Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

14. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

We record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for our legal obligations for asbestos removal and for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant, wind farms and certain coal mining facilities, as well as for nuclear decommissioning of our Cook Plant. We have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which we have assets. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of our assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. We do not estimate the retirement for such easements because we plan to use our facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when we abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

We recorded an increase in our asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, primarily related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment. The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amount of ARO, including a $95 million second quarter increase and other adjustments recorded in the third quarter:



	Carrying Amount of ARO
	(in millions)
ARO as of December 31, 2014	$	2,019
Accretion Expense	76
Liabilities Incurred	48
Liabilities Settled (a)	(126		)
Revisions in Cash Flow Estimates (b)	30
ARO as of September 30, 2015	$	2,047


(a)	Amount includes settlement of liabilities of $81 million associated with the sale of the Muskingum River Plant site. See the "Muskingum River Plant" section of Note 6.


(b)	Amount includes a $20 million reduction in the ARO liability due to the execution of a joint use agreement with a third party.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our ARO liability included $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively, for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling the nuclear decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively, and are recorded in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on the condensed balance sheets.

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrant Subsidiaries record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant and coal mining facilities, as well as asbestos removal. I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant. The Registrant Subsidiaries have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which assets are owned. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. The retirement obligation is not estimable for such easements since the Registrant Subsidiaries plan to use their facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrant Subsidiaries abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, I&M's ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M's condensed balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of I&M's assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively. These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M's condensed balance sheets.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recorded an increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, partially related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant Subsidiary:



	ARO as of									Revisions in
	December 31,		Accretion		Liabilities		Liabilities			Cash Flow		ARO as of
Company	2014		Expense		Incurred		Settled			Estimates		September 30, 2015
	(in thousands)
APCo (a)(d)	$	148,377	$	6,239	$	—	$	(23,471	)	$	16,977	$	148,122
I&M (a)(b)(d)	1,342,549		47,918		—		(3,977		)	5,638		1,392,128
OPCo (d)(e)	1,361		62		—		(8		)	—		1,415
PSO (a)(d)	38,020		1,923		5,336		(125		)	1,916		47,070
SWEPCo (a)(c)(d)	94,394		4,299		12,191		(3,358		)	6,349		113,875


(a)	Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.


(b)	Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(c)	Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.


(d)	Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.


(e)	Not impacted by the CCR rule.

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrant Subsidiaries record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant and coal mining facilities, as well as asbestos removal. I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant. The Registrant Subsidiaries have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which assets are owned. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. The retirement obligation is not estimable for such easements since the Registrant Subsidiaries plan to use their facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrant Subsidiaries abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, I&M's ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M's condensed balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of I&M's assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively. These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M's condensed balance sheets.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recorded an increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, partially related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant Subsidiary:



	ARO as of									Revisions in
	December 31,		Accretion		Liabilities		Liabilities			Cash Flow		ARO as of
Company	2014		Expense		Incurred		Settled			Estimates		September 30, 2015
	(in thousands)
APCo (a)(d)	$	148,377	$	6,239	$	—	$	(23,471	)	$	16,977	$	148,122
I&M (a)(b)(d)	1,342,549		47,918		—		(3,977		)	5,638		1,392,128
OPCo (d)(e)	1,361		62		—		(8		)	—		1,415
PSO (a)(d)	38,020		1,923		5,336		(125		)	1,916		47,070
SWEPCo (a)(c)(d)	94,394		4,299		12,191		(3,358		)	6,349		113,875


(a)	Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.


(b)	Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(c)	Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.


(d)	Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.


(e)	Not impacted by the CCR rule.

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrant Subsidiaries record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant and coal mining facilities, as well as asbestos removal. I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant. The Registrant Subsidiaries have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which assets are owned. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. The retirement obligation is not estimable for such easements since the Registrant Subsidiaries plan to use their facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrant Subsidiaries abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, I&M's ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M's condensed balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of I&M's assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively. These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M's condensed balance sheets.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recorded an increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, partially related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant Subsidiary:



	ARO as of									Revisions in
	December 31,		Accretion		Liabilities		Liabilities			Cash Flow		ARO as of
Company	2014		Expense		Incurred		Settled			Estimates		September 30, 2015
	(in thousands)
APCo (a)(d)	$	148,377	$	6,239	$	—	$	(23,471	)	$	16,977	$	148,122
I&M (a)(b)(d)	1,342,549		47,918		—		(3,977		)	5,638		1,392,128
OPCo (d)(e)	1,361		62		—		(8		)	—		1,415
PSO (a)(d)	38,020		1,923		5,336		(125		)	1,916		47,070
SWEPCo (a)(c)(d)	94,394		4,299		12,191		(3,358		)	6,349		113,875


(a)	Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.


(b)	Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(c)	Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.


(d)	Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.


(e)	Not impacted by the CCR rule.

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrant Subsidiaries record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant and coal mining facilities, as well as asbestos removal. I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant. The Registrant Subsidiaries have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which assets are owned. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. The retirement obligation is not estimable for such easements since the Registrant Subsidiaries plan to use their facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrant Subsidiaries abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, I&M's ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M's condensed balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of I&M's assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively. These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M's condensed balance sheets.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recorded an increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, partially related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant Subsidiary:



	ARO as of									Revisions in
	December 31,		Accretion		Liabilities		Liabilities			Cash Flow		ARO as of
Company	2014		Expense		Incurred		Settled			Estimates		September 30, 2015
	(in thousands)
APCo (a)(d)	$	148,377	$	6,239	$	—	$	(23,471	)	$	16,977	$	148,122
I&M (a)(b)(d)	1,342,549		47,918		—		(3,977		)	5,638		1,392,128
OPCo (d)(e)	1,361		62		—		(8		)	—		1,415
PSO (a)(d)	38,020		1,923		5,336		(125		)	1,916		47,070
SWEPCo (a)(c)(d)	94,394		4,299		12,191		(3,358		)	6,349		113,875


(a)	Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.


(b)	Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(c)	Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.


(d)	Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.


(e)	Not impacted by the CCR rule.

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrant Subsidiaries record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for the retirement of certain ash disposal facilities, closure and monitoring of underground carbon storage facilities at Mountaineer Plant and coal mining facilities, as well as asbestos removal. I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant. The Registrant Subsidiaries have identified, but not recognized, ARO liabilities related to electric transmission and distribution assets as a result of certain easements on property on which assets are owned. Generally, such easements are perpetual and require only the retirement and removal of assets upon the cessation of the property’s use. The retirement obligation is not estimable for such easements since the Registrant Subsidiaries plan to use their facilities indefinitely. The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrant Subsidiaries abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, I&M's ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M's condensed balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of I&M's assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.74 billion and $1.79 billion, respectively. These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M's condensed balance sheets.

The Registrant Subsidiaries recorded an increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015, partially related to the final Coal Combustion Residual Rule, which was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. The Federal EPA now regulates the disposal and beneficial re-use of coal combustion residuals (CCR), including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired electric generating units and also FGD gypsum generated at some coal-fired plants. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste and established minimum federal solid waste management standards. Noncash increases related to the CCR Rule are recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a reconciliation of the aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant Subsidiary:



	ARO as of									Revisions in
	December 31,		Accretion		Liabilities		Liabilities			Cash Flow		ARO as of
Company	2014		Expense		Incurred		Settled			Estimates		September 30, 2015
	(in thousands)
APCo (a)(d)	$	148,377	$	6,239	$	—	$	(23,471	)	$	16,977	$	148,122
I&M (a)(b)(d)	1,342,549		47,918		—		(3,977		)	5,638		1,392,128
OPCo (d)(e)	1,361		62		—		(8		)	—		1,415
PSO (a)(d)	38,020		1,923		5,336		(125		)	1,916		47,070
SWEPCo (a)(c)(d)	94,394		4,299		12,191		(3,358		)	6,349		113,875


(a)	Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.


(b)	Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.31 billion and $1.27 billion as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(c)	Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.


(d)	Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.


(e)	Not impacted by the CCR rule.