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Derivatives
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
Southern Company, the traditional operating companies, and Southern Power are exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and occasionally foreign currency risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, each company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and enters into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to each company's policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. Each company's policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities and the cash impacts of settled foreign currency derivatives are recorded as investing activities.
Energy-Related Derivatives
The traditional operating companies and Southern Power enter into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. However, due to cost-based rate regulations and other various cost recovery mechanisms, the traditional operating companies have limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity. Each of the traditional operating companies manages fuel-hedging programs, implemented per the guidelines of their respective state PSCs, through the use of financial derivative contracts, which is expected to continue to mitigate price volatility. Southern Power has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity because its long-term sales contracts shift substantially all fuel cost responsibility to the purchaser. However, Southern Power has been and may continue to be exposed to market volatility in energy-related commodity prices as a result of uncontracted generating capacity.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in electricity prices, the traditional operating companies and Southern Power may enter into physical fixed-price contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity through the wholesale electricity market. To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the traditional operating companies and Southern Power may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of three methods:
Regulatory Hedges – Energy-related derivative contracts which are designated as regulatory hedges relate primarily to the traditional operating companies' fuel-hedging programs, where gains and losses are initially recorded as regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively, and then are included in fuel expense as the underlying fuel is used in operations and ultimately recovered through the respective fuel cost recovery clauses.
Cash Flow Hedges – Gains and losses on energy-related derivatives designated as cash flow hedges which are mainly used to hedge anticipated purchases and sales and are initially deferred in OCI before being recognized in the statements of income in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings.
Not Designated – Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions totaled 275 million mmBtu (million British thermal units) for the Southern Company system, with the longest hedge date of 2018 over which the respective entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and the longest non-hedge date of 2017 for derivatives not designated as hedges.
In addition to the volumes discussed above, the traditional operating companies and Southern Power enter into physical natural gas supply contracts that provide the option to sell back excess gas due to operational constraints. The maximum expected volume of natural gas subject to such a feature is 9 million mmBtu.
For cash flow hedges, the amounts expected to be reclassified from accumulated OCI to revenue and fuel expense for the next 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are immaterial for Southern Company.
Interest Rate Derivatives
Southern Company and certain subsidiaries may also enter into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings, with any ineffectiveness recorded directly to earnings. Derivatives related to existing fixed rate securities are accounted for as fair value hedges, where the derivatives' fair value gains or losses and hedged items' fair value gains or losses are both recorded directly to earnings, providing an offset, with any difference representing ineffectiveness.
At December 31, 2013, the following interest rate derivatives were outstanding:
 
Notional
Amount
 
Interest Rate
Received
 
Weighted Average Interest
Rate Paid
 
Hedge
Maturity Date
 
Fair Value
Gain (Loss)
December 31,
2013
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Fair value hedges of existing debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
350

 
4.15%
 
3-month LIBOR + 1.96%
 
May 2014
 
$
3


The estimated pre-tax losses that will be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest expense for the next 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are immaterial. The Company has deferred gains and losses that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2037.
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Southern Company and certain subsidiaries may enter into foreign currency derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates arising from purchases of equipment denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. Derivatives related to a firm commitment in a foreign currency transaction are accounted for as a fair value hedge where the derivatives' fair value gains or losses and the hedged items' fair value gains or losses are both recorded directly to earnings. Derivatives related to a forecasted transaction are accounted for as a cash flow hedge where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. Any ineffectiveness is recorded directly to earnings; however, Mississippi Power has regulatory approval allowing it to defer any ineffectiveness associated with firm commitments related to the Kemper IGCC to a regulatory asset. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the foreign currency derivative outstanding was immaterial.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives and interest rate derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
16

 
$
10

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
26

 
$
74

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
7

 
13

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
29

 
35

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
$
23

 
$
23

 
 
 
$
55

 
$
109

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow and fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
3

 
$
7

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$

 
$

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 

 
3

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow and fair value hedges
 
 
$
3

 
$
10

 
 
 
$

 
$

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$

 
$
1

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
1

 
$
1

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
1

 
2

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 

 
1

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
$
1

 
$
3

 
 
 
$
1

 
$
2

Total
 
 
$
27

 
$
36

 
 
 
$
56

 
$
111


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 10 for additional information.
The Company's derivative contracts are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related and interest rate derivative contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables. Interest rate derivatives presented in the tables above do not have amounts available for offset and are therefore excluded from the offsetting disclosure tables below.
Fair Value
Assets

2013

2012

Liabilities

2013

2012
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)

$
24


$
26


Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)

$
56


$
111

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)

(22
)

(23
)

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)

(22
)

(23
)
Net-energy related derivative assets

$
2


$
3


Net-energy related derivative liabilities

$
34


$
88

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pre-tax effects of unrealized derivative gains (losses) arising from energy-related derivative instruments designated as regulatory hedging instruments and deferred on the balance sheets were as follows:
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Unrealized Gains
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives:
Other regulatory assets, current
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(74
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, current
 
$
16

 
$
10

 
Other regulatory assets, deferred
 
(29
)
 
(35
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
 
7

 
13

Total energy-related derivative gains (losses)
 
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(109
)
 
 
 
$
23

 
$
23


For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of interest rate and foreign currency derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments on the statements of income were immaterial on a gross basis for Southern Company. Furthermore, the pre-tax effects of interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments on Southern Company's statements of income were offset by changes to the carrying value of long-term debt and the pre-tax effects of foreign currency derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments on Southern Company's statements of income were offset by changes in the fair value of the purchase commitment related to equipment purchases.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives and interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments recorded in OCI and reclassified into earnings were immaterial for Southern Company.
There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented.
For the Southern Company system's energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, a portion of the pre-tax realized and unrealized gains and losses is associated with hedging fuel price risk of certain PPA customers and has no impact on net income or on fuel expense as presented in the Company's statements of income. As a result, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Company's statements of income were immaterial for any year presented. This third party hedging activity has been discontinued.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain Southern Company subsidiaries. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was $9 million.
At December 31, 2013, Southern Company's collateral posted with its derivative counterparties was immaterial. The maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $9 million and include certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Southern Company, the traditional operating companies, and Southern Power are exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. Southern Company, the traditional operating companies, and Southern Power only enter into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's and S&P or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. Southern Company, the traditional operating companies, and Southern Power have also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate Southern Company's, the traditional operating companies', and Southern Power's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, Southern Company, the traditional operating companies, and Southern Power do not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Alabama Power [Member]
 
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk and interest rate risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, the Company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and enters into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to the Company's policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. The Company's policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities.
Energy-Related Derivatives
The Company enters into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. However, due to cost-based rate regulations and other various cost recovery mechanisms, the Company has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity. The Company manages fuel-hedging programs, implemented per the guidelines of the Alabama PSC, through the use of financial derivative contracts, which is expected to continue to mitigate price volatility.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in electricity prices, the Company may enter into physical fixed-price contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity through the wholesale electricity market. To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the Company may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of three methods:
Regulatory Hedges – Energy-related derivative contracts which are designated as regulatory hedges relate primarily to the Company's fuel-hedging programs, where gains and losses are initially recorded as regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively, and then are included in fuel expense as the underlying fuel is used in operations and ultimately recovered through the energy cost recovery clause.
Cash Flow Hedges – Gains and losses on energy-related derivatives designated as cash flow hedges which are mainly used to hedge anticipated purchases and sales and are initially deferred in OCI before being recognized in the statements of income in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings.
Not Designated – Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions for the Company, together with the longest hedge date over which it is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and the longest date for derivatives not designated as hedges, were as follows:

Net Purchased
mmBtu*
 
Longest Hedge
Date
 
Longest Non-Hedge
Date
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
69
 
2017
 
*
million British thermal units (mmBtu)

For cash flow hedges, the amounts expected to be reclassified from accumulated OCI to revenue and fuel expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are immaterial.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company may also enter into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness, which is recorded directly to earnings.
At December 31, 2013, there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.
The estimated pre-tax losses that will be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are $3 million. The Company has deferred gains and losses that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2035.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
5

 
$
2

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
3

 
$
14

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
2

 
3

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
5

 
4

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
$
7

 
$
5

 
 
 
$
8

 
$
18

Total
 
 
$
7

 
$
5

 
 
 
$
8

 
$
18


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 10 for additional information.
The derivative contracts of the Company are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related and interest rate derivative contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables.
Fair Value
Assets
 
2013

 
2012

 
Liabilities
 
2013

 
2012

 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
7

 
$
5

 
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
8

 
$
18

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
Net-energy related derivative assets
 
$
2

 
$
1

 
Net-energy related derivative liabilities
 
$
3

 
$
14

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pre-tax effect of unrealized derivative gains (losses) arising from energy-related derivative instruments designated as regulatory hedging instruments and deferred on the balance sheets was as follows:
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Unrealized Gains
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives:
Other regulatory assets, current
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(14
)
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
5

 
$
2

 
Other regulatory assets, deferred
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
 
2

 
3

Total energy-related derivative gains (losses)
 
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(18
)
 
 
 
$
7

 
$
5


For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effect of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the statements of income was as follows:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
 
 
 
Amount
Derivative Category
 
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
Statements of Income
Location
 
2013

 
2012
 
2011

 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives
 
$

 
$
(18
)
 
$
(14
)
 
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
3


There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effect of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the statements of income was not material.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain affiliated companies. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was $1 million.
The Company's collateral posted with its derivative counterparties at December 31, 2013 was not material. However, because of the joint and several liability features underlying these derivatives, the maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $9 million. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. The Company participates in certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
The Company is exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. The Company only enters into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. The Company has also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Georgia Power [Member]
 
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk and interest rate risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, the Company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and enters into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to the Company’s policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. The Company’s policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities.
Energy-Related Derivatives
The Company enters into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. However, due to cost-based rate regulations and other various cost recovery mechanisms, the Company has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity. The Company manages a fuel-hedging program, implemented per the guidelines of the Georgia PSC, through the use of financial derivative contracts, which is expected to continue to mitigate price volatility.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the Company may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of two methods:
Regulatory Hedges – Energy-related derivative contracts which are designated as regulatory hedges relate primarily to the Company’s fuel-hedging program, where gains and losses are initially recorded as regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively, and then are included in fuel expense as the underlying fuel is used in operations and ultimately recovered through the fuel cost recovery mechanism.
Not Designated – Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions totaled 60 million mmBtu (million British thermal units), all of which expire by 2017, which is the longest hedge date.
In addition to the volume discussed above, the Company enters into physical natural gas supply contracts that provide the option to sell back excess gas due to operational constraints. The expected volume of natural gas subject to such a feature is 5 million mmBtu for the Company.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company may also enter into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges where the effective portion of the derivatives’ fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness, which is recorded directly to income.
At December 31, 2013, there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.
The estimated pre-tax losses that will be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are immaterial. The Company has deferred gains and losses related to interest rate derivative settlements that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2037.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
3

 
$
6

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
13

 
$
30

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
2

 
5

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
8

 
15

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
$
5

 
$
11

 
 
 
$
21

 
$
45


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 10 for additional information.
The derivative contracts of the Company are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables.
Fair Value
Assets
 
2013

 
2012

 
Liabilities
 
2013

 
2012

 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
5

 
$
11

 
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
21

 
$
45

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(5
)
 
(11
)
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(5
)
 
(11
)
Net-energy related derivative assets
 
$

 
$

 
Net-energy related derivative liabilities
 
$
16

 
$
34

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pre-tax effects of unrealized derivative gains (losses) arising from energy-related derivative instruments designated as regulatory hedging instruments and deferred on the balance sheets were as follows:
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Unrealized Gains
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives:
Other regulatory assets, current
 
$
(13
)
 
$
(30
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, current
 
$
3

 
$
6

 
Other regulatory assets, deferred
 
(8
)
 
(15
)
 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
2

 
5

Total energy-related derivative gains (losses)
 
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(45
)
 
 
 
$
5

 
$
11


For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments recognized in OCI and those reclassified from accumulated OCI into income were immaterial.
There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented. The pre-tax effect of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the statements of income was immaterial for all years presented.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain affiliated companies. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was $3 million.
At December 31, 2013, the Company had no collateral posted with its derivative counterparties; however, because of the joint and several liability features underlying these derivatives, the maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $9 million. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. The Company participates in certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
The Company is exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. The Company only enters into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. The Company has also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Gulf Power [Member]
 
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk and interest rate risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, the Company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and may enter into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to the Company's policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. The Company's policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities and the cash impacts of settled foreign currency derivatives are recorded as investing activities.
Energy-Related Derivatives
The Company enters into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. However, due to cost-based rate regulations and other various cost recovery mechanisms, the Company has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity. The Company manages fuel-hedging programs, implemented per the guidelines of the Florida PSC, through the use of financial derivative contracts, which is expected to continue to mitigate price volatility.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in electricity prices, the Company may enter into physical fixed-price contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity through the wholesale electricity market. To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the Company may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of two methods:
Regulatory Hedges — Energy-related derivative contracts which are designated as regulatory hedges relate primarily to the Company's fuel-hedging programs, where gains and losses are initially recorded as regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively, and then are included in fuel expense as the underlying fuel is used in operations and ultimately recovered through the fuel cost recovery clause.
Not Designated — Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions totaled 88.62 million mmBtu (million British thermal units) for the Company, with the longest hedge date of 2018 over which it is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company may also enter into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness, which is recorded directly to earnings.
At December 31, 2013, there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.
The estimated pre-tax losses that will be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are $0.6 million. The Company has deferred gains and losses that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2020.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
4,893

 
$
1,293

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
6,470

 
$
16,529

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
2,069

 
3,065

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
10,573

 
10,583

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
$
6,962

 
$
4,358

 
 
 
$
17,043

 
$
27,112


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 9 for additional information.
The derivative contracts of the Company are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related derivative contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables.
Fair Value
Assets
 
2013

 
2012

 
Liabilities
 
2013

 
2012

 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
7

 
$
4

 
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
17

 
$
27

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
Net-energy related derivative assets
 
$
1

 
$

 
Net-energy related derivative liabilities
 
$
11

 
$
23

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pre-tax effects of unrealized derivative gains (losses) arising from energy-related derivative instruments designated as regulatory hedging instruments and deferred on the balance sheets were as follows:
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Unrealized Gains
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Energy-related derivatives:
Other regulatory assets, current
 
$
(6,470
)
 
$
(16,529
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, current
 
$
4,893

 
$
1,293

 
Other regulatory assets, deferred
 
(10,573
)
 
(10,583
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
 
2,069

 
3,065

Total energy-related derivative gains (losses)
 
 
$
(17,043
)
 
$
(27,112
)
 
 
 
$
6,962

 
$
4,358


For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the statements of income were as follows:
Derivatives in Cash
Flow Hedging Relationships
Gain (Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivative
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
(Effective Portion)
 
 
 
Amount
Derivative Category
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Statements of Income Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives
$

 
$

 
$

 
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
(769
)
 
$
(933
)
 
$
(933
)

There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the statements of income were not material.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain affiliated companies. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was $3.7 million.
At December 31, 2013, the Company had no collateral posted with its derivative counterparties; however, because of the joint and several liability features underlying these derivatives, the maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $8.8 million. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. The Company participates in certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
The Company is exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. The Company only enters into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. The Company has also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Mississippi Power [Member]
 
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk and interest rate risk and occasionally foreign currency risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, the Company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and enters into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to the Company's policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. The Company's policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities and the cash impacts of settled foreign currency derivatives are recorded as investing activities.
Energy-Related Derivatives
The Company enters into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. However, due to cost-based rate regulations and other various cost recovery mechanisms, the Company has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity. The Company manages fuel-hedging programs, implemented per the guidelines of the Mississippi PSC, through the use of financial derivative contracts, which is expected to continue to mitigate price volatility.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in electricity prices, the Company may enter into physical fixed-price or heat rate contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity through the wholesale electricity market. To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the Company may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of three methods:
Regulatory Hedges – Energy-related derivative contracts which are designated as regulatory hedges relate primarily to the Company's fuel-hedging programs, where gains and losses are initially recorded as regulatory liabilities and assets, respectively, and then are included in fuel expense as the underlying fuel is used in operations and ultimately recovered through the respective fuel cost recovery clauses.
Cash Flow Hedges – Gains and losses on energy-related derivatives designated as cash flow hedges which are mainly used to hedge anticipated purchases and sales and are initially deferred in OCI before being recognized in the statements of income in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings.
Not Designated – Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions for the Company, together with the longest hedge date over which it is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions and the longest date for derivatives not designated as hedges, were as follows:
Net Purchased
mmBtu*
 
Longest Hedge
Date
 
Longest Non-Hedge
Date
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
56
 
2017
 
 
*
mmBtu — million British thermal units

Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company may also enter into interest rate derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness, which is recorded directly to income.
At December 31, 2013, there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.
The estimated pre-tax losses that will be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 are $1.4 million. The Company has deferred gains and losses that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2022.
Foreign Currency Derivatives
The Company may enter into foreign currency derivatives to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates arising from purchases of equipment denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. Derivatives related to a firm commitment in a foreign currency transaction are accounted for as a fair value hedge where the derivatives' fair value gains or losses and the hedged items' fair value gains or losses are both recorded directly to earnings. Derivatives related to a forecasted transaction are accounted for as a cash flow hedge where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. Any ineffectiveness is typically recorded directly to earnings; however, the Company has regulatory approval allowing it to defer any ineffectiveness associated with firm commitments related to the Kemper IGCC to a regulatory asset. During 2011, certain fair value hedges were de-designated and subsequently settled in 2012. The ineffectiveness related to the de-designated hedges was recorded as a regulatory asset and was immaterial to the Company. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness.
At December 31, 2013, the foreign currency derivatives outstanding were immaterial.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives, foreign currency derivatives, and interest rate derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$
3,352

 
$
638

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
3,652

 
$
13,116

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 
1,451

 
1,881

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 
6,629

 
6,330

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments for regulatory purposes
 
 
$
4,803

 
$
2,519

 
 
 
$
10,281

 
$
19,446

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow and fair value hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency derivatives:
Other current assets
 
$

 
$

 
Liabilities from risk management activities
 
$
1

 
$

 
Other deferred charges and assets
 

 

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities
 

 
37

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow and fair value hedges
 
 
$

 
$

 
 
 
$
1

 
$
37

Total
 
 
$
4,803

 
$
2,519

 
 
 
$
10,282

 
$
19,483


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 9 for additional information.
The derivative contracts of the Company are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related and interest rate derivative contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables.
Fair Value
Assets
 
2013

 
2012

 
Liabilities
 
2013

 
2012

 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
4,803

 
$
2,519

 
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
10,281

 
$
19,446

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(3,856
)
 
(2,333
)
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(3,856
)
 
(2,333
)
Net-energy related derivative assets
 
$
947

 
$
186

 
Net-energy related derivative liabilities
 
$
6,425

 
$
17,113

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pre-tax effects of unrealized derivative gains (losses) arising from energy-related derivative instruments designated as regulatory hedging instruments and deferred on the balance sheets were as follows:
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Unrealized Gains
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012

 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Energy-related derivatives:
Other regulatory assets, current
 
$
(3,652
)
 
$
(13,116
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, current
 
$
3,352

 
$
638

 
Other regulatory assets, deferred
 
(6,629
)
 
(6,330
)
 
Other regulatory liabilities, deferred
 
1,451

 
1,881

Total energy-related derivative gains (losses)
 
 
$
(10,281
)
 
$
(19,446
)
 
 
 
$
4,803

 
$
2,519


For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the statements of income were as follows:
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
Gain (Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
 
Amount
Derivative Category
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Statements of Income Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Energy-related derivatives
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
Fuel
 
$

 
$

 
$

Interest rate derivatives

 
(774
)
 
(14,361
)
 
Interest Expense
 
(1,375
)
 
(1,073
)
 
48

Total
$

 
$
(774
)
 
$
(14,364
)
 
 
 
$
(1,375
)
 
$
(1,073
)
 
$
48


There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the statements of income were immaterial.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the pre-tax effects of foreign currency derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments on the Company's statements of income were immaterial. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the pre-tax effect of foreign currency derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments, which include a pre-tax loss associated with the de-designated hedges prior to de-designation, was a $0.6 million gain. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the pre-tax loss was $3.6 million. These amounts were offset by changes in the fair value of the purchase commitment related to equipment purchases. Therefore, there is no impact on the Company's statements of income.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain affiliated companies. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was $1.5 million.
At December 31, 2013, the Company had no collateral posted with its derivative counterparties; however, because of the joint and several liability features underlying these derivatives, the maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $8.8 million. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. The Company participates in certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
The Company is exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. The Company only enters into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's and S&P or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. The Company has also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.
Southern Power [Member]
 
Derivative [Line Items]  
DERIVATIVES
DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to market risks, primarily commodity price risk and interest rate risk. To manage the volatility attributable to these exposures, the Company nets its exposures, where possible, to take advantage of natural offsets and enters into various derivative transactions for the remaining exposures pursuant to the Company's policies in areas such as counterparty exposure and risk management practices. The Company's policy is that derivatives are to be used primarily for hedging purposes and mandates strict adherence to all applicable risk management policies. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including, but not limited to, market valuation, value at risk, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are presented on a gross basis. In the statements of cash flows, the cash impacts of settled energy-related and interest rate derivatives are recorded as operating activities
Energy-Related Derivatives
The Company enters into energy-related derivatives to hedge exposures to electricity, gas, and other fuel price changes. The Company has limited exposure to market volatility in commodity fuel prices and prices of electricity because its long-term sales contracts shift substantially all fuel cost responsibility to the purchaser. However, the Company has been and may continue to be exposed to market volatility in energy-related commodity prices as a result of uncontracted generating capacity.
To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in electricity prices, the Company enters into physical fixed-price or heat rate contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity through the wholesale electricity market. To mitigate residual risks relative to movements in gas prices, the Company may enter into fixed-price contracts for natural gas purchases; however, a significant portion of contracts are priced at market.
Energy-related derivative contracts are accounted for in one of two methods:
Cash Flow Hedges – Gains and losses on energy-related derivatives designated as cash flow hedges which are used to hedge anticipated purchases and sales and are initially deferred in other comprehensive income (OCI) before being recognized in the statements of income in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings.
Not Designated – Gains and losses on energy-related derivative contracts that are not designated or fail to qualify as hedges are recognized in the statements of income as incurred.
Some energy-related derivative contracts require physical delivery as opposed to financial settlement, and this type of derivative is both common and prevalent within the electric industry. When an energy-related derivative contract is settled physically, any cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the contract price is recognized in the respective line item representing the actual price of the underlying goods being delivered.
At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for natural gas positions totaled 1.6 million mmBtu (million British thermal units), all of which expire by 2017, which is the longest non-hedge date. At December 31, 2013, the net volume of energy-related derivative contracts for power positions was immaterial. In addition to the volume discussed above, the Company enters into physical natural gas supply contracts that provide the option to sell back excess gas due to operational constraints. The maximum expected volume of natural gas subject to such a feature is 1.4 million mmBtu.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Company may also enter into interest rate derivatives from time to time to hedge exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives related to existing variable rate securities or forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges, where the effective portion of the derivatives' fair value gains or losses is recorded in OCI and is reclassified into earnings at the same time the hedged transactions affect earnings. The derivatives employed as hedging instruments are structured to minimize ineffectiveness, which is recorded directly to earnings.
At December 31, 2013, there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.
The estimated pre-tax loss that will be reclassified from AOCI to interest expense for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2014 is $0.9 million. The Company has deferred gains and losses that are expected to be amortized into earnings through 2016.
Derivative Financial Statement Presentation and Amounts
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of energy-related derivatives was reflected in the balance sheets as follows:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Category
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy-related derivatives:
Assets from risk management activities
 
$
0.2

 
$
0.4

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
0.6

 
$
0.7

 
Other deferred charges and assets – non-affiliated
 
0.4

 
1.7

 
Other deferred credits and liabilities – non-affiliated
 

 
0.6

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
$
0.6

 
$
2.1

 
 
 
$
0.6

 
$
1.3

Total
 
 
$
0.6

 
$
2.1

 
 
 
$
0.6

 
$
1.3


All derivative instruments are measured at fair value. See Note 8 for additional information.
The derivative contracts of the Company are not subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and are reported gross on the Company's financial statements. Some of these energy-related and interest rate derivative contracts contain certain provisions that permit intra-contract netting of derivative receivables and payables for routine billing and offsets related to events of default and settlements. Amounts related to energy-related derivative contracts at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following tables. Interest rate derivatives presented in the tables above do not have amounts available for offset and are therefore excluded from the offsetting disclosure tables below.
Fair Value
Assets
 
2013

 
2012

 
Liabilities
 
2013

 
2012

 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
0.6

 
$
2.1

 
Energy-related derivatives presented in the Balance Sheet (a)
 
$
0.6

 
$
1.3

Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.0
)
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Balance Sheet (b)
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.0
)
Net-energy related derivative assets
 
$
0.5

 
$
1.1

 
Net-energy related derivative liabilities
 
$
0.5

 
$
0.3

(a) The Company does not offset fair value amounts for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty on the balance sheets; therefore, gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities presented on the balance sheets are the same.
(b) Includes gross amounts subject to netting terms that are not offset on the balance sheets and any cash/financial collateral pledged or received.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives and interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the statements of income were as follows:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Gain (Loss) Recognized in
AOCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount
Derivative Category
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
Statements of Income Location
2013

 
2012

 
2011
 
(in millions)
 
 
(in millions)
Energy-related derivatives
$

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
0.1

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
0.4

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.4

Interest rate derivatives

 

 

 
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
(6.5
)
 
(10.5
)
 
(11.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net

 

 
(1.0
)
Total
$

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
0.1

 
 
$
(6.1
)
 
$
(10.1
)
 
$
(12.0
)

There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for any period presented.
For the Company's energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, a substantial portion of the pre-tax realized and unrealized gains and losses is associated with hedging fuel price risk of certain PPA customers and has no impact on net income or on fuel expense as presented in the Company's statements of income. As a result, the pre-tax effects of energy-related derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Company's statements of income were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011. This third party hedging activity has been discontinued.
Contingent Features
The Company does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. There are certain derivatives that could require collateral, but not accelerated payment, in the event of various credit rating changes of certain affiliated companies. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of derivative liabilities with contingent features was immaterial.
At December 31, 2013, the Company had no collateral posted with its derivative counterparties; however, because of the joint and several liability features underlying these derivatives, the maximum potential collateral requirements arising from the credit-risk-related contingent features, at a rating below BBB- and/or Baa3, were $8.8 million. If collateral is required, fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty.
Generally, collateral may be provided by a Southern Company guaranty, letter of credit, or cash. Southern Power Company participates in certain agreements that could require collateral in the event that one or more Southern Company system power pool participants has a credit rating change to below investment grade.
The Company is exposed to losses related to financial instruments in the event of counterparties' nonperformance. The Company only enters into agreements and material transactions with counterparties that have investment grade credit ratings by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. or with counterparties who have posted collateral to cover potential credit exposure. The Company has also established risk management policies and controls to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties in order to mitigate the Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance.