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Regulatory Matters (All Registrants)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Regulated Operations [Abstract]  
Regulatory Matters (All Registrants) Regulatory Matters (All Registrants)
As discussed in Note 3 — Regulatory Matters of the 2022 Form 10-K, the Registrants are involved in rate and regulatory proceedings at FERC and their state commissions. The following discusses developments in 2023 and updates to the 2022 Form 10-K.
Distribution Base Rate Case Proceedings
The following tables show the completed and pending distribution base rate case proceedings in 2023.
Completed Distribution Base Rate Case Proceedings
Registrant/JurisdictionFiling DateServiceRequested Revenue Requirement IncreaseApproved Revenue Requirement IncreaseApproved ROEApproval DateRate Effective Date
ComEd - Illinois(a)
April 15, 2022Electric$199 $199 7.85 %November 17, 2022January 1, 2023
PECO - PennsylvaniaMarch 31, 2022Natural Gas82 55 
N/A(b)
October 27, 2022January 1, 2023
BGE - Maryland(c)
May 15, 2020 (amended September 11, 2020)Electric203 140 9.50 %December 16, 2020January 1, 2021
Natural Gas108 74 9.65 %
Pepco - Maryland(d)
October 26, 2020 (amended March 31, 2021)Electric104 52 9.55 %June 28, 2021June 28, 2021
DPL - Maryland(e)
May 19, 2022Electric38 29 9.60 %December 14, 2022January 1, 2023
__________
(a)ComEd's 2023 approved revenue requirement above reflects an increase of $144 million for the initial year revenue requirement for 2023 and an increase of $55 million related to the annual reconciliation for 2021. The revenue requirement for 2023 provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 5.94%, inclusive of an allowed ROE of 7.85%, reflecting the monthly average yields for 30-year treasury bonds plus 580 basis points. The reconciliation revenue requirement for 2021 provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 5.91%, inclusive of an allowed ROE of 7.78%, reflecting the monthly yields on 30-year treasury bonds plus 580 basis points less a performance metrics penalty of 7 basis points. This is ComEd's last performance-based electric distribution formula rate established under EIMA. See discussion of CEJA below for details on the transition away from the electric distribution formula rate.
(b)The PECO natural gas base rate case proceeding was resolved through a settlement agreement, which did not specify an approved ROE.
(c)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for 2021 through 2023. BGE proposed to use certain tax benefits to fully offset the increases in 2021 and 2022 and partially offset the increase in 2023. The MDPSC awarded BGE electric revenue requirement increases of $59 million, $39 million, and $42 million, before offsets, in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, and natural gas revenue requirement increases of $53 million, $11 million, and $10 million, before offsets, in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. However, the MDPSC utilized the tax benefits to fully offset the increases in 2021 and January 2022 such that customer rates remained unchanged. For the remainder of 2022, the MDPSC chose to offset only 25% of the cumulative 2021 and 2022 electric revenue requirement increases and 50% of the cumulative gas revenue requirement increases. In 2021, the MDPSC deferred a decision on whether to use certain tax benefits to offset the revenue requirement increases in 2023 and directed BGE to make another proposal at the end of 2022. In September 2022, BGE proposed that tax benefits not be used to offset the 2023 revenue requirement increases. On October 26, 2022, the MDPSC accepted BGE's recommendation to not use tax benefits to offset the 2023 revenue requirement increases.
(d)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024. The MDPSC awarded Pepco electric incremental revenue requirement increases of $21 million, $16 million, and $15 million, before offsets, for the 12-month periods ending March 31, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. Pepco proposed to utilize certain tax benefits to fully offset the increase through 2023 and partially offset customer rate increases in 2024. However, the MDPSC only utilized the acceleration of refunds for certain tax benefits to fully offset the increases such that customer rates remain unchanged through March 31, 2022. On February 23, 2022, the MDPSC chose to offset 25% of the cumulative revenue requirement increase for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2023. In 2021, the MDPSC deferred a decision on whether to use certain tax benefits to offset the revenue requirement increases for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024. In December 2022 Pepco proposed that tax benefits not be used to offset the revenue requirement increases for this period. On January 25, 2023, the MDPSC accepted Pepco’s recommendations not to use tax benefits to offset revenue requirement increases for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024.
(e)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The MDPSC awarded DPL electric incremental revenue requirement increases of $17 million, $6 million, and $6 million for 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively.
Pending Distribution Base Rate Case Proceedings
Registrant/JurisdictionFiling DateServiceRequested Revenue Requirement IncreaseRequested ROEExpected Approval Timing
ComEd - Illinois(a)
January 17, 2023Electric$1,487 
10.50% to 10.65%
Fourth quarter of 2023
ComEd - Illinois(b)
April 21, 2023Electric247 8.91%Fourth quarter of 2023
BGE - Maryland(c)
February 17, 2023Electric313 10.40%Fourth quarter of 2023
Natural Gas289 10.40%
Pepco - District of Columbia(d)
April 13, 2023Electric191 10.50%Second quarter of 2024
Pepco - Maryland(e)
May 16, 2023Electric214 10.50%Second quarter of 2024
DPL - Delaware(f)
December 15, 2022 (amended September 29, 2023)Electric39 10.50%Second quarter of 2024
ACE - New Jersey(g)
February 15, 2023 (amended August 21, 2023)Electric92 10.50%Fourth quarter of 2023
__________
(a)On September 27, 2023, ComEd filed its reply brief supporting its proposed multi-year rate and grid plans, as adjusted or modified by ComEd as of the evidentiary hearing on August 22, 2023. The rate plan covers the period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027 and includes total requested revenue requirement increases of $968 million effective January 1, 2024, $181 million effective January 1, 2025, $163 million effective January 1, 2026, and $175 million effective January 1, 2027, based on forecasted revenue requirements. If approved, the revenue requirement will provide for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 7.40% in 2024, 7.47% in 2025, 7.58% in 2026, and 7.65% in 2027, inclusive of an allowed ROE of 10.50% in 2024, 10.55% in 2025, 10.60% in 2026, and 10.65% in 2027. The requested revenue requirements are based on capital structures that reflect between 50.58% and 51.19% common equity. ComEd’s MRP also includes a proposed three-tranche rate phase-in to defer approximately $339 million, of the $968 million year-over-year revenue increase for 2024 from 2024 to 2026, approximately $52 million, of the $520 million year-over-year revenue increase for 2025 from 2025 to 2027, and approximately $75 million of the $215 million year-over-year revenue increase for 2026 from 2026 to 2028.
(b)On April 21, 2023, ComEd filed its proposed Delivery Reconciliation Amount of $247 million under Rider Delivery Service Pricing Reconciliation (Rider DSPR) which allows for the reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect in the final years in which formula rates are determined and until such time as new rates are established under ComEd’s approved MRP. The 2023 filing reconciles the delivery service rates in effect in 2022 with the actual delivery service costs incurred in 2022. Final order is expected by December 2023, and the reconciliation amount will be in customer rates beginning January 1, 2024.
(c)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 submitted to the MDPSC. Inclusive of the proposed acceleration of remaining electric tax benefits in 2024 and 2025, and remaining gas tax benefits in 2024, BGE requested total electric revenue requirement increases of $85 million, $103 million, and $125 million in 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, and natural gas revenue requirement increases of $158 million, $77 million, and $54 million in 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. Requested revenue requirement increases will be used to recover capital investments designed to increase the resilience of the electric and gas distribution systems and support Maryland’s climate and regulatory initiatives. The 2021 and 2022 reconciliation amounts are not included in the requested revenue requirement increase, as BGE is proposing that these amounts be recovered through the separate electric and gas riders in 2024. The 2021 reconciliation amounts are $11 million and $7 million for electric and gas, respectively, and the 2022 reconciliation amounts are $44 million and $15 million for electric and gas, respectively. The requested electric revenue requirement includes approximately $25 million for a Customer Electrification Plan that the MDPSC struck from BGE's case in August 2023.
(d)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 submitted to the DCPSC. Pepco requested total electric revenue requirement increases of $117 million, $37 million, and $37 million in 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. Requested revenue requirement increases will be used to recover capital investments designed to advance system-readiness and support the District of Columbia’s climate and clean energy goals.
(e)Reflects a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2027 submitted to the MDPSC. Pepco requested total electric revenue requirement increases of $74 million, $60 million and $60 million effective April 1,
2024, April 1, 2025, and April 1, 2026, respectively. The plan contains a proposed nine-month extension period with a requested revenue requirement increase of $20 million effective April 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. Requested revenue requirement increases will be used to recover capital investments designed to advance system-readiness and support Maryland's climate and clean energy goals. On August 7, 2023, the MDPSC issued an order approving a settlement agreement which allows Pepco to establish a revenue deferral mechanism to recover its full Commission-authorized year 1 increase between July 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 and extend the procedural schedule to address intervenor resource constraints.
(f)The rates went into effect on July 15, 2023, subject to refund.
(g)Requested increases are before New Jersey sales and use tax. ACE’s procedural schedule was suspended on September 6, 2023. On October 21, 2023, ACE filed a stipulation of settlement with the NJBPU. Subsequently, on October 24, 2023, the administrative law judge presiding over the case recommended the settlement with all parties be approved. ACE is awaiting final approval of the settlement from the NJBPU and it is expected during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Transmission Formula Rates
The Utility Registrants' transmission rates are each established based on a FERC-approved formula. ComEd, BGE, Pepco, DPL, and ACE are required to file an annual update to the FERC-approved formula on or before May 15, and PECO is required to file on or before May 31, with the resulting rates effective on June 1 of the same year. The annual update for ComEd is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions (initial year revenue requirement). The update for ComEd also reconciles any differences between the revenue requirement in effect beginning June 1 of the prior year and actual costs incurred for that year (annual reconciliation). The annual update for PECO is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions, accumulated depreciation, and accumulated deferred income taxes. The annual update for BGE, Pepco, DPL, and ACE is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions, accumulated depreciation, depreciation and amortization expense, and accumulated deferred income taxes. The update for PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL, and ACE also reconciles any differences between the actual costs and actual revenues for the calendar year (annual reconciliation).
For 2023, the following increases/(decreases) were included in the Utility Registrants' electric transmission formula rate updates:
Registrant(a)
Initial Revenue Requirement IncreaseAnnual Reconciliation Increase (Decrease)Total Revenue Requirement Increase
Allowed Return on Rate Base(b)
Allowed ROE(c)
ComEd$20 $63 $83 8.09 %11.50 %
PECO24 23 47 7.41 %10.35 %
BGE19 (12)4 (d)7.34 %10.50 %
Pepco37 (5)32 7.57 %10.50 %
DPL32 (3)29 7.08 %10.50 %
ACE41 (12)29 7.08 %10.50 %
__________
(a)All rates are effective June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024, subject to review by interested parties pursuant to review protocols of each Utility Registrants' tariffs.
(b)Represents the weighted average debt and equity return on transmission rate bases. For ComEd and PECO, the common equity component of the ratio used to calculate the weighted average debt and equity return on the transmission formula rate base is currently capped at 55% and 55.75%, respectively.
(c)The rate of return on common equity for each Utility Registrant includes a 50-basis-point incentive adder for being a member of a RTO.
(d)The increase in BGE's transmission revenue requirement includes a $3 million reduction related to a FERC-approved dedicated facilities charge to recover the costs of providing transmission service to specifically designated load by BGE.
Other State Regulatory Matters
Illinois Regulatory Matters
CEJA (Exelon and ComEd). On September 15, 2021, the Governor of Illinois signed into law CEJA. CEJA includes, among other features, (1) procurement of CMCs from qualifying nuclear-powered generating facilities, (2) a requirement to file a general rate case or a new four-year MRP no later than January 20, 2023 to establish rates effective after ComEd’s existing performance-based distribution formula rate sunsets, (3) an extension of and certain adjustments to ComEd’s energy efficiency MWh savings goals, (4) revisions to the Illinois RPS
requirements, including expanded charges for the procurement of RECs from wind and solar generation, (5) a requirement to accelerate amortization of ComEd’s unprotected excess deferred income taxes (EDIT) that ComEd was previously directed by the ICC to amortize using the average rate assumption method which equates to approximately 39.5 years, and (6) requirements that ComEd and the ICC initiate and conduct various regulatory proceedings on subjects including ethics, spending, grid investments, and performance metrics. Regulatory or legal challenges regarding the validity or implementation of CEJA are possible and Exelon and ComEd cannot reasonably predict the outcome of any such challenges.
ComEd Electric Distribution Rates
ComEd filed, and received approval for, its last performance-based electric distribution formula rate update filing under EIMA in 2022; those rates are in effect throughout 2023.
On February 3, 2022, the ICC approved a tariff that establishes the process under which ComEd will reconcile its 2022 and 2023 rate year revenue requirements with actual costs. Those reconciliation amounts will be determined using the same process as were used for prior reconciliations under the performance-based electric distribution formula rate. Using that process, for the rate years 2022 and 2023 ComEd will ultimately collect revenues from customers reflecting each year’s actual recoverable costs, year-end rate base, and a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base, with the ROE component based on the annual average of the monthly yields of the 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds plus 580 basis points. In April 2023, ComEd filed its first petition with the ICC to reconcile its 2022 actual costs with the approved revenue requirement that was in effect in 2022; the final order is expected by December 2023, for rates beginning January 2024. The rate year 2023 reconciliation will be filed in 2024.
Beginning in 2024, ComEd will recover from retail customers, subject to certain exceptions, the costs it incurs to provide electric delivery services either through its electric distribution rate or other recovery mechanisms authorized by CEJA. On January 17, 2023, ComEd filed a petition with the ICC seeking approval of a MRP for 2024-2027. The MRP supports a multi-year grid plan (Grid Plan), also filed on January 17, covering planned investments on the electric distribution system within ComEd’s service area through 2027. Costs incurred during each year of the MRP are subject to ICC review and the plan’s revenue requirement for each year will be reconciled with the actual costs that the ICC determines are prudently and reasonably incurred for that year. The reconciliation is subject to adjustment for certain costs, including a limitation on recovery of costs that are more than 105% of certain costs in the previously approved MRP revenue requirement, absent a modification of the rate plan itself. Thus, for example, the rate adjustments necessary to reconcile 2024 revenues to ComEd’s actual 2024 costs incurred would take effect in January 2026 after the ICC’s review during 2025. On May 22, 2023, direct testimony was filed by ICC staff and more than a dozen intervenors and intervenor groups. The testimonies addressed a wide variety of topics, including rate of return on equity, capital structure, grid planning, various distribution grid and information technology investments, and affordability and customer service. ComEd filed rebuttal testimony in June, which provided, among other things, defense of ComEd’s planned 2024-2027 capital investment and proposed cost of equity. ComEd also made voluntary adjustments and, per the ICC’s final beneficial electrification order requiring ComEd to recover beneficial electrification costs through the MRP, increased its total revenue requirement request from $1.472 billion to $1.545 billion. On July 27, 2023, ICC staff and intervenors filed rebuttal testimony, which showed little to no movement on the key issues, including ROE and large capital projects. On August 14, 2023, ComEd filed surrebuttal testimony. On August 22, 2023, evidentiary hearings were held, during which testimony and other evidence was admitted and the evidentiary phase of the hearing process was closed. ComEd filed its reply brief on September 27, 2023, to adjust its total requested revenue requirement increase to $1.487 billion. On October 23, 2023 the administrative law judges (ALJs) issued a proposed order in ComEd's MRP proceeding recommending a $317 million reduction to ComEd's requested revenue requirement increase of $1.487 billion. Significant differences between the ALJ’s proposed order and ComEd’s final position relate to the proposed return on equity and the disallowance of any return on ComEd’s pension asset. The ALJs proposed order is not final, and briefs on exception will be filed in November 2023. The Commission may also hear oral arguments prior to making its final decision. The ICC must issue its decision on both the MRP and Grid Plan by mid-December 2023, for rates to begin with the January 2024 billing cycle.
In January 2022, ComEd filed a request with the ICC proposing performance metrics that would be used in determining ROE incentives and penalties in the event ComEd filed a MRP in January 2023. On September 27, 2022, the ICC issued a final order approving seven performance metrics that provide symmetrical performance adjustments of 32 total basis points to ComEd’s rate of return on common equity based on the extent to which ComEd achieves the annual performance goals. On November 10, 2022, the ICC granted ComEd's application for rehearing, in part. On April 5, 2023, the ICC issued its final order on rehearing for the performance and tracking metrics proceeding, in which the ICC declined to adopt ComEd’s proposed modifications to the reliability and peak load reduction performance metrics. Efforts are underway to implement the performance metrics, which take effect on January 1, 2024. ComEd will make its initial filing in 2025 to assess performance achieved under the metrics in 2024, and to determine any ROE adjustment, which would take effect in 2026.
Carbon Mitigation Credit
CEJA establishes decarbonization requirements for Illinois as well as programs to support the retention and development of emissions-free sources of electricity. ComEd is required to purchase CMCs from participating nuclear-powered generating facilities between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2027. The price to be paid for each CMC was established through a competitive bidding process that included consumer-protection measures that capped the maximum acceptable bid amount and a formula that reduces CMC prices by an energy price index, the base residual auction capacity price in the ComEd zone of PJM, and the monetized value of any federal tax credit or other subsidy if applicable. The consumer protection measures contained in CEJA will result in net payments to ComEd ratepayers if the energy index, the capacity price and applicable federal tax credits or subsidy exceed the CMC contract price. In the June 2022 billing period, ComEd began issuing credits to its retail customers under its new CMC rider. A regulatory asset is recorded for the difference between customer credits issued and the credit to be received from the participating nuclear-powered generating facilities. The balance as of September 30, 2023 is $862 million.
Under CEJA, the costs of procuring CMCs, including carrying costs, are recovered through a rider, the Rider Carbon-Free Resource Adjustment (Rider CFRA). As originally approved by the ICC, Rider CFRA provides for an annual reconciliation and true-up to actual costs incurred or credits received by ComEd to purchase CMCs, with any difference to be credited to or collected from ComEd’s retail customers in subsequent periods. The difference between the net payments to (or receivables from) ComEd ratepayers and the credits received by ComEd to purchase CMCs is recorded to Purchased Power expense with an offset to the regulatory asset (or regulatory liability). On December 21, 2022, ComEd filed an amendment to Rider CFRA proposing that it recover costs or provide credits faster than the tariff allows, implement monthly reconciliations, and allow ComEd to adjust Rider CFRA rates based not only on anticipated differences but also past payments or credits, and implement monthly reconciliations beginning the June 2023 delivery period. The ICC approved the proposal on January 19, 2023. In addition, on March 24, 2023, ComEd submitted revisions to Rider CFRA which clarified the methodology for calculating interest to be included in the annual reconciliation associated with the June 2022 through May 2023 delivery year. The ICC approved the proposal on April 20, 2023.
Beneficial Electrification Plan
On March 23, 2023, the ICC issued its final order approving the beneficial electrification plan for ComEd. The ICC rejected ComEd’s request to treat a large portion of beneficial electrification costs as a regulatory asset and ordered ComEd to seek cost recovery through the multi-year rate plan filing for 2024 and 2025, and the final formula rate reconciliation docket for 2023, rather than through a separate charge. The order also authorized an overall annual budget of $77 million per year for the three year plan period (2023 through 2025), with flexibility to roll forward unused funds to future years within the same plan period. On April 18, 2023, ComEd filed an application for rehearing in the beneficial electrification plan docket. The Chicago Transit Authority and City of Chicago, jointly, and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General (ILAG) also filed applications for rehearing. On April 27, 2023, ICC staff filed a motion for clarification, seeking clarification from the ICC on the precise budget described in the final order. On May 8, 2023, the ICC denied all applications for rehearing, and entered an amendatory order regarding the annual beneficial electrification plan budgets. ComEd has been directed to use good faith efforts to spend $77 million annually. ComEd subsequently filed its compliance filing in May 2023, detailing project related spending, clarifying the procedure that will be used to seek stakeholder feedback related to beneficial electrification pilot programs, and including the timeline for tariff changes required to implement the programs. ComEd and the ILAG both filed appeals of the ICC’s interim order that addressed the permissible scope of utility beneficial electrification programs outside of transportation and the rate impact cap. The ILAG also filed an appeal seeking reversal of portions of the ICC’s final decision. The final order partly mooted
ComEd’s appeal of the interim order and ComEd has decided not to pursue the other issues. As such, ComEd recently moved to voluntarily dismiss its appeal and the appellate court granted that request. The ILAG consolidated their appeals. Any ruling on the appeals, even a negative ruling removing programs from the BE Plan or lowering the overall budget of the BE Plan, will only impact forward-looking costs.
Energy Efficiency Formula Rate (Exelon and ComEd). ComEd filed its annual energy efficiency formula rate update with the ICC on May 26, 2023. The filing establishes the revenue requirement used to set the rates that will take effect in January 2024 after the ICC's review and approval. The requested revenue requirement update is based on a reconciliation of the 2022 actual costs plus projected 2024 expenditures.
Initial Revenue Requirement IncreaseAnnual Reconciliation IncreaseTotal Revenue Requirement Increase
Requested Return on Rate Base(a)
Requested ROE
$87 $31 $118 6.48 %8.91 %
__________
(a)The requested revenue requirement increase provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on the energy efficiency regulatory asset and rate base of 6.48% inclusive of an allowed ROE of 8.91%, reflecting the monthly average yields for 30-year treasury bonds plus 580 basis points. For the 2022 reconciliation year, the requested revenue requirement provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on the energy efficiency regulatory asset and rate base of 7.48% inclusive of an allowed ROE of 10.91%, which includes an upward performance adjustment that increased the ROE. The performance adjustment can either increase or decrease the ROE based upon the achievement of energy efficiency savings goals.
New Jersey Regulatory Matters
Termination of Energy Procurement Provisions of PPAs (Exelon, PHI, and ACE). On December 22, 2021, ACE filed with the NJBPU a petition to terminate the provisions in the PPAs to purchase electricity from two coal-powered generation facilities located in the state of New Jersey. The petition was approved by the NJBPU on March 23, 2022. Upon closing of the transaction on March 31, 2022, ACE recognized a liability of $203 million for the contract termination fee, which is to be paid by the end of 2024, and recognized a corresponding regulatory asset of $203 million.
As of September 30, 2023, the $71 million liability for the contract termination fee consists of $61 million and $10 million included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred credits and other liabilities, respectively, in Exelon's Consolidated Balance Sheet. The current and noncurrent liabilities are included in PPA termination obligation and Other deferred credits and other liabilities, respectively, in PHI's and ACE's Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, ACE has respectively paid $65 million and $45 million of the liability, which is recorded in Changes in Other assets and liabilities in Exelon's, PHI's, and ACE's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
ACE Infrastructure Investment Program “Powering the Future” Filing (Exelon, PHI, and ACE). On October 31, 2022, ACE filed with the NJBPU a second IIP, called “Powering the Future”, proposing to seek recovery through a new component of ACE’s rider mechanism, totaling $379 million, over the four-year period of July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2027. The new IIP will allow ACE to invest in projects that are designed to enhance the reliability, resiliency, and safety of the service ACE provides to its customers. On June 15, 2023, ACE entered into a settlement agreement with other parties, which allows for a recovery totaling $93 million of reliability related capital investments from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027. ACE will have the option of seeking approval from the NJBPU to extend the end date of the IIP beyond June 30, 2027, if ACE determines an extension is necessary. On June 29, 2023, the NJBPU adopted the settlement agreement and issued an order approving the program.
Other Federal Regulatory Matters
FERC Audit (Exelon and ComEd). The Utility Registrants are subject to periodic audits by FERC. FERC’s Division of Audits and Accounting initiated a nonpublic audit of ComEd in April 2021 evaluating ComEd’s compliance with (1) approved terms, rates, and conditions of its federally regulated service; (2) accounting requirements of the Uniform System of Accounts; (3) reporting requirements of the FERC Form 1; and (4) the requirements for record retention. The audit period extends back to January 1, 2017. During the first quarter of 2023, ComEd was provided with information from FERC about several potential findings, including ComEd's methodology regarding the allocation of certain overhead costs to capital under FERC regulations. Based on the preliminary findings and discussions with FERC staff, ComEd determined that a loss was probable and recorded a regulatory liability to reflect its best estimate of that loss as of March 31, 2023.
On July 27, 2023, FERC issued a final audit report which included, among other things, findings and recommendations related to ComEd's methodology regarding the allocation of certain overhead costs to capitalized construction costs under FERC regulations. On August 28, 2023, ComEd filed a formal notice of the issues it will contest. The final outcome and resolution of any contested audit issues as well as a reasonable estimate of potential future losses cannot be accurately estimated at this stage; however, the final resolution of these matters could result in recognition of future losses, above the amounts currently accrued, that could be material to the Exelon and ComEd financial statements.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
The Utility Registrants' regulatory assets and liabilities have not changed materially since December 31, 2022, unless noted below. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters of the 2022 Form 10-K for additional information on the specific regulatory assets and liabilities.
ComEd. Regulatory assets increased $733 million primarily due to increases of $392 million in the Electric distribution formula rate annual reconciliations regulatory asset, $171 million in the Energy efficiency costs, and $97 million in the ZEC regulatory asset.
PECO. Regulatory assets increased $150 million primarily due to an increase of $118 million in the Deferred income taxes regulatory asset. Regulatory liabilities increased $6 million primarily due to increases of $49 million in the Electric energy and natural gas costs regulatory liability, offset by a decrease of $31 million in the Decommissioning the regulatory agreement units regulatory liability.
BGE. Regulatory assets increased $114 million primarily due to an increase of $38 million and $35 million in the Removal costs and Under-recovered revenue decoupling regulatory assets, respectively.
Pepco. Regulatory assets decreased $63 million primarily due to a decrease of $35 million in the Electric energy and natural gas costs regulatory asset. Regulatory liabilities decreased $43 million primarily due to a decrease of $52 million in the Deferred income taxes regulatory liability.
DPL. Regulatory assets decreased $17 million primarily due to a decrease of $26 million in the Electric energy and natural gas costs regulatory asset. Regulatory liabilities decreased $1 million primarily due to a decrease of $23 million in the Deferred income taxes regulatory liability, partially offset by an increase of $13 million in the Electric energy and natural gas costs regulatory liability.
ACE. Regulatory assets decreased $21 million primarily due to a decrease of $65 million in the Electric energy and natural gas costs regulatory asset as a result of the PPA termination. Regulatory liabilities decreased $29 million primarily due to a decrease of $9 million in both the Stranded costs regulatory liability and Over-recovered revenue decoupling regulatory liability.
Capitalized Ratemaking Amounts Not Recognized
The following table presents authorized amounts capitalized for ratemaking purposes related to earnings on shareholders' investment that are not recognized for financial reporting purposes in the Registrants' Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts will be recognized as revenues in the related Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income in the periods they are billable to the Utility Registrants' customers. PECO had no related amounts at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Exelon
ComEd(a)
BGE(b)
PHI
Pepco(c)
DPL(c)
ACE(b)
September 30, 2023$81 $25 $21 $35 $27 $1 $7 
December 31, 202257 8 28 21 18 2 1 
__________
(a)Reflects ComEd's unrecognized equity returns earned for ratemaking purposes on its energy efficiency and electric distribution formula rate regulatory assets.
(b)BGE's and ACE's authorized amounts capitalized for ratemaking purposes primarily relate to earnings on shareholder's investment on their respective AMI programs.
(c)Pepco's and DPL's authorized amounts capitalized for ratemaking purposes relate to earnings on shareholder's investment on their respective AMI Programs and Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Programs, and for Pepco District of Columbia revenue decoupling program. The earnings on energy efficiency are on Pepco District of Columbia and DPL Delaware programs only.