Variable Interest Entities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Sale and Deconsolidation of a Variable Interest Entity

As a result of the sale, Con Edison Development received net proceeds of $108 million and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of $45 million ($26 million, net of tax). The following table summarizes the sale and resultant deconsolidation on the transaction date:


(Millions of Dollars)
Proceeds from sale, net of transaction costs of $1	$	108
Non-utility property, less accumulated depreciation		(341	)
Other assets, including working capital		(31	)
Long-term debt, including current portion		217
Other liabilities		9
Gain on sale of solar electric production projects		(45	)
Equity method investment upon deconsolidation	$	(83	)

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Included in Consolidated Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2014, Con Edison’s consolidated balance sheet includes $58 million in net assets (as detailed in the table below) and the non-controlling interest of the third party of $9 million related to Texas Solar 4. Earnings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 were immaterial.


(Millions of Dollars)
Restricted cash	$	13
Non-utility property, less accumulated depreciation		108
Other assets		14
Total assets(a)	$	135
Long-term debt due within one year	$	66
Other liabilities		11
Total liabilities(b)	$	77

(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.

Summary of VIEs

The following table summarizes the VIEs in which Con Edison Development has entered into as of December 31, 2014:


Project Name(a)	Generating Capacity Owned		Power Purchase Agreement Term in Years			Year of Initial Investment		Location		Maximum Exposure to Loss (In Millions)(c)
Pilesgrove		9		n/a	(b)		2010		New Jersey	$	26
Mesquite Solar 1		83		20			2013		Arizona		111
Copper Mountain Solar 2		75		25			2013		Nevada		80
Copper Mountain Solar 3		128		20			2014		Nevada		175
California Solar		55		25			2012		California		81
Texas Solar 4		32		25			2014		Texas		58
Broken Bow II		37		25			2014		Nebraska		57

(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. 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)	Pilesgrove has 3-5 year Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) hedges in place.

(c)

For investments accounted for under the equity method, maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of the investment on the balance sheet. For consolidated investments, maximum exposure is equal to the net assets of the investment on the balance sheet. Con Edison did not provide any financial or other support during the year that was not previously contractually required.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

+ References+ Details