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Introduction
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The condensed quarterly financial statements of each registrant included herein have been prepared by such registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Condensed Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 have been derived from the audited financial statements of each registrant. In the opinion of each registrant's management, the information regarding such registrant furnished herein reflects all adjustments, which, except as otherwise disclosed, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although each registrant believes that the disclosures regarding such registrant are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures in the Form 10-K and details which have not changed significantly in amount or composition since the filing of the Form 10-K are generally omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q unless specifically required by GAAP. Therefore, these Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K. Due to the seasonal variations in the demand for energy, operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year.
Certain prior year data presented in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of any registrant.
On February 6, 2015, Gulf Power announced plans to retire its coal-fired generation at Plant Smith Units 1 and 2 (357 MWs) by March 31, 2016. In connection with this retirement, Gulf Power reclassified the net carrying value of these units from plant in service, net of depreciation, to other utility plant, net. Gulf Power expects to recover through its rates the remaining book value of the retired units and certain costs associated with the retirements; however, recovery will be considered by the Florida PSC in future rate proceedings.
In June 2015, Georgia Power identified an error affecting the billing to a small number of large commercial and industrial customers under a rate plan allowing for variable demand-driven pricing from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015. In the second quarter 2015, Georgia Power recorded an out of period adjustment of approximately $75 million to decrease retail revenues, resulting in a decrease to net income of approximately $47 million. Georgia Power evaluated the effects of this error on the interim and annual periods that included the billing error, as well as the current period. Based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors, Georgia Power determined the error was not material to any affected period and, therefore, an amendment of previously filed financial statements was not required.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revises the accounting for revenue recognition effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The registrants continue to evaluate the requirements of ASC 606. The ultimate impact of the new standard has not yet been determined.
On February 18, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which makes certain changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model, including changes to the identification of variable interests, the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity, and the primary beneficiary determination. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Southern Power continues to evaluate these requirements. The ultimate impact of this ASU on Southern Power has not yet been determined.
On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted and each registrant intends to adopt the ASU in the fourth quarter 2015. The ASU is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in the year of adoption. Southern Company currently reflects unamortized debt issuance costs in unamortized debt issuance expense on its balance sheet. The traditional operating companies and Southern Power currently reflect unamortized debt issuance costs in other deferred charges and assets on their balance sheets. Upon adoption, the reclassification will not have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of any registrant.
Asset Retirement Obligations
See Note 1 to the financial statements of Southern Company, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, and Mississippi Power under "Asset Retirement Obligations and Other Costs of Removal" in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional information regarding the EPA's regulation of CCR.
On April 17, 2015, the EPA published the Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities final rule (CCR Rule) in the Federal Register, which became effective on October 19, 2015. Therefore, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, and Mississippi Power recorded new asset retirement obligations (ARO) for facilities that are subject to the CCR Rule. Georgia Power had previously recorded AROs as a result of state requirements in Georgia which closely align with the requirements of the CCR Rule.
The cost estimates below are based on information as of September 30, 2015 using various assumptions related to closure and post-closure costs, timing of future cash outlays, inflation and discount rates, and the potential methods for complying with the CCR Rule requirements for closure in place. As further analysis is performed, including evaluation of the expected method of compliance, refinement of assumptions underlying the cost estimates, such as the quantities of CCR at each site, and the determination of timing, including the potential for closing ash ponds prior to the end of their currently anticipated useful life, the traditional operating companies expect to continue to periodically update these estimates.
As of September 30, 2015, details of the AROs, including those related to the CCR Rule, included in Southern Company's and the traditional operating companies' Condensed Balance Sheets herein were as follows:
 
Southern Company
 
Alabama Power
 
Georgia Power
 
Gulf
Power
 
Mississippi Power
 
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
2,201
 
 
$
829
 
 
$
1,255
 
 
$
17
 
 
$
48
 
Liabilities incurred
644
 
 
402
 
 
 
 
101
 
 
97
 
Liabilities settled
(19
)
 
(1
)
 
(18
)
 
 
 
 
Accretion
83
 
 
38
 
 
42
 
 
1
 
 
2
 
Cash flow revisions
214
 
 
20
 
 
193
 
 
3
 
 
25
 
Balance at end of period
$
3,123
 
 
$
1,288
 
 
$
1,472
 
 
$
122
 
 
$
172
 

The increases in liabilities incurred and cash flow revisions for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily relate to an increase in AROs associated with facilities impacted by the CCR Rule.
In connection with permitting activity in the third quarter 2015 related to the coal ash pond at the retired Plant Scholz facility, Gulf Power recorded additional AROs of $30 million.