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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters
Accounting Policies
The accounting policies of Con Edison and its subsidiaries conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). For the Utilities, these accounting principles include the accounting rules for regulated operations and the accounting requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the state regulators having jurisdiction.

Investments
Con Edison's investments consist primarily of the investments of Con Edison Transmission that are accounted for under the equity method and the fair value of the Utilities' supplemental retirement income plan and deferred income plan assets.

2021 Partial Impairment of Investment in Stagecoach Gas Services LLC (Stagecoach)
In May 2021, a subsidiary of Con Edison Gas Pipeline and Storage, LLC (CET Gas) entered into a purchase and sale agreement pursuant to which the subsidiary and its joint venture partner agreed to sell their combined interests in Stagecoach Gas Services LLC (Stagecoach) for a total of $1,225 million, of which $629 million was attributed to CET Gas for its 50 percent interest. The purchase and sale agreement contemplated a two-stage closing, the first of which was completed in July 2021 and the second of which was completed in November 2021.

As a result of information made available to Stagecoach as part of the sale process, Stagecoach performed impairment tests that resulted in Stagecoach recording impairment charges of $414 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Accordingly, Con Edison recorded pre-tax impairment losses on its 50 percent interest in Stagecoach of $211 million ($147 million after-tax), including working capital and transaction cost adjustments,
within "Investment income/(loss)" on Con Edison's consolidated income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. These charges reduced the carrying value of its investment in Stagecoach to $630 million at June 30, 2021.

Stagecoach's impairment charges and information obtained from the sales processes constituted triggering events for Con Edison's investment in Stagecoach as of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Con Edison evaluated the carrying value of its investment in Stagecoach for other-than-temporary declines in value using income and market-based approaches. Con Edison determined that the carrying value of its investment in Stagecoach of $667 million and $630 million as of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively, was not impaired. The carrying value of $630 million at June 30, 2021 reflected the final sales price received in July and the remaining amount received in November 2021, including closing adjustments. CET Gas had no remaining investment in Stagecoach as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022.

2020 and 2021 Partial Impairments of Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP)
In January 2016, Con Edison Gas Pipeline and Storage, LLC (CET Gas), an indirect subsidiary of Con Edison, acquired a 12.5 percent equity interest in MVP, a company developing a proposed 300-mile gas transmission project (the Project) in WV and VA. During 2019, Con Edison exercised its right to limit, and did limit, its cash contributions to the joint venture to approximately $530 million, which reduced CET Gas' interest in MVP to 11.3 percent and 10.2 percent as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022 CET Gas' interest in MVP is 9.7 percent and is expected to be reduced to 8.0 percent based on the Project's current cost estimate and CET Gas' previous capping of its cash contributions. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Project was approximately 92 percent and 94 percent complete, respectively.

During 2020, progress was made on the construction of the Project, and the U.S. Supreme Court issued favorable decisions in cases unrelated to MVP regarding the permitting process for pipeline construction and water crossings. In November 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a stay on the Nationwide Permit 12, effectively blocking the Project’s ability to pursue water crossings under that permit. As a result, in November 2020 the Project applied to the FERC for a certificate amendment to bore under water bodies in a portion of the Project in WV, allowing this portion of the pipe to be completed and placed in-service while a plan for the remaining water crossings was pursued. If approved, this certificate amendment would have led to additional Project costs and would have extended the anticipated in-service date. In January 2021, the FERC did not approve the requested certificate amendment. Later in January 2021, the Project indicated its plans to apply for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers individual permits for certain water crossings and a new certificate amendment application to the FERC to bore under other water crossings that, in total, would cover the entire Project length.

The uncertainty related to obtaining necessary water crossing permits, the resulting Project costs and the likelihood of the Project not reaching eventual completion increased as a result of actions taken by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. This action and associated delays constituted a triggering event (the "2020 triggering event") that required Con Edison to test its investment in MVP for an other-than-temporary impairment as of December 31, 2020.

In December 2021, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection both issued water quality certification permits which are required in order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with the permitting process for construction of certain Project water crossings. In January 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rejected permits for crossings through the Jefferson National Forest issued by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. In February 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated a biological opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, applicable to all remaining construction. The biological opinion had been issued and was the subject of litigation prior to December 31, 2021. Con Edison believed that the February 2022 action by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, along with the potential outcome of other matters pending before that Court, may lead to further delays and increased Project costs, which constituted a triggering event (the “2021 triggering event”) that required Con Edison to test its investment in MVP for an other-than-temporary impairment as of December 31, 2021.

In response to the 2020 triggering event and 2021 triggering event, Con Edison assessed the value of its equity investment in the Project to determine whether the fair value of its investment in MVP had declined below its carrying value on an other-than-temporary basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The estimated fair value of the investment was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, which is a level 3 fair value measurement. The analysis discounted probability-weighted future cash flows, including revenues based on long-term firm transportation contracts, that are secured for the first 20 years following completion of the Project. See Note Q. Con Edison has also assumed cash flows extending beyond this period. All cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax discount rate of 8.3 percent and then weighted based on Con Edison’s estimate of the likelihood that the
Project will be completed. For the 2020 triggering event, Con Edison estimated that the likelihood of Project completion was in the upper end of a reasonably possible range. For the 2021 triggering event, Con Edison anticipated that the Project faces legal and regulatory challenges that make construction completion increasingly remote. The Project faces additional delays and increased costs that could further reduce CET Gas' interest in MVP to below 8.0 percent based on CET Gas' previous capping of its cash contributions. The likelihood that the Project will be completed and, for 2020, the discount rate, are the most significant and sensitive assumptions; changes in these assumptions may materially change the results of the impairment calculation.

Based on the discounted cash flow analyses, Con Edison concluded as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 that the fair value of its investment in MVP declined below its carrying value and the declines were other-than-temporary. Accordingly, Con Edison recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of $320 million ($223 million, after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2020 that reduced the carrying value of its investment in MVP from $662 million to $342 million, with an associated deferred tax asset of $53 million. Additionally, Con Edison recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of $231 million ($162 million, after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021 that reduced the carrying value of its investment in MVP from $342 million to $111 million with an additional $77 million associated deferred tax asset, totaling a deferred tax asset of $130 million at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022. The impairments were recorded within “Investment income (loss)” on Con Edison’s Consolidated Income Statement. In addition, Con Edison did not record non-cash equity in earnings from allowance for funds used during construction from MVP beginning in January 2021 and will continue to refrain from recording such amounts until such time as substantial construction activities resume, which would be indicative of probable Project completion. There were no impairments or substantial changes in the carrying value of Con Edison's investment in MVP for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

There is risk that the fair value of Con Edison’s investment in MVP may be further or fully impaired in the future. There are ongoing legal and regulatory matters that must be resolved favorably before the Project can be completed. Assumptions and estimates used to test Con Edison’s investment in MVP for impairment may change if adverse or delayed resolutions to the Project’s pending legal and regulatory challenges were to occur, which could have a material adverse effect on the fair value of Con Edison’s investment in MVP.

Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified within the Companies' Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Consolidated Balance Sheets to conform with current period presentation.

Earnings Per Common Share
Con Edison presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of its consolidated income statement. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing earnings available to common shareholders (“Net income for common stock” on Con Edison’s consolidated income statement) by the weighted average number of Con Edison common shares outstanding during the period. In the calculation of diluted EPS, weighted average shares outstanding are increased for additional shares that would be outstanding if potentially dilutive securities were converted to common stock.

Potentially dilutive securities for Con Edison consist of restricted stock units and deferred stock units for which the average market price of the common shares for the period was greater than the estimated vesting price.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, basic and diluted EPS for Con Edison are calculated as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions of Dollars, except per share amounts/Shares in Millions)2022202120222021
Net income for common stock$613$538$1,470$1,122
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic354.6353.4354.4346.8
Add: Incremental shares attributable to effect of potentially dilutive securities1.30.71.30.7
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted355.9354.1355.7347.5
Net Income per common share – basic$1.73$1.52$4.15$3.23
Net Income per common share – diluted$1.72$1.52$4.13$3.23

The computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 excludes immaterial amounts of performance share awards that were not included because of their anti-dilutive effect.
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, changes to accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (OCI) for Con Edison and CECONY are as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
Con EdisonCECONY
(Millions of Dollars)2022202120222021
Beginning balance, accumulated OCI, net of taxes (a)$10$(19)$1$(7)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI related to pension plan liabilities, net of tax $(1) for Con Edison in 2021 (a)(b)
12— — 
Current period OCI, net of taxes12— — 
Ending balance, accumulated OCI, net of taxes (a)$11$(17)$1$(7)
(a) Tax reclassified from accumulated OCI is reported in the income tax expense line item of the consolidated income statement.
(b)For the portion of unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit costs relating to the Utilities, costs are recorded into, and amortized out of, regulatory assets and liabilities instead of OCI. The net actuarial losses and prior service costs recognized during the period are included in the computation of total periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. See Notes E and F.


For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
Con EdisonCECONY
(Millions of Dollars)2022202120222021
Beginning balance, accumulated OCI, net of taxes (a)$5$(25)$—$(7)
OCI before reclassifications, net of tax of $(1) for Con Edison in 2022 and 2021
42— — 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI related to pension plan liabilities, net of tax of $(1) and $(2) for Con Edison in 2022 and 2021, respectively (a)(b)
26— 
Current period OCI, net of taxes68— 
Ending balance, accumulated OCI, net of taxes (a)$11$(17)$1$(7)
(a) Tax reclassified from accumulated OCI is reported in the income tax expense line item of the consolidated income statement.
(b)For the portion of unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit costs relating to the Utilities, costs are recorded into, and amortized out of, regulatory assets and liabilities instead of OCI. The net actuarial losses and prior service costs recognized during the period are included in the computation of total periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. See Notes E and F.


Reconciliation of Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Restricted Cash
Cash, temporary cash investments and restricted cash are presented on a combined basis in the Companies’ consolidated statements of cash flows. At September 30, 2022 and 2021, cash, temporary cash investments and restricted cash for Con Edison and CECONY were as follows:
At September 30,
Con EdisonCECONY
(Millions of Dollars)2022202120222021
Cash and temporary cash investments$78$66$25$18
Restricted cash (a)163149— — 
Total cash, temporary cash investments and restricted cash$241$215$25$18
(a)Restricted cash included cash of the Clean Energy Businesses' renewable electric project subsidiaries ($163 million and $149 million at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively) that, under the related project debt agreements, is restricted to being used for normal operating expenditures, debt service, and required reserves until the various maturity dates of the project debt.


Assets Held for Sale
Generally, a long-lived asset or business to be sold is classified as held for sale in the period in which management, with approval from the Board of Directors, commits to a plan to sell, and a sale is expected to be completed within one year. During the first nine months of 2022, Con Edison considered strategic alternatives with respect to the Clean Energy Businesses. As described further in Note T, on October 1, 2022, Con Edison's management received authority to commit to a plan to sell the Clean Energy Businesses and entered into a purchase and sale agreement. As of September 30, 2022, the Clean Energy Businesses did not meet the held-for-sale criteria, but did meet the criteria subsequent to September 30, 2022, on October 1, 2022. Con Edison records assets and liabilities, once
held for sale, at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value less cost to sell, and also stops recording depreciation on assets held for sale.

Fair value is the amount at which an asset, liability or business could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties and may be estimated using a number of techniques, or may be observable using quoted market prices. Con Edison used a market approach consisting of the contractual sales price adjusted for estimated working capital and other contractual purchase price adjustments to determine the fair value of the Clean Energy Businesses in October 2022, and subtracted estimated costs to sell from that calculated fair value. The resulting net fair value of the Clean Energy Businesses exceeded the carrying value of the Clean Energy Businesses, and accordingly no impairments were noted.

The sale of the Clean Energy Businesses does not represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on Con Edison, and as such, does not qualify for treatment as a discontinued operation.

For further information, see Note T.