yr. 3 - $107.5 million) over a ten-year period, including the overall pre-tax rate of return on such costs.
(d)
Amounts reflect annual amortization of $107 million of the regulatory asset for deferred Superstorm Sandy and other major storm costs. The costs recoverable from customers were reduced by $4 million. The costs are no longer subject to NYSPSC staff review and the recovery of the costs is no longer subject to refund. In 2016, an additional $123 million of net regulatory liabilities were amortized to income.
(e)
For transmission service provided pursuant to the open access transmission tariff of PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM), unless and until changed by the NYSPSC, the company will recover all charges incurred associated with the transmission service. In April 2017, the transmission service terminated because CECONY did not exercise its option to continue the service. See "Other Regulatory Matters," below.
(f)
Deferrals for property taxes are limited to 90 percent of the difference from amounts reflected in rates, subject to an annual maximum for the remaining difference of not more than a maximum number of basis points (5.0, 7.5 or 10.0 basis points, depending on the year).
(g)
In general, if actual expenses for municipal infrastructure support (other than company labor) are below the amounts reflected in rates the company will defer the difference for credit to customers, and if the actual expenses are above the amount reflected in rates the company will defer for recovery from customers 80 percent of the difference subject to a maximum deferral of 30 percent of the amount reflected in rates.
(h)
In addition, amounts reflected in rates relating to the regulatory asset for future income tax and the excess deferred federal income tax liability are subject to reconciliation. The NYSPSC staff is to audit the regulatory asset and the tax liability. Differences resulting from the NYSPSC staff review will be deferred for NYSPSC determination of any amounts to be refunded or collected from customers. See "Other Regulatory Matters," below.


In January 2019, CECONY filed a request with the NYSPSC for an electric rate increase of $485 million, effective January 2020. The filing reflects a return on common equity of 9.75 percent and a common equity ratio of 50 percent
The company is requesting provisions pursuant to which expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, variable-rate debt, storms, property taxes and municipal infrastructure support, the impact of new laws and environmental site investigation and remediation are reconciled to amounts reflected in rates. The company is also proposing full reconciliation of capital interference costs. In addition, the company is, among other things, proposing continuation of earnings opportunities from Earnings Adjustment Mechanisms (EAM) for meeting energy efficiency goals. The proposed EAM earnings opportunities are at 100 basis points of common equity annually. The filing also reflects continuation of the revenue decoupling mechanism and the provisions pursuant to which the company recovers its purchased power and fuel costs from customers. The requested rate increase was mitigated, in part, by the TCJA, including reduced tax rate, and amortization of excess deferred income taxes and 2018 tax savings. See "Other Regulatory Matters," below.
The filing includes supplemental information regarding electric rate plans for 2021 and 2022, which the company is not requesting but would consider through settlement discussions. For purposes of illustration, rate increases of $352 million and $263 million effective January 2021 and 2022, respectively, were calculated based upon an assumed return on common equity of 9.75 percent and a common equity ratio of 50 percent.

CECONY – Gas
 
 
  
 
Effective period
 
January 2014 – December 2016
  
January 2017 - December 2019 (b)
Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1 – $(54.6) million (a)
Yr. 2 – $38.6 million (a)
Yr. 3 – $56.8 million (a)
  
Yr. 1 – $(5) million (b)
Yr. 2 – $92 million (b)
Yr. 3 – $90 million (b)
Amortizations to income of net
regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
$4 million over three years
  
Yr. 1 – $39 million
Yr. 2 – $37 million
Yr. 3 – $36 million
Other revenue sources
 
Retention of revenues from non-firm customers of up to $65 million and 15 percent of any such revenues above $65 million. The company retained $70 million, $66 million and $65 million of such revenues in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
  
Retention of annual revenues from non-firm customers of up to $65 million and 15 percent of any such revenues above $65 million.

Potential incentives if performance targets related to gas leak backlog, leak prone pipe and service terminations are met:
Yr. 1 – $7 million
Yr. 2 – $8 million
Yr. 3 – $8 million
In 2017 and 2018, the company achieved incentives of $7 million and $6 million, respectively that, pursuant to the rate plan, is being recorded ratably in earnings from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, the company recorded $5 million for gas leak backlog, leak prone pipe and service terminations.
Revenue decoupling mechanisms
 
In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company deferred $28 million, $54 million and $71 million of regulatory liabilities, respectively.
  
Continuation of reconciliation of actual to authorized gas delivery revenues.
In 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $3 million and $12 million of regulatory liabilities, respectively.
Recoverable energy costs
 
Current rate recovery of purchased gas costs.
  
Continuation of current rate recovery of purchased gas costs.
Negative revenue adjustments
 
Potential penalties (up to $33 million in 2014, $44 million in 2015, and $56 million in 2016) if certain gas performance targets are not met. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments.
  
Potential penalties if performance targets relating to service, safety and other matters are not met:
Yr. 1 – $68 million
Yr. 2 – $63 million
Yr. 3 – $70 million
In 2017 and 2018, the company recorded $5 million and $4 million of negative revenue adjustments, respectively.
Cost reconciliations
 
In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company deferred $38 million, $11 million, and $32 million of net regulatory liabilities, respectively. (c)
  
Continuation of reconciliation of expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, variable-rate tax-exempt debt, major storms, property taxes, municipal infrastructure support costs, the impact of new laws and environmental site investigation and remediation to amounts reflected in rates. (d)
In 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $2 million of net regulatory liabilities and $44 million of net regulatory assets, respectively.
Net utility plant reconciliations
 
Target levels reflected in rates were:
Gas delivery Yr. 1 – $3,899 million;
Yr. 2 – $4,258 million; Yr. 3 – $4,698 million
Storm hardening: Yr. 1 – $3 million;
Yr. 2 – $8 million; Yr. 3 – $30 million
In 2015 $1 million was deferred as a regulatory liability. In 2014 and 2016 the company deferred an immaterial amount.
  
Target levels reflected in rates:
Gas average net plant target excluding AMI:
Yr. 1 – $5,844 million
Yr. 2 – $6,512 million
Yr. 3 – $7,177 million
AMI:
Yr. 1 – $27 million
Yr. 2 – $57 million
Yr. 3 – $100 million
In 2017 and 2018 the company deferred $2.2 million as regulatory liabilities.
Average rate base
 
Yr. 1 – $3,521 million
Yr. 2 – $3,863 million
Yr. 3 – $4,236 million
  
Yr. 1 – $4,841 million
Yr. 2 – $5,395 million
Yr. 3 – $6,005 million
Weighted average cost of capital
(after-tax)
 
Yr. 1 – 7.10 percent
Yr. 2 – 7.13 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.21 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 6.82 percent
Yr. 2 – 6.80 percent
Yr. 3 – 6.73 percent
Authorized return on common equity
 
9.3 percent
  
9.0 percent
Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 8.02 percent
Yr. 2 – 8.13 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.83 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 9.22 percent
Yr. 2 – 9.04 percent
Earnings sharing
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.9 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the company had no earnings above the threshold.
  
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.5 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs accumulated in the rate year.
In 2017 and 2018, the company had no earnings above the threshold.
Cost of long-term debt
 
Yr. 1 – 5.17 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.23 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.39 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 4.93 percent
Yr. 2 – 4.88 percent
Yr. 3 – 4.74 percent
Common equity ratio
 
48 percent
  
48 percent

(a)
The impact of these base rate changes was deferred which resulted in a $32 million regulatory liability at December 31, 2016.
(b)
In January 2017, the NYSPSC approved the September 2016 Joint Proposal for CECONY's gas rate plan for January 2017 through December 2019. The gas base rate decrease is offset by a $41 million increase resulting from the December 2016 expiration of a temporary credit under the prior rate plan.
(c)
Deferrals for property taxes are limited to 90 percent of the difference from amounts reflected in rates, subject to an annual maximum for the remaining difference of not more than a 10 basis point impact on return on common equity
(d)
See footnotes (e), (f), (g) and (h) to the table under "CECONY - Electric" above.


In January 2019, CECONY filed a request with the NYSPSC for a gas rate increase of $210 million, effective January 2020. The filing reflects a return on common equity of 9.75 percent and a common equity ratio of 50 percent.
The company is requesting provisions pursuant to which expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, variable-rate debt, property taxes and municipal infrastructure support, the impact of new laws and environmental site investigation and remediation are reconciled to amounts reflected in rates. The company is also proposing full reconciliation of capital interference costs. In addition, the company is, among other things, proposing continuation of earnings opportunities from Earnings Adjustment Mechanisms (EAM) for meeting energy efficiency goals. The proposed EAM earnings opportunities are at 70 basis points of common equity annually. The filing also reflects continuation of the revenue decoupling mechanism (RDM) and provisions pursuant to which the company recovers its purchased gas costs from customers. Within the filing, the company is proposing to change the gas RDM from a revenue per customer methodology to a revenue per class methodology. The requested rate increase was mitigated, in part, by the TCJA, including reduced tax rate, and amortization of excess deferred income taxes and 2018 tax savings. See "Other Regulatory Matters," below.
The filing includes supplemental information regarding gas rate plans for 2021 and 2022, which the company is not requesting but would consider through settlement discussions. For purposes of illustration, rate increases of $138 million and $155 million effective January 2021 and 2022, respectively, were calculated based upon an assumed return on common equity of 9.75 percent and a common equity ratio of 50 percent.


CECONY – Steam
 
 
  
 
Effective period
 
January 2014 – December 2016 (a)
  

Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1 – $(22.4) million (b)
Yr. 2 – $19.8 million (b)
Yr. 3 – $20.3 million (b)
Yr. 4 – None
Yr. 5 – None
  

Amortizations to income of net
regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
$37 million over three years
  

Recoverable energy costs
 
Current rate recovery of purchased power and fuel costs.
  

Negative revenue adjustments
 
Potential penalties (up to $1 million annually) if certain steam performance targets are not met. In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and 2018, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments.
  

Cost reconciliations (c)
 
In 2014, 2015, 2016 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $42 million of net regulatory liabilities, $17 million of net regulatory assets, $8 million and $14 million of net regulatory liabilities, and $1 million of net regulatory assets, respectively.
  

Net utility plant reconciliations
 
Target levels reflected in rates were:
Production: Yr. 1 – $1,752 million;
Yr. 2 – $1,732 million; Yr. 3 – $1,720 million
Distribution: Yr. 1 – $6 million;
Yr. 2 – $11 million; Yr. 3 – $25 million
The company reduced its regulatory liability by $0.1 million in 2014 and immaterial amounts in 2015 and 2016 and no deferrals were recorded in 2017 and 2018.
  

Average rate base
 
Yr. 1 – $1,511 million
Yr. 2 – $1,547 million
Yr. 3 – $1,604 million
  

Weighted average cost of capital (after-tax)
 
Yr. 1 – 7.10 percent
Yr. 2 – 7.13 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.21 percent
  

Authorized return on common equity
 
9.3 percent
  

Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 9.82 percent
Yr. 2 – 10.88 percent
Yr. 3 – 10.54 percent
Yr. 4 – 9.51 percent
Yr. 5 – 11.73 percent
  
 
Earnings sharing
 
Weather normalized earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.9 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs.
In 2014, the company had no earnings above the threshold. Actual earnings were $11.5 million and $7.8 million above the threshold in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In 2017, actual earnings were $8.5 million above the threshold, offset in part by a positive adjustment related to 2016 of $4 million. In 2018, actual earnings were $14.2 million above the threshold, and an additional $1.1 million related to 2017 was recorded.
  

Cost of long-term debt
 
Yr. 1 – 5.17 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.23 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.39 percent
  

Common equity ratio
 
48 percent
  

(a)
Rates determined pursuant to this rate plan continue in effect until a new rate plan is approved by the NYSPSC.
(b)
The impact of these base rate changes was deferred which resulted in an $8 million regulatory liability at December 31, 2016.
(c)
Deferrals for property taxes are limited to 90 percent of the difference from amounts reflected in rates, subject to an annual maximum for the remaining difference of not more than a 10 basis point impact on return on common equity.







In November 2018, O&R, the staff of the NYSPSC and other parties entered into a Joint Proposal for new electric and gas rate plans for the three-year period January 2019 through December 2021 (the Joint Proposal). The Joint Proposal is subject to NYSPSC approval. The following tables contain a summary of the current and proposed rate plans.

O&R New York – Electric
 
 
 
 
Effective period
 
November 2015 - October 2017 (a)
 
January 2019 – December 2021 (d)
Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1 – $9.3 million
Yr. 2 – $8.8 million
Yr. 3 – None
 
Yr. 1 – $13.4 million (e)
Yr. 2 – $8.0 million (e)
Yr. 3 – $5.8 million (e)
Amortizations to income of net
regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
Yr. 1 – $(8.5) million (b)
Yr. 2 – $(9.4) million (b)
Yr. 3 – None
 
Yr. 1 – $(1.5) million (f)
Yr. 2 – $(1.5) million (f)
Yr. 3 – $(1.5) million (f)
Other revenue sources
 
 
 
Potential earnings adjustment mechanism incentives for peak reduction, energy efficiency, Distributed Energy Resources utilization and other potential incentives of up to: Yr. 1 - $3.6 million; Yr. 2 - $4.0 million; and Yr. 3 - $4.2 million.

Potential incentive if performance target related to service terminations is met: $0.5 million annually.

Revenue decoupling mechanisms
 
In 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the company deferred for the customer’s benefit an immaterial amount, $6.3 million as regulatory liabilities, $11.2 million as regulatory asset and $0.5 million as regulatory asset, respectively.
 
Continuation of reconciliation of actual to authorized electric delivery revenues.
Recoverable energy costs
 
Continuation of current rate recovery of purchased power costs.
 
Continuation of current rate recovery of purchased power costs.
Negative revenue adjustments
 
Potential penalties (up to $4 million annually) if certain performance targets are not met. In 2015 the company recorded $1.25 million in negative revenue adjustments. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments.
 
Potential penalties if certain performance targets relating to service, reliability and other matters are not met: Yr. 1 - $4.4 million; Yr. 2 - $4.4 million; and Yr. 3 - $4.5 million.
Cost reconciliations
 
In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the company deferred $0.3 million, $7.4 million and $3.2 million as net decreases to regulatory assets, respectively. In 2018, the company deferred $5 million as a net regulatory asset.
 
Reconciliation of expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental remediation costs, property taxes (g), energy efficiency program (h), major storms, the impact of new laws and certain other costs to amounts reflected in rates.(i)
Net utility plant reconciliations
 
Target levels reflected in rates are:
Yr. 1 – $928 million (c)
Yr. 2 – $970 million (c)
The company increased/(reduced) its regulatory asset by $2.2 million, $(1.9) million, $(1.9) million and $1.4 million in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
 
Target levels reflected in rates were:
Electric average net plant target excluding advanced metering infrastructure (AMI): Yr. 1 - $1,008 million; Yr. 2 - $1,032 million; Yr. 3 - $1,083 million
AMI (j): Yr. 1 - $48 million; Yr. 2 - $58 million; Yr. 3 - $61 million
Average rate base
 
Yr. 1 – $763 million
Yr. 2 – $805 million
Yr. 3 – $805 million
 
Yr. 1 – $878 million
Yr. 2 – $906 million
Yr. 3 – $948 million
Weighted average cost of capital (after-tax)
 
Yr. 1 – 7.10 percent
Yr. 2 – 7.06 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.06 percent
 
Yr. 1 – 6.97 percent
Yr. 2 – 6.96 percent
Yr. 3 – 6.96 percent
Authorized return on common equity
 
9.0 percent
 
9.00 percent
Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 10.8 percent
Yr. 2 – 9.7 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.2 percent
 
 
Earnings sharing
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.6 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets. In 2015, earnings did not exceed the earnings threshold. Actual earnings were $6.1 million, $0.3 million above the threshold for 2016 and 2017, respectively. In 2018, earnings did not exceed the earnings threshold.
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.6 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs accumulated in the rate year.
Cost of long-term debt
 
Yr. 1 – 5.42 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.35 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.35 percent
 
Yr. 1 – 5.17 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.14 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.14 percent
Common equity ratio
 
48 percent
 
48 percent

(a)
Rates determined pursuant to this rate plan continue in effect until a new rate plan is approved by the NYSPSC.
(b)
$59.3 million of the regulatory asset for deferred storm costs is to be recovered from customers over a five year period, including $11.85 million in each of years 1 and 2, $1 million of the regulatory asset for such costs will not be recovered from customers, and all outstanding issues related to Superstorm Sandy and other past major storms prior to November 2014 are resolved. Approximately $4 million of regulatory assets for property tax and interest rate reconciliations will not be recovered from customers. Amounts that will not be recovered from customers were charged-off in June 2015.
(c)
Excludes electric AMI as to which the company will be required to defer as a regulatory liability the revenue requirement impact of the amount, if any, by which actual average net utility plant balances are less than amounts reflected in rates: $1 million in year 1 and $9 million in year 2.
(d)
If at the end of any year, Con Edison’s investments in its non-utility businesses exceed 15 percent of Con Edison’s total consolidated revenues, assets or cash flow, or if the ratio of holding company debt to total consolidated debt rises above 20 percent, O&R is required to notify the NYSPSC and submit a ring-fencing plan or a demonstration why additional ring-fencing measures (see Note S) are not necessary.
(e)
The Joint Proposal recommends that these base rate changes may be implemented with increases of: Yr. 1 - $8.6 million; Yr. 2 - $12.1 million; and Yr. 3 - $12.2 million.
(f)
Reflects amortization of, among other things, the Company’s net benefits under the TCJA prior to January 1, 2019, amortization of net regulatory liability for future income taxes and reduction of previously incurred regulatory assets for environmental remediation costs. Also, for electric, reflects amortization over a six year period of previously incurred incremental major storm costs. See "Other Regulatory Matters," below.
(g)
Deferrals for property taxes are limited to 90 percent of the difference from amounts reflected in rates, subject to an annual maximum for the remaining difference of not more than a maximum number of basis points impact on return on common equity: Yr. 1 - 10.0 basis points; Yr. 2 - 7.5 basis points; and Yr. 3 - 5.0 basis points.
(h)
Energy efficiency costs are expensed as incurred. Such costs are subject to a downward-only reconciliation over the terms of the electric and gas rate plans. The Company will defer for the benefit of customers any cumulative shortfall over the terms of the electric and gas rate plans between actual expenditures and the levels provided in rates.
(i)
In addition, amounts reflected in rates relating to income taxes and excess deferred federal income tax liability balances will be reconciled (i.e., refunded to or collected from customers) to any final, non-appealable NYSPSC-ordered findings in its investigation of O&R’s income tax accounting. See “Other Regulatory Matters,” in Note B.
(j)
Net plant reconciliation for AMI expenditures will be implemented for a single category of AMI capital expenditures that includes amounts allocated to both electric and gas customers.

O&R New York – Gas
 
 
 
 
Effective period
 
November 2015  October 2018 (a)
 
January 2019 – December 2021 (d)
Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1  $16.4 million
Yr. 2
 $16.4 million
Yr. 3
 $5.8 million
Yr. 3
 $10.6 million collected through a surcharge
 
Yr. 1 – $(7.5) million (e)
Yr. 2 – $3.6 million (e)
Yr. 3 – $0.7 million (e)
Amortization to income of net regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
Yr. 1  $(1.7) million (b)
Yr. 2
 $(2.1) million (b)
Yr. 3
 $(2.5) million (b)
 
Yr. 1 – $1.8 million (f)
Yr. 2 – $1.8 million (f)
Yr. 3 – $1.8 million (f)

Other revenue sources
 
 
 
Continuation of retention of annual revenues from non-firm customers of up to $4.0 million, with variances to be shared 80 percent by customers and 20 percent by company.

Potential earnings adjustment mechanism incentives of up to $0.3 million annually.

Potential incentives if performance targets related to gas leak backlog, leak prone pipe, emergency response, damage prevention and service terminations are met: Yr. 1 - $1.2 million; Yr. 2 - $1.3 million; and Yr. 3 - $1.3 million.
Revenue decoupling mechanisms
 
In 2015, 2016 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $0.8 million of regulatory assets, $6.2 million of regulatory liabilities, $1.7 million of regulatory liabilities and $6.3 million of regulatory liabilities, respectively.
 
Continuation of reconciliation of actual to authorized gas delivery revenues.
Recoverable energy costs
 
Current rate recovery of purchased gas costs.
 
Continuation of current rate recovery of purchased gas costs.
Negative revenue adjustments
 
Potential penalties (up to $3.7 million in Yr. 1, $4.7 million in Yr. 2 and $4.9 million in Yr. 3) if certain performance targets are not met. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the company did not record any negative revenue adjustments. In 2018, the company recorded a $0.1 million negative revenue adjustment.
 
Potential penalties if performance targets relating to service, safety and other matters are not met: Yr. 1 - $5.5 million; Yr. 2 - $5.7 million; and Yr. 3 - $6.0 million.
Cost reconciliations
 
In 2015 and 2016, the company deferred $4.5 million and $6.6 million as net regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively. In 2017 and 2018, the company deferred $3.5 million and $7.4 million as net regulatory liabilities, respectively.
 
Reconciliation of expenses for pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental remediation costs, property taxes (g), energy efficiency program (h), the impact of new laws and certain other costs to amounts reflected in rates.(i)
Net utility plant reconciliations
 
Target levels reflected in rates are:
Yr. 1 – $492 million (c)
Yr. 2 – $518 million (c)
Yr. 3 – $546 million (c)
No deferral was recorded for 2015 and immaterial amounts were recorded as regulatory liabilities in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, the company deferred $0.4 million as regulatory asset.
 
Target levels reflected in rates were:
Gas average net plant target excluding AMI: Yr. 1 - $593 million; Yr. 2 - $611 million; Yr. 3 - $632 million
AMI (j): Yr. 1 - $20 million; Yr. 2 - $24 million; Yr. 3 - $25 million
Average rate base
 
Yr. 1 – $366 million
Yr. 2 – $391 million
Yr. 3 – $417 million
 
Yr. 1 – $454 million
Yr. 2 – $476 million
Yr. 3 – $498 million
Weighted average cost of capital (after-tax)
 
Yr. 1 – 7.10 percent
Yr. 2 – 7.06 percent
Yr. 3 – 7.06 percent
 
Yr. 1 – 6.97 percent
Yr. 2 – 6.96 percent
Yr. 3 – 6.96 percent
Authorized return on common equity
 
9.0 percent
 
9.00 percent
Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 11.2 percent
Yr. 2 – 9.7 percent
Yr. 3 – 8.1 percent
 
 
Earnings sharing
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.6 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets. In 2015, earnings did not exceed the earnings threshold. Actual earnings were $4 million, $0.2 million above the threshold for 2016 and 2017, respectively. In 2018, earnings did not exceed the earnings threshold.
 
Most earnings above an annual earnings threshold of 9.6 percent are to be applied to reduce regulatory assets for environmental remediation and other costs accumulated in the rate year.
Cost of long-term debt
 
Yr. 1 – 5.42 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.35 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.35 percent
 
Yr. 1 – 5.17 percent
Yr. 2 – 5.14 percent
Yr. 3 – 5.14 percent
Common equity ratio
 
48 percent
 
48 percent

(a)
Rates pursuant to this rate plan continue in effect until a new rate plan is approved by the NYSPSC.
(b)
Reflects that the company will not recover from customers a total of approximately $14 million of regulatory assets for property tax and interest rate reconciliations. Amounts that will not be recovered from customers were charged-off in June 2015.
(c)
Excludes gas AMI as to which the company will be required to defer as a regulatory liability the revenue requirement impact of the amount, if any, by which actual average net utility plant balances are less than amounts reflected in rates: $0.5 million in year 1, $4.2 million in year 2 and $7.2 million in year 3.
(d)
If at the end of any year, Con Edison’s investments in its non-utility businesses exceed 15 percent of Con Edison’s total consolidated revenues, assets or cash flow, or if the ratio of holding company debt to total consolidated debt rises above 20 percent, O&R is required to notify the NYSPSC and submit a ring-fencing plan or a demonstration why additional ring-fencing measures (see Note S) are not necessary.
(e)
The Joint Proposal recommends that these base rate changes may be implemented with changes of: Yr. 1 - $(5.9) million; Yr. 2 - $1.0 million; and Yr. 3 - $1.0 million.
 
Footnotes (f) through (j) to this table are the same as footnotes (f) through (j) to the table under “O&R New York - Electric,” above.


RECO
 
 
  
 
Effective period
 
August 2014 – February 2017
  
March 2017 (a)
Base rate changes
 
Yr. 1 – $13.0 million
  
Yr. 1 – $1.7 million
Amortization to income of net
regulatory (assets) and liabilities
 
$0.4 million over three years and $(25.6) million of deferred storm costs over four years
  
$0.2 million over three years and continuation of $(25.6) million of deferred storm costs over four years which expired on July 31, 2018 (b)
Recoverable energy costs
 
Current rate recovery of purchased power costs.
  
Current rate recovery of purchased power costs.
Cost reconciliations
 
None
  
None
Average rate base
 
$172.2 million
  
Yr. 1 – $178.7 million
Weighted average cost of capital
(after-tax)
 
7.83 percent
  
7.47 percent
Authorized return on common equity
 
9.75 percent
  
9.6 percent
Actual return on common equity
 
Yr. 1 – 9.2 percent
Yr. 2 – 8.7 percent
  
Yr. 1 – 7.5 percent
Cost of long-term debt
 
5.89 percent
  
5.37 percent
Common equity ratio
 
50 percent
  
49.7 percent
(a)
Effective until a new rate plan approved by the NJBPU goes into effect.
(b)
In January 2016, the NJBPU approved RECO’s plan to spend $15.7 million in capital over three years to harden its electric system against storms, the costs of which RECO, beginning in 2017, is collecting through a custome
Schedule of Regulatory Assets
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were comprised of the following items:
  
                  Con Edison
                CECONY
(Millions of Dollars)
2018

2017

2018

2017

Regulatory assets
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement costs
$2,238
$2,526
$2,111
$2,376
Environmental remediation costs
810
793
716
677
Revenue taxes
291
260
278
248
MTA power reliability deferral
229
50
229
50
Property tax reconciliation
101
51
86
25
Deferred storm costs
76
38


Pension and other postretirement benefits deferrals
73
79
56
58
Municipal infrastructure support costs
67
56
67
56
System peak reduction and energy efficiency programs
72
14
70
14
Brooklyn Queens demand management program
39
37
39
37
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt
36
37
34
35
Meadowlands heater odorization project
36
18
36
18
Preferred stock redemption
23
24
23
24
Recoverable REV demonstration project costs
20
19
18
17
Deferred derivative losses
17
44
11
37
Gate station upgrade project
17
13
17
13
Indian Point Energy Center program costs
13
29
13
29
Workers’ compensation
5
10
5
10
Recoverable energy costs
3
60

52
O&R transition bond charges
2
9


Surcharge for New York State assessment

2

2
Other
126
97
114
85
Regulatory assets – noncurrent
4,294
4,266
3,923
3,863
Recoverable energy costs
40
27
35
25
Deferred derivative losses
36
40
29
37
Regulatory assets – current
76
67
64
62
Total Regulatory Assets
$4,370
$4,333
$3,987
$3,925
Regulatory liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future income tax*
$2,515
$2,545
$2,363
$2,390
Allowance for cost of removal less salvage
928
846
790
719
TCJA net benefits
434

411

Energy efficiency portfolio standard unencumbered funds
127
127
122
122
Net unbilled revenue deferrals
117
183
117
183
Pension and other postretirement benefit deferrals
62
207
40
181
Property tax refunds
45
44
45
44
Settlement of prudence proceeding
37
66
37
66
Property tax reconciliation
36
107
36
107
Earnings sharing - electric, gas and steam
36
29
27
19
System benefit charge carrying charge
27
12
24
11
Carrying charges on repair allowance and bonus depreciation
21
43
21
42
BQDM and REV Demo reconciliations
18
9
18
9
New York State income tax rate change
17
36
17
35
Settlement of gas proceedings
15
27
15
27
Base rate change deferrals
10
21
10
21
Unrecognized other postretirement costs
7
92
7
92
Net utility plant reconciliations
3
12
1
8
Variable-rate tax-exempt debt - cost rate reconciliation
1
30
1
26
Other
185
141
156
117
Regulatory liabilities – noncurrent
4,641
4,577
4,258
4,219
Revenue decoupling mechanism
53
29
36
21
Refundable energy costs
31
41
8
16
Deferred derivative gains
30
31
29
28
Regulatory liabilities—current
114
101
73
65
Total Regulatory Liabilities
$4,755
$4,678
$4,331
$4,284
* See "Federal Income Tax" in Note A, "Other Regulatory Matters," above, and
Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were comprised of the following items:
  
                  Con Edison
                CECONY
(Millions of Dollars)
2018

2017

2018

2017

Regulatory assets
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized pension and other postretirement costs
$2,238
$2,526
$2,111
$2,376
Environmental remediation costs
810
793
716
677
Revenue taxes
291
260
278
248
MTA power reliability deferral
229
50
229
50
Property tax reconciliation
101
51
86
25
Deferred storm costs
76
38


Pension and other postretirement benefits deferrals
73
79
56
58
Municipal infrastructure support costs
67
56
67
56
System peak reduction and energy efficiency programs
72
14
70
14
Brooklyn Queens demand management program
39
37
39
37
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt
36
37
34
35
Meadowlands heater odorization project
36
18
36
18
Preferred stock redemption
23
24
23
24
Recoverable REV demonstration project costs
20
19
18
17
Deferred derivative losses
17
44
11
37
Gate station upgrade project
17
13
17
13
Indian Point Energy Center program costs
13
29
13
29
Workers’ compensation
5
10
5
10
Recoverable energy costs
3
60

52
O&R transition bond charges
2
9


Surcharge for New York State assessment

2

2
Other
126
97
114
85
Regulatory assets – noncurrent
4,294
4,266
3,923
3,863
Recoverable energy costs
40
27
35
25
Deferred derivative losses
36
40
29
37
Regulatory assets – current
76
67
64
62
Total Regulatory Assets
$4,370
$4,333
$3,987
$3,925
Regulatory liabilities
 
 
 
 
Future income tax*
$2,515
$2,545
$2,363
$2,390
Allowance for cost of removal less salvage
928
846
790
719
TCJA net benefits
434

411

Energy efficiency portfolio standard unencumbered funds
127
127
122
122
Net unbilled revenue deferrals
117
183
117
183
Pension and other postretirement benefit deferrals
62
207
40
181
Property tax refunds
45
44
45
44
Settlement of prudence proceeding
37
66
37
66
Property tax reconciliation
36
107
36
107
Earnings sharing - electric, gas and steam
36
29
27
19
System benefit charge carrying charge
27
12
24
11
Carrying charges on repair allowance and bonus depreciation
21
43
21
42
BQDM and REV Demo reconciliations
18
9
18
9
New York State income tax rate change
17
36
17
35
Settlement of gas proceedings
15
27
15
27
Base rate change deferrals
10
21
10
21
Unrecognized other postretirement costs
7
92
7
92
Net utility plant reconciliations
3
12
1
8
Variable-rate tax-exempt debt - cost rate reconciliation
1
30
1
26
Other
185
141
156
117
Regulatory liabilities – noncurrent
4,641
4,577
4,258
4,219
Revenue decoupling mechanism
53
29
36
21
Refundable energy costs
31
41
8
16
Deferred derivative gains
30
31
29
28
Regulatory liabilities—current
114
101
73
65
Total Regulatory Liabilities
$4,755
$4,678
$4,331
$4,284
* See "Federal Income Tax" in Note A, "Other Regulatory Matters," above, and