0001193125-17-082754.txt : 20170315 0001193125-17-082754.hdr.sgml : 20170315 20170315080223 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-17-082754 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 33 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20170425 FILED AS OF DATE: 20170315 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20170315 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20170315 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000004904 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 134922640 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1020 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03525 FILM NUMBER: 17689873 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 BUSINESS PHONE: 614-716-1000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA CITY: COLUMBUS STATE: OH ZIP: 43215 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KINGSPORT UTILITIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19660906 DEF 14A 1 d281570ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT Definitive Proxy Statement
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SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

Filed by the Registrant    ☒

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant    ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

☐    Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only        (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒    Definitive Proxy Statement

 

☐     Definitive Additional Materials

 

☐    Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12.

 

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

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  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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Notice of 2017 Annual Meeting • Proxy Statement

 

LOGO

       American Electric Power

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, OH 43215

         Nicholas K. Akins

Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

 

March 15, 2017

 

Dear Shareholders:

 

This year’s annual meeting of shareholders will be held at the Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, West Virginia on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

 

Your Board of Directors and I cordially invite you to attend. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. Only shareholders who owned shares on the record date, February 28, 2017, are entitled to vote and attend the meeting. To attend the meeting, you will need to present an admission ticket or the notice you received. If your shares are registered in your name, and you received your proxy materials by mail, your admission ticket is attached to your proxy card. A map and directions are printed on the admission ticket. If your shares are registered in your name and you received your proxy materials electronically via the Internet, you will need to print an admission ticket after you vote by clicking on the “Options” button. If you hold shares through an account with a bank or broker, you will need to contact them and request a legal proxy, or bring a copy of your statement to the meeting that shows that you owned the shares on the record date. Each ticket will admit a shareholder and one guest.

 

We are mailing to many of our shareholders a notice of Internet availability instead of a paper copy of this proxy statement and our 2016 Annual Report. The notice contains instructions on how to access those documents over the Internet. The notice also contains instructions on how shareholders can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement, our 2016 Annual Report and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

During the course of the meeting there will be the usual time for discussion of the items on the agenda and for questions regarding AEP’s affairs. Directors and officers will be available to talk individually with shareholders before and after the meeting.

 

Your vote is very important. Shareholders of record can vote in any one of the following three ways:

 

   

By Internet, at www.envisionreports.com/AEP

 

   

By toll-free telephone at 800-652-8683

 

   

By completing and mailing your proxy card if you receive paper copies of the proxy materials

 

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for you to vote your shares.

 

If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact Investor Relations, American Electric Power Company, 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The telephone number is 800-237-2667.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO


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NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

 


 

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

 


 

TIME

   9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 25, 2017

PLACE

  

The Clay Center

1 Clay Square

Charleston, West Virginia

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

  

(1)    To elect the 12 directors named herein to hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected.

    

(2)    To reapprove the material terms of the American Electric Power Senior Officer Incentive Plan.

    

(3)    To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2017.

    

(4)    To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation.

    

(5)    To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation.

RECORD DATE

   Only shareholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2017 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

ANNUAL REPORT

   Appendix A to this proxy statement has AEP’s audited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm.

PROXY VOTING

   It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Please vote in one of these ways:
    

(1)    MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN your proxy card if you receive paper copies of the proxy materials.

    

(2)    CALL TOLL-FREE by telephone at 800-652-8683.

    

(3)    VISIT THE WEB SITE shown on the notice of Internet availability of proxy materials to vote via the Internet.

    

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, please follow the instructions from the holder of record in order to vote your shares.

 

Any proxy may be revoked at any time before your shares are voted at the meeting.

 

March 15, 2017    David M. Feinberg

Secretary


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Proxy and Voting Information

     1  

Item 1: Election of Directors

     3  

AEP’s Board of Directors and Committees

     7  

Director Compensation

     18  

Item  2: Proposal to Reapprove the Material Terms of the American Electric Power Senior Officer Incentive Plan.

     21  

Item 3: Proposal to Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     23  

Item 4: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     27  

Item 5: Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     28  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     29  

Executive Summary

     29  

Results of 2016 Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

     30  

Program Design

     31  

Compensation Peer Group

     33  

Executive Compensation Program Detail

     34  

Other Compensation Information

     41  

Human Resources Committee Report

     45  

Executive Compensation

     48  

Summary Compensation Table

     48  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2016

     50  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2016

     52  

Option Exercises and Stock Vested for 2016

     54  

Pension Benefits for 2016

     55  

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2016

     58  

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control

     60  

Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

     71  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     72  

Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

     72  

Shareholder Proposals and Nominations

     72  

Solicitation Expenses

     74  

Exhibit A: Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

     A-1  

Exhibit B: American Electric Power Company, Inc. Senior Officer Incentive Plan

     B-1  


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Proxy Statement

 

March 15, 2017

 

Proxy and Voting Information

 

A notice of Internet availability of proxy materials or paper copy of this proxy statement, our 2016 Annual report and a form of proxy or voting instruction card is first being mailed or made available to shareholders on or about March 15, 2017, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of American Electric Power Company, Inc., 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 25, 2017 in Charleston, West Virginia.

 

We use the terms “AEP,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this proxy statement to refer to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and, where applicable, its subsidiaries. All references to “years,” unless otherwise noted, refer to our fiscal year, which ends on December 31.

 

Who Can Vote.    Only the holders of shares of AEP common stock at the close of business on the record date, February 28, 2017, are entitled to vote at the meeting. Each such holder has one vote for each share held on all matters to come before the meeting. On that date, there were 491,712,071 shares of AEP common stock, $6.50 par value, outstanding.

 

How You Can Vote.    Shareholders of record can give proxies by (i) mailing their signed proxy cards; (ii) calling a toll-free telephone number; or (iii) using the Internet. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, to allow shareholders to give their voting instructions and to confirm that shareholders’ instructions have been properly recorded. Instructions for shareholders of record who wish to use the telephone or Internet voting procedures are set forth on the proxy card or the website shown on the notice of Internet availability of proxy materials.

 

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for you to vote your shares.

 

When proxies are signed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted by the persons named on the proxy card or by their substitutes in accordance with shareholders’ directions. If a proxy card is signed and returned without choices marked, it will be voted for the nominees for directors listed on the card and as recommended by the Board of Directors with respect to other matters. The proxies of shareholders who are participants in the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan include both the shares registered in their names and the whole shares held in their plan accounts on February 28, 2017.

 

Revocation of Proxies.    A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the meeting by voting again after the date of the proxy being revoked or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

 

How Votes are Counted.    The presence of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

 

Under current New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered a “discretionary” item. This means that brokerage firms may vote in their discretion on this

 

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matter on behalf of their clients who have not furnished voting instructions. The proposals to elect directors, the proposal to reapprove the material terms of the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Plan, the advisory vote on executive compensation and the advisory vote on frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation are “non-discretionary” matters. That means that brokerage firms may not use their discretion to vote on such matters without express voting instructions from their clients.

 

The Company has implemented a majority voting standard for the election of directors in uncontested elections of directors. The election of directors at the Annual Meeting is an uncontested election, so for a nominee to be elected to the Board, the number of votes cast “for” the nominee’s election must exceed the number of votes cast “against” his or her election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast “for” or “against” a nominee and will therefore have no effect on the outcome. If a nominee does not receive a greater number of votes “for” his or her election than “against” such election, he or she will be required to tender his or her resignation for the Board’s consideration of whether to accept such resignation in accordance with our Bylaws. No shareholder has the right to cumulate his or her voting power in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting.

 

The following table summarizes the Board’s voting recommendations for each proposal, the vote required for each proposal to pass, and the effect of abstentions and uninstructed shares on each proposal.

 

Item   Board
Recommendation
  Voting Standard   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes

Item 1 – Election of Directors

  LOGO  

FOR

  Majority of votes cast for each Director*   No effect   No effect
Item 2 – Reapproval of the material terms of the Senior Officer Incentive Plan   LOGO  

FOR

  Majority of votes cast at the meeting*   No effect   No effect
Item 3 – Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2017**   LOGO  

FOR

  Majority of votes cast at the meeting*   No effect   Discretionary voting by broker permitted
Item 4 – Advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Say on Pay)**   LOGO  

FOR

  Majority of votes cast at the meeting*   No effect   No effect
Item 5 – Advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation**   LOGO  

FOR 1 Year

  Plurality of votes cast at the meeting***   No effect   No effect

*   This means that the votes cast “for” the proposal must exceed the votes cast “against” the proposal in order for the proposal to pass.
**   As advisory votes, the proposals to ratify the appointment of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2017, to approve executive compensation and to determine the frequency of holding a vote to approve executive compensation are not binding upon the Company. However, the Audit Committee and the Human Resources Committee value the opinions expressed by shareholders and will consider the outcome of these votes when making future decisions.
***   This means that the option that received the most votes will pass.

 

Your Vote is Confidential.    It is AEP’s policy that shareholders be provided privacy in voting. All proxies, voting instructions and ballots, which identify shareholders, are held on a confidential basis, except as may be necessary to meet any applicable legal requirements. We direct proxies to an independent third-party tabulator who receives, inspects, and tabulates them. Voted proxies and ballots are not seen by nor reported to AEP except (i) in aggregate number or to determine if (rather than how) a shareholder has voted, (ii) in cases where shareholders write comments on their proxy cards or (iii) in a contested proxy solicitation.

 

Multiple Copies of Annual Report, Proxy Statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to Shareholders.    Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules provide that

 

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more than one annual report, proxy statement or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials need not be sent to the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailing of your annual report, proxy statement or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials is being householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. We will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the annual report, proxy statement or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials to a shareholder at a shared address. To receive a separate copy of the annual report, proxy statement or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, write to AEP, attention: Investor Relations, at 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215 or call 1-800-237-2667. If more than one annual report, proxy statement or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials is being sent to your address, at your request, mailing of the duplicate copy can be discontinued by contacting our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare), at 800-328-6955 or writing to them at P.O Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078. If you wish to resume receiving separate annual reports, proxy statements or notice of Internet availability of proxy materials at the same address in the future, you may call Computershare at 800-328-6955 or write to them at P.O Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078. The change will be effective 30 days after receipt.

 

Additional Information.    Our website address is www.aep.com. We make available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website (www.aep.com/investors) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). We also make available through our website other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act, including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. You may request any of these materials and information in print, free of charge, by contacting Investor Relations at: AEP, attention: Investor Relations, 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215. We do not intend for information contained on our website to be part of this proxy statement. In addition, this proxy statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 are available at www.edocumentview.com/aep.

 

Item 1. Election of Directors

 

Twelve directors are to be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors have been elected. AEP’s Bylaws provide that the number of directors of AEP shall be such number, not less than 9 nor more than 17, as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.

 

The 12 nominees named on pages 4 to 7 were nominated by the Board on the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, following an individual evaluation of each incumbent nominee’s qualifications and 2016 performance. The proxies named on the proxy card or their substitutes will vote for the Board’s nominees, unless instructed otherwise. All of the Board’s nominees were elected by the shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting. We do not expect any of the nominees will be unable to stand for election or be unable to serve if elected. If a vacancy in the slate of nominees occurs before the meeting, the proxies may be voted for another person nominated by the Board or the number of directors may be reduced accordingly.

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the director nominees below.

 

Biographical Information.    The following brief biographies of the nominees include their principal occupations, ages on the date of this proxy statement, accounts of their business experience and names of certain companies of which they are directors. Data with respect to the number of shares of AEP’s common stock and stock-based units beneficially owned by each of them appears on page 71.

 

3


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Nominees For Director

 

LOGO   

Nicholas K. Akins

 

Dublin, Ohio

 

Age 56

 

Director since 2011

  

Elected chief executive officer of AEP in November 2011; elected chairman of the board in January 2014 and chairman and chief executive officer of all of its major subsidiaries in November 2011. President of AEP from January 2011 to October 2011 and executive vice president of AEP from 2006 to 2011. A director of Fifth Third Bancorp.

 

Mr. Akins’ qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive senior executive experience in the utility industry and his deep knowledge of the Company as our chief executive officer.

LOGO   

David J. Anderson

 

Greenwich, Connecticut

 

Age 67

 

Director since 2011

  

Executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotechnology company offering therapies for rare and devastating diseases since December 2016. Previously, chief financial officer from 2003 until his retirement in 2014 of Honeywell International, a diversified technology and manufacturing company. A director of Cardinal Health, Inc. and BE Aerospace Inc. Mr. Anderson was formerly a director of Fifth Street Asset Management, Inc. (2014-2015).

 

Mr. Anderson’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his corporate finance expertise as the chief financial officer of a Fortune 100 company and his experience as a public company director.

LOGO   

J. Barnie Beasley, Jr.

 

Sylvania, Georgia

 

Age 65

 

Director since 2014

  

Mr. Beasley served as an independent nuclear safety and operations expert to the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, a large electric utility in the southeastern United States, from 2011 to 2014. Retired chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southern Nuclear Operating Company, the nuclear operating company subsidiary of an electric utility (2005-2008). Mr. Beasley was formerly a director of EnergySolutions, Inc. (2008-2013), and he has served as an advisor to that company since 2014.

 

Mr. Beasley’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his nuclear expertise as the chief executive officer of the nuclear operating company subsidiary of Southern Company and his experience in the utility industry and as a public company director.

 

4


Table of Contents

Nominees For Director — continued

 

LOGO   

Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.

 

McLean, Virginia

 

Age 69

 

Director since 2006

  

Retired chairman of EADS North America, Inc., an aerospace company (2002-2011). Retired chief executive officer of EADS North America, Inc. (2002-2009). A director of Serco Group PLC and Airbus Group, SE. Mr. Crosby was formerly a director of Ducommun Incorporated (2000-2013).

 

Mr. Crosby’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive senior executive experience in the aerospace industry and his experience as a public company director.

LOGO   

Linda A. Goodspeed

 

Marco Island, Florida

 

Age 55

 

Director since 2005

  

Managing partner of Wealthstrategies Financial Advisors, LLC since 2008. Retired senior vice president and chief information officer of The ServiceMaster Company, a residential and commercial service company (2011-2013). From 2008 to 2011, vice president of information systems of Nissan North America, Inc., an automobile manufacturer. A director of Columbus McKinnon Corp, AutoZone, Inc., and Global Power Equipment Group.

 

Ms. Goodspeed’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her information technology expertise as the chief information officer of a service company and her experience as a public company director.

LOGO   

Thomas E. Hoaglin

 

Columbus, Ohio

 

Age 67

 

Director since 2008

  

Retired chairman and chief executive officer of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, a bank holding company (2001-2009). Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair Advisory Council of the National Association of Corporate Directors. A director of The Gorman-Rupp Company.

 

Mr. Hoaglin’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive senior executive experience in the banking industry and his experience as a public company director.

LOGO   

Sandra Beach Lin

 

Flower Mound, Texas

 

Age 59

 

Director since 2012

  

Retired chief executive officer of Calisolar, Inc., a solar silicon company (2010-2011). Executive vice president, then corporate executive vice president of Celanese Corporation, a global hybrid chemical company (2007-2010). Previous senior operating roles at Avery Dennison, Alcoa and Honeywell. Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair Advisory Council of the National Association of Corporate Directors. A director of WESCO International and PolyOne Corporation.

 

Ms. Lin’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her extensive senior executive experience managing global businesses in multiple industries and her experience as a public company director.

 

5


Table of Contents

Nominees For Director — continued

 

LOGO   

Richard C. Notebaert

 

Chicago, Illinois

 

Age 69

 

Director since 2011

  

Retired chief executive officer of Qwest Communications International Inc., a telecommunications systems company (2002-2007). A director of Aon Corporation. Mr. Notebaert was formerly a director of Cardinal Health, Inc. (1999-2015).

 

Mr. Notebaert’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive senior executive experience in the regulated telecommunications industry and his experience as a public company director.

LOGO   

Lionel L. Nowell III

 

Marco Island, Florida

 

Age 62

 

Director since 2004

  

Retired senior vice president and treasurer of PepsiCo, Inc., a food and beverage company (2001-2009). A director of Reynolds American Inc. and Bank of America Corporation. Mr. Nowell was formerly a director of Darden Restaurants Inc. (2014-2016).

 

Mr. Nowell’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his capital markets, accounting, financial reporting, and risk management skills. Additionally, Mr. Nowell’s qualifications are further enhanced by his experiences as a senior executive at a Fortune 100 company, and his experience as a public company director.

LOGO

  

Stephen S. Rasmussen

 

Columbus, Ohio

 

Age 64

 

Director since 2012

  

Chief executive officer of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (Nationwide) since 2009. President and chief operating officer of Nationwide (2003 – 2009).

 

Mr. Rasmussen’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive senior executive experience in the regulated insurance industry.

LOGO   

Oliver G. Richard, III

 

Lake Charles, Louisiana

 

Age 64

 

Director since 2013

  

Owner and president of Empire of the Seed LLC, a private consulting firm in the energy and management industries, as well as the private investments industry since 2005. Mr. Richard served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Columbia Energy Group (“Columbia Energy”) from April 1995 until Columbia Energy was acquired by NiSource Inc. in November 2000. Mr. Richard served as a commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 1982 to 1985. A director of Buckeye Partners, L.P. and Cheniere Energy Partners, GP, LLC.

 

Mr. Richard’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his extensive knowledge of the utility industry as a former commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, his senior executive experience at a utility company and his experience as a public company director.

 

6


Table of Contents

Nominees For Director — continued

 

LOGO   

Sara Martinez Tucker

 

Dallas, Texas

 

Age 61

 

Director since 2009

  

Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Math and Science Initiative from February 2013 to March 2015. From 2009 to February 2013, independent consultant. Former Under Secretary of Education in the U.S. Department of Education (2006-2008). Chief executive officer and president of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund from 1997 to 2006. Retired executive of AT&T. A director of Xerox Corporation and Sprint Corporation.

 

Ms. Tucker’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her experience in governmental affairs as the Under Secretary of Education, her experience in human resources and customer service operations in the regulated telecommunications industry and her experience as a public company director.

 

AEP’s Board of Directors and Committees

 

Under New York law, AEP is managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board establishes broad corporate policies and authorizes various types of transactions, but it is not involved in day-to-day operational details. During 2016, the Board held six regular meetings and two telephonic meetings. AEP encourages but does not require members of the Board to attend the annual shareholders’ meeting. Last year, all directors attended the annual meeting, except Ms. Goodspeed, who had a conflict with another board meeting.

 

Two members of our Corporate Governance Committee, Ms. Lin and Mr. Hoaglin, are members of The National Association of Corporate Directors’ (“NACD”) Nominating and Governance Chair Advisory Council, a group that seeks to identify ways that board nominating and governance committees can help build investor confidence in publicly traded companies. Ms. Lin and Mr. Hoaglin are also NACD Board Leadership Fellows.

 

Board Meetings and Committees.    The Board expects that its members will rigorously prepare for, attend and participate in all Board and applicable committee meetings. Directors are also expected to become familiar with AEP’s management team and operations as a basis for discharging their oversight responsibilities.

 

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The Board has seven standing committees. The table below shows the number of meetings conducted in 2016 by each committee and the directors who currently serve on these committees. Each director attended 83 percent or more of the meetings of the Board and Board committees on which he or she served during 2016, and the average director attendance in 2016 was 96 percent.

 

DIRECTOR   BOARD COMMITTEES
  Audit  

Directors

and

Corporate

Governance

  Policy   Executive   Finance  

Human

Resources

 

Nuclear

Oversight

Mr. Akins

          X   X (Chair)            

Mr. Anderson

  X       X       X (Chair)        

Mr. Beasley

  X       X               X

Mr. Crosby

          X   X       X (Chair)   X

Ms. Goodspeed

  X       X               X

Mr. Hoaglin

      X (Chair)   X   X       X    

Ms. Lin

  X   X   X (Chair)                

Mr. Notebaert

      X   X       X   X    

Mr. Nowell

  X (Chair)   X   X   X   X        

Mr. Rasmussen

      X   X       X   X    

Mr. Richard

          X           X   X (Chair)

Ms. Tucker

  X   X   X                

2016 Meetings

  8   5   3   0   5   8   5

 

The functions of the committees are described below.

 

The Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance has the responsibilities set forth in its charter, including:

 

1.   Recommending the size of the Board within the limits imposed by the Bylaws.

 

2.   Recommending selection criteria for nominees for election or appointment to the Board.

 

3.   Conducting independent searches for qualified nominees and screening the qualifications of candidates recommended by others.

 

4.   Recommending to the Board nominees for appointment to fill vacancies on the Board as they occur and the slate of nominees for election at the annual meeting.

 

5.   Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation of directors and corporate governance.

 

6.   Recommending members to serve on committees and chairs of the committees of the Board.

 

7.   Reviewing the independence and possible conflicts of interest of directors and executive officers.

 

8.   Overseeing the AEP Corporate Compliance Program.

 

9.   Overseeing the annual evaluation of the Board of Directors.

 

10.   Overseeing the annual evaluation of individual directors.

 

11.   Monitoring the implementation of AEP’s Related Person Transaction Approval Policy.

 

12.   Overseeing AEP’s Corporate Accountability Report, including the material concerning political contributions.

 

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13.   Overseeing elements of the Company’s risks that are within the scope of the committee’s responsibility as assigned to it by the Board of Directors.

 

A copy of the charter can be found on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance. Consistent with the rules of the NYSE and our Director Independence Standards, all members of the Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance are independent.

 

The Human Resources Committee (the HR Committee) annually reviews and approves AEP’s executive compensation in the context of the performance of management and the Company. None of the members of the HR Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, each of the current members of the HR Committee has been determined to be independent by the Board in accordance with NYSE rules and our Director Independence Standards. In addition, each member is a “non-employee director” as defined in SEC Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and is an “outside director” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The HR Committee also reviews the Compensation, Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, and recommends that it be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The HR Committee has the responsibilities set forth in its charter, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance.

 

For a more complete description of the HR Committee’s responsibilities, see the Human Resources Committee Report on page 45.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditor) for the Company; reviewing with the independent auditor the plan and scope of the audit and approving audit fees; monitoring the adequacy of financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting and meeting periodically with the internal auditor and the independent auditor. A more detailed discussion of the purposes, duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee is found in the Audit Committee charter, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance. Consistent with the rules of the NYSE and our Director Independence Standards, all members of the Audit Committee are independent. Each Audit Committee member has sufficient knowledge in financial and auditing matters to serve on the Audit Committee. In addition, the Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee, Messrs. Anderson, Beasley and Nowell and Ms. Goodspeed, Ms. Lin and Ms. Tucker, are “audit committee financial experts” as defined by SEC rules.

 

The Finance Committee monitors and reports to the Board with respect to the capital requirements and financing plans and programs of AEP and its subsidiaries, including reviewing and making recommendations concerning their short and long-term financing plans and programs. The Finance Committee also provides recommendations to the Board on dividend policy, including the declaration and payment of dividends. The Finance Committee also reviews and approves the treasury policies of the Company.

 

The Nuclear Oversight Committee is responsible for overseeing and reporting to the Board with respect to the management and operation of AEP’s nuclear generation.

 

The Policy Committee is responsible for examining AEP’s policies on major public issues affecting the AEP System, including environmental, technology, fuel supply, industry change and other matters.

 

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The Executive Committee is empowered to exercise all the authority of the Board, subject to certain limitations prescribed in the Bylaws, during the intervals between meetings of the Board.

 

The Board’s role in AEP’s risk oversight process

 

The Board has the overall responsibility for overseeing the Company’s management of risks. Management is responsible for identifying and managing the Company’s risks. The Board reviews the Company’s processes for identifying and managing risks and communicating with the Board about those risks to help ensure that the processes are effective.

 

Like other companies, we have very diverse risks. These include financial and accounting risks, capital deployment risks, operational risks, cyber security risks, compensation risks, liquidity risks, litigation risks, strategic risks, regulatory risks, reputation risks, natural-disaster risks and technology risks. Some critical risks having enterprise-wide significance, such as corporate strategy and capital budget, require the full Board’s active oversight, but our Board committees also play a key role because they can devote more time to reviewing specific risks. Other committees oversee both specific and broad types of risks. Some of the committees have oversight responsibility for specific risks that are inherent in carrying out their responsibilities set forth in their charters.

 

The Board is responsible for ensuring that these types of risks are properly delegated to the appropriate committee, and that the risk oversight activities are properly coordinated and communicated among the Board and the various committees that oversee the risks. Our Chief Risk Officer attends Audit Committee meetings and reviews and discusses Company risks. Management has prepared and categorized a list of the Company’s major types of risks. The Audit Committee reviewed that list and proposed an assignment of risks either to the full Board or to specific committees. The Board reviewed the recommendations and adopted the proposed allocation of responsibilities.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing financial reporting risks, and oversees the Company’s maintenance of financial and disclosure controls and procedures and specifically reviews our litigation and regulatory risks as part of their review of the Company’s disclosures. The Audit Committee also discusses AEP’s policies for risk assessment and risk management. Our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and General Counsel attend the Audit Committee meetings.

 

Our Finance Committee broadly oversees our financial risks, which include energy trading risks, liquidity risks and interest rate risks. The Finance Committee reviews and approves the Company’s risk policies relating to our power marketing and hedging activities and also oversees the performance of the assets in our pension plans. Our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel attend the Finance Committee meetings.

 

Our HR Committee reviews the Company’s incentive compensation practices to ensure they do not encourage excessive risk-taking and are consistent with the Company’s risk tolerance. The HR Committee also oversees our succession planning and executive leadership development. Our Chief Administrative Officer attends the HR Committee meetings.

 

The Corporate Governance Committee focuses on corporate governance risks and oversees the Company’s Corporate Compliance Program, which includes the Company’s whistleblower program. Our General Counsel attends the meetings of the Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Our Nuclear Oversight Committee focuses on the specific risks of operating a nuclear plant.

 

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Compensation Risk

 

The Company has designed its executive compensation process, with oversight from the HR Committee, to identify and manage risks and to ensure that its executive compensation programs do not encourage excessive risk taking. The Company’s incentive compensation has the following characteristics:

 

   

Incentive award opportunities for employees as a group are capped at 200 percent of target, while awards for individual employees are capped at 250 percent of their target. Capping the potential payout limits the extent that employees could potentially profit by taking on excessive risk;

 

   

The large majority of incentive compensation is provided to executive officers as long-term stock-based incentive compensation to ensure that short-term performance is not encouraged or rewarded at the expense of long-term performance. This is important primarily because of the large amount of long-term capital investments required in our business;

 

   

Annual incentive compensation funding for nearly all employees, including all executive officers, is based substantially on AEP’s operating earnings per share, which helps ensure that incentive awards are commensurate with the Company’s earnings;

 

   

Performance metrics for annual incentive compensation include safety measures which helps ensure that no employees are encouraged to achieve earnings objectives at the expense of workplace safety;

 

   

Performance metrics for long-term incentive compensation are cumulative operating earnings per share and total shareholder return relative to the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index or a utility peer group. These are both robust measures of shareholder value that reduce the risk that employees might be encouraged to pursue other objectives that increase risk or reduce financial performance;

 

   

Incentive compensation performance scores are subject to an internal audit. Incentive award payouts to senior AEP management are subject to review and approval of the HR Committee, or, in the case of the CEO, the independent members of the Board. The Board and the HR Committee have the discretionary authority to reduce or eliminate any incentive payouts;

 

   

Annual and long-term incentive payments and deferrals are subject to the Company’s recoupment of incentive compensation policy (“clawback policy”) as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section on page 41;

 

   

In 2016, AEP granted 75 percent of its long-term incentive awards in the form of performance units with a three-year performance and vesting period, and granted the remaining 25 percent of its long-term incentive awards in the form of restricted stock units that vest over a forty month period. These long-term incentive awards align the interests of employees with the long-term interests of shareholders and serve as a retention tool; and

 

   

AEP maintains stock ownership requirements for 51 officers (as of January 1, 2017) as described in Compensation Discussion and Analysis on page 40.

 

As specified in its charter, the HR Committee (with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant and Company management) reviewed the Company’s compensation policies and practices for all employees, including executive officers. As a result of this review and the processes described above, the HR Committee concluded that the Company’s compensation programs appropriately balance risks and rewards in a way that does not encourage excessive or imprudent risk taking or create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

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Corporate Governance

 

AEP maintains a corporate governance page on its website that includes key information about corporate governance initiatives, including AEP’s Principles of Corporate Governance, AEP’s Principles of Business Conduct, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors, Director Independence Standards, and charters for the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee and the HR Committee. The corporate governance page can be found at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance. Printed copies of all of these materials also are available without charge upon written request to Investor Relations at: AEP, attention: Investor Relations, 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

 

AEP’s policies and practices reflect corporate governance initiatives that are designed to comply with SEC rules, the listing requirements of the NYSE and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including:

 

   

The Board of Directors has adopted corporate governance principles;

 

   

All members but the CEO are independent under the NYSE rules and our Director Independence Standards;

 

   

All members of the Audit Committee, HR Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee are independent under applicable rules;

 

   

The independent members of the Board meet regularly without the presence of management;

 

   

AEP has a code of business conduct that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer and will promptly disclose waivers of the code for these officers;

 

   

AEP has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors;

 

   

The charters of the Board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities; and

 

   

The Board, the Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit Committee and the HR Committee conduct annual self-assessments. The Corporate Governance Committee also oversees the annual evaluation of the individual directors.

 

Director Qualifications

 

The Company’s Principles of Corporate Governance (Principles) are available on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance. With respect to director qualifications and attributes, the Principles provide that, in nominating a slate of Directors, it is the Board’s objective, with the assistance of the Committee on Directors and Corporate Governance (the Corporate Governance Committee), to select individuals with skills and experience to effectively oversee management’s operation of the Company’s business.

 

In addition, the Principles provide that directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the shareholders, and that directors must also have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment.

 

These requirements are expanded in the Criteria for Evaluating Directors (Criteria), which was initially adopted by the Corporate Governance Committee in 2005 and has been subsequently reviewed and refined several times. The Criteria are available on the Company’s website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance.

 

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As indicated in the Principles and the Criteria, directors should have personal attributes such as high integrity, intelligence, wisdom and judgment. In addition, they should have skills and experience that mesh effectively with the skills and experience of other Board members, so that the talents of all members blend together to be as effective as possible in overseeing a large energy business.

 

Board Diversity

 

Our Criteria for Evaluating Directors also includes the Company’s statement regarding how the Board considers diversity in identifying nominees for our Board. The Criteria provide:

 

Two central objectives in selecting board members and continued board service are that the skills, experiences and perspectives of the Board as a whole should be broad and diverse, and that the talents of all members of the Board should blend together to be as effective as possible. Diversity in gender, race, age, tenure of board service, geography and background of directors, consistent with the Board’s requirements for knowledge and experience, are desirable in the mix of the Board.

 

Our Corporate Governance Committee considers these criteria each year as it determines the slate of director nominees to recommend to the Board for election at our annual meeting. It also considers these criteria each time a new director is recommended for election or appointment to the Board. The Board believes that its implementation of this policy is effective in considering the diversity of the members of the Board.

 

Understanding the importance of Board composition and refreshment for effective oversight, the Corporate Governance Committee strives to maintain an appropriate balance of tenure, diversity, skills and experience on the Board. Below are highlights of the composition of our Director nominees:

 

LOGO    LOGO    LOGO

 

Annual Board, Committee and Individual Director Evaluations

 

Each year, an independent third party, experienced in corporate governance matters, interviews each Director to obtain his or her assessment of the effectiveness of the Board and committees, including identifying any opportunities the Board can focus on to enhance its effectiveness. In addition, the third party seeks input as to the performance of each individual Director. The third party organizes the Director feedback and reviews it with the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee Chair holds private conversations with each Director to provide performance feedback. The Corporate Governance Committee Chair also reviews with the Committee and the full Board the assessment of the Board’s performance and leads a discussion to determine which areas the Board would like to focus on during the coming year to enhance its effectiveness. Finally, the Corporate Governance Committee Chair engages the Board in a mid-year discussion to gauge the Board’s satisfaction with the progress made in addressing any focus areas that were identified by the Board in its annual evaluation.

 

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Selection of Director Candidates

 

The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recruiting new directors and identifies, evaluates and recommends director candidates to the Board. The committee regularly assesses the appropriate size and composition of the Board, the needs of the Board and the respective committees of the Board and the qualifications of candidates in light of these needs. Candidates may come to the attention of the committee through shareholders, management, current members of the Board or search firms. Shareholders who wish to recommend director candidates to the Corporate Governance Committee may do so by following the procedures described in Shareholder Proposals and Nominations on page 72.

 

In recruiting and selecting Board candidates, the Corporate Governance Committee considers, on an ongoing basis, the background, experience and skills of the incumbent Directors (a “Skills Matrix”) that are important to the Company’s current and future needs, including, among others, experience and skills in the following areas:

 

Director Skills Criteria:

 

•    Senior executive leadership and business strategy

 

•    Risk management

•    Regulated industry experience

 

•    Government, legal and environmental affairs

•    Industrial operations experience

 

•    Customer experience and marketing

•    Finance and accounting

 

•    Cybersecurity and physical security

•    Safety and talent

 

•    Innovation and technology

 

The committee also considers a wide range of additional factors, including each candidate’s projected retirement date to assist in Board succession planning; other positions the candidate holds, including other boards of directors on which he or she serves; and the independence of each candidate. Typically, the committee identifies candidates through the use of an outside search firm. The committee provides the outside search firm the characteristics, skills and experiences that may complement those of the existing members. The outside search firm then provides recommendations for candidates with such attributes and skills. The committee meets in executive session to discuss potential candidates and determines which candidates to interview.

 

The committee believes it is important to have a mix of experienced directors with a deep understanding of the Company and others who bring a fresh perspective. In this regard, the committee has recruited six new directors to the Board over the last six years (50 percent of the current Board) through the rigorous process described above. In our view, the best method to ensure healthy board evolution is through thoughtful consideration of the nomination of directors prior to each election or appointment based on a variety of factors, including director performance, skills and expertise, the Company’s needs and board diversity.

 

Director Independence

 

In accordance with the NYSE standards, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors must qualify as independent directors. Under the NYSE standards, no member of the Board is independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that such member does not have a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. The Board has adopted categorical standards to assist it in making this determination of director independence (Director Independence Standards). These standards can be found on our web site at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance.

 

Each year, our directors complete a questionnaire that elicits information to assist the Corporate Governance Committee in assessing whether the director meets the NYSE’s independence

 

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standards and the Company’s Director Independence Standards. Each director lists all the companies and charitable organizations that he or she, or an immediate family member, has a relationship with as a partner, trustee, director or officer, and indicates whether that entity made or received payments from AEP. The Company reviews its financial records to determine the amounts paid to or received from those entities. A list of the entities and the amounts AEP paid to or received from those entities is provided to the Corporate Governance Committee. Utilizing this information, the Corporate Governance Committee evaluates, with regard to each director, whether the director has any material relationship with AEP or any of its subsidiaries and also confirms that none of these relationships is advisory in nature. The Corporate Governance Committee determines whether the amount of any payments between those entities and AEP could interfere with a director’s ability to exercise independent judgment. The Corporate Governance Committee also reviews any other relevant facts and circumstances regarding the nature of these relationships, to determine whether other factors, regardless of the categorical standards the Board has adopted or under the NYSE’s independence standards, might impede a director’s independence.

 

We are an energy company that provides electric service in eleven different states. Any organization that does business in our service territory is served by one of our subsidiaries. Many of our directors live in our service territory or are executives, directors or trustees of organizations that do business in our service area. Most of those organizations purchase electric service from us. However, these organizations purchase electric service from us at tariff rates or at rates obtained through a competitive bid process. Therefore, the Corporate Governance Committee determined that none of those relationships impedes a director’s independence.

 

We make numerous charitable contributions to nonprofit and community organizations and universities in the states where we do business. Again, because many of our directors live in our service territory and are highly accomplished individuals in their communities, our directors are frequently affiliated with many of the same educational institutions, museums, charities and other community organizations. The Corporate Governance Committee reviews charitable contributions made by AEP to organizations with which our directors or their immediate family members are affiliated. The Corporate Governance Committee also reviewed contributions made from The American Electric Power Foundation, which was created to support and play an active, positive role in the communities in which we operate by contributing funds to organizations in those communities. The Corporate Governance Committee determined that the Company’s contributions were not materially influenced by the director’s relationship with the organization, and therefore none of these relationships conflicts with the interests of the Company or would impair the director’s independence or judgment.

 

The Board’s independence determinations specifically included reviewing the following transactions with Mr. Rasmussen, who is an executive officer of Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide purchases electricity from our subsidiaries (substantially less than one percent of either company’s gross revenues). In addition, the Company paid an insignificant amount to Nationwide for standard insurance premiums, rent for office space and interest payments on ordinary course debt issued by the Company and its subsidiaries, which was sold through underwriters or brokers (which totaled substantially less than one percent of either company’s gross revenues). The transactions between Nationwide and the Company were in the ordinary course and entered into on an arm’s length basis, and payments were for services that were transactional in nature and did not involve any consulting or advisory work. Therefore, the Board determined that these transactions did not impair the independence of Mr. Rasmussen.

 

As a result of this review, the Board has determined that, other than Mr. Akins, each of the directors and director nominees standing for election, including Messrs. Anderson, Beasley, Crosby, Hoaglin, Notebaert, Nowell, Rasmussen and Richard and Ms. Goodspeed, Ms. Lin and Ms. Tucker, has no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) and is independent under the NYSE rules and the Company’s Director Independence Standards.

 

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Shareholder Nominees for Directors

 

The Corporate Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations of candidates to be nominated as directors of the Company. All such recommendations must be in writing and submitted in accordance with the procedures described under Shareholder Proposals and Nominations on page 72 and must include information required in AEP’s Policy on Consideration of Candidates for Director Recommended by Shareholders. A copy of this policy is on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance. Shareholders’ nominees who comply with these procedures will receive the same consideration that all other nominees receive.

 

Board Leadership

 

We believe the Company and its shareholders are best served by a Board that has the flexibility to establish a leadership structure that fits the needs of the Company at a particular point in time. Under the Company’s Principles of Corporate Governance, the Board has the authority to combine or separate the positions of Chairman and CEO, as well as to determine whether, if the positions are separated, the Chairman should be an employee, non-employee or an independent director.

 

The Board believes that the functioning of the Board is currently best served by maintaining a structure of having one individual serve as both Chairman and CEO. The Board believes that having a single person acting in those capacities promotes unified leadership and direction for both the Board and management and also provides a single, clear focus to execute the Company’s strategy especially during this time of significant change in the utility business. However, in certain circumstances, such as the transition from one chief executive officer to another, the Board believes it may be appropriate for the role of Chairman and CEO to be split.

 

Under the Company’s Principles of Corporate Governance, in circumstances where the Chairman of the Board is not independent or where the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are filled by the same person, the Board considers it useful and appropriate to designate a Lead Director. The Company already has policies and practices in place to provide independent oversight of management and the Company’s strategy. The Board currently includes 11 independent directors among its 12 members. The Board routinely holds executive sessions at which only independent directors are present, and, each year, the independent directors select a Lead Director responsible for facilitating and chairing the independent directors sessions.

 

Mr. Hoaglin has been the Lead Director of the Board since April 2012. The purpose of the Lead Director is to promote the independence of the Board in order to represent the interests of the shareholders. The Lead Director is selected by the independent directors.

 

The Lead Director is responsible for working closely with the CEO to finalize information flow to the Board, set meeting agendas and arrange meeting schedules. He also chairs meetings of the independent directors and serves as principal liaison between the independent directors and management. In addition, Mr. Hoaglin has the ability to call special meetings of the Board, as needed, and also has the authority to retain outside legal counsel or other advisors as needed by the Board. He provides a channel of communication between the directors and management, assures that directors receive timely and necessary information in advance of meetings and receives communications from shareholders on behalf of non-employee directors. He also participates in the Company’s annual shareholder outreach program. He leads the annual performance evaluation of the Board, and he and the Chairman of the HR Committee lead the annual performance evaluation of the CEO.

 

CEO and Senior Management Succession Planning

 

Management succession planning and talent development are overseen by our Board. The HR Committee regularly reviews and discusses with management the CEO succession plan and the

 

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succession plans for key positions at the senior officer level across the Company. The HR Committee reviews potential internal senior management candidates with our CEO, including the qualifications, experience, and development priorities for these individuals. The succession plans are reviewed with the full Board at least annually. The Board also evaluates succession plans in the context of our overall business strategy. Potential leaders are visible to Board members through formal presentations and informal events to allow directors to personally assess candidates. In 2016, we followed this process when implementing succession plans for recent executive officer changes.

 

Our Board also establishes steps to address emergency CEO succession planning in extraordinary circumstances. Our emergency CEO succession planning is intended to enable our Company to respond to unexpected emergencies and minimize potential disruption or loss of continuity to our Company’s business and operations.

 

Communicating with the Board

 

Anyone who would like to communicate directly with our Board, our independent directors as a group or our Lead Director, may submit a written communication to American Electric Power Company, Inc., P.O. Box 163609, Attention: AEP Independent Directors, Columbus, Ohio 43216. The Company’s Corporate Secretary reviews such inquiries or communications, and communications other than advertising or promotions of a product or service are forwarded to our Board, our independent directors as a group or our Lead Director, as appropriate.

 

Annual Shareholder Outreach

 

Our Board and management are committed to engaging with our shareholders and soliciting their views and input on important governance, environmental, social, executive compensation and other matters. Our Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the shareholder engagement process and the periodic review and assessment of shareholder input. Our Lead Director plays a central role in our Board’s shareholder engagement efforts. Our management team contacted institutions holding approximately 34% of our Common Stock, and offered to engage with these investors. During 2016, our Lead Director and members of management had discussions with a diverse mix of our shareholders on a variety of corporate governance issues, including Board refreshment, the Board’s involvement in Company strategy and the Board’s annual evaluation process. Views of these shareholders were shared with our Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

The American Electric Power Company, Inc. Related Person Transaction Approval Policy (Policy) was adopted by the Board in December 2006. The written Policy is administered by the Corporate Governance Committee. A copy of the Policy is available on our website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance.

 

The Policy defines a “Transaction with a Related Person” as any transaction or series of transactions in which (i) the Company or a subsidiary is a participant, (ii) the aggregate amount involved exceeds $120,000 and (iii) any “Related Person” has a direct or indirect material interest. A “Related Person” is any director or executive officer of the Company, any nominee for director, any shareholder owning in excess of five percent of the total equity of the Company and any immediate family member of any such person.

 

The Corporate Governance Committee considers all of the relevant facts and circumstances in determining whether or not to approve a Transaction with a Related Person and approves only those transactions that it believes are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

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The Corporate Governance Committee considers various factors, including, among other things: the nature of the Related Person’s interest in the transaction; whether the transaction involves arm’s-length bids or market prices and terms; the materiality of the transaction to each party; the availability of the product or services through other sources; whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in the best interest of the Company; the acceptability of the transaction to the Company’s regulators; and in the case of a non-employee director, whether the transaction would impair his or her independence or status as an “outside” or “non-employee” director.

 

If Company management determines it is impractical or undesirable to wait until a meeting of the Corporate Governance Committee to consummate a Transaction with a Related Person, the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee may review and approve the Transaction with a Related Person. Any such approval is reported to the Corporate Governance Committee at or before its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

No approval or ratification of a Transaction with a Related Person supersedes the requirements of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors or AEP’s Principles of Business Conduct applicable to any executive officer. To the extent applicable, any Transaction with a Related Person is also considered in light of the requirements set forth in those documents.

 

Since January 1, 2016, there have been no transactions, and there are no currently proposed transactions, involving an amount exceeding $120,000 in which AEP was or is expected to be a participant and in which any Related Person had a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Director Compensation

 

Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for service as a director other than accidental insurance coverage. The table below shows the elements and the annual compensation that we paid to our non-employee directors for 2016.

 

Compensation Element


      

Annual Retainer (1)

   $  105,500  

Annual Stock Unit Awards (2)

   $ 157,500  

Committee Chair Annual Retainers (1):

        

Audit Committee

   $ 25,000  

HR Committee

   $ 20,000  

Audit Committee Member Annual Retainers (1)

   $ 15,000  

HR Committee Member Annual Retainers (1)

   $ 10,000  

Lead Director Annual Retainer (1)

   $ 30,000  

(1)   Retainer amounts are paid in cash in quarterly installments.
(2)   In 2016, pursuant to the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, each non-employee director was awarded $157,500 in AEP stock units. These AEP stock units are credited to directors quarterly, in an amount calculated by dividing the dollar value of the award amount by the closing price of AEP common stock on the grant date. Amounts equivalent to cash dividends on the AEP stock units accrue as additional AEP stock units.

 

The Board has determined that Board compensation should consist of a mix of cash and AEP stock units. In September 2016, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee and taking into account comparative data from Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, an outside

 

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independent consultant (“Meridian”), the Board made the determination to maintain director compensation at the current amount.

 

The Board believes that the director compensation set forth above compensates directors appropriately for all general services that are rendered as a director, committee member, committee chair or as Lead Director. The Company believes, however, that special compensation can be appropriate when individual directors are asked to undertake special assignments requiring a significant amount of additional time, effort and responsibility. The Board’s Special Compensation Policy provides for directors to be compensated at a daily rate when called upon to undertake special additional services beyond those contemplated by the Annual Retainer. Under the Special Compensation Policy, the Corporate Governance Committee determines (a) the amount of any special compensation in light of the actual or anticipated time, effort and responsibility required of the director and (b) the form of special compensation, which may include a per diem fee, an hourly fee, a flat fee or any other reasonable payment or payments. No special compensation was paid for services provided in 2016.

 

Expenses.    Directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending Board, committee and shareholder meetings. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable expenses associated with other business activities that benefit the Company, including participation in director education programs.

 

Spouses may occasionally join directors on Company aircraft when a director is traveling to or from Board meetings or other business activities. The Company generally provides for, or reimburses the expenses of, the directors and their spouses for attendance at such meetings. The Directors do not receive any tax gross-ups.

 

Retainer Deferral Plan.    The Retainer Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that permits non-employee directors to choose to defer up to 100 percent of their annual cash payments into a variety of investment fund options, all with market-based returns, including an AEP stock fund. The Plan permits the non-employee directors to defer receipt until termination of service or for a period that results in payment commencing not later than five years after termination of service.

 

Insurance.    AEP maintains a group 24-hour accident insurance policy to provide a $1,000,000 accidental death benefit for each director, $100,000 for each spouse of a director and $50,000 for all dependent children. The current policy, effective September 1, 2015 to September 1, 2018, has a premium of $28,905.

 

Stock Ownership.    Non-employee directors are required by our Corporate Governance Principles to own AEP common stock or AEP stock units worth five times their annual equity award. This is met within the first five years of a non-employee director’s term by requiring the director to hold the AEP stock units awarded under the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan until termination of service.

 

After five years of service on the Board, non-employee directors receive contributions to an AEP stock fund under the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan. During open trading windows they may subsequently transfer those amounts into other investment fund options, similar to those in the Retainer Deferral Plan.

 

Matching Gifts Program.    Directors may participate in our Matching Gifts Program on the same terms as AEP employees. Under the program, AEP will match between $250 and $1,000 per higher education institution each year in charitable contributions from a director.

 

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2016 Director Compensation Table

 

The following table presents the compensation provided by the Company in 2016 to our non-employee directors.

 

Name


   Fees
Earned
Or
Paid in
Cash ($)


     Stock
Awards
($)
(1)(2)


     All Other
Compensation
($)
(3)


     Total
($)


 

David. J. Anderson

     120,500        157,500        803        278,803  

J. Barnie Beasley, Jr.

     120,500        157,500        1,803        279,803  

Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.

     135,500        157,500        803        293,803  

Linda A. Goodspeed

     120,500        157,500        803        278,803  

Thomas E. Hoaglin

     145,500        157,500        803        303,803  

Sandra Beach Lin

     120,500        157,500        803        278,803  

Richard C. Notebaert

     115,500        157,500        803        273,803  

Lionel L. Nowell III

     145,500        157,500        803        303,803  

Stephen S. Rasmussen

     115,500        157,500        803        273,803  

Oliver G. Richard III

     115,500        157,500        803        273,803  

Sara M. Tucker

     120,500        157,500        5,803        283,803  

(1)   The dollar amounts reported represent the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of AEP stock units granted under the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, without taking into account estimated forfeitures. AEP stock units are credited to directors quarterly.
(2)   Each non-employee director received 2,393 AEP stock units in 2016. Directors had the following aggregate number of AEP stock units, including dividend equivalents, at 2016 year-end: Mr. Anderson (18,671), Mr. Beasley, (7,939) Mr. Crosby (41,094), Ms. Goodspeed (41,960), Mr. Hoaglin (34,649), Ms. Lin (13,504), Mr. Notebaert (18,671), Mr. Nowell (37,667), Mr. Rasmussen (12,913), Mr. Richard (11,673) and Ms. Tucker (30,069).
(3)   The amounts reported in All Other Compensation consists of the (a) Company-paid premium of $803 for accidental death insurance policy, and (b) matching gift contributions of $1,000 for Mr. Beasley and $5,000 for Ms. Tucker.

 

Insurance

 

Insurance.    AEP and the AEP System Companies and their directors and officers are insured, subject to certain exclusions and deductibles, against losses resulting from any claim or claims made against them while acting in their capacities as directors and officers. Such insurance, effective May 1, 2016 to May 1, 2017, is provided by: Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Ltd.(AEGIS), Energy Insurance Mutual, Ltd.(EIM), Zurich American Insurance Company, U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (HCC), XL Specialty Insurance Company, Arch Insurance Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Westchester Fire Insurance Company (ACE), Berkley Insurance Company, RSUI Indemnity Company, Alterra America Insurance Company, (Markel) Freedom Specialty Insurance Company (Nationwide), Arch Reinsurance Ltd. (Bermuda), Illinois National Fire Insurance Company (AIG), Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company, Liberty Insurance Underwriters, Inc., Endurance American Insurance Company, XL Specialty Insurance Company (XL Catlin) ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd. The total cost of this insurance is $3,381,457.

 

Fiduciary liability insurance provides coverage for AEP System companies and their affiliated trusts, their directors and officers, and any employee deemed to be a fiduciary or trustee, for breach of fiduciary responsibility, obligation, or duties as imposed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Such insurance, effective May 1, 2016 to May 1, 2017, is provided by U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (Tokio Marine HCC), XL Specialty Insurance Company, Energy

 

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Insurance Mutual, Ltd.(EIM), and Freedom Specialty Insurance Company (Nationwide). The total cost of this insurance is $558,520.

 

Item 2. Proposal to Reapprove the Material Terms of the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Plan.

 

Shareholders are being asked to reapprove the material terms of the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to permit the tax deductibility of certain awards under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Section 162(m) allows us to deduct certain compensation if shareholders have approved the material terms of the Plan no less frequently than every five years. Shareholders last approved the material terms of the Plan in 2012. This reapproval is intended to preserve the Company’s ability to potentially design certain types of awards under the Plan so that they may be able to satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” and may permit the Company to benefit from certain tax deductions, under Section 162(m).

 

Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a deduction for certain compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and to each of our other three most highly compensated executive officers, other than our Chief Financial Officer, in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to such covered employee exceeds $1 million for such year. However, some types of compensation, including “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, are not subject to the deduction limit if the compensation satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. The deduction limit does not apply to compensation paid under a shareholder-approved plan that meets certain requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. While we believe it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to have the ability to potentially grant “qualified performance-based compensation” under the Plan, we may decide to grant compensation to covered employees that will not qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Moreover, even if we intend to grant compensation that qualifies as “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code under the Plan, we cannot guarantee that such compensation will so qualify or will ultimately be deductible by us.

 

Generally, compensation attributable to performance-based awards may be deemed to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code if: (1) the grant is made by a committee of outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code; (2) the plan under which the award is granted states the maximum number of shares with respect to which share-based awards and the maximum amount of cash awards that may be granted to any individual during a specified period of time; and (3) the amount of compensation an individual may receive under the award is based solely on the achievement of one or more pre-established performance goals which incorporate business criteria approved by shareholders. Shareholder approval of this proposal is intended to satisfy the shareholder approval requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

The Company is seeking shareholder approval of the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the Plan, including the performance measures and grant limits under the Plan, as well as the individuals eligible to receive awards under the Plan, to have the flexibility to potentially grant awards under the Plan that may be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. If the Company’s shareholders approve the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the Plan, assuming that all other requirements under Section 162(m) of the Code are met, we may be able to obtain tax deductions with respect to awards issued under the Plan to our covered employees without regard to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Company’s shareholders do not approve this proposal, the Company will generally be limited in its ability to make certain performance-based awards.

 

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No amounts were paid under the Plan for 2016. The amounts that may be paid under the Plan in the future are not determinable since they are dependent on the achievement of certain performance objectives.

 

The more significant features of the Plan are described below. This summary is subject, in all respects, to the terms of the Plan, which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B.

 

Administration.    The HR Committee, all of whose members are outside directors, will administer the Plan. The HR Committee will have the authority to grant awards upon such terms (not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan) as it considers appropriate. In addition, the HR Committee will have complete authority to interpret all provisions of the Plan, to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

Eligibility.    Any person who, during the term of the Plan, is a corporate officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is eligible to participate under the Plan. The HR Committee determines which corporate officers will be participants under the Plan. The Company anticipates that approximately 10 employees will be eligible to receive awards under the Plan.

 

Performance Objectives.    The Plan participants will receive awards under the Plan after the end of a fiscal year if certain specified performance objectives are met during such fiscal year. The performance objectives are set by the HR Committee at the start of each fiscal year and are based on one or more of the following performance criteria: (i) earnings measures: primary earnings per share; fully diluted earnings per share; net income; pre-tax income; operating income; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; net operating profits after taxes; income before income taxes, minority interest and equity earnings; income before discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes, or any combination thereof; (ii) expense control: operations & maintenance expense; total expenditures; expense ratios; and expense reduction; (iii) customer measures: customer satisfaction; service cost; service levels; responsiveness; bad debt collections or losses; and reliability – such as outage frequency, outage duration, and frequency of momentary outages; (iv) safety measures: recordable case rate; severity rate; and vehicle accident rate; (v) diversity measures: minority placement rate and utilization; (vi) environmental measures: emissions; project completion milestones; regulatory/legislative/cost recovery goals; and notices of violation; (vii) revenue measures: revenue and margin; (viii) shareholder return measures: total shareholder return; economic value added; cumulative shareholder value added; return on equity; return on capital; return on assets; dividend payout ratio and cash flow(s) – such as operating cash flows, free cash flow, discounted cash flow return on investment and cash flow in excess of cost of capital or any combination thereof; (ix) valuation measures: stock price increase; price to book value ratio; and price to earnings ratio; (x) capital and risk measures: debt to equity ratio and dividend payout as percentage of net income; (xi) employee satisfaction; (xii) project measures: completion of key milestones; (xiii) production measures: generating capacity factor; performance against the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation index; generating equivalent availability; heat rates and production cost. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and in such terms as the HR Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods (e.g., earnings growth), or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.

 

Payment of Awards.    All awards under the Plan for a fiscal year will be paid in cash following the end of such fiscal year, unless a portion of the award is required to be deferred under the terms of the AEP Stock Ownership Requirement Plan. The maximum individual award that can be made under the Plan for a fiscal year is the lesser of:

 

  (i)   $6,000,000 or

 

  (ii)   400 percent of the corporate officer’s base salary (prior to any deferral elections) as of the date of grant of the award.

 

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The HR Committee does not currently intend to grant individual awards that approach the maximum allowable amount, but is asking shareholders to approve the maximum amount to preserve flexibility over the next five years.

 

Amendment and Termination.    The Company has the right, at any time and from time to time, to amend in whole or in part any of the terms and provisions of the Plan to the extent permitted by law for whatever reason the Company may deem appropriate; provided, however, that any such amendment which requires approval of the Company’s shareholders in order to maintain the qualification of awards as performance-based compensation pursuant to Code Section 162(m)(4)(C) shall not be made without such approval.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences.    All cash awards under the Plan are taxable to the participant when paid. The Plan has been designed to comply with Code Section 162(m) such that awards under the Plan could qualify as performance-based compensation and, therefore, the Company could be entitled to claim a federal income tax deduction for the full amount of any cash award paid under the Plan.

 

Vote Required.

 

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.

 

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this Item 2.

 

Item 3. Proposal to Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, fees and oversight of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. As part of its governance oversight, the Audit Committee conducted a competitive selection process during 2016 to determine the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the audits of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 of AEP and its subsidiary registrants. The Audit Committee invited several international public accounting firms to participate in this process, including Deloitte & Touche LLP, or Deloitte. As a result of this process, on July 26, 2016, the Audit Committee approved the appointment of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, or PWC, as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. This action effectively dismissed Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and became effective upon Deloitte’s completion of its procedures on the financial statements of AEP and its subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and the filing of the related Annual Report on Form 10-K, except with respect to audit and audit-related services pertaining to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, as required by AEP.

 

The audit reports of Deloitte on the consolidated financial statements of AEP and its subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During AEP’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and the subsequent interim period through July 26, 2016, there were no disagreements between AEP or its subsidiary registrants and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure (within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) and there were no reportable events (as defined by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). AEP and its subsidiary registrants requested that Deloitte furnish them with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not Deloitte agreed with the above statements. A copy of such letter, dated July 29, 2016, was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to AEP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2016.

 

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During AEP’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and the subsequent interim periods through July 26, 2016, the date of the appointment of PWC, neither AEP nor anyone on its behalf consulted with PWC regarding (i) either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the consolidated financial statements of AEP or any of its subsidiary registrants, and no written report or oral advice was provided by PWC to AEP and its subsidiary registrants that PWC concluded was an important factor considered by AEP and its subsidiary registrants in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of either a disagreement as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions or a reportable event as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

Representatives of each of Deloitte and PWC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Although action by the shareholders in this matter is not required, the Audit Committee believes that it is appropriate to seek shareholder ratification of this appointment in light of the critical role played by the independent registered public accounting firm in maintaining the integrity of the Company’s financial controls and reporting, and will seriously consider shareholder input on this issue. Whether or not the appointment of PWC is ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

 

Vote Required.

 

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.

 

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this Item 3.

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

 

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP during those periods.

 

     2016

     2015

 

Audit Fees(1)

   $ 12,777,000      $ 10,934,000  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

   $ 825,000      $ 1,456,000  

Tax Fees(3)

   $ 227,000      $ 262,000  

All Other Fees(4)

   $ 275,000      $ 0  
    


  


TOTAL

   $ 14,104,000      $ 12,652,000  
    


  



(1)   Audit fees in 2015 and 2016 consisted primarily of fees related to the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, including each registrant subsidiary. Audit fees also included auditing procedures performed in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 and the related Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard Number 5 regarding the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This category also includes work generally only the independent registered public accounting firm can reasonably be expected to provide.
(2)   Audit-related fees consisted principally of regulatory, statutory and employee benefit plan audits.

 

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(3)   Tax fees consisted principally of advisory services. Tax services are rendered based upon facts already in existence, transactions that have already occurred, as well as tax consequences of proposed transactions.
(4)   These are fees for permissible work performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP that does not meet the above categories.

 

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services by Deloitte & Touche LLP and its domestic and global affiliates is compatible with maintaining independence, and the Audit Committee believes that this provision of services is compatible with maintaining Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence.

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific limitation. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to report to the Audit Committee at each regular meeting regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval policy, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee Chairman may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. In 2016, all Deloitte & Touche LLP services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with this policy.

 

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Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee reviews AEP’s financial reporting process as well as the internal control over financial reporting on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Audit Committee met eight times during the year and held discussions, some of which were in private, with management, the internal auditor, and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that AEP’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management has also concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting with management, the internal auditor and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).

 

In addition, the Audit Committee had discussions with and received written communications from the independent registered public accounting firm regarding its independence as required by the PCAOB. The Audit Committee has also received written communication regarding the results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality control reviews and procedures and other matters, as required by the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

 

In reliance on the reviews, communications and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in AEP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee Members

Lionel L. Nowell, III, Chair

David J. Anderson

J. Barnie Beasley, Jr.

Linda A. Goodspeed

Sandra Beach Lin

Sara Martinez Tucker

 

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Item 4. Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

We are including in these proxy materials a separate resolution for shareholders to vote upon, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

 

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain our named executive officers who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our named executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of annual and long-term goals. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 29 for additional details about the 2016 compensation of our named executive officers.

 

The HR Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our shareholders’ interests and current market practices. As a result of its review process, the HR Committee maintains the following executive compensation practices:

 

   

Emphasizing long-term incentive compensation to promote the longer-term interests of the Company and encourage management to make decisions that are aligned with shareholders’ interests;

 

   

Tying the value of a substantial portion (75 percent) of this long-term compensation to two robust measures of shareholder value:

 

   

Three-year total shareholder return compared to a utility peer group, and

 

   

Three year cumulative operating earnings per share compared to a Board-approved target;

 

   

Maintaining a “no fault” clawback policy that allows the Board to recoup any excess incentive compensation paid to our named executive officers if the financial results on which the awards were based are materially restated.

 

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. This advisory vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative disclosure is hereby APPROVED.”

 

While the Board will carefully consider the results of this vote, the say-on-pay vote is advisory only, and therefore will not be binding on the Company or our Board of Directors.

 

Vote Required.

 

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.

 

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this Item 4.

 

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Item 5. Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Holding an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

In addition to the advisory approval of the compensation of our named officers described in Item 4 above, we are also seeking a non-binding determination from our shareholders as to the frequency with which shareholders would have an opportunity to provide an advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, which is commonly known as a “say-on-when” vote. We are providing shareholders the option of selecting a frequency of one, two or three years, or abstaining. For the reasons described below, we recommend that our shareholders select a frequency of one year, or an annual vote. Our shareholders voted on a similar proposal in 2011 with the majority voting to hold the say-on-pay vote every year, which we have done each year since that approval.

 

An annual vote on executive compensation will allow our shareholders to provide input as the HR Committee reviews our compensation philosophy, policies and practices. An annual shareholder vote allows our shareholders to provide us with timely feedback regarding the compensation program, and enables the HR Committee to evaluate any changes in shareholder sentiment as it conducts its regular compensation review.

 

Engagement with our shareholders is a key component of our corporate governance. We seek and are open to input from our shareholders regarding board and governance matters, as well as our executive compensation program, and believe we have been appropriately responsive to our shareholders.

 

While the Board will carefully consider the results of this vote, the say-on-when vote is advisory only, and therefore will not be binding on the Company or our Board of Directors.

 

It is expected that the next vote on a say-on-pay frequency proposal will occur at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

Vote Required.

 

The advisory vote regarding the frequency of the shareholder vote shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.

 

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ONE YEAR on this item.

 

Other Business

 

The Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any business other than the election of directors, the re-approval of the material terms of the AEP Senior Officer Incentive Plan, the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, the advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers, and the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement.

 

If any other business not described herein should properly come before the meeting for action by the shareholders, the persons named as proxies on the proxy card or their substitutes will vote the shares represented by them in accordance with their best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was printed, the Board of Directors was not aware of any other matters that might be presented.

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

This section explains AEP’s compensation philosophy, summarizes its compensation programs and reviews compensation decisions for the following named executive officers:

 

Name


  

Title


Mr. Akins

   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. Tierney

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Powers

   Vice Chairman

Mr. Feinberg

   Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Ms. Barton

   Executive Vice President Transmission

 

Executive Summary

 

2016 Business Performance Highlights.    The Company’s 2016 non-GAAP operating earnings were $3.94 per share, which exceeded the upper end of our original non-GAAP operating earnings guidance for the year of $3.60-$3.80 per share. Throughout this CD&A, we refer to operating earnings, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. For 2016, GAAP earnings per share reported in AEP’s financial statements were $1.24. This is $2.70 per share lower than operating earnings, primarily due to the impairment of certain unregulated merchant generation assets. Exhibit A to this proxy statement contains a reconciliation of GAAP earnings per share to non-GAAP operating earnings per share for 2016.

 

During 2016, the Company continued its focus on becoming the next premier regulated energy company. We executed on our strategy of investing in our core regulated businesses to improve service to customers, while demonstrating continuous improvement in our operations. Our Transmission Holding Company business thrived and contributed 54 cents per share to 2016 operating earnings, an increase of 38 percent over 2015. In 2016 we also took steps to significantly reduce earnings volatility by reducing exposure to non-regulated businesses. We announced the sale of four of our competitive power plants, which was completed in January 2017. This should help us produce more consistent earnings by removing the volatility associated with those competitive generation plants and their exposure to the capacity and energy markets. In October 2016 the Company increased its quarterly dividend by 5.4 percent, the seventh consecutive yearly increase.

 

2016 Incentive Compensation Highlights.    With respect to 2016 annual incentive compensation, the HR Committee:

 

   

Increased the target performance goal for annual incentive compensation by $0.25 per share, a 7.1 percent increase over AEP’s 2015 target and $0.05 above the mid-point of our public operating earnings guidance at the time the HR Committee set the goal.

 

   

Increased the performance needed for a maximum payout from $0.15 to $0.20 per share above the target level, which increased the maximum payout performance level 8.2 percent over the comparable 2015 level.

 

   

Established threshold (33.3 percent of target payout), target and maximum (200 percent of target payout) operating earnings per share performance levels for 2016 annual incentive compensation at $3.65, $3.75 and $3.95 per share, respectively.

 

The Company’s 2016 operating earnings per share, together with the Company’s performance on strategic measures and safety, produced a score of 170.5 percent of target.

 

With respect to the 2014-2016 performance unit grant, the HR Committee certified the following results and pay outcomes:

 

   

Cumulative operating earnings per share score was 200 percent of target.

 

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Relative total shareholder return (TSR) placed the Company at the 58th percentile of the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index, which resulted in a 127.7 percent of a target score.

 

   

These combined equally weighted scores resulted in a payout of 163.9 percent of target for this performance period.

 

2016 Executive Compensation Changes.    In 2016, the HR Committee made the following key changes in our executive compensation program:

 

   

Increased the CEO’s stock ownership target from five times to six times his base salary.

 

   

Increased the minimum vesting for stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) to pro-rata vesting over a period of at least three years, with a carve-out for up to five percent of the shares available under the Company’s Long-term incentive Plan (LTIP).

 

   

Added a “Hold Until Met” requirement for stock options and SARs, which requires Company executives to hold the net shares they realize through stock option and SAR exercises until such time as they have met their stock ownership requirement.

 

   

Amended the Company’s Recoupment Policy to expand the policy to apply to restatements or corrections in situations where the covered employee is not culpable, and changed the covered employee group to generally include officers who are Senior Vice Presidents and higher.

 

Other Executive Compensation Changes.    In February 2017, the HR Committee approved another change to LTIP awards to executive officers. Starting with the LTIP grants in 2017, the performance units and the RSUs will both settle in AEP shares, rather than cash.

 

Compensation Governance Best Practices.    Below is a summary of our executive compensation practices, which we believe align with best practices:

 

   

Significant stock ownership requirements for executive officers, which included a recently increased stock ownership requirement for the CEO of six times base salary;

 

   

A substantial portion of the compensation for executives officers is tied to annual and long-term performance;

 

   

A recoupment policy that allows the Company to claw back incentive compensation;

 

   

An insider trading policy that prohibits our executives and directors from hedging their AEP stock holdings and from pledging Company stock;

 

   

Long-term incentive awards with double trigger vesting that results in accelerated vesting of these awards only if there is a change in control followed by an involuntary or constructive separation from service;

 

   

No reimbursement or tax gross-up for excise taxes triggered under change in control agreements;

 

   

No company paid country club memberships for executive officers;

 

   

Generally prohibit personal use of Company provided aircraft, to the extent that such use has an incremental cost to the Company; and

 

   

No tax gross-ups, other than for relocations.

 

Results of 2016 Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

 

At the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held in April 2016, approximately 94 percent of the votes cast on the Company’s say-on-pay proposal voted in favor of the proposal. After consideration of this vote, the HR Committee continued to apply the same principles and

 

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philosophy it has used in previous years in determining executive compensation. The HR Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay vote and other sources of stakeholder feedback when establishing compensation programs and making compensation decisions for the named executive officers.

 

Overview

 

The HR Committee oversees and determines AEP’s executive compensation (other than that of the CEO). The HR Committee makes recommendations to the independent members of the board of directors about the compensation of the CEO, and the independent board members determine the CEO’s compensation.

 

AEP’s executive compensation program is designed to:

 

   

Attract, retain, motivate and reward an outstanding leadership team with market competitive compensation and benefits to achieve both excellent team and individual performance;

 

   

Reflect AEP’s financial and operational size and the complexity of its multi-state operations;

 

   

Provide a substantial portion of executive officers’ total compensation opportunity in the form of performance based incentive compensation;

 

   

Align the interests of the Company’s named executive officers with those of AEP’s shareholders by providing a majority of the total compensation opportunity for executive officers in the form of stock-based compensation with a value that is linked to the total return on AEP’s common stock and by maintaining significant stock ownership requirements for executives;

 

   

Support the implementation of the Company’s business strategy by tying annual incentive awards to operating earnings per share and the achievement of specific strategic and safety objectives; and

 

   

Promote the stability of the management team by creating strong retention incentives with multi-year vesting schedules for long-term incentive compensation.

 

Overall, AEP’s executive compensation program generally targets each named executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity (base salary, annual incentive opportunity and long-term incentive opportunity) at the median of AEP’s Compensation Peer Group, as described under Compensation Peer Group on page 33. The HR Committee’s independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Meridian), participates in HR Committee meetings, assists the HR Committee in developing the compensation program and regularly meets with the HR Committee in executive session without management present. See the Human Resources Committee Report on page 45 for additional information about Meridian’s independence.

 

Program Design

 

The program for executive officers includes base salary, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and a comprehensive benefits program. The Company provides a balance of annual and long-term incentive compensation that is consistent with the compensation mix provided by AEP’s Compensation Peer Group. For AEP’s annual incentive compensation, the HR Committee balances meeting AEP’s operating earnings per share target with strategic and safety objectives. For 2016, operating earnings per share had a 75 percent weight for annual incentive compensation and the remaining 25 percent weight was tied to strategic and safety goals.

 

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For 2016, 75 percent of AEP’s long-term incentive compensation was awarded in the form of performance units with three-year performance measures tied to (1) AEP’s total shareholder return as a percentile of the companies in the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index and (2) AEP’s three-year cumulative operating earnings per share relative to a Board-approved target. The performance units are subject to a three-year vesting period. The remaining 25 percent of AEP’s long-term incentive compensation was awarded as restricted stock units (RSUs) that vest over 40 months in three approximately equal installments on the May 1st following the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.

 

The HR Committee annually reviews the mix of the three elements of total direct compensation: base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation. As illustrated in the charts below, in 2016, 69 percent of the target total direct compensation for the CEO and 61 percent on average for the other named executive officers was performance-based (target annual incentive compensation and grant date value of performance units). An additional 17 percent of the CEO’s target total direct compensation and an additional 14 percent on average for the other named executive officers was provided in the form of time-vesting RSUs (grant date value) which are tied to AEP’s stock price.

 

LOGO

 

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Compensation Peer Group

 

The HR Committee, supported by its independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), annually reviews AEP’s executive compensation relative to a peer group of companies that represent the talent markets with which AEP must compete to attract and retain executives. The companies included in the Compensation Peer Group were chosen from electric utility companies that were comparable in size to AEP in terms of revenues and market capitalization. AEP’s Compensation Peer Group for 2016, which was unchanged from 2015, consisted of the 17 utility companies shown below.

 

AES Corporation

Consolidated Edison Inc.

DTE Energy Company

Edison International

Exelon Corporation

NextEra Energy, Inc.

PPL Corporation

Sempra Energy

Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

Dominion Resources, Inc.

Duke Energy Corporation

Entergy Corporation

FirstEnergy Corp.

PG&E Corporation

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

Southern Company

Xcel Energy Inc.

 

The table below shows that, at the time the Compensation Peer Group data was collected in July 2015, AEP’s revenue and market capitalization were above the 50th percentile, and closer to the 75th percentile, of the Compensation Peer Group.

 

2016 Compensation Peer Group

 

     Revenue(1)
($ million)


     Market
Cap(1)
($ million)


 

Compensation Peer Group

                 

25th Percentile

   $ 11,686      $ 14,441  

50th Percentile

   $ 12,919      $ 21,079  

75th Percentile

   $ 17,090      $ 27,649  

AEP

   $ 17,020      $ 27,751  

 

(1)   The HR Committee selected the 2016 Compensation Peer Group in September 2015 based on Fiscal Year-End 2014 revenue, and market capitalization as of July 31, 2015.

 

Meridian annually provides the HR Committee with an executive compensation study covering each named executive officer position and other executive positions based on survey information derived from the Compensation Peer Group. The Meridian study benchmarked each of our named executive officer’s total direct compensation (and each component of compensation) against the median market value of total direct compensation paid by the Compensation Peer Group to officers serving in similar capacities. The market values were adjusted for AEP’s relative size based on AEP’s revenue or the executive’s revenue responsibility using regression analysis for all positions for which data was available. The HR Committee considers percentiles other than the median and may select any percentile as a benchmark if, in its judgment, such other benchmarks provide a better comparison based on the specific scope of the job being matched or other criteria.

 

If a named executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity is above or below a +/- 15 percent range around the market median, the HR Committee may adjust elements of the named executive officer’s compensation over time to bring the executive’s total compensation opportunity into the target range.

 

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Executive Compensation Program Detail

 

Summary of Executive Compensation Components.    The following table summarizes the major components of the Company’s executive compensation program.

 

Component

 

Purpose


 

Key Attributes


     

Base Salary

 

•    To provide a market-competitive and consistent minimum level of compensation that is paid throughout the year.

 

•    A 3 percent executive merit budget and an additional 0.5% for other types of salary adjustments was approved by the HR Committee for 2016.

 

•    Merit and other salary increases for executives are awarded by the HR Committee based on a variety of factors, which are described under Base Salary on page 35.

     

Annual Incentive Compensation

 

•    To focus executive officers on achieving annual earnings and other performance objectives that are critical to AEP’s success, which for 2016 included:

 

•     Operating Earnings (75 percent weight)

 

•     Safety (10 percent weight), and

 

•     Strategic Initiatives (15 percent weight).

 

•    To communicate and align executives’ and employees’ efforts with the Company’s performance objectives.

 

•    Annual incentive targets are established by the HR Committee based on compensation and performance information provided by the HR Committee’s independent compensation consultant as well as objectives put forth by AEP management and endorsed by the HR Committee.

 

•     Actual awards for employees as a group are capped at 200 percent of target, while awards for individual employees are capped at 250 percent of their target.

 

•    Operating earnings per share was chosen as the primary performance measure for 2016.

 

•    The CEO’s award is determined by the independent members of the Board of Directors, and the other named executive officer awards are determined and approved by the HR Committee and based on:

 

•     Achievement against performance objectives, and

 

•     A subjective evaluation of each named executive officer’s individual performance for the year.

 

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Component

 

Purpose


 

Key Attributes


     

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

•    To motivate AEP management to maximize shareholder value by linking a substantial portion of their potential compensation directly to longer-term shareholder returns.

 

•    To help ensure that Company management remains focused on longer-term results, which the HR Committee considers essential given the large amount of long-term investment in physical assets required in our business.

 

•    To reduce executive turnover and maintain management consistency.

 

•    For 2016, the HR Committee provided long-term incentive awards in the form of three-year performance units for 75 percent of the grant value and restricted stock units (RSUs) for 25 percent of the grant value.

 

•    Long-term incentive award opportunities for named executive officers are based on market data, as reflected in either position based or salary grade-based award guidelines, and subjective consideration of each named executive officer’s potential contribution to shareholder value during the performance period.

 

•    For the 2016-2018 performance unit awards, the HR Committee established the following equally weighted performance measures:

 

•     Three-year cumulative operating earnings per share relative to a target approved by the HR Committee, and

 

•     Three-year total shareholder return relative to the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index.

 

Base Salary.    The HR Committee determines merit and other salary increases for our named executive officers based on the following factors:

 

   

The current scope and responsibilities of the position;

 

   

The Company’s merit and other increase budgets;

 

   

Sustained individual performance as assessed by each executive’s direct manager;

 

   

The market competitiveness of the executive’s salary, total cash compensation and total compensation;

 

   

Internal comparisons;

 

   

The experience and future potential of each executive; and

 

   

Reporting relationships.

 

The HR Committee approved merit increases for 2016 base salaries in the 2-4 percent range for our named executive officers.

 

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Annual Incentive Compensation.

 

Annual Incentive Target Opportunity.    Annual incentive compensation focuses executive officers on achieving annual earnings objectives and other performance objectives that are critical to AEP’s success. The HR Committee, in consultation with Meridian and Company management, establishes the annual incentive target opportunities for each executive officer position primarily based on market competitive compensation for the executive’s position as shown in Meridian’s annual executive compensation study. For 2016, the HR Committee established the following annual incentive target opportunities for the named executive officers:

 

   

125 percent of base earnings for the CEO (Mr. Akins);

 

   

80 percent of base earnings for the CFO (Mr. Tierney);

 

   

80 percent of base earnings for the Vice Chairman (Mr. Powers);

 

   

70 percent of base earnings for the EVP and General Counsel (Mr. Feinberg); and

 

   

70 percent of base earnings for the EVP-Transmission (Ms. Barton).

 

Annual Performance Objectives.    For 2016, the HR Committee approved the following performance measures for the reasons indicated.

 

Operating Earnings per Share.    The HR Committee chose operating earnings per share because it largely reflects management’s performance in operating the Company. It is also strongly correlated with shareholder returns and is the primary measure by which the Company communicates its actual and expected future financial performance to the investment community and employees. The operating earnings per share measure is also well understood by both our shareholders and employees. Management and the HR Committee believe that operating earnings per share growth is the primary means for the Company to create long-term shareholder value.

 

Safety.    With safety as an AEP core value, maintaining the safety of AEP employees and the general public is always a primary consideration. Accordingly, safety measures comprised 10 percent of the 2016 scorecard. 7.5 percent was based on the improvement in the Company’s DART Rate compared to its three-year average DART rate. DART is an acronym for Days Away, Restricted or Job Transfer and is an industry accepted measure that focuses on more serious injuries. The remaining 2.5 percent was a fatality measure. The fatality measure would pay out at target if there was not a fatal work-related employee incident during the year.

 

Strategic Initiatives.    Fifteen percent of the scorecard was tied to strategic initiatives, including six percent for Business Transformation initiatives, five percent for Customer Experience initiatives and four percent for Culture and Employee Engagement initiatives.

 

The six percent for Business Transformation initiatives consisted of three measures. The first related to the completion of a strategic business assessment of certain competitive generation units. The second was based on the volume of start-up projects captured by AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which are the Company’s competitive subsidiaries focused on building renewable power projects. The last measure was based on expanding the Company’s transmission business.

 

The five percent for Customer Experience included three measures. The first category measures the reliability of our wires assets: SAIDI (System Average Incident Duration Index), which is a standard measure in our industry. The second category measured improvement in the Company’s rankings in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Survey. The last measure was for distribution network remediation, and was based on the number of circuit feet replaced.

 

The four percent for Culture & Employee Engagement consisted of four measures. The Power Up & Lead category measured the number of employees that participated in a cultural education

 

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program during the year. The Gallup Survey measured improvements in the overall average score over the Company’s prior year survey. The Diversity category measured improvement in the Company’s female and minority representation rates for each EEO group. The last measure was based on the number of Lean Management System deployments completed and initiated during the year, as well as the number of Introduction to Lean Management Systems events completed during the year.

 

Performance Score for Annual Incentive Plan.    In 2016, AEP had operating earnings per share of $3.94, which exceeded the upper end of our original operating earnings guidance for the year of $3.60-$3.80 per share. This earnings result, together with the Company’s performance on the measures discussed above (safety and strategic initiatives), produced a result of 170.5 percent of the target award opportunity for executive officers.

 

For 2016, GAAP earnings per share reported in AEP’s financial statements were $1.24. This is $2.70 per share lower than operating earnings, primarily due to the impairment of certain unregulated merchant generation assets. Exhibit A to this proxy statement contains a reconciliation of GAAP earnings per share to operating earnings per share.

 

Balanced Scorecard.    For 2016, the HR Committee approved a balanced scorecard which tied annual incentive awards to the Company’s operating earnings, safety and strategic objectives for the year. The HR Committee used this balanced scorecard because it mitigates the risk that executives will focus on one or a few objectives, such as short-term financial performance, to the detriment of other objectives. The chart below shows the weightings for each performance measure, the threshold, target and maximum performance goals, 2016 actual results and related weighted scores.

 

    Weight   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual
Performance
Result
  Actual
Award
Score
(as a percent
of target
opportunity)
  Weighted
Score

Operating Earnings Per Share (75%)

  75%   $3.65   $3.75   $3.95   $3.941   195.5%   1.466

Safety (10%)

                           

DART (Days Away, Restricted or Job Transfer) Rate, an industry measure focused on serious injuries

  7.5%   0 percent
Improvement
  10 percent
Improvement
  20 percent
Improvement
  0 percent   0.0%   0.000

Fatality Measure (the number of fatal work related employee incidents)

  2.5%   One or more   None   None for more
than one year
  Two employee
fatalities
  0.0%   0.000

Strategic Initiatives (15%)

                           

Business Transformation Measures (6%)

                           

Strategic Business Assessment of Certain Competitive Generation Plants

  2%   Incomplete   Board approves a sale contract or recommendation to retain these plants   Sale contract and Board approves plan for use of proceeds   A sale contract was executed, and the Board approved the plan for use of proceeds   200.0%   0.040

Volume of AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables Start-up Projects

  2%   $0
million
  $20
million
  $50
million
  $299
million
  200.0%   0.040

Volume of Transmission Investment Opportunities

  2%   $100
million
  $200
million
  $300
million
  $485
million
  200.0%   0.040

Customer Experience Measures (5%)

                           

Wires Reliability- measure based on a customer weighted average of SAIDI (System Average Incident Duration Index) Performance Scores of AEP operating companies

  2%   Generally 80% percent of target  

Regulatory targets or a glide path to the regional peer group average

  120 percent of target  

114.0% Average Operating Company Score

  114.0%   0.023

Customer Satisfaction – measure based on a weighted average of J.D. Power Residential Customer Satisfaction Index scores for AEP operating companies

  2%   No improvement   Peer Group improvement
rate
  Glide path improvement to the Regional Peer Group Average  

200.0% Average Operating Company Score

  200.0%   0.040

Network remediation

  1%  

286,931 circuit

feet replaced

  382,575 circuit feet replaced   478,218 circuit feet replaced   >527,000 circuit
feet replaced
  200.0%   0.020

 

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    Weight   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual
Performance
Result
  Actual
Award
Score
(as a percent
of target
opportunity)
  Weighted
Score

Culture and Employee Engagement Measures (4%)

                           

Employee Engagement – based on improvement in average overall score of a survey of AEP employees

  1%   0.07
improvement
  0.10
improvement
  0.20
improvement
  0.08
Improvement
  33.3%   0.003

Employee Diversity – measure based on increased representation of women and minorities in all EEO categories

  1%   Higher of 80 percent target or 0 percent improvement   Higher of 100 percent target or 0 percent improvement   Higher of 120 percent of target or 0 percent improvement  

Female Representation Score: 65.6%

Minority Representation Score: 82.3%

  74.0%   0.007

AEP Culture Development – measure based on the number of employees that participated in an employee development program

  1%   3,900
participants
  5,200
participants
  6,500
participants
  5,240
participants
  103.1%   0.010

Lean Management Sustainability (number of pilot areas and non-pilot areas completed)

  1%   1 pilot & 30 non-pilots   3 pilots & 40 non-pilots   3 pilots & 50 non-pilots plus 3 additional pilots initiated   3 pilots and 48 non-pilots completed plus 1 additional pilot initiated   156.7%   0.016

Total Score

                          1.705

 

2016 Individual Award Calculations.    Based on the results under the Balanced Scorecard, the HR Committee approved a weighted score of 170.5 percent. The HR Committee then subjectively evaluated the individual performance of each named executive officer to determine the actual award payouts. The HR Committee considered the progress made during 2016 focusing the Company on its core regulated businesses for Mr. Akins and the successful performance of the transmission business in 2016 for Ms. Barton.

 

Name


   2016
Base
Earnings*


            Annual
Incentive
Target %


           Weighted
Score Under
Performance
Score Card


           Calculated
Annual
Incentive
Opportunity


     2016 Actual
Payouts


 

Mr. Akins

   $ 1,318,442        x        125     x        170.5     =      $ 2,809,930      $ 3,000,000  

Mr. Tierney

   $ 727,257        x        80     x        170.5     =      $ 991,979      $ 990,000  

Mr. Powers

   $ 720,499        x        80     x        170.5     =      $ 982,761      $ 980,000  

Mr. Feinberg

   $ 612,175        x        70     x        170.5     =      $ 730,631      $ 730,000  

Ms. Barton

   $ 529,473        x        70     x        170.5     =      $ 631,926      $ 650,000  

 

*   Based on salary paid in 2016, which is slightly different than the salary earned for 2016 shown in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

The independent members of the Board approved the 2016 annual incentive award for the CEO. The HR Committee approved the 2016 annual incentive awards for the other named executive officers.

 

Long-Term Incentive Compensation.    The HR Committee grants long-term incentive compensation to executive officers on an annual award cycle. AEP annually reviews the mix of long-term incentive compensation provided to its executives. For the 2016 award cycle, 75 percent of the grant date value of long-term incentives was awarded as three-year performance units and 25 percent of the grant date value was awarded as time-vesting restricted stock units (RSUs). The HR Committee increased the blend of performance units to RSUs in the long-term incentive mix from 70/30 to 75/25 for 2016 to increase the portion of the long-term incentive award that is performance-based.

 

The HR Committee establishes target long-term incentive award opportunities for each named executive officer based primarily on a market competitive long-term and total compensation analysis provided by Meridian for executives serving in similar positions in AEP’s Compensation Peer Group.

 

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The independent members of the Board approved the 2016 long-term incentive award for the CEO. The HR Committee approved the 2016 long-term incentive awards for the other named executive officers.

 

2016 Long-Term Incentive Awards

 

Name


   Number of
Performance
Units Granted
(at Target)


     Number of
RSUs Granted


     Total
Units Granted


     Total
Grant Date
Fair Value


 

Mr. Akins

     80,306        26,769        107,075      $ 6,720,027  

Mr. Tierney

     22,646        7,549        30,195      $ 1,895,038  

Mr. Powers

     22,646        7,549        30,195      $ 1,895,038  

Mr. Feinberg

     13,467        4,489        17,956      $ 1,126,919  

Ms. Barton

     11,987        3,995        15,982      $ 1,003,030  

 

Differences in grant date fair value between the awards for individual named executive officers primarily reflect differences in market median compensation for the executives shown in the annual executive compensation study conducted by Meridian.

 

In February 2017, Mr. Powers announced his retirement from the Company in August 2017. Mr. Powers will remain Vice Chairman of the Company until his retirement. Mr. Powers did not receive a 2017 long-term incentive (LTIP) award because of his announced retirement, but the Company intends to provide a cash payment to Mr. Powers instead. In connection with Mr. Powers’ retirement, the Company and Mr. Powers anticipate entering into a separation and release of all claims agreement, containing among other things, certain non-solicitation, confidentiality and cooperation agreements. It is anticipated that this agreement will provide a cash payment that would provide him (i) an amount to make up for his not receiving a 2017 LTIP award (if it had been granted, a portion of his 2017 – 2019 performance units would have remained outstanding upon his August 2017 retirement), and (ii) a portion of the compensation Mr. Powers would have received if he had remained with the Company through a later retirement date.

 

Performance Units.    The HR Committee granted 75 percent of the aggregate grant date value of the Company’s 2016 long-term incentive awards as performance unit awards for the 2016 – 2018 performance period. Each performance unit has an economic value equivalent to a share of AEP common stock. AEP grants performance units at the beginning of each year with a three-year performance and vesting period. Vested performance units are paid in cash except to the extent they are voluntarily deferred or are needed to meet an executive’s stock ownership requirement, in which case the vested performance units are mandatorily deferred into AEP Career Shares. AEP Career Shares are not paid to participants until after their employment with AEP ends.

 

Dividends are reinvested in additional performance units that are subject to the same performance measures and vesting requirements as the underlying performance units on which they were granted. The total number of performance units held at the end of the performance period is multiplied by the equally weighted score for the two performance measures shown below to determine the number of performance units earned. Each unit is then paid out at the average closing price of AEP common stock for the last 20 trading days of the performance period or mandatorily deferred as Career Shares if needed to satisfy an executive officer’s stock ownership requirement. The maximum score for each performance measure is 200 percent. For further information on these awards, see the description under 2016 Stock Award Grants beginning on page 51. For the 2016-2018 performance units, the cumulative operating earnings per share target is $11.42.

 

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Performance Measures for 2016 – 2018 Performance Units

 

Performance Measure


   Weight

    Threshold
Performance


   Target
Performance


   Maximum Payout
Performance


3-Year Cumulative Operating Earnings Per Share

     50   $10.621

(30% payout)

   $11.42

(100% payout)

   $12.219

(200% payout)

3-Year Total Shareholder

Return vs. S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index

     50   20th Percentile

(0% payout)

   50th Percentile

(100% payout)

   80th Percentile

(200% payout)

 

The HR Committee selected a cumulative measure of operating earnings to ensure that earnings for all three years contribute equally to the award calculation. The HR Committee also selected a total shareholder return measure for these awards to provide an external performance comparison that reflects the effectiveness of management’s strategic decisions and actions over the three-year performance period relative to other large electric utilities.

 

Restricted Stock Units.    Each RSU has an economic value equivalent to one share of AEP common stock. The HR Committee granted 25 percent of the aggregate grant date value of the Company’s 2016 long-term incentive awards as RSUs. These RSUs vest over a forty month period, subject to the executive’s continued employment, in three approximately equal installments on May 1, 2017, May 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019. Dividends are reinvested in additional RSUs that are subject to the same vesting requirements applicable to the underlying RSUs on which they were granted. Upon vesting, these RSUs pay out in cash to executive officers at the average closing price of AEP common stock for the last 20 trading days of the vesting period.

 

Stock Ownership Requirements.    The HR Committee believes that linking a significant portion of executives’ financial rewards to the Company’s success, as reflected by the value of AEP stock, gives executives a stake similar to that of the Company’s shareholders and encourages long-term management strategies that benefit shareholders. Therefore, the HR Committee requires certain officers (51 individuals as of January 1, 2017), including the named executive officers, to accumulate and hold a specific amount of AEP common stock or stock equivalents. The HR Committee annually reviews the stock ownership level for each executive officer and periodically adjusts these levels. Each named executive officer met his or her stock ownership requirement as of March 1, 2017.

 

During 2016, the HR Committee increased the CEO’s stock ownership requirement from five times to six times his base salary. The other named executive officers’ targets are three times their respective base salaries.

 

Equity Retention (Holding Period).    Until an executive officer meets his or her stock ownership requirement, performance units awarded under the Long-term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) are mandatorily deferred into AEP Career Shares to the extent necessary to meet their stock ownership requirement. If an executive has not met his or her stock ownership requirement within five years of the date it became effective or subsequently falls below it, the HR Committee may require the executive to defer a portion of his or her annual incentive compensation award into AEP Career Shares.

 

In 2016, the LTIP was amended to add a “Hold Until Met” requirement for stock options and SARs, which requires Company executives to hold the net shares they realize through stock option and SAR exercises until such time as they have met their stock ownership requirement. However, no stock options or SARs were granted or outstanding during 2016.

 

Benefits.    AEP generally provides the same health and welfare benefits to named executive officers as it provides to other employees. AEP also provides the named executive officers with either four or five weeks of paid vacation, depending on their length of service and position.

 

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AEP’s named executive officers participate in the same tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and defined contribution savings plan as other eligible employees. AEP’s named executive officers also participate in the Company’s non-qualified retirement benefit plans, which largely provide “supplemental benefits” that would otherwise be offered through the tax-qualified plans except for the limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on those tax-qualified plans. This allows eligible employees to accumulate replacement income for their retirement based on the same benefit formulas as the tax qualified plans but without the limitations that are imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on the tax-qualified plans.

 

The HR Committee recognizes that the non-qualified plans result in the deferral of the Company’s income tax deduction related to these benefits until such benefits are paid, but the HR Committee believes that executives generally should be entitled to the same retirement benefits, as a percentage of their eligible pay, as the Company’s other employees and that these benefits are prevalent among similar companies. The HR Committee also provides these benefits as part of a market competitive total rewards package.

 

The Company limits both the amount and types of compensation that are included in the qualified and non-qualified retirement plans because the HR Committee and AEP management believe that compensation over certain limits and certain types of compensation should not be further enhanced by including it in retirement benefit calculations. Therefore:

 

   

Long-term incentive compensation is not included in the calculations that determine retirement and other benefits under AEP’s benefit plans,

 

   

The cash balance formula of the Company’s non-qualified pension plan (the “AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan”) limits eligible compensation to the greater of $1 million or twice the participant’s base salary, and

 

   

Eligible compensation is also limited to $2 million under the non-qualified Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.

 

AEP provides group term life insurance benefits to all employees, including the named executive officers, in the amount of two times their base salary.

 

For executives whom the Company asks to relocate, it is AEP’s practice to offer relocation assistance to offset their moving expenses. This policy better enables AEP to obtain high quality new hires and to relocate internal job candidates.

 

Perquisites.    The HR Committee annually reviews the perquisites provided by the Company. In 2016, AEP provided independent financial counseling and tax preparation services to assist executives with financial planning and tax filings. Income is imputed to executives and taxes are withheld for these services.

 

The HR Committee is sensitive to concerns regarding the expense of corporate aircraft and the public perception regarding personal use of such aircraft. Accordingly, the HR Committee generally prohibits personal use of corporate aircraft that has an incremental cost to the Company. The Company allows personal travel on business trips using the corporate aircraft if there is no incremental cost to the Company. Income is imputed and taxes are withheld on the value of personal travel on corporate aircraft in accordance with IRS guidelines.

 

Other Compensation Information

 

Recoupment of Incentive Compensation.

 

In 2016, the Board amended the Company’s Policy on Recouping Incentive Compensation, commonly referred to as a “clawback” policy. The policy was amended to provide that our executive officers and certain other senior executives would be subject to a ‘no fault’ “clawback”. The

 

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Board may recover incentive compensation whether or not the executive’s actions involve misconduct. The Board believes, subject to the exercise of its discretion based on the facts and circumstances of a particular case, that incentive compensation should be reimbursed to the Company if, in the Board’s determination:

 

   

Such incentive compensation was received by an executive where the payment or the award was predicated upon the achievement of financial or other results that were subsequently materially restated or corrected, and

 

   

Such incentive compensation would have been materially lower had the achievement been calculated on such restated or corrected financial or other results.

 

The Board adopted the initial clawback policy in February 2007, and the HR Committee has directed the Company to design and administer all of its incentive compensation programs in a manner that provides for the Company’s ability to obtain such reimbursement. The Company will seek reimbursement, if and to the extent that, in the Board’s view, such reimbursement is warranted by the facts and circumstances of the particular case or if the applicable legal requirements impose more stringent requirements on AEP to obtain reimbursement of such compensation. AEP may also retain any deferred compensation previously credited to an executive if, when, and to the extent that it otherwise would become payable. This right to reimbursement is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any and all other rights AEP might have to pursue reimbursement or such other remedies against an executive for misconduct in the course of employment by AEP or otherwise based on applicable legal considerations.

 

Role of the CEO and Compensation Consultant in Determining Executive Compensation.    The HR Committee invites the CEO and all directors to attend HR Committee meetings. The HR Committee regularly holds executive sessions without management present. The Chairman of the Board and the Chair of the HR Committee have the authority to call meetings of the HR Committee.

 

The CEO has assigned AEP’s Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer and AEP’s Director – Compensation and Executive Benefits to support the HR Committee. These individuals work closely with the HR Committee Chairman, the CEO and Meridian to research and develop requested information, prepare meeting materials, implement the HR Committee’s actions and administer the Company’s executive compensation and benefit programs consistent with the objectives established by the HR Committee. Meetings are held with the CEO, the HR Committee Chairman and Meridian prior to HR Committee meetings to review and finalize the agenda and meeting materials.

 

The CEO regularly discusses his strategic vision and direction for the Company during HR Committee meetings with Meridian in attendance. Likewise, Meridian regularly discusses compensation strategy alternatives, in light of the CEO’s strategic vision and direction, during HR Committee meetings with the CEO in attendance. The HR Committee believes that this open dialogue and exchange of ideas is important to the development and implementation of a successful executive compensation strategy.

 

The CEO discusses the individual performance of the named executive officers with the HR Committee and recommends their compensation to the HR Committee. The CEO also has substantial input into salary budgets and changes to incentive targets. The CEO also has substantial input into the development of employment offers for outside candidates for executive positions, although the HR Committee must approve all employment offers for executive officers.

 

Change In Control Agreements.    The HR Committee provides Change In Control agreements to specified executives, including all the named executive officers, to help align the interests of these executives with those of AEP’s shareholders by mitigating the financial impact that would occur to them if their employment was terminated as a result of a change in control. The HR

 

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Committee also considers change in control agreements as an important tool for attracting and retaining executives for some positions. The HR Committee limits participation to those executives whose full support and sustained contributions would be needed during a lengthy and complex corporate transaction.

 

While the HR Committee believes these agreements are consistent with the practices of its peer companies, the most important reason for these agreements is to protect the Company and the interests of shareholders in the event of an anticipated or actual change in control. During such transitions, retaining and continuing to motivate the Company’s key executives would be critical to protecting shareholder value. In a change of control situation, outside competitors are more likely to try to recruit top performers away from the Company, and our executive officers may consider other opportunities when faced with uncertainty about retaining their positions. Therefore, the HR Committee uses these agreements to provide security and protection to our officers in such circumstances for the long-term benefit of the Company and its shareholders.

 

The Board has adopted a policy that requires shareholder approval of future executive severance agreements that provide benefits generally exceeding 2.99 times the sum of the named executive officer’s salary plus annual incentive compensation. In consultation with Meridian, the HR Committee periodically reviews change in control agreement practices of companies in our Compensation Peer Group. The HR Committee has found that change in control agreements are common among these companies, and that 2.99 or 3 multiples are the most common for named executive officers. Therefore, the HR Committee approved change in control multiples of 2.99 times base salary and annual incentive compensation for each of the named executive officers. Most of the other executives covered by change in control agreements have a lesser multiple of 2.0 times base salary and annual incentive compensation. All of the agreements have a “double trigger,” which means the severance payments and benefits would be provided only upon a change in control accompanied by an involuntary termination or constructive termination within two years after the change in control.

 

None of the Company’s Change In Control agreements provide a tax gross-up for excise taxes.

 

Long-term incentive compensation may also vest in the event of a change in control. In the event an executive’s employment is terminated within one year after a change in control under qualifying conditions, such as by the Company without cause or by the executive for good reason, then all of the executive’s outstanding performance units will vest and be paid at the target performance score. All outstanding RSU awards have a double trigger change in control provision.

 

Other compensation and benefits provided to executive officers in the event their employment is terminated as a result of a change in control are consistent with that provided in the event an executive’s employment is terminated due to a consolidation, restructuring or downsizing as described below.

 

Other Employment Separations.

 

The Company has an Executive Severance Plan that provides severance benefits to selected officers of the Company, including the named executive officers, who agree to its terms, including confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations. Executives remain eligible for benefits under the general severance plan described below; however, any benefits provided under the Executive Severance Plan will be reduced by any amounts provided under the general severance plan. Benefits for our named executive officers under the Executive Severance Plan (which would be triggered by a good reason resignation or an involuntary termination) include pay continuation of two times their base salary and target annual incentive award payable over two years, and are conditioned on the executive officer’s release of claims against the Company and agreement not to compete with the Company for two years. For further information on the Executive

 

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Severance Plan, see the description under Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control beginning on page 60.

 

AEP also maintains a broad-based severance plan that provides two weeks of base pay per year of service to all employees, including named executive officers, if their employment is terminated due to a consolidation, restructuring or downsizing, subject to the employee’s agreement to waive claims against AEP. In addition, our severance benefits for all employees include outplacement services and access to health benefits at active employee rates for up to 18 months (and at Company-subsidized retiree rates thereafter until age 65 for employees who are at least age 50 with 10 years of service at the time of their employment termination).

 

Named executive officers and other employees remain eligible for an annual incentive award based on their eligible pay for the year reflecting the portion of the year worked, if they separate from service prior to year-end due to their retirement (on or after age 55 with at least five years of service, except employees who retire as part of a voluntary or involuntary severance program). In the event of a participant’s death, this amount is paid to their estate.

 

A prorated portion of outstanding performance units vest if a participant retires, which is defined as a termination, other than for cause, after the executive reaches age 55 with five years of service or if a participant is severed. A prorated portion of outstanding performance units would also vest to a participant’s heirs in the event of the participant’s death. The pro-rated performance units are not payable until the end of the performance period and remain subject to all the performance objectives.

 

In 2016, executive officers were also entitled to 12 months of continued financial counseling service in the event they are severed from service as the result of a restructuring, consolidation or downsizing or they retire (after age 55 and 5 years of AEP service). In the event of their death, their spouse or the executor of their estate would be eligible for this benefit.

 

Insider Trading, Hedging and Pledging.    The Company’s insider trading policy prohibits directors and executive officers from hedging their AEP stock holdings through short sales and the use of options, warrants, puts and calls or similar instruments. The policy also prohibits directors and executive officers from pledging AEP stock as collateral for any loan.

 

Tax Considerations.    Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 162 (m)) limits the Company’s ability to deduct compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid in any year to the Company’s CEO or any of the next three highest compensated named executive officers other than the CFO (the “162m Officers”). The HR Committee considers the limits imposed by Section 162(m) when designing compensation and benefit programs. At this annual meeting, we are asking shareholders to approve the material terms for qualified performance-based compensation under the Senior Officer Incentive Plan (the SOIP) to ensure continued availability of the performance-based compensation tax deduction in accordance with Section 162(m).

 

Performance units, which were granted under the shareholder approved Long-Term Incentive Plan, are consistent with the Section 162(m) requirements for tax deductibility by the Company as performance-based compensation. Shareholders approved the Long-Term Incentive Plan in 2015; therefore, payments for performance units are potentially tax deductible for the Company.

 

AEP’s RSUs are not considered to be performance-based under Section 162(m). Therefore, any amounts attributable to those RSUs are not tax deductible if and to the extent that such units cause the compensation of the covered named executive officer to exceed $1,000,000 for the year.

 

No assurance can be given that awards intended by the HR Committee to satisfy the requirements for qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) will in fact do so. The

 

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HR Committee has and may continue to grant awards that may not constitute qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) if the HR Committee determines that granting such awards is in the best interests of the Company.

 

Human Resources Committee Report

 

Membership and Independence.    The Board has determined that each member of the HR Committee is an independent director, as defined by the NYSE listing standards. Each member of the HR Committee is also a “non-employee director” for purposes of SEC Rule 16b-3 and an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m). Members of the HR Committee attend professional development training that addresses topics of specific relevance to public company compensation committees.

 

Purpose.    The primary purpose of the HR Committee is to provide independent oversight of the compensation and human resources policies and practices of the Company. The primary objective of the HR Committee with respect to executive compensation is to ensure that executive officers are compensated in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s business strategy, risk tolerance, competitive practices, internal equity considerations, and both Company and Board policies.

 

Functions and Process.    The HR Committee operates under a written charter reviewed annually by the Board. This charter is available on AEP’s website at www.aep.com/investors/corporateleadersandgovernance.

 

The HR Committee annually reviews AEP’s executive compensation in the context of the performance of management and the Company. The HR Committee reviews and approves the compensation for all executive officers, other than the CEO, and other senior officers. With respect to the compensation of the CEO, the HR Committee is responsible for making compensation recommendations to the independent members of the Board, who review and approve the CEO’s compensation.

 

In carrying out its responsibilities, the HR Committee addressed many aspects of AEP’s human resource and executive compensation programs and practices in 2016, including:

 

   

Establishing annual and long-term performance objectives for executive officers;

 

   

Assessing the performance of the CEO, other executive officers and the Company relative to those established performance objectives;

 

   

Conducting an evaluation of the CEO based on written comments from board members, senior AEP management, and the audit firm partner overseeing AEP’s external audit;

 

   

Determining the mix of base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term equity based compensation for executive officers;

 

   

Assessing the competitiveness of 2016 and proposed 2017 target compensation for all executive officers relative to AEP’s Compensation Peer Group;

 

   

Determining the mix of performance units and RSUs issued as long-term incentive awards;

 

   

Reviewing and approving the base salaries, annual incentive awards and long-term incentive award opportunities for 27 officers;

 

   

Assessing compensation risk;

 

   

Reviewing and approving change in control agreements;

 

   

Reviewing the Company’s workforce safety efforts and results;

 

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Reviewing the senior management succession and development plans; and

 

   

Reviewing and approving reports to shareholders regarding executive compensation.

 

In establishing performance objectives, the HR Committee considers the interests of other major AEP stakeholders, such as AEP’s customers, employees, and the communities in which AEP operates, in addition to those of AEP’s shareholders. For example, the HR Committee tied 2016 annual incentive compensation for all executive officers to measures that included employee safety, customer service and AEP’s operating earnings per share.

 

In determining executive compensation, the HR Committee considers all relevant factors, including:

 

   

Company performance;

 

   

The CEO’s individual performance, based, in part, on a leadership assessment that specifically covers integrity and ethics, communication, willingness to confront tough issues, business acumen, strategic planning, teamwork, and fostering a high performance culture;

 

   

Individual performance and compensation recommendations for the other named executive officers as assessed by their direct manager;

 

   

Market competitive compensation survey information from the executive compensation study conducted by the HR Committee’s independent compensation consultant;

 

   

Succession planning;

 

   

Executive retention;

 

   

The responsibilities and experience of each executive officer;

 

   

Compensation history;

 

   

The impact salary changes may have on other elements of total rewards;

 

   

The impact of compensation on risk taking; and

 

   

The expense implications of compensation changes.

 

The HR Committee’s Independent Compensation Consultant.    The HR Committee engaged Meridian to provide recommendations to the HR Committee regarding AEP’s executive compensation and benefit programs and practices. The HR Committee is authorized to retain and terminate consultants and advisors without management approval and has the sole authority to approve their fees. Among other assignments, the HR Committee’s independent compensation consultant provides an annual executive compensation study and reports on current executive compensation and benefits trends within the electric utility industry.

 

The HR Committee annually assesses and discusses the independence of its executive compensation consultant. Meridian did not provide any services to AEP other than the work it performed for the HR Committee and the work it performed for the Corporate Governance Committee on director compensation. The HR Committee concluded that Meridian was independent and the work provided by Meridian did not raise any conflict of interest.

 

The HR Committee also annually assesses the performance and objectivity of its executive compensation consultant and has found that the advice provided by Meridian was of a high quality, objective and appropriate for the Company. The HR Committee regularly holds executive sessions with Meridian to help ensure that they receive full and independent advice.

 

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the HR Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this proxy statement. Based

 

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on its review and these discussions, the HR Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Human Resources Committee Members

 

Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chair

Thomas E. Hoaglin

Richard C. Notebaert

Stephen S. Rasmussen

Oliver G. Richard, III

 

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Executive Compensation

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides summary information concerning compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers, to whom we refer collectively as the named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal

Position


  Year

    Salary
($)(1)


    Bonus
($)


    Stock
Awards
($)(2)


    Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)(3)


    Change in
Pension
Value
and Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)(4)


    All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)(5)


    Total
($)


 

Nicholas K. Akins—

    2016       1,325,077       —       6,720,027       3,000,000       323,949       103,687       11,472,740  

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

    2015       1,279,900       —       6,719,981       3,150,000       199,027       103,658       11,452,566  
    2014       1,240,754       —       6,720,019       2,950,000       359,787       102,960       11,373,520  

Brian X. Tierney—

    2016       730,800       —       1,895,038       990,000       131,575       95,026       3,842,439  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

    2015       709,246       —       1,907,216       1,100,000       0       84,125       3,800,587  
    2014       695,339       —       1,881,251       1,050,000       269,994       82,448       3,979,032  

Robert P. Powers—

    2016       723,773       —       1,895,038       980,000       335,960       93,931       4,028,702  

Vice Chairman

    2015       709,246       —       1,888,008       1,075,000       0       90,234       3,762,488  
    2014       695,339       —       1,881,251       1,012,000       746,589       82,706       4,417,885  

David M. Feinberg—

    2016       615,358       —       1,126,919       730,000       85,179       75,435       2,632,891  

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

    2015       591,426       —       998,394       800,000       59,069       68,163       2,517,052  
    2014       568,679       —       962,482       675,000       69,384       63,293       2,338,838  

Lisa M. Barton—

    2016       532,039       —       1,003,030       650,000       95,020       68,007       2,348,096  

Executive Vice President- Transmission

    2015       516,750       —       998,394       686,000       49,931       59,042       2,310,117  
    2014       452,735       —       804,984       540,000       71,814       47,919       1,917,452  

(1)   Amounts in the salary column are composed of executive salaries earned for the year shown, which include 261 days of pay for 2016. This is one day more than the standard 260 calendar work days and holidays in a year.
(2)   The amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of performance units and RSUs granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts. With respect to the performance units, the estimates of the grant date fair values determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 assumes the vesting of 100% of the performance units awarded. The value realized for the performance units, if any, will depend on the Company’s performance during a three-year performance and vesting period. The potential payout can range from 0 percent to 200 percent of the target number of performance units, plus any dividend equivalents. Therefore, the maximum amount payable for the 2016 performance units is equal to $10,080,010 for Mr. Akins; $2,842,526 for each of Messrs. Tierney and Powers; $1,690,378 for Mr. Feinberg and $1,504,608 for Ms. Barton; and the maximum amount payable for the 2015 performance units is equal to $9,407,974 for Mr. Akins, $2,670,090 for Mr. Tierney, $2,643,716 for Mr. Powers, $1,397,704 for Mr. Feinberg and $1,397,704 for Ms. Barton. The RSUs vest over a forty month period. For further information on these awards, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2016 table on page 50 and the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2016 table on page 52.
(3)   The amounts shown in this column are annual incentive compensation paid under the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan for 2016 and the Senior Officer Incentive Plan for 2015 and 2014. At the outset of each year, the HR Committee sets annual incentive targets and performance criteria that are used after year-end to determine if and the extent to which executive officers may receive annual incentive award payments under this plan.
(4)   The amounts shown in this column are attributable to the increase in the actuarial values of each of the named executive officer’s combined benefits under AEP’s qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans determined using interest rate and mortality assumptions consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements. See the Pension Benefits for 2016 table on page 55, and related footnotes for additional information. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions. None of the named executive officer received preferential or above-market earnings on deferred compensation.

 

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(5)   Amounts shown in the All Other Compensation column for 2016 include: (a) Company contributions to the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan, (b) Company contributions to the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan and (c) perquisites. The amounts are listed in the following table:

 

Type


   Nicholas K.
Akins


     Brian X.
Tierney


     Robert P.
Powers


     David M.
Feinberg


     Lisa M.
Barton


 

Retirement Savings Plan Match

   $ 11,629      $ 11,925      $ 11,925      $ 11,925      $ 11,925  

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan Match

   $ 78,075      $ 70,302      $ 68,873      $ 51,623      $ 42,771  

Perquisites

   $ 13,983      $ 12,799      $ 13,133      $ 11,887      $ 13,311  

Total

   $ 103,687      $ 95,026      $ 93,931      $ 75,435      $ 68,007  

 

       Perquisites provided in 2016 included: financial counseling and tax preparation services, and, for Mr. Akins, director’s accidental death insurance premium. Executive officers may also have the occasional personal use of event tickets when such tickets are not being used for business purposes, however, there is no associated incremental cost. From time to time executive officers may receive customary gifts from third parties that sponsor sporting events (subject to our policies on conflicts of interest).

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2016

 

The following table provides information on plan-based awards granted in 2016 to each of our named executive officers.

 

Name


  Grant
Date


    Estimated Future
Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)


    Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(3)


    All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(6)


    Grant Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(7)


 
    Threshold
($)


    Target
($)


    Maximum
($)(2)


    Threshold
(#)(4)


    Target
(#)


    Maximum
(#)(5)


     

Nicholas K. Akins

                                                                       

2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

            —       1,648,053       4,120,133                                          

2016 – 2018 Performance Units

    2/23/16                               12,046       80,306       160,612               5,040,005  

Restricted Stock Units

    2/23/16                                                       26,769       1,680,022  

Brian X. Tierney

                                                                       

2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

            —       581,806       1,454,515                                          

2016 – 2018 Performance Units

    2/23/16                               3,397       22,646       45,292               1,421,263  

Restricted Stock Units

    2/23/16                                                       7,549       473,775  

Robert P. Powers

                                                                       

2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

            —       576,399       1,440,998                                          

2016 – 2018 Performance Units

    2/23/16                               3,397       22,646       45,292               1,421,263  

Restricted Stock Units

    2/23/16                                                       7,549       473,775  

David M. Feinberg

                                                                       

2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

            —       428,523       1,071,308                                          

2016 – 2018 Performance Units

    2/23/16                               2,020       13,467       26,934               845,189  

Restricted Stock Units

    2/23/16                                                       4,489       281,730  

Lisa M. Barton

                                                                       

2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

            —       370,631       926,578                                          

2016 – 2018 Performance Units

    2/23/16                               1,798       11,987       23,974               752,304  

Restricted Stock Units

    2/23/16                                                       3,995       250,726  

(1)   Represents potential payouts under the 2016 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP), which are based on base earnings paid during the year.
(2)   The amounts shown in this column represent 250 percent of the target award for each of the named executive officers, which is maximum amount generally payable to any individual employee under the ICP.
(3)   Represents performance units awarded under our Long-Term Incentive Plan for the 2016-2018 performance period. These awards generally vest at the end of the three year performance period based on our attainment of specified performance measures. For further information on these awards, see the description under 2016 Stock Award Grants below. The number of performance units does not include additional units that may accrue due to dividend credits.
(4)   The amounts shown in the Threshold column represent 15% of the target award for each of the named executive officers because the Operating Earnings per Share measure has a 30% payout for threshold performance, the Total Shareholder Return measure has a 0% payout for threshold performance and these measures are equally weighted. However, the Operating Earnings per Share threshold does not guarantee a minimum payout because the score would be 0% of target if threshold performance is not achieved.
(5)   The amounts shown in this column represent 200 percent of the target award for each of the named executive officers, which is the maximum overall score for the 2016-2018 performance units.
(6)   Represents restricted stock units awarded under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. These awards generally vest in three equal installments on May 1, 2017, May 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019. The number of restricted stock units does not include additional units that may accrue due to dividend credits.
(7)   Amount represents the grant date fair value of performance units and RSUs measured in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, utilizing the assumptions discussed in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, without taking into account estimated forfeitures. With respect to performance units, the grant date fair value assumes the target number of performance units granted will vest. The actual number of performance units earned will depend on AEP’s performance over the 2016 through 2018 period, which could vary from 0 percent to 200 percent of the target award plus dividend credits. The value of performance units earned will be equal to AEP’s average closing share price for the last 20 trading days of the performance period multiplied by the number of performance units earned.

 

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

 

2016 Stock Award Grants.    Effective February 23, 2016, the named executive officers were granted long-term incentive awards as part of AEP’s regular annual grant cycle. These awards were granted with double trigger change in control provisions that provide early vesting of awards in the event of a change in control and a covered separation from service. Of these awards, 75 percent were granted in the form of performance units for the 2016-2018 three-year performance period that generally vest, subject to the participant’s continued AEP employment, at the end of the performance period. Performance units are generally equivalent in value to shares of AEP common stock. Dividend equivalents are reinvested in additional performance units with the same vesting conditions as the underlying performance units.

 

The 2016-2018 performance units, including the dividend credits, are subject to two equally weighted performance measures for the three-year performance period, which are:

 

   

Three-year total shareholder return relative to the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Industry Index, and

 

   

Three-year cumulative operating earnings per share relative to a performance objective established by the HR Committee.

 

These performance measures are described in detail in Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Performance Units beginning on page 40. The scores for these performance measures determine the percentage of the performance units earned at the end of the performance period, which can range from zero percent to 200 percent. Generally, recipients must remain employed by AEP through the end of the vesting period to receive a payout. For further information, see Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control beginning on page 60.

 

The remaining 25 percent of AEP’s long-term incentive awards were granted in the form of RSUs that generally vest, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment, in three equal installments on May 1, 2017, May 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019. Generally, recipients must remain employed by AEP through the vesting date to receive a payout for the RSUs that vest on such date. Upon vesting, the RSUs pay out in cash to executive officers. For further information, see Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control beginning on page 60.

 

Employment Agreements.

 

Mr. Powers has an agreement with the Company, which credits him with 17 additional years of service under AEP’s Supplemental Benefit Plan. In 1997, the Company granted additional years of credited service to Mr. Powers when he joined AEP to offset pension benefits that he would have been able to earn from his prior employer due to his length of service at that company. For further information on this, see note (2) under Pension Benefits for 2016 on page 56.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for 2016

 

The following table provides information with respect to holdings of restricted stock units and performance units by the named executive officers at December 31, 2016. The named executive officers do not have any outstanding stock options.

 

     Stock Awards

 

Name


   Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)


     Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)


     Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have
Not Vested
(#)


     Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have Not
Vested ($)(1)


 

Nicholas K. Akins

                                   

2015 – 2017 Performance Units(2)

                       85,513        10,767,797  

2016 – 2018 Performance Units(2)

                       83,201        10,476,670  

2014 Restricted Stock Units(3)

     16,294        1,025,870                    

2015 Restricted Stock Units(4)

     24,432        1,538,239                    

2016 Restricted Stock Units(5)

     27,734        1,746,133                    

Brian X. Tierney

                                   

2015 – 2017 Performance Units(2)

                       24,270        3,056,078  

2016 – 2018 Performance Units(2)

                       23,462        2,954,335  

2014 Restricted Stock Units(3)

     4,562        287,224                    

2015 Restricted Stock Units(4)

     6,935        436,628                    

2016 Restricted Stock Units(5)

     7,821        492,410                    

Robert P. Powers

                                   

2015 – 2017 Performance Units(2)

                       24,025        3,025,228  

2016 – 2018 Performance Units(2)

                       23,462        2,954,335  

2014 Restricted Stock Units(3)

     4,562        287,224                    

2015 Restricted Stock Units(4)

     6,865        432,220                    

2016 Restricted Stock Units(5)

     7,821        492,410                    

David M. Feinberg

                                   

2015 – 2017 Performance Units(2)

                       12,704        1,599,688  

2016 – 2018 Performance Units(2)

                       13,952        1,756,836  

2014 Restricted Stock Units(3)

     2,334        146,949                    

2015 Restricted Stock Units(4)

     3,631        228,608                    

2016 Restricted Stock Units(5)

     4,651        292,827                    

Lisa M. Barton

                                   

2015 – 2017 Performance Units(2)

                       12,704        1,599,688  

2016 – 2018 Performance Units(2)

                       12,419        1,563,800  

2014 Restricted Stock Units(3)

     1,952        122,898                    

2015 Restricted Stock Units(4)

     3,631        228,608                    

2016 Restricted Stock Units(5)

     4,139        260,591                    

(1)   Pursuant to applicable SEC rules, the market value of the performance units reported in this column was computed by multiplying the closing price of AEP’s common stock on December 31, 2016 ($62.96) by the maximum number of performance units issuable (200% of the target amount set forth in the preceding column) because the results for 2016 were above target for the performance units. However, the actual number of performance units credited upon vesting will be based on AEP’s actual performance over the applicable three year period.
(2)   AEP currently grants performance units at the beginning of each year with a three-year performance and vesting period. This results in awards for overlapping successive three-year performance periods. These awards generally vest at the end of the three year performance period. The performance units awarded for the 2014 – 2016 performance period, including associated dividend credits, vested at December 31, 2016 and are shown in the Options Exercises and Stock Vested for 2016 table below. The awards shown for the 2015 – 2017 and 2016 – 2018 performance periods include performance units resulting from reinvested dividends which are subject to the same performance criteria.
(3)   Amounts include RSUs resulting from reinvested dividends. They will generally vest, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment, on May 1, 2017. These RSUs were granted on December 10, 2013.

 

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(4)   Amounts include RSUs resulting from reinvested dividends. They will generally vest, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment, in two equal installments, on May 1, 2017 and May 1, 2018. These RSUs were granted on February 24, 2015.
(5)   These RSUs were granted on February 23, 2016 and include restricted stock units resulting from reinvested dividends. They will generally vest, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment, in three equal installments, on May 1, 2017, May 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019.

 

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested for 2016

 

The following table provides information with respect to the vesting of RSUs and performance units in 2016 that were granted to our named executive officers in previous years. The named executive officers did not exercise any stock options in 2016.

 

     Option Awards

     Stock Awards

 

Name


   Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise
(#)


     Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)


     Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Vesting
(#)(1)


     Value
Realized
on
Vesting ($)
(2)


 

Nicholas K. Akins

     —        —        231,032        14,607,502  

Brian X. Tierney

     —        —        64,751        4,094,107  

Robert P. Powers

     —        —        64,717        4,091,919  

David M. Feinberg

     —        —        33,114        2,093,732  

Lisa M. Barton

     —        —        29,601        1,871,621  

(1)   This column includes the following performance units and related dividend equivalents for the 2014 – 2016 performance period that vested on December 31, 2016: 186,941 for Mr. Akins; 52,334 for each of Messrs. Tierney and Powers; 26,775 for Mr. Feinberg; and 22,393 for Ms. Barton. This column also includes the following RSUs that vested on May 2, 2016: 44,091 for Mr. Akins; 12,417 for Mr. Tierney; 12,383 for Mr. Powers; 6,339 for Mr. Feinberg; and 4,680 for Ms. Barton. This column also includes 2,528 RSUs that vested on October 3, 2016 for Ms. Barton.
(2)   As is required, the value included in this column for the 2014-2016 performance units is computed by multiplying the number of units by the closing price of AEP’s common stock on the vesting date of December 31, 2016 ($62.96). However, the actual value realized from these units was based on the 20-day average closing market price of AEP common stock prior to the vesting date ($61.86). Also as required, this column includes the value of RSUs that vested on May 2, 2016 computed by multiplying the number of units vesting by the closing price of AEP’s common stock on this date, which was $64.36 per share. However, the actual value realized from these units was based on the 20-day average closing market price of AEP common stock prior to the vesting date ($64.776).This column also included the value of RSUs for Ms. Barton that vested on October 3, 2016, which had a market value of $63.51 per share (the closing price of AEP’s common stock on the vesting date).

 

2014 – 2016 Performance Units

 

Performance units that were granted for the 2014 – 2016 performance period vested on December 31, 2016. The combined score for the 2014-2016 performance period was 163.9 percent of target. The final score calculation for these performance measures is shown in the chart below.

 

Performance Measures


  Threshold
Performance


    Target
Performance


    Maximum
Payout
Performance


    Actual
Performance


    Score

    Weight

    Weighted
Score


 

3-Year Cumulative

Earnings Per Share

   

$9.90

(30% payout)

 

 

   

$10.250

(100% Payout)

 

 

   

$10.97

(200% Payout)

 

 

    $11.056       200.0%       50%       100.0%  

3-Year Total

Shareholder Return vs.

S&P Electric Utilities

   

20th

Percentile

(0% Payout)

 

 

 

   

50th

Percentile

(100% Payout)

 

 

 

   

80th

Percentile

(200% Payout)

 

 

 

   

58.3

Percentile

 

 

    127.7%       50%       63.9%  

Composite Result

                                                    163.9

 

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Pension Benefits for 2016

 

The following table provides information regarding the pension benefits for our named executive officers under AEP’s pension plans. The material terms of the plans are described following the table.

 

Name


  

Plan Name


   Number of
Years
Credited
Service (#)


     Present Value
of
Accumulated
Benefit($)(1)


     Payments
During
Last
Fiscal
Year($)


 

Nicholas K Akins

   AEP Retirement Plan      34.6              599,058       
     CSW Executive Retirement Plan      34.6              1,344,710       

Brian X. Tierney

   AEP Retirement Plan      18.7              326,573       
     AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan      18.7              1,013,205       

Robert P. Powers

   AEP Retirement Plan      18.5              603,373       
     AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan      35.5  (2)        3,901,685       

David M. Feinberg

   AEP Retirement Plan      5.7              81,087       
     AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan      5.7              211,716       

Lisa M. Barton

   AEP Retirement Plan      10.1              153,106       
     AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan      10.1              210,420       

(1)   The Present Value of Accumulated Benefits is based on the benefit accrued under the applicable plan through December 31, 2016, and the following assumptions (which are consistent with those used in AEP’s financial statements):

 

   

The named executive officer retires at normal retirement age (age 65), except for Mr. Tierney, whose benefit is calculated at age 62 because he is eligible for an unreduced annuity benefit when he reaches that age, and Mr. Powers whose benefit is calculated as of December 31, 2016 because he is eligible for an unreduced annuity benefit because he has already reached age 62.

 

   

The named executive commences the payment of benefits (the “accrued benefit”) immediately upon retirement.

 

   

The value of the annuity benefit at the named executive officer’s assumed retirement age is determined based upon the accrued benefit, an assumed interest rate of 4.05 percent, 3.85 percent and 3.85 percent for the benefits accrued under the AEP Retirement Plan, AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan and the CSW Executive Retirement Plan, respectively, and assumed mortality based upon modified versions of the RP-2014 mortality tables. Base mortality rates are derived from the RP-2014 table factored to 2006 with no collar adjustment for the qualified pension benefits and a white collar adjustment for non-qualified pension benefits. Mortality improvements are projected generationally with rates that grade linearly by year from MP-2014 in 2007 to 0.75% in 2015 and thereafter and that also grade linearly by age to zero at age 95 from age 85. The value of the lump sum benefit at that assumed retirement age is determined based upon the accrued benefit, an assumed interest rate of 4.20 percent and assumed mortality based on current law IRS lump sum mortality. The present value of each named executive officer’s benefits is determined by discounting the value of benefits described above at the assumed retirement age to each executive’s current age using an assumed interest rate of 4.05 percent, 3.85 percent and 3.85 percent for the benefits accrued under the AEP Retirement Plan, AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan and CSW Executive Retirement Plan, respectively.

 

   

For the AEP Retirement Plan, the present value of the accrued benefit is weighted based on 75 percent lump sum and 25 percent annuity (or 40 percent lump sum and 60 percent annuity for Mr. Powers due to his eligibility for early retirement under the final average pay benefit formula), based on the assumption that participants elect those benefit options

 

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in that proportion. For the AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan and the CSW Executive Retirement Plan, the present value of the accrued benefits is weighted based on 100 percent lump sum.

 

(2)   Under a letter agreement negotiated pursuant to his hire in 1998, AEP credits Mr. Powers with 17 years of service in addition to his actual years of service with AEP to offset pension benefits that he would have been able to earn from his prior employer due to his length of service at that company. The additional years of service credit have augmented the present value of his accumulated benefits under the AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan by $2,308,901. The benefits enhanced under this letter agreement were frozen as of December 31, 2010 (see Final Average Pay Formula below).

 

Overview.    AEP maintains tax-qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees. The nonqualified plans provide (i) benefits that cannot be paid under the tax-qualified plan because of maximum limitations imposed on such plans by the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) benefits pursuant to an individual agreement with one of the named executive officers (Mr. Powers). The plans are designed to provide a retirement income to executives and their spouses, as well as a market competitive benefit opportunity as part of a market competitive total rewards package.

 

AEP Retirement Plan.    The AEP Retirement Plan is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan under which benefits are generally determined by reference to a cash balance formula. The AEP Retirement Plan also encompasses the Central and South West Corporation Cash Balance Retirement Plan (the “CSW Retirement Plan”), which was merged into the AEP Retirement Plan effective December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2016, each of the named executive officers was vested in their AEP Retirement Plan benefit.

 

In addition, employees who have continuously participated in the AEP Retirement Plan (but not the CSW Retirement Plan) since December 31, 2000 (“Grandfathered AEP Participants,” which includes Mr. Tierney and Mr. Powers) remain eligible for an alternate pension benefit calculated by reference to a final average pay formula. The benefits under this final average pay formula were frozen as of December 31, 2010.

 

Cash Balance Formula.    Under the cash balance formula, each participant has an account established to which dollar credits are allocated each year.

 

  1.   Company Credits.    Each year, participants’ accounts are credited with an amount equal to a percentage of their salary for that year and annual incentive award for the prior year. The applicable percentage is based on the participant’s age and years of service. The following table shows the applicable percentage:

 

Sum of Age Plus

Years of Service


   Applicable
Percentage


 

Less than 30

     3.0

30-39

     3.5

40-49

     4.5

50-59

     5.5

60-69

     7.0

70 or more

     8.5

 

Each year, the IRS calculates a limit on the amount of eligible pay that can be used to calculate pension benefits in a qualified plan. For 2016, the limit was $265,000.

 

  2.   Interest Credits.    All amounts in the cash balance accounts earn interest at the average interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities for the month of November of the prior year, with a floor of 4 percent. For 2016, the interest rate was 4 percent.

 

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Final Average Pay Formula.    Grandfathered AEP Participants receive their benefits under the cash balance formula or the final average pay formula, whichever provides the higher benefit. On December 31, 2010, the final average pay benefit payable at the Grandfathered AEP Participant’s normal retirement age was frozen, meaning that their final average pay formula benefit is not affected by the participant’s service or compensation subsequent to this date. This frozen final average pay normal retirement benefit is based on the following calculation as of December 31, 2010: the participant’s then years of service times the sum of (i) 1.1 percent of the participant’s then high 36 consecutive months of base pay (“High 36”); plus (ii) 0.5 percent of the amount by which the participant’s then High 36 exceeded the participant’s applicable average Social Security covered compensation.

 

Grandfathered AEP Participants may become entitled to a subsidized early retirement benefit under the final average pay formula if they remain employed with AEP through age 55 with at least three years of service. The early retirement benefit payable under the final average pay formula is the unreduced normal retirement age benefit if it commences at age 62 or later. The early retirement benefit is reduced by 3 percent for each year prior to age 62 that the benefits are commenced. Mr. Powers is eligible for an unreduced early retirement benefit.

 

AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan.    The AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan is a nonqualified defined benefit pension plan. It generally provides eligible participants with benefits that are in excess of those provided under the AEP Retirement Plan (without regard to the provisions now included as the result of the merger of the CSW Retirement Plan into the AEP Retirement Plan) as determined upon the participant’s termination of employment. These excess benefits are calculated under the terms of the AEP Retirement Plan described above with the following modifications: (i) additional years of service or benefit credits are taken into account; (ii) annual incentive pay was taken into account for purposes of the frozen final average pay formula; and (iii) the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on annual compensation and annual benefits are disregarded. However, eligible pay taken into account under the cash balance formula is limited to the greater of $1 million or two times the participant’s year-end base salary.

 

Mr. Powers negotiated 17 additional years of service under the AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan when he joined the Company in 1997 to offset pension benefits that he would have been able to earn from his prior employer due to his length of service at that company.

 

Participants do not become vested in their AEP Supplemental Plan benefit until they become vested in their AEP Retirement Plan benefit or upon a change in control. As of December 31, 2016, each of the named executive officers was fully vested in their AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan benefit.

 

CSW Executive Retirement Plan.    The CSW Executive Retirement Plan is a nonqualified defined benefit pension plan. It generally provides eligible participants with benefits that are in excess of those provided under the terms of the former CSW Retirement Plan (which was merged into the AEP Retirement Plan) as determined upon the participant’s termination of employment. The excess benefits are calculated without regard to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on annual compensation and annual benefits. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Akins was fully vested in his CSW Executive Retirement Plan benefit.

 

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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2016

 

The following table provides information regarding contributions, earnings and balances for our named executive officers under AEP’s three non-qualified deferred compensation plans which are each further described below.

 

Name


   Plan
Name(1)


   Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(2)
($)


     Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY(3)
($)


     Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
FY(4)
($)


     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)


     Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(5)
($)


 

Nicholas K. Akins

   SRSP      104,100        78,075        46,755        —          1,599,366  
     ICDP      —          —          11,906        —          326,005  
     SORP      —          —          753,815        —          6,569,464  

Brian X. Tierney

   SRSP      156,226        70,302        237,843        —          3,441,925  
     SORP      —          —          134,642        —          1,173,398  

Robert P. Powers

   SRSP      91,830        68,873        277,992        —          3,825,841  
     ICDP      —          —          65,611        —          976,618  
     SORP      —          —          378,673        —          3,300,123  

David M. Feinberg

   SRSP      68,831        51,623        12,614        —          466,395  
     SORP      9,418        —          224,737        —          1,958,577  

Lisa M. Barton

   SRSP      57,028        42,771        11,798        —          432,741  
     ICDP      —          —          447        —          27,648  
     SORP      502,170        —          170,377        —          1,484,825  

(1)   “SRSP” is the American Electric Power System Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan, “ICDP” is the American Electric Power System Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan, and “SORP” is the American Electric Power System Stock Ownership Requirement Plan.
(2)   The amounts set forth under “Executive Contributions in Last FY” for the SRSP are reported in the Summary Compensation Table as either (i) Salary for 2016 or (ii) the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for 2015. The amount set forth under “Executive Contributions in Last FY” for the SORP for Mr. Feinberg was reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the Stock Awards column for 2013.
(3)   The amounts set forth under “Registrant Contributions in Last FY” for the SRSP are reported in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(4)   No amounts set forth under “Aggregate Earnings in Last FY” have been reported in the Summary Compensation Table as there were no above market or preferential earnings credited to any named executive officer’s account in any of the plans.
(5)   The amounts set forth in the “Aggregate Balance at Last FYE” column for the SRSP include the SRSP amounts reported in the “Executive Contributions in Last FY” and “Registrant Contributions in Last FY” columns. In addition, the “Aggregate Balance at Last FYE” for the SRSP includes the following amounts previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table for prior years: $813,631 for Mr. Akins, $941,978 for Mr. Tierney, $952,146 for Mr. Powers and $314,546 for Mr. Feinberg. The amounts set forth in the “Aggregate Balance at Last FYE” for the SORP include the SORP amounts reported in the “Executive Contributions in Last FY.” In addition, the “Aggregate Balance at Last FYE” for the SORP includes the following amounts previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table for prior years: $2,670,419 for Mr. Akins, $5,297 for Mr. Tierney, $4,980 for Mr. Powers and $1,607,646 for Mr. Feinberg.

 

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Overview.    AEP maintains non-qualified deferred compensation plans that allow eligible employees, including the named executive officers, to defer receipt of a portion of their base salary, annual incentive compensation and performance unit awards. The plans are unfunded. Participants have an unsecured contractual commitment from the Company to pay the amounts due under the plans from the general assets of the Company. AEP maintains the following non-qualified deferred compensation plans for eligible employees:

 

   

The American Electric Power System Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan;

 

   

The American Electric Power System Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan; and

 

   

The American Electric Power System Stock Ownership Requirement Plan.

 

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.    This plan allows eligible participants to save on a pre-tax basis and to continue to receive Company matching contributions beyond the limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on qualified plans of this type.

 

   

Participants can defer up to 50 percent of their base salary and annual incentive award in excess of the IRS’ eligible compensation limit for qualified plans, which was $265,000 for 2016, up to $2,000,000.

 

   

The Company matches 100 percent of the participant’s contributions up to 1 percent of eligible compensation and 70 percent of the participant’s contributions from the next 5 percent of eligible compensation (for a total Company match of up to 4.5% of eligible compensation).

 

   

Participants may not withdraw any amount credited to their account until their termination of employment with AEP. Participants may elect a distribution of their account as a lump-sum or annual installment payments over a period of up to 10 years. Participants may delay the commencement of distributions for up to five years from the date of their termination of employment.

 

   

Participants may direct the investment of their plan account among the core investment options that are available to all employees in AEP’s qualified Retirement Savings Plan and one additional option that provides interest at a rate set each December at 120 percent of the applicable federal long-term rate with monthly compounding. There were no above-market or preferential earnings with respect to the Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.

 

Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan.    This plan allows eligible employees to defer payment of up to 80 percent of vested performance units.

 

   

AEP does not offer any matching contributions.

 

   

Participants may direct the investment of their plan accounts among the core investment options that are available to all employees in AEP’s qualified Retirement Savings Plan. There were no above-market or preferential earnings with respect to the Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan in 2016.

 

   

Generally, participants may not withdraw any amount credited to their account until their termination of employment with AEP. However, participants may make one withdrawal of amounts attributable to their pre-2005 contributions prior to termination of employment. The withdrawal amount would be subject to a 10 percent withdrawal penalty. Participants may elect among the same payment options for the distributions of their account value as described above for the Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.

 

Stock Ownership Requirement Plan.    This plan assists executives in achieving their minimum stock ownership requirements. It does this primarily by tracking the executive’s AEP Career Shares. AEP Career Shares are a form of deferred compensation, which are unfunded and unsecured general obligations of AEP. The rate of return on AEP Career Shares is equivalent to the total return on AEP stock with dividends reinvested. Participants may not withdraw any amount

 

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credited to their account until their termination of employment with AEP. Participants may elect among the same payment options for the distribution of the value of their AEP Career Shares as described above for the Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control

 

The Company has entered into agreements and maintains plans that will require the Company to provide compensation to the named executive officers in the event of a termination of their employment or a change in control of the Company. Actual payments will depend on the circumstances and timing of any termination of employment or change of control. In addition, in connection with any actual termination or change in control transaction, we may enter into agreements or establish arrangements that provide additional or alternative benefits or amounts from those described below. The agreements and plans summarized below are complex legal documents with terms and conditions having precise meanings, which are designed to address many possible but currently hypothetical situations.

 

Severance.    AEP currently provides full-time employees, including the named executive officers, with severance benefits if their employment is terminated as the direct result of a restructuring or downsizing (“Severance-Eligible Employees”) and the employee releases AEP from any and all claims. These severance benefits include:

 

   

A lump sum severance payment equal to two weeks of base pay for each year of Company service, with a minimum of 8 weeks for employees with at least one year of AEP service;

 

   

Continued eligibility for medical and dental benefits at the active employee rates for eighteen months or until the participant becomes eligible for coverage from another employer, whichever occurs first;

 

   

For employees who are at least age 50 with 10 years of AEP service and who do not qualify for AEP’s retiree medical benefits or who will be bridged to such retiree benefit eligibility (described below), AEP also provides medical and dental benefit eligibility at rates equivalent to those provided to retirees until age 65 or until the participant becomes eligible for coverage from another employer, whichever occurs first; and

 

   

Outplacement services, the incremental cost of which may be up to $28,000 for executive officers.

 

Severance-Eligible Employees who have enough weeks of severance (up to one year) and vacation to cover a period that would allow them to become eligible for retiree medical benefits, which is available to those employees who are at least age 55 with at least 10 years of service (“Retirement-Eligible Employees”) are retained as employees on a paid leave of absence until they become retirement eligible. This benefit applies in lieu of severance and unused vacation payments that these employees would otherwise receive. The Company pays any remaining severance and vacation pay at the time of their retirement. This delay of an employee’s termination date does not apply to the plans providing nonqualified deferred compensation, which define a participant’s termination date by reference to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

 

A Severance-Eligible executive’s termination entitles that executive to a pro-rata portion of any outstanding unvested performance units that the executive has held for at least six months and to the payment of a pro-rata portion of any RSUs to the extent not already vested and paid. The pro-rated performance units will not become payable until the end of the performance period and remain subject to all performance objectives.

 

Severance-Eligible executives may continue financial counseling and tax preparation services for one year following their termination up to a maximum annual incremental cost to the Company for 2016 of $13,390 plus related incidental expenses of the advisor.

 

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The Company also has an Executive Severance Plan (Executive Severance Plan) that provides severance benefits to selected officers of the Company, including the named executive officers, subject to the executive’s agreement to comply with the provisions of the plan, including confidentiality, non-solicitation, cooperation and non-disparagement provisions during their employment and following termination. Executives remain eligible for benefits under the general severance plan described above; however, any benefits provided under the Executive Severance Plan will be reduced by any amounts provided under the general severance plan. Benefits under the Executive Severance Plan would be triggered by a resignation for “good reason” or an involuntary termination by the Company without “cause” (each as defined below).

 

The term “cause” with respect to the Executive Severance Plan means:

 

  (i)   Failure or refusal to perform a substantial part of the executive’s assigned duties and responsibilities following notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure (if such failure is capable of cure);

 

  (ii)   Commission of an act of willful misconduct, fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty either in connection with the executive’s duties to the Company or which otherwise is injurious to the best interest or reputation of the Company;

 

  (iii)   Repeated failure to follow specific lawful directions of the Board or any officer to whom the executive reports;

 

  (iv)   A violation of any of the material terms and conditions of any written agreement or agreements the executive may from time to time have with the Company;

 

  (v)   A material violation of any of the rules of conduct of behavior of the Company;

 

  (vi)   Conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, (A) a felony, (B) a misdemeanor involving an act of moral turpitude, or (C) a misdemeanor committed in connection with the executive’s employment with the Company which is injurious to the best interest or reputation of the Company; or

 

  (vii)   Violation of any applicable confidentiality, non-solicitation, or non-disparagement covenants or obligations relating to the Company (including the provisions to which the executive agreed when enrolling in the plan).

 

An executive’s termination of employment that is covered by his or her change in control agreement (described in the next section) or due to mandatory retirement, disability or death would not be considered an involuntary termination that may trigger the payment of benefits under the Executive Severance Plan.

 

An executive would have “good reason” for resignation under the Executive Severance Plan if there is any reduction in the executive’s then current annual base salary without the executive’s consent; provided, however, that a uniform percentage reduction of 10% or less in the annual base salary of all executives participating in the Executive Severance Plan who are similarly situated would not be considered good reason for resignation. Also, the Company must be given 10 days following receipt of written notice from the executive to restore the executive’s base salary before his or resignation may trigger plan benefits.

 

If benefits under the Executive Severance Plan are triggered, the affected named executive officers would receive two times their base salary and target annual incentive payable over two years. In addition, a pro-rated portion of their outstanding unvested performance units and RSUs would vest. The pro-rated performance units will not become payable until the end of the performance period and remain subject to all performance objectives. Any severance benefits payable under the Executive Severance Plan and prorated vesting of RSUs are conditioned on the execution of an agreement by the executive officer releasing claims against the Company and committing to a non-competition obligation.

 

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Change In Control.    AEP defines “change in control” under its change in control agreements and Long-Term Incentive Plan as:

 

   

The acquisition by any person of the beneficial ownership of securities representing more than one-third of AEP’s voting stock;

 

   

A merger or consolidation of AEP with another corporation unless AEP’s voting securities outstanding immediately before such merger or consolidation continue to represent at least two-thirds of the total voting power of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

   

Approval by the shareholders of the liquidation of AEP or the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of AEP.

 

AEP has a change in control agreement with each of the named executive officers that is triggered if there is a Qualifying Termination of the named executive officer’s employment. A “Qualifying Termination” for this purpose generally occurs when the executive’s employment is terminated in connection with that change in control (i) by AEP without “cause” or (ii) by the named executive officer for “good reason”, each as defined below. Such termination must be no later than two years after the change in control. These agreements provide for:

 

   

A lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the named executive officer’s annual base salary plus target annual incentive compensation award under the annual incentive program as in effect at the time of termination; and

 

   

Outplacement services.

 

The term “cause” with respect to AEP’s change in control agreements means:

 

  (i)   The willful and continued failure of the executive to perform the executive’s duties after a written demand for performance is delivered to the executive by the Board; or

 

  (ii)   The willful conduct or omission by the executive, which the Board determines to be illegal; gross misconduct that is injurious to the Company; or a breach of the executive’s fiduciary duty to the Company.

 

The term “good reason” with respect to AEP’s change in control agreements means:

 

  (i)   An adverse change in the executive’s status, duties or responsibilities from that in effect immediately prior to the change in control;

 

  (ii)   The Company’s failure to pay in a timely fashion the salary or benefits to which the executive is entitled under any employment agreement in effect on the date of the change in control;

 

  (iii)   The reduction of the executive’s salary as in effect on the date of the change in control;

 

  (iv)   Any action taken by the Company that would substantially diminish the aggregate projected value of the executive’s awards or benefits under the Company’s benefit plans or policies;

 

  (v)   A failure by the Company to obtain from any successor the assent to the change in control agreement; or

 

  (vi)   The relocation, without the executive’s prior approval, of the office at which the executive is to perform services to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles from its location immediately prior to the change in control.

 

The Company must be given notice and an opportunity to cure any of these circumstances before they would be considered to be “good reason.”

 

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All awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will vest upon a “Qualifying Termination”, which may occur coincident with or within one year after a change in control. The term “Qualifying Termination” with respect to long-term incentive awards generally is the same as that described for the change in control agreements, except that an executive’s mandatory retirement at age 65 is explicitly excluded, and “Cause” is defined more broadly to encompass:

 

  (i)   Failure or refusal to perform assigned duties and responsibilities in a competent or satisfactory manner;

 

  (ii)   Commission of an act of dishonesty, including, but not limited to, misappropriation of funds or any property of AEP;

 

  (iii)   Engagement in activities or conduct injurious to the best interest or reputation of AEP;

 

  (iv)   Insubordination;

 

  (v)   Violation of any material term or condition of any written agreement with AEP;

 

  (vi)   Violation of any of AEP’s rules of conduct of behavior;

 

  (vii)   Commission of a felony, a misdemeanor involving an act of moral turpitude, or a misdemeanor committed in connection with employment at AEP which is injurious to the best interest or reputation of AEP; or

 

  (viii)   Disclosure, dissemination, or misappropriation of confidential, proprietary, and/or trade secret information.

 

In addition, performance units would be deemed to have been fully earned at 100 percent of the target score upon a “Qualifying Termination” following a change in control. The value of each vested performance unit following a “Qualifying Termination” would be (1) the closing price of a share of AEP common stock on the date of the Qualifying Termination or (2) if the date of the Qualifying Termination is coincident with the change in control and if the change in control is the result of a tender offer, merger, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of AEP, the price paid per share of common stock in that transaction.

 

The AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan also provides that all accrued supplemental retirement benefits to the extent then unvested become fully vested upon a change in control.

 

Termination Scenarios

 

The following tables show the incremental compensation and benefits that would have been paid to each named executive officer who was employed by AEP on December 31, 2016 assuming the hypothetical circumstances cited in each column occurred on December 31, 2016 and calculated in accordance with the methodology required by the SEC. In connection with any actual termination or change in control, the Company may enter into agreements or establish arrangements that provide additional benefits or amounts, or may alter the terms of benefits described below.

 

With respect to annual incentive compensation for the completed year, the initial calculated annual incentive opportunity is shown, before any individual discretionary adjustment, which varies from the actual value paid and reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

The values shown in the change in control column are triggered only if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated under the circumstances (described above under Change In Control) that trigger the payment or provision of each of the types of compensation and benefits shown.

 

No information is provided for terminations due to disability because it is not generally AEP’s practice to terminate the employment of any employee so long as they remain eligible for AEP’s

 

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long-term disability benefits. AEP successively provides sick pay and then long-term disability benefits for up to two years to employees with a disability that prevents them from returning to their job. Such disability benefits continue for employees that cannot perform any occupation for which they are reasonably qualified generally until the employee reaches age 65. Because disabled participants remain employed by the Company, they continue to vest in long-term incentive awards while they are disabled. AEP treats a participant’s disability as a termination to the extent required by the regulations issued under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, but such terminations only trigger the payment of benefits that had previously vested. Employment may be terminated due to disability under a separate definition of employment termination that applies to restricted stock unit awards and compensation and benefit programs that may be considered non-qualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. However restricted stock unit awards allow participants terminated due to disability to continue to vest as if their employment had continued so long as they remain continuously disabled.

 

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Potential Incremental Compensation and Benefits

That Would Have Been Provided as the Result of Employment Termination

as of December 31, 2016

For Nicholas K. Akins

 

Executive Benefits and Payments
Upon Termination


   Resignation
or Retirement


     Severance

     Involuntary
Termination
for Cause


     Change In
Control


     Death

 

Compensation:

                                            

Base Salary ($1,320,000)

   $ 0      $ 2,640,000      $ 0      $ 3,946,800      $ 0  

Annual Incentive for Completed Year(1)

   $ 2,809,930      $ 2,809,930      $ 0      $ 2,809,930      $ 2,809,930  

Other Payment for Annual Incentives(2)

   $ 0      $ 3,300,000      $ 0      $ 4,933,500      $ 0  

Long-Term Incentives:(3)

                                            

2015-2017 Performance Units(4)

   $ 3,589,266      $ 3,589,266      $ 0      $ 5,383,898      $ 3,589,266  

2016-2018 Performance Units(4)

   $ 1,746,112      $ 1,746,112      $ 0      $ 5,238,335      $ 1,746,112  

2014 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 695,680      $ 0      $ 1,025,870      $ 1,025,870  

2015 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 610,652      $ 0      $ 1,538,239      $ 1,538,239  

2016 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 523,840      $ 0      $ 1,746,133      $ 1,746,133  

Benefits:

                                            

Financial Counseling

   $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 13,390  

Outplacement Services(5)

   $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0  

Total Incremental Compensation and Benefits

   $ 8,145,308      $ 15,956,870      $ 0      $ 26,664,095      $ 12,468,940  

 

Notes for the Potential Incremental Termination Scenario tables are provided collectively following the last such table.

 

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Potential Incremental Compensation and Benefits

That Would Have Been Provided as the Result of Employment Termination

as of December 31, 2016

For Brian X. Tierney

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination


   Resignation
or Retirement


     Severance

     Involuntary
Termination
for Cause


     Change In
Control


     Death

 

Compensation:

                                            

Base Salary ($728,000)

   $ 0      $ 1,456,000      $ 0      $ 2,176,720      $ 0  

Annual Incentive for Completed Year(1)

   $ 991,979      $ 991,979      $ 0      $ 991,979      $ 991,979  

Other Payment for Annual Incentives(2)

   $ 0      $ 1,164,800      $ 0      $ 1,741,376      $ 0  

Long-Term Incentives:(3)

                                            

2015-2017 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 1,018,693      $ 0      $ 1,582,039      $ 1,018,693  

2016-2018 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 492,389      $ 0      $ 1,477,168      $ 492,389  

2014 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 194,755      $ 0      $ 287,224      $ 287,224  

2015 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 173,314      $ 0      $ 436,628      $ 436,628  

2016 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 147,723      $ 0      $ 492,410      $ 492,410  

Benefits:

                                            

Financial Counseling

   $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 13,390  

Outplacement Services(5)

   $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0  

Total Incremental Compensation and Benefits

   $ 991,979      $ 5,681,043      $ 0      $ 9,172,394      $ 3,732,713  

 

Notes for the Potential Incremental Termination Scenario tables are provided collectively following the last such table.

 

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Potential Incremental Compensation and Benefits

That Would Have Been Provided as the Result of Employment Termination

as of December 31, 2016

For Robert P. Powers

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination


   Resignation
or Retirement


     Severance

     Involuntary
Termination
for Cause


     Change-In-
Control


     Death

 

Compensation:

                                            

Base Salary ($721,000)

   $ 0      $ 1,442,000      $ 0      $ 2,155,790      $ 0  

Annual Incentive for Completed Year(1)

   $ 982,761      $ 982,761      $ 0      $ 982,761      $ 982,761  

Other Payment for Annual Incentives(2)

   $ 0      $ 1,153,600      $ 0      $ 1,724,632      $ 0  

Long-Term Incentives:(3)

                                            

2015-2017 Performance Units(4)

   $ 1,008,409      $ 1,008,409      $ 0      $ 1,512,614      $ 1,008,409  

2016-2018 Performance Units(4)

   $ 492,389      $ 492,389      $ 0      $ 1,477,168      $ 492,389  

2014 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 194,755      $ 0      $ 287,224      $ 287,224  

2015 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 171,566      $ 0      $ 432,220      $ 432,220  

2016 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 147,723      $ 0      $ 492,410      $ 492,410  

Benefits:

                                            

Financial Counseling

   $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 13,390  

Outplacement Services(5)

   $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0  

Total Incremental Compensation and Benefits

   $ 2,483,559      $ 5,634,593      $ 0      $ 9,106,209      $ 3,708,803  

 

Notes for the Potential Incremental Termination Scenario tables are provided collectively following the last such table.

 

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Potential Incremental Compensation and Benefits

That Would Have Been Provided as the Result of Employment Termination

as of December 31, 2016

For David M. Feinberg

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination


   Resignation
or Retirement


     Severance

     Involuntary
Termination
for Cause


     Change In
Control


     Death

 

Compensation:

                                            

Base Salary ($613,000)

   $ 0      $ 1,226,000      $ 0      $ 1,832,870      $ 0  

Annual Incentive for Completed Year(1)

   $ 730,631      $ 730,631      $ 0      $ 730,361      $ 730,361  

Other Payment for Annual Incentives(2)

   $ 0      $ 858,200      $ 0      $ 1,283,009      $ 0  

Long-Term Incentives:(3)

                                            

2015-2017 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 533,229      $ 0      $ 799,844      $ 533,229  

2016-2018 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 292,806      $ 0      $ 878,418      $ 292,806  

2014 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 99,637      $ 0      $ 146,949      $ 146,949  

2015 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 90,725      $ 0      $ 228,608      $ 228,608  

2016 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 87,848               $ 292,827      $ 292,827  

Benefits:

                                            

Financial Counseling

   $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 13,390  

Outplacement Services(5)

   $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0  

Total Incremental Compensation and Benefits

   $ 730,631      $ 3,960,466      $ 0      $ 6,234,546      $ 2,238,440  

 

Notes for the Potential Incremental Termination Scenario tables are provided collectively following the last such table.

 

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Potential Incremental Compensation and Benefits

That Would Have Been Provided as the Result of Employment Termination

as of December 31, 2016

For Lisa M. Barton

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination


   Resignation
or Retirement


     Severance

     Involuntary
Termination
for Cause


     Change-In-
Control


     Death

 

Compensation:

                                            

Base Salary ($530,000)

   $ 0      $ 1,060,000      $ 0      $ 1,584,700      $ 0  

Annual Incentive for Completed Year(1)

   $ 631,926      $ 631,926      $ 0      $ 631,926      $ 631,926  

Other Payment for Annual Incentives(2)

   $ 0      $ 742,000      $ 0      $ 1,109,290      $ 0  

Long-Term Incentives:(3)

                                            

2015-2017 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 533,229      $ 0      $ 799,844      $ 533,229  

2016-2018 Performance Units(4)

   $ 0      $ 260,633      $ 0      $ 781,900      $ 260,633  

2014 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 83,338      $ 0      $ 122,898      $ 122,898  

2015 Restricted Stock Units

            $ 90,725               $ 228,608      $ 228,608  

2016 Restricted Stock Units

   $ 0      $ 78,177      $ 0      $ 260,591      $ 260,591  

Benefits:

                                            

Financial Counseling

   $      $ 13,390      $ 0      $ 13,390      $ 13,390  

Outplacement Services(5)

   $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0      $ 28,000      $ 0  

Total Incremental Compensation and Benefits

   $ 631,926      $ 3,521,418      $ 0      $ 5,561,147      $ 2,051,275  

(1)   Executive officers and all other employees are eligible for an annual incentive award based on their earnings for the year if they remain employed with AEP through year-end, if they die or if they incur a retirement-eligible termination. The amount shown is the calculated annual incentive opportunity, as shown in the table on page 38, but annual incentives for executive officers are awarded at the discretion of the HR Committee or independent members of the Board pursuant to the award determination process described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(2)   The amount shown in the Severance column is two times the target annual incentive opportunity for each of the named executive officers. The amount shown in the Change-In-Control column is 2.99 times the target annual incentive opportunity for each of the named executive officers.
(3)   The long-term incentive values shown represent the values that would be paid under such circumstances shown in each column based on the closing price of AEP common stock on December 31, 2016, which is the methodology required by the SEC. These amounts differ from the values calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. These amounts also differ from the amounts that would actually be paid under such circumstances, which would be based on the 20-day average closing market price of AEP common stock as of the end of the performance period for performance units and as of the termination date for Restricted Stock Units.
(4)   The target value of performance unit awards are shown. The actual value paid in the event of resignation or retirement, severance or death, if any, will depend on the actual performance score for the full performance period. Any payments for awards under those circumstances are not paid until the end of the three year performance period. In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, awards would be paid at a target performance score as soon as administratively practical after the change in control.
(5)   Represents the maximum cost of Company-paid outplacement services, which the Company provides through an unaffiliated third party vendor.

 

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The following table shows the value of previously earned and vested compensation and benefits as of December 31, 2016, that would have been provided to each named executive officer following a termination of his or her employment on December 31, 2016. These amounts were generally earned or vested over multiple years of service to the Company.

 

Non-Incremental Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits on December 31, 2016

 

Name


   Long-Term Incentives

     Benefits

        
   Vested
Performance
Units
(1)


     AEP Career
Shares
(2)


     Vacation
Payout
(3)


     Post
Retirement
Benefits
(4)


     Deferred
Compensation
(5)


 

Nicholas K. Akins

   $ 11,769,805      $ 6,686,289      $ 76,154      $ 1,928,163      $ 1,925,371  

Brian X. Tierney

   $ 3,294,949      $ 1,194,288      $ 26,642      $ 1,270,763      $ 3,441,925  

Robert P. Powers

   $ 3,294,949      $ 3,358,790      $ 13,750      $ 4,779,432      $ 4,802,459  

David M. Feinberg

   $ 1,685,754      $ 1,993,377      $ 42,144      $ 288,832      $ 466,395  

Lisa M. Barton

   $ 1,409,863      $ 1,511,229      $ 15,798      $ 357,706      $ 460,389  

(1)   Represents the value of performance units that vested on December 31, 2016 calculated using the market value of these shares on December 31, 2016. However, the actual value realized or deferred from these performance units was based on the 20-day average closing market price of AEP common stock on the vesting date.
(2)   Represents the value of AEP share equivalents deferred mandatorily into the AEP Stock Ownership Requirement Plan calculated using the market value of these shares on December 31, 2016. However, the actual value that would have been realized from these AEP share equivalents would have been based on the 20-day average closing market price of AEP common stock at the end of the month of employment termination.
(3)   Represents accumulated but unused vacation.
(4)   Represents the lump sum benefit calculated for the named executive officer pursuant to the terms of the AEP Retirement Plan, the AEP Supplemental Benefit Plan and the CSW Executive Retirement Plan, as applicable.
(5)   Includes balances from the Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan and the Incentive Compensation Deferral Plans, but does not include AEP Career Share balances, which are listed separately in column (2).

 

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Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of AEP Common Stock and stock-based units as of February 18, 2017 for all Directors, director nominees, each of the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table and all Directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Unless otherwise noted, each person had sole voting and investment power over the number of shares of AEP common stock set forth across from his or her name. Fractions of shares and units have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

Name


   Shares(a)

    Stock
Units(b)


     Total(c)

 

N. K. Akins

     57,534       106,199        163,733  

D. J. Anderson

     0       18,671        18,671  

L. M. Barton

     1,315       24,003        25,348  

J. B. Beasley, Jr

     0       7,939        7,939  

R. D. Crosby, Jr.

     0       41,094        41,094  

D. M. Feinberg

     1,760       31,661        33,421  

L. A. Goodspeed

     0       41,960        41,960  

T. Hoaglin

     1,000       34,649        35,649  

S. B. Lin

     1,032       13,504        14,536  

R. C. Notebaert

     0       18,671        18,671  

L. L. Nowell III

     0       37,667        37,667  

R. P. Powers

     0       53,348        53,348  

R. S. Rasmussen

     0       12,913        12,913  

O. G. Richard III

     2,195       11,673        13,868  

B. X. Tierney

     9,915       30,950        40,865  

S. M. Tucker

     1,532 (d)      30,069        31,601  

All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (21 persons)(e)

     99,685       630,181        729,866  

(a)   None of the shares is pledged. This column also includes share equivalents held in the AEP Retirement Savings Plan.
(b)   This column includes amounts deferred in stock units and held under the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and amounts deferred in share equivalents in the Retainer Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors. This column also includes amounts deferred in share equivalents held under AEP’s Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan, AEP’s Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan and the following numbers of AEP Career Shares: Mr. Akins, 106,199; Mr. Feinberg, 31,661; Mr. Powers, 53,348; Mr. Tierney, 18,969; Ms. Barton, 24,003 and all directors and executive officers as a group, 341,959.
(c)   This column excludes RSUs that will not vest within 60 days.
(d)   Includes 32 shares held by family members of Ms. Tucker over which she disclaimed beneficial ownership.
(e)   As of February 18, 2017, the directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned less than one percent of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires AEP’s executive officers, the principal accounting officer, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10 percent of AEP’s common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of AEP common stock with the SEC. Executive officers, the principal accounting officer and directors are required by SEC regulations to furnish AEP with copies of all reports they file. AEP believes that all of its directors, executive officers and the principal accounting officer, timely met all of their respective Section 16(a) filing requirements during 2016.

 

Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

Set forth below are the only persons or groups known to AEP as of February 24, 2017, with beneficial ownership of more than five percent of AEP common stock.

 

     AEP Shares

 

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner


   Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership


    Percent of
Class


 

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

     34,182,178 (a)      7.0

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, PA 19355

     33,044,223 (b)      6.71

State Street Corporation

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

     24,912,712 (c)      5.07

(a)   Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, BlackRock, Inc. reported that it has sole power to vote 29,472,368 shares and sole dispositive power for 34,182,178 shares.
(b)   Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, The Vanguard Group reported that it has sole power to vote 820,504 shares, shared power to vote 110,641 shares, sole dispositive power for 32,139,757 shares and shared dispositive power for 864,466 shares.
(c)   Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC, State Street Corporation reported that it has shared power to vote 24,912,712 shares, and shared dispositive power for 24,912,712 shares.

 

Shareholder Proposals and Nominations

 

You may submit proposals for consideration at future stockholder meetings. For a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the annual meeting next year, the Corporate Secretary must receive the written proposal at our principal executive offices no later than November 16, 2017. Such proposals also must comply with SEC regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to:

 

Corporate Secretary

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

For a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting under Rule 14a-8, the stockholder must provide the information required by

 

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our Bylaws and give timely notice to the Corporate Secretary in accordance with our Bylaws, which, in general, require that the notice be received by the Corporate Secretary:

 

   

not earlier than the close of business on December 26, 2017; and

 

   

not later than the close of business on January 25, 2018.

 

If the date of the stockholder meeting is moved more than 30 days before or 70 days after the anniversary of our annual meeting for the prior year, then notice of a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 must be received no earlier than the close of business 120 days prior to the meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the following two dates:

 

   

90 days prior to the meeting; and

 

   

10 days after public announcement of the meeting date.

 

Deadlines for the nomination of director candidates are summarized below. This summary is qualified by our Bylaws.

 

Our Bylaws permit stockholders to nominate directors for consideration at an annual meeting. To nominate a director for consideration at an annual meeting, a nominating stockholder must provide the information required by our Bylaws and give timely notice of the nomination to the Corporate Secretary in accordance with our Bylaws, and each nominee must meet the qualifications required by our Bylaws. To nominate a director for consideration at next year’s annual meeting, in general the notice must be received by the Corporate Secretary between the close of business on December 26, 2017 and the close of business on January 25, 2018, unless the annual meeting is moved by more than 30 days before or 70 days after the anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting, in which case the deadline will be as set forth above.

 

In addition, our Bylaws provide that, under certain circumstances, a stockholder or group of stockholders may include in our annual meeting proxy statement director candidates that they have nominated. These proxy access provisions of our Bylaws provide, among other things, that a stockholder or group of up to twenty stockholders seeking to include director candidates in our annual meeting proxy statement must own 3% or more of our outstanding common stock continuously for at least the previous three years. The number of stockholder-nominated candidates appearing in any annual meeting proxy statement cannot exceed the greater of (x) two or (y) 20% of the number of directors then serving on the Board. If 20% is not a whole number, the maximum number of stockholder-nominated candidates would be the closest whole number below 20%. Based on the current Board size of 12 directors, the maximum number of proxy access candidates that we would be required to include in our proxy materials for an annual meeting is two. Nominees submitted under the proxy access procedures that are later withdrawn or are included in the proxy materials as Board-nominated candidates will be counted in determining whether the 20% maximum has been reached. If the number of stockholder-nominated candidates exceeds 20%, each nominating stockholder or group of stockholders may select one nominee for inclusion in our proxy materials until the maximum number is reached. The order of selection would be determined by the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of our common stock held by each nominating stockholder or group of stockholders. The nominating stockholder or group of stockholders also must deliver the information required by our Bylaws, and each nominee must meet the qualifications required by our Bylaws. Requests to include stockholder-nominated candidates in our proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting must be received by the Corporate Secretary:

 

   

not earlier than the close of business on October 16, 2017; and

 

   

not later than the close of business on November 15, 2017.

 

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If the date of the stockholder meeting is moved more than 30 days before or 70 days after the anniversary of our annual meeting for the prior year, then notice of a stockholder proposal that is not intended to be included in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 must be received no later than the close of business on the later of the following two dates:

 

   

120 days prior to the meeting; and

 

   

10 days after public announcement of the meeting date.

 

Solicitation Expenses

 

These proxies are being solicited by our Board of Directors. The costs of this proxy solicitation will be paid by AEP. Proxies will be solicited principally by mail and the Internet, but some telephone or personal solicitations of holders of AEP common stock may be made. Any officers or employees of the AEP System who make or assist in such solicitations will receive no additional compensation for doing so. AEP will request brokers, banks and other custodians or fiduciaries holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees to forward copies of the proxy-soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of the shares held by them, and AEP will reimburse them for their expenses incurred in doing so at rates prescribed by the New York Stock Exchange. We have engaged Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Ave., Stamford, Connecticut 06902, to assist us with the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $10,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

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Exhibit A

 

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

 

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). However, AEP’s management believes that the Company’s operating earnings provide users with additional meaningful financial information about the Company’s performance. Management also uses this non-GAAP financial measures when communicating with stock analysts and investors regarding its earnings outlook and results. This non-GAAP measure is also used for purposes of determining performance-based compensation. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

For additional details regarding the reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures below, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2017.

 

     EPS  

GAAP Reported Earnings

   $ 1.24  

Special Items

        

Mark-to-Market Impact of Commodity Hedging Activities

   $ (0.01

Federal Tax Audit Settlement

   $ (0.15

Capital Loss Valuation Allowance

   $ (0.09

UK Windfall Tax

   $ (0.03

Impairment of Certain Merchant Generation Assets

   $ 2.98  

Operating Earnings

   $ 3.94  

 

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Exhibit B

 

American Electric Power Company, Inc. Senior Officer Incentive Plan

 

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.

SENIOR OFFICER INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ARTICLE I

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

 

American Electric Power Company, Inc. previously adopted the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) effective January 1, 1997, which was amended and restated effective February 28, 2012. This document amends and restates the Incentive Plan effective as of February 20, 2017 (the date the changes made by this Incentive Plan were approved by resolution of the Human Resources Committee) (the “Effective Date”). Any changes made to the Incentive Plan by this document shall not affect Awards granted prior to the Effective Date. Grants of Awards under the Incentive Plan, as amended hereby, may be made on or after the Effective Date.

 

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Award” means an incentive award, which entitles a Participant to receive a payment from the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to Article IV, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.

 

(b) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute, and applicable regulations.

 

(d) “Committee” means the Human Resources Committee of the Board or such other committee or subcommittee as may be designated by the Board to oversee the Company’s executive compensation; provided that any such Committee shall consist of two or more persons, each of whom is an “outside director” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

 

(e) “Company” means American Electric Power Company, Inc., a New York corporation.

 

(f) “Covered Employee” means a Participant who the Committee determines meets the definition of a Covered Employee as defined in Code Section 162(m)(3).

 

(g) “Effective Date” is defined in Article I.

 

(h) “Participant” means a corporate officer of the Company or of a Subsidiary who is granted an Award by the Committee.

 

(i) “Performance-Based Compensation” means an Award that is intended to constitute “remuneration payable solely on account of the attainment of one or more or performance goals” or “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(j) “Performance Objective” is defined in Section 4.2.

 

(k) “Performance Period” is defined in Section 4.2.

 

(l) “Plan” means the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.

 

(m) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company), limited liability company, partnership or other business organization of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

Awards may be granted to any Participant from time to time by the Committee. The Committee shall determine the terms, conditions, and limitations applicable to each Award consistent with the Plan. Designation by the Committee as a Participant for an Award in one period shall not confer on such Participant the right to participate in the Plan for any other period.

 

ARTICLE IV

INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

Section 4.1. General.

 

(a)   Awards may be granted to a Participant in such amounts and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee, at the time an Award is made, shall specify the terms and conditions which govern the Award, which terms and conditions shall prescribe that the Award shall be earned only upon, and to the extent that, Performance Objectives as described in Section 4.2, are satisfied within a designated time.

 

(b)   Different terms and conditions may be established by the Committee for different Awards and for different Participants with respect to the same or different Performance Periods.

 

Section 4.2. Performance Objectives.    The vesting and payment of Awards shall be contingent upon the degree of attainment of such performance goal(s) (the “Performance Objectives”) over such period (the “Performance Period”) as shall be specified by the Committee at the time the Award is granted. Performance Objectives will be established prior to or within the first ninety (90) days of each Performance Period (or within the first 25% of the Performance Period, if the Performance Period is shorter than 360 days).

 

The criteria for developing the Performance Objectives upon which payment or vesting of an Award intended to qualify for the exemption under Code Section 162(m) may be based shall be limited to one or more of the following, as determined by the Committee: (i) earnings measures: primary earnings per share; fully diluted earnings per share; net income; pre-tax income; operating income; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; net operating profits after taxes; income before income taxes, minority interest and equity earnings; income before discontinued operations, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes, or any combination thereof; (ii) expense control: operations & maintenance expense; total expenditures; expense ratios; and expense reduction; (iii) customer measures: customer satisfaction; service cost; service levels; responsiveness; bad debt collections or losses; and reliability – such as outage frequency, outage duration, and frequency of momentary outages; (iv) safety measures: recordable

 

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case rate; severity rate; and vehicle accident rate; (v) diversity measures: minority placement rate and utilization; (vi) environmental measures: emissions; project completion milestones; regulatory/legislative/cost recovery goals; and notices of violation; (vii) revenue measures: revenue and margin; (viii) shareholder return measures: total shareholder return; economic value added; cumulative shareholder value added; return on equity; return on capital; return on assets; dividend payout ratio and cash flow(s) – such as operating cash flows, free cash flow, discounted cash flow return on investment and cash flow in excess of cost of capital or any combination thereof; (ix) valuation measures: stock price increase; price to book value ratio; and price to earnings ratio; (x) capital and risk measures: debt to equity ratio and dividend payout as percentage of net income; (xi) employee satisfaction; (xii) project measures: completion of key milestones; (xiii) production measures: generating capacity factor; performance against the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation index; generating equivalent availability; heat rates and production cost. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and in such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods (e.g., earnings growth), or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.

 

Performance Objectives may relate to attainment of specified objectives by the Participant or by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries, including a division or a department of the Company or of one or more Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.3. Payment of Awards.    An Award shall not become payable unless, after the expiration of the Performance Period, the Committee has certified either that the Performance Objectives with respect to such Award have been satisfied or the level of attainment of each Performance Objective. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the terms and conditions of a particular Award, the Committee retains the power, authority and discretion to reduce or eliminate, but not to increase, the amount calculated as payable under the terms of any Award in order to reflect other performance criteria. Payment of such Awards that have been certified shall be made to Participants in a single lump sum in cash at such time determined by the Committee, and generally no later than two and one-half months after the end of the Performance Period; provided that unless otherwise clearly specified in the terms and conditions of a particular Award, payment shall be made no later than 2-1/2 months after the end of the calendar year during which the Award became vested, or as soon as practical thereafter. In no event shall any Participant receive an Award payment or payments in any fiscal year that exceeds the lesser of (i) $6,000,000 or (ii) 400% of the Participant’s base salary (prior to any salary reduction or deferral elections) as of the date of grant of the Award.

 

Section 4.4. Recoupment of Incentive Compensation.    Each Participant who is granted an Award shall reimburse the amount awarded, earned, received or paid under such Award if the Committee, in its discretion, determines that: (i) the Award or any compensation resulting from it was predicated upon the achievement of financial or other results that were subsequently materially restated or corrected, and (ii) the Award or any compensation resulting from it would have been materially lower had the achievement been calculated on such restated or corrected financial results. If and to the extent that the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that the conditions set forth in (i) and (ii) have been met and such reimbursement is warranted by the facts and circumstances of the particular case or if the applicable legal requirements impose more stringent requirements on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to obtain reimbursement of such compensation, then the Participant will be required to reimburse Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, for the value of such compensation paid to that Participant. The Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, also may retain any deferred compensation previously credited to the Participant and not paid, provided that the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, will retain such deferred compensation only if, when and to the extent that it otherwise becomes payable to the Participant. This right to reimbursement is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any and

 

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all other rights the Company and its Subsidiaries might have to pursue reimbursement or such other remedies against an employee for misconduct in the course of employment or otherwise based on applicable legal considerations, all of which are expressly retained by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE V

ADMINISTRATION

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have all of the powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out its duties under the Plan. Not in limitation of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the power and discretion to construe and interpret the Plan and to determine all questions that shall arise thereunder. The Committee shall have such other and further specified duties, powers, authority and discretion as are elsewhere in the Plan either expressly or by necessary implication conferred upon it. The Committee may appoint such agents, who need not be members of the Committee, as it may deem necessary for the effective performance of its duties, and may delegate to such agents such powers and duties as the Committee may deem expedient or appropriate that are not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. The decision of the Committee or any agent of the Committee upon all matters within the scope of its authority shall be final and conclusive on all persons.

 

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

Section 6.1. Amendment of Plan.    The Company has the right, at any time and from time to time, to amend in whole or in part any of the terms and provisions of the Plan to the extent permitted by law for whatever reason(s) the Company may deem appropriate; provided, however, that any such amendment which requires approval of the Company’s shareholders in order to maintain the qualification of Awards as performance-based compensation pursuant to Code Section 162(m) (4)(C) shall not be made without such approval.

 

Section 6.2. Termination of Plan.    The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time, to suspend or terminate the Plan to the extent permitted by law for whatever reason(s) the Company may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, suspension or termination as to any Subsidiary, Employee, or class of Employees.

 

Section 6.3. Procedure for Amendment or Termination.    Any amendment to the Plan or termination of the Plan shall be made by the Company by resolution of the Committee and shall not require the approval or consent of any Subsidiary or Participant to be effective to the extent permitted by law. Any amendment to the Plan or termination of the Plan may be retroactive to the extent not prohibited by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 7.1. Rights of Employees.    Status as an eligible Employee shall not be construed as a commitment that any Award will be made under the Plan to such eligible Employee or to eligible Employees generally. Nothing contained in the Plan (or in any other documents related to this Plan or to any Award) shall confer upon any Employee any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or constitute any contract or limit in any way the right of the Company to change such person’s compensation or other benefits or to terminate the employment or service of such person with or without cause.

 

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Section 7.2. Unfunded Status.    The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary, nor the Committee, nor the Board shall be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards made pursuant to the Plan. Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary, nor the Committee, nor the Board shall be deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under the Plan.

 

Section 7.3. Limits on Liability.    Any liability of the Company or any Subsidiary to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created by the Plan. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any member of the Board or the Committee, nor any other person participating in any determination of any question under the Plan, or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken in good faith under the Plan. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Board and the Committee from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, costs, and expenses (including the costs and expenses of attorneys incurred in connection with the investigation or defense of claims) in any manner connected with or arising out of any actions or inactions in connection with the administration of the Plan except for such actions or inactions which are not in good faith or which constitute willful misconduct.

 

Section 7.4. Interpretation.    Unless otherwise expressly stated by the Committee with respect to an Award, each Award granted to a Covered Employee under the Plan is intended to (i) be Performance-Based Compensation that is fully deductible by the Company for federal income taxes and not subject to the deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code and (ii) comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A (including by reason of being exempt from the application of Code Section 409A), and the Plan shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent possible to conform any Award to effect such intent. The Committee shall not have any discretion to determine that an Award will be paid to a Covered Employee if the Performance Objective for such Award is not attained.

 

Section 7.5. Tax Withholding.    The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any payment made under the Plan the full amount of any required federal, state or local taxes or such other amounts as may be required by applicable law.

 

Section 7.6. Non-transferability of Benefits.    A Participant may not assign or transfer any interest in an Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the death of a Participant, the Participant’s rights and benefits under the Plan shall pass by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

Section 7.7. Governing Law.    To the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

 

ARTICLE VIII

EFFECTIVE DATE; DURATION OF THE PLAN

 

The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, this Plan shall be subject to approval by a vote of the shareholders of the Company at its 2017 annual meeting, and such shareholder approval shall be a pre-condition to the right of any Participant to receive any benefits pursuant to an Award made under this Plan on or after the Effective Date.

 

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LOGO

 

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, OH 43215–2378

 

LOGO   LOGO

 


Table of Contents
         LOGO
LOGO    
   
   
   
   
   

 

Electronic Voting Instructions

 

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

   

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

        

 

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on April 25, 2017.

         LOGO   Vote by Internet
          

  • Go to www.envisionreports.com/AEP

          

  • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone

          

  • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website

          

 

Vote by telephone

          

  • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.         

  • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

 

LOGO

 

q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

 

 

 A 

  Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4 and 1 YEAR for Proposal 5.      

 

1.    Election of Directors:   For    Against    Abstain     For    Against    Abstain     For    Against    Abstain       

 

+

  
01 - Nicholas K. Akins  

 

  

 

  

 

  02 - David J. Anderson  

 

  

 

  

 

  03 - J. Barnie Beasley, Jr.  

 

  

 

  

 

         
04 - Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.           05 - Linda A. Goodspeed           06 - Thomas E. Hoaglin                  
07 - Sandra Beach Lin           08 - Richard C. Notebaert           09 - Lionel L. Nowell III                  
10 - Stephen S. Rasmussen           11 - Oliver G. Richard III           12 - Sara Martinez Tucker                  
           For    Against    Abstain                     For    Against    Abstain
2.   Reapproval of the material terms of the American Electric Power System Senior Officer Incentive Plan.                   3.  

Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

            
           For    Against    Abstain              1 Year        2 Years    3 Years    Abstain
4.   Advisory approval of the Company’s executive compensation.                   5.   Advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation.                
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          

 

 B    Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below    

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.       Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.       Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

 

                    /            /

 

               

IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A AND B.

 

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American Electric Power Company, Inc.

2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Admission Ticket

Tuesday April 25, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Clay Center

1 Clay Square

Charleston, West Virgina

If you wish to attend and vote at the meeting, please bring this admission ticket and identification with you.

 

 

AGENDA

             

 

Introduction and Welcome

                     Ratification of Auditors           Chief Executive Officer’s Report

 

Election of Directors

                     Advisory approval of the Company’s executive compensation           Comments and Questions from Shareholders

  Approval of Senior Officer Incentive Plan                      Advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation      

 

  LOGO         The Clay Center is located at 1 Clay Square, Charleston, West Virginia. Shareholders may park free of charge at 1118 Washington Street, which is directly across the street from the east side of the Clay Center. Please let the attendant know that you are attending AEP’s shareholders meeting to gain access to the lot. Directional signage will guide you to the Clay Center’s lobby, where you may register and enjoy a continental breakfast prior to the start of the meeting.   

q  IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

 

 

 

LOGO   +

 

 

Proxy — American Electric Power Company, Inc.

 

 

Proxy Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting to be held April 25, 2017

The shareholder signing on the reverse of this proxy card appoints Nicholas K. Akins and Brian X. Tierney, and each of them, acting by a majority if more than one be present, attorneys and proxies to the undersigned, with power of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the annual meeting of shareholders of American Electric Power Company, Inc. to be held on April 25, 2017, and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote on all matters coming before said meeting. If no direction is given, such shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors and at the discretion of the proxy holders as to any other matters coming before the meeting.

Trustee’s Authorization. The undersigned authorizes JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association to vote all shares of Common Stock of the Company credited to the undersigned’s account under the American Electric Power System retirement savings plan at the annual meeting in accordance with instructions on the reverse side.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes (SEE REVERSE SIDE), but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

 

Nominees for Election of Directors:        
01 - Nicholas K. Akins   02 - David J. Anderson   03 - J. Barnie Beasley, Jr.   04 - Ralph D. Crosby, Jr.   05 - Linda A. Goodspeed   06 - Thomas E. Hoaglin
07 - Sandra Beach Lin   08 - Richard C. Notebaert   09 - Lionel L. Nowell III   10 - Stephen S. Rasmussen   11 - Oliver G. Richard III   12 - Sara Martinez Tucker

 

 C    Non-Voting Items            

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

      Comments — Please print your comments below.      
       
       
       

 

    IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A AND B ON THE OTHER SIDE  OF THIS CARD.   +
       
EX-99 2 d281570dex99.htm APPENDIX A Appendix A


Appendix A to the
Proxy Statement







American Electric Power












2016 Annual Report




Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations








aeplogok.jpg




 
CONTENTS
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2373
 
 
Glossary of Terms
 
 
Forward-Looking Information
 
 
AEP Common Stock and Dividend Information
 
 
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
Index of Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants
 
 
Corporate and Shareholder Information
 
 
Executive Leadership Team





GLOSSARY OF TERMS

When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
Term
 
Meaning
 
 
 
AEGCo
 
AEP Generating Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
AEP
 
American Electric Power Company, Inc., an investor-owned electric public utility holding company which includes American Electric Power Company, Inc. (Parent) and majority owned consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated affiliates.
AEP Credit
 
AEP Credit, Inc., a consolidated variable interest entity of AEP which securitizes accounts receivable and accrued utility revenues for affiliated electric utility companies.
AEP East Companies
 
APCo, I&M, KPCo and OPCo.
AEP Energy
 
AEP Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned retail electric supplier for customers in Ohio, Illinois and other deregulated electricity markets throughout the United States.
AEP Renewables
 
AEP Renewables, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Supply and a consolidated variable interest entity formed for the purpose of providing utility scale wind and solar projects whose power output is sold via long-term power purchase agreements to other utilities, cities and corporations.
AEP System
 
American Electric Power System, an electric system, owned and operated by AEP subsidiaries.
AEP Texas
 
AEP Texas Inc., an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
AEP Transmission Holdco
 
AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEP.
AEPEP
 
AEP Energy Partners, Inc., a subsidiary of AEP dedicated to wholesale marketing and trading, hedging activities, asset management and commercial and industrial sales in the deregulated Ohio and Texas market.
AEPRO
 
AEP River Operations, LLC.
AEPSC
 
American Electric Power Service Corporation, an AEP service subsidiary providing management and professional services to AEP and its subsidiaries.
AEP Utilities
 
AEP Utilities, Inc., a former subsidiary of AEP and holding company for TCC, TNC and CSW Energy, Inc.  Effective December 31, 2016, TCC and TNC were merged into AEP Utilities, Inc.  Subsequently following this merger, the assets and liabilities of CSW Energy, Inc. were transferred to an affiliated company and AEP Utilities, Inc. was renamed AEP Texas Inc.
AFUDC
 
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction.
AGR
 
AEP Generation Resources Inc., a competitive AEP subsidiary in the Generation & Marketing segment.
AOCI
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
APCo
 
Appalachian Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding
 
Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of APCo and a consolidated variable interest entity formed for the purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to the under-recovered ENEC deferral balance.
APSC
 
Arkansas Public Service Commission.
ASU
 
Accounting Standards Update.
CAA
 
Clean Air Act.
CLECO
 
Central Louisiana Electric Company, a nonaffiliated utility company.
CO2
 
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Cook Plant
 
Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, a two-unit, 2,191 MW nuclear plant owned by I&M.
CRES provider
 
Competitive Retail Electric Service providers under Ohio law that target retail customers by offering alternative generation service.
CWIP
 
Construction Work in Progress.

i




Term
 
Meaning
 
 
 
DCC Fuel
 
DCC Fuel VI LLC, DCC Fuel VII, DCC Fuel VIII, DCC Fuel IX and DCC X, consolidated variable interest entities formed for the purpose of acquiring, owning and leasing nuclear fuel to I&M.
Desert Sky
 
Desert Sky Wind Farm, a 160.5 MW wind electricity generation facility located on Indian Mesa in Pecos County, Texas.
DHLC
 
Dolet Hills Lignite Company, LLC, a wholly-owned lignite mining subsidiary of SWEPCo.
EIS
 
Energy Insurance Services, Inc., a nonaffiliated captive insurance company and consolidated variable interest entity of AEP.
ENEC
 
Expanded Net Energy Cost.
Energy Supply
 
AEP Energy Supply LLC, a nonregulated holding company for AEP’s competitive generation, wholesale and retail businesses, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEP.
ERCOT
 
Electric Reliability Council of Texas regional transmission organization.
ESP
 
Electric Security Plans, a PUCO requirement for electric utilities to adjust their rates by filing with the PUCO.
ETT
 
Electric Transmission Texas, LLC, an equity interest joint venture between Parent and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company formed to own and operate electric transmission facilities in ERCOT.
FAC
 
Fuel Adjustment Clause.
FASB
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board.
Federal EPA
 
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
FERC
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FGD
 
Flue Gas Desulfurization or scrubbers.
FTR
 
Financial Transmission Right, a financial instrument that entitles the holder to receive compensation for certain congestion-related transmission charges that arise when the power grid is congested resulting in differences in locational prices.
GAAP
 
Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America.
I&M
 
Indiana Michigan Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
IGCC
 
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, technology that turns coal into a cleaner-burning gas.
Interconnection Agreement
 
An agreement by and among APCo, I&M, KPCo and OPCo, which defined the sharing of costs and benefits associated with their respective generation plants.  This agreement was terminated January 1, 2014.
IRS
 
Internal Revenue Service.
IURC
 
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
KGPCo
 
Kingsport Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
KPCo
 
Kentucky Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
KPSC
 
Kentucky Public Service Commission.
kV
 
Kilovolt.
KWh
 
Kilowatthour.
LPSC
 
Louisiana Public Service Commission.
MISO
 
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator.
MLR
 
Member load ratio, the method used to allocate transactions among members of the Interconnection Agreement.
MMBtu
 
Million British Thermal Units.
MPSC
 
Michigan Public Service Commission.
MTM
 
Mark-to-Market.
MW
 
Megawatt.
MWh
 
Megawatthour.
NOx
 
Nitrogen oxide.
Nonutility Money Pool
 
Centralized funding mechanism AEP uses to meet the short-term cash requirements of certain nonutility subsidiaries.

ii




Term
 
Meaning
 
 
 
NSR
 
New Source Review.
OATT
 
Open Access Transmission Tariff.
OCC
 
Corporation Commission of the State of Oklahoma.
Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding
 
Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OPCo and a consolidated variable interest entity formed for the purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to phase-in recovery property.
OPCo
 
Ohio Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
OPEB
 
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.
Operating Agreement
 
Agreement, dated January 1, 1997, as amended, by and among PSO and SWEPCo governing generating capacity allocation, energy pricing, and revenues and costs of third party sales.  AEPSC acts as the agent.
OTC
 
Over the counter.
OVEC
 
Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, which is 43.47% owned by AEP.
Parent
 
American Electric Power Company, Inc., the equity owner of AEP subsidiaries within the AEP consolidation.
PCA
 
Power Coordination Agreement among APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo.
PIRR
 
Phase-In Recovery Rider.
PJM
 
Pennsylvania – New Jersey – Maryland regional transmission organization.
PM
 
Particulate Matter.
PPA
 
Purchase Power and Sale Agreement.
Price River
 
Rights and interests in certain coal reserves located in Carbon County, Utah.
PSO
 
Public Service Company of Oklahoma, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
PUCO
 
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
PUCT
 
Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Putnam
 
Rights and interests in certain coal reserves located in Putnam, Mason and Jackson Counties, West Virginia.
Registrant Subsidiaries
 
AEP subsidiaries which are SEC registrants: APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO and SWEPCo.
Registrants
 
SEC registrants: AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO and SWEPCo.
Risk Management Contracts
 
Trading and nontrading derivatives, including those derivatives designated as cash flow and fair value hedges.
Rockport Plant
 
A generation plant, consisting of two 1,310 MW coal-fired generating units near Rockport, Indiana.  AEGCo and I&M jointly-own Unit 1.  In 1989, AEGCo and I&M entered into a sale-and-leaseback transaction with Wilmington Trust Company, an unrelated, unconsolidated trustee for Rockport Plant, Unit 2.
RPM
 
Reliability Pricing Model.
RSR
 
Retail Stability Rider.
RTO
 
Regional Transmission Organization, responsible for moving electricity over large interstate areas.
Sabine
 
Sabine Mining Company, a lignite mining company that is a consolidated variable interest entity for AEP and SWEPCo.
SEC
 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEET
 
Significantly Excessive Earnings Test.
SIA
 
System Integration Agreement, effective June 15, 2000, as amended, provides contractual basis for coordinated planning, operation and maintenance of the power supply sources of the combined AEP.
SNF
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel.
SO2
 
Sulfur dioxide.
SPP
 
Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization.
SSO
 
Standard service offer.
Stall Unit
 
J. Lamar Stall Unit at Arsenal Hill Plant, a 534 MW natural gas unit owned by SWEPCo.
SWEPCo
 
Southwestern Electric Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
TCC
 
Formerly AEP Texas Central Company; now a division of AEP Texas.

iii




Term
 
Meaning
 
 
 
Texas Restructuring Legislation
 
Legislation enacted in 1999 to restructure the electric utility industry in Texas.
TNC
 
Formerly AEP Texas North Company; now a division of AEP Texas.
TRA
 
Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
Transition Funding
 
AEP Texas Central Transition Funding I LLC, AEP Texas Central Transition Funding II LLC and AEP Texas Central Transition Funding III LLC, wholly-owned subsidiaries of TCC and consolidated variable interest entities formed for the purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to Texas Restructuring Legislation.
Transource Energy
 
Transource Energy, LLC, a consolidated variable interest entity formed for the purpose of investing in utilities which develop, acquire, construct, own and operate transmission facilities in accordance with FERC-approved rates.
Transource Missouri
 
A 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Transource Energy.
Trent
 
Trent Wind Farm, a 150 MW wind electricity generation facility located between Abilene and Sweetwater in West Texas.
Turk Plant
 
John W. Turk, Jr. Plant, a 600 MW coal-fired plant in Arkansas that is 73% owned by SWEPCo.
Utility Money Pool
 
Centralized funding mechanism AEP uses to meet the short-term cash requirements of certain utility subsidiaries.
VIE
 
Variable Interest Entity.
Virginia SCC
 
Virginia State Corporation Commission.
WPCo
 
Wheeling Power Company, an AEP electric utility subsidiary.
WVPSC
 
Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

iv




FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report made by the Registrants contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Many forward-looking statements appear in “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” but there are others throughout this document which may be identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “continue” and similar expressions, and include statements reflecting future results or guidance and statements of outlook.  These matters are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.  Forward-looking statements in this document are presented as of the date of this document.  Except to the extent required by applicable law, management undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are:
Ÿ
Economic growth or contraction within and changes in market demand and demographic patterns in AEP service territories.
Ÿ
Inflationary or deflationary interest rate trends.
Ÿ
Volatility in the financial markets, particularly developments affecting the availability or cost of capital to finance new capital projects and refinance existing debt.
Ÿ
The availability and cost of funds to finance working capital and capital needs, particularly during periods when the time lag between incurring costs and recovery is long and the costs are material.
Ÿ
Electric load and customer growth.
Ÿ
Weather conditions, including storms and drought conditions, and the ability to recover significant storm restoration costs.
Ÿ
The cost of fuel and its transportation, the creditworthiness and performance of fuel suppliers and transporters and the cost of storing and disposing of used fuel, including coal ash and spent nuclear fuel.
Ÿ
Availability of necessary generation capacity and the performance of generation plants.
Ÿ
The ability to recover fuel and other energy costs through regulated or competitive electric rates.
Ÿ
The ability to build transmission lines and facilities (including the ability to obtain any necessary regulatory approvals and permits) when needed at acceptable prices and terms and to recover those costs.
Ÿ
New legislation, litigation and government regulation, including oversight of nuclear generation, energy commodity trading and new or heightened requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, carbon, soot or particulate matter and other substances that could impact the continued operation, cost recovery and/or profitability of generation plants and related assets.
Ÿ
Evolving public perception of the risks associated with fuels used before, during and after the generation of electricity, including nuclear fuel.
Ÿ
A reduction in the federal statutory tax rate could result in an accelerated return of deferred federal income taxes to customers.
Ÿ
Timing and resolution of pending and future rate cases, negotiations and other regulatory decisions, including rate or other recovery of new investments in generation, distribution and transmission service and environmental compliance.
Ÿ
Resolution of litigation.
Ÿ
The ability to constrain operation and maintenance costs.
Ÿ
The ability to develop and execute a strategy based on a view regarding prices of electricity and gas.
Ÿ
Prices and demand for power generated and sold at wholesale.
Ÿ
Changes in technology, particularly with respect to energy storage and new, developing, alternative or distributed sources of generation.
Ÿ
The ability to recover through rates any remaining unrecovered investment in generation units that may be retired before the end of their previously projected useful lives.
Ÿ
Volatility and changes in markets for capacity and electricity, coal and other energy-related commodities, particularly changes in the price of natural gas.
Ÿ
Changes in utility regulation and the allocation of costs within regional transmission organizations, including ERCOT, PJM and SPP.
Ÿ
The ability to successfully and profitably manage competitive generation assets, including the evaluation and execution of strategic alternatives for these assets as some of the alternatives could result in a loss.
Ÿ
Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading market.

v




Ÿ
Actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of debt.
Ÿ
The impact of volatility in the capital markets on the value of the investments held by the pension, other postretirement benefit plans, captive insurance entity and nuclear decommissioning trust and the impact of such volatility on future funding requirements.
Ÿ
Accounting pronouncements periodically issued by accounting standard-setting bodies.
Ÿ
Other risks and unforeseen events, including wars, the effects of terrorism (including increased security costs), embargoes, cyber security threats and other catastrophic events.

The forward-looking statements of the Registrants speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made.  The Registrants expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.  For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see “Risk Factors” in Part I of this report.

Investors should note that the Registrants announce material financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. Based on guidance from the SEC, the Registrants may use the Investors section of AEP’s website (www.aep.com) to communicate with investors about the Registrants. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on AEP’s website is not part of this report.

vi




AEP COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

The AEP common stock quarterly high and low sales prices, quarter-end closing price and the cash dividends paid per share are shown in the following table:
Quarter Ended
 
High
 
Low
 
Quarter-End
Closing Price
 
Dividend
December 31, 2016
 
$
65.25

 
$
57.89

 
$
62.96

 
$
0.59

September 30, 2016
 
71.32

 
63.56

 
64.21

 
0.56

June 30, 2016
 
70.10

 
61.42

 
70.09

 
0.56

March 31, 2016
 
66.49

 
56.75

 
66.40

 
0.56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
$
59.52

 
$
53.30

 
$
58.27

 
$
0.56

September 30, 2015
 
59.18

 
52.29

 
56.86

 
0.53

June 30, 2015
 
58.35

 
52.32

 
52.97

 
0.53

March 31, 2015
 
65.38

 
54.66

 
56.25

 
0.53


AEP common stock is traded principally on the New York Stock Exchange.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP had approximately 66,000 registered shareholders.

performancegraph2016.jpg

vii





AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 (a)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
16,380.1

 
$
16,453.2

 
$
16,378.6

 
$
14,813.5

 
$
14,298.4

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
$
1,207.1

 
$
3,333.5

 
$
3,127.4

 
$
2,822.5

 
$
2,620.7

Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
620.5

 
$
1,768.6

 
$
1,590.5

 
$
1,473.9

 
$
1,247.7

Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
(2.5
)
 
283.7

 
47.5

 
10.3

 
14.5

Net Income
 
618.0

 
2,052.3

 
1,638.0

 
1,484.2

 
1,262.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
7.1

 
5.2

 
4.2

 
3.7

 
3.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
610.9

 
$
2,047.1

 
$
1,633.8

 
$
1,480.5

 
$
1,258.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEETS DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment
 
$
62,036.6

 
$
65,481.4

 
$
63,605.9

 
$
59,646.7

 
$
56,817.4

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
 
16,397.3

 
19,348.2

 
19,970.8

 
19,098.6

 
18,529.6

Total Property, Plant and Equipment – Net
 
$
45,639.3

 
$
46,133.2

 
$
43,635.1

 
$
40,548.1

 
$
38,287.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
63,467.7

 
$
61,683.1

 
$
59,544.6

 
$
56,321.0

 
$
54,272.1

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total AEP Common Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
17,397.0

 
$
17,891.7

 
$
16,820.2

 
$
16,085.0

 
$
15,237.2

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
$
23.1

 
$
13.2

 
$
4.3

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.4

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt (b)
 
$
20,256.4

 
$
19,572.7

 
$
18,512.4

 
$
18,198.2

 
$
17,574.4

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations Under Capital Leases (b)
 
$
305.5

 
$
343.5

 
$
362.8

 
$
403.3

 
$
306.3

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AEP COMMON STOCK DATA
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders:
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From Continuing Operations
 
$
1.25

 
$
3.59

 
$
3.24

 
$
3.02

 
$
2.57

From Discontinued Operations
 
(0.01
)
 
0.58

 
0.10

 
0.02

 
0.03

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Basic Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
 
$
1.24

 
$
4.17

 
$
3.34

 
$
3.04

 
$
2.60

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Basic Shares Outstanding (in millions)
 
491.5

 
490.3

 
488.6

 
486.6

 
484.7

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Market Price Range:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
$
71.32

 
$
65.38

 
$
63.22

 
$
51.60

 
$
45.41

Low
 
$
56.75

 
$
52.29

 
$
45.80

 
$
41.83

 
$
36.97

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year-end Market Price
 
$
62.96

 
$
58.27

 
$
60.72

 
$
46.74

 
$
42.68

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Dividends Declared per AEP Common Share
 
$
2.27

 
$
2.15

 
$
2.03

 
$
1.95

 
$
1.88

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend Payout Ratio
 
183.06
%
 
51.56
%
 
60.78
%
 
64.14
%
 
72.31
%
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book Value per AEP Common Share
 
$
35.38

 
$
36.44

 
$
34.37

 
$
32.98

 
$
31.35


(a)
The 2016 financial results include pretax asset impairments of $2.3 billion (see Note 7 to the financial statements).
(b)
Includes portion due within one year.

1




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Company Overview

AEP is one of the largest investor-owned electric public utility holding companies in the United States.  AEP’s electric utility operating companies provide generation, transmission and distribution services to more than five million retail customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

AEP’s subsidiaries operate an extensive portfolio of assets including:

Approximately 224,000 miles of distribution lines that deliver electricity to 5.4 million customers.
Approximately 40,000 miles of transmission lines, including 2,114 miles of 765 kV lines, the backbone of the electric interconnection grid in the Eastern United States.
AEP Transmission Holdco has approximately $4.4 billion of transmission assets in-service.
Approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity in 3 RTOs as of December 31, 2016, one of the largest complements of generation in the United States. After the sale of certain generation assets in January 2017, AEP has approximately 26,000 megawatts of generating capacity.

Customer Demand

AEP’s weather-normalized retail sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased by 0.2% from the year ended December 31, 2015. AEP’s 2016 industrial sales volumes decreased 1.4% compared to 2015 primarily due to decreased sales to customers in the manufacturing sector. Weather-normalized residential sales volumes were flat and commercial sales increased by 0.9% in 2016, respectively, from 2015.

In 2017, AEP anticipates weather-normalized retail sales volumes will increase by 0.7%. The industrial class is expected to increase by 1.5% in 2017, primarily related to a number of new oil and natural gas expansions, especially around the major shale gas areas within AEP’s footprint. Weather-normalized residential sales volumes are projected to increase by 0.2%, primarily related to projected customer growth. Weather-normalized commercial sales volumes are projected to increase by 0.3%.

Ohio Global Settlement

In February 2017, the PUCO approved a settlement agreement (Global Settlement) filed by OPCo in December 2016. The parties to the Global Settlement include OPCo, the PUCO staff and various intervenors. The Global Settlement resolves all remaining open issues on remand from the Ohio Supreme Court in OPCo’s 2009 - 2011 and June 2012 - May 2015 ESP filings, including issues related to carrying charges on the PIRR and issues related to the RSR capacity charges. It also resolves all open issues in OPCo’s 2009, 2014 and 2015 SEET filings and 2009, 2012 and 2013 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audits.

The significant components of the Global Settlement include:

Remands Related to the PIRR

All applicable parties participating in this settlement will withdraw their pending applications for rehearing of the PUCO order that allowed for the reinstatement of the equity portion of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
rate on previously deferred fuel balances. As part of the Global Settlement, the PIRR rate to be collected from customers through December 2018 will be reduced by $97 million.

2




Remands Related to the RSR

Beginning January 2017, OPCo will be entitled to collect $388 million in RSR revenues over a total of 30 months, subject to true up at the end of the collection period in June 2019. Current RSR rates will continue until the new RSR rates are approved. The Global Settlement resolves the issues related to the non-deferral portion of RSR collections and the impact of the appropriate energy credit on capacity charges. In December 2016, OPCo recorded an increase in Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets for the deferral of $83 million in RSR capacity costs and $14 million in related debt carrying charges with a corresponding decrease in expense in Generation Deferrals and an increase in Carrying Costs Income, respectively, on the statements of income.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, AEP recorded approximately $97 million in RSR capacity deferrals and related carrying charges to the following line items on the statements of income:
 
AEP
 
(in millions)
 
 
Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation
$
(19.0
)
Purchased Electricity for Resale
(19.9
)
Other Operation
(15.7
)
Depreciation and Amortization
(42.1
)
Total Decrease in RSR Expenses
$
(96.7
)

As of December 31, 2016, OPCo’s total RSR under-recovery balance, including carrying charges, was $299 million.

Remands Related to the SEET

As part of the Global Settlement, $20 million will be returned to customers over a 12-month period commencing within 45 days of the final PUCO order adopting the Global Settlement. The Global Settlement states that this obligation has no precedential effect on OPCo’s SEET methodology. In addition, the parties agreed that earnings were not significantly excessive in 2015. In December 2016, OPCo accrued $20 million in Other Current Liabilities on the balance sheets with a corresponding decrease in Electricity, Transmission and Distribution revenues (Transmission and Distribution Utilities for AEP) on the statements of income. The Global Settlement resolves the issues related to the 2014 and 2015 SEET proceedings.

Fuel Adjustment Clause Proceedings

OPCo will refund $100 million paid by SSO customers from August 2012 - May 2015 related to OVEC and Lawrenceburg purchases. In December 2016, OPCo accrued $100 million in Other Current Liabilities on the balance sheets with a corresponding decrease in Electricity, Transmission and Distribution revenues (Transmission and Distribution Utilities for AEP) on the statements of income. The Global Settlement resolves the claimed recovery of fixed fuel costs through both the FAC and the approved capacity charges. This refund will be a one-time credit that will be applied the earlier of either 45 days after the final non-appealable order from the PUCO adopting the Global Settlement, or the December 2017 billing cycle.

Also see “OPCo Rate Matters” section of Note 4.

June 2015 - May 2018 ESP Including PPA Application and Proposed ESP Extension through 2024

In March 2016, a contested stipulation agreement related to the PPA rider application was modified and approved by the PUCO. The approved PPA rider is subject to audit and review by the PUCO. Consistent with the terms of the modified and approved stipulation agreement, and based upon a September 2016 PUCO order, in November 2016, OPCo refiled its amended ESP extension application and supporting testimony. The amended filing proposed to extend the ESP through May 2024 and included (a) an extension of the OVEC PPA rider, (b) a proposed 10.41% return on common equity on capital costs for certain riders, (c) the continuation of riders previously approved in the June 2015 - May 2018 ESP, (d) proposed increases in rate caps related to OPCo’s DIR and (e) the addition of various new riders, including a Distribution Technology Rider and a Renewable Resource Rider.

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If OPCo is ultimately not permitted to fully collect all components of its ESP rates, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition. See “Ohio Electric Security Plan Filings” section of Note 4.

Merchant Generation Assets

In September 2016, AEP signed an agreement to sell Darby, Gavin, Lawrenceburg and Waterford Plants (“Disposition Plants”) totaling 5,329 MWs of competitive generation to a nonaffiliated party. As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of these assets, including related materials and supplies inventory and CWIP, was $1.8 billion. The sale closed in January 2017 for approximately $2.2 billion. The net proceeds from the transaction are approximately $1.2 billion in cash after taxes, repayment of debt associated with these assets and transaction fees, which resulted in an after tax gain of approximately $130 million. AEP plans to primarily use these proceeds to reduce outstanding debt and invest in its regulated businesses, including transmission and contracted renewable projects.

The assets and liabilities included in the sale transaction have been recorded as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Held for Sale, respectively, on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. See “Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale” section of Note 7 for additional information.

In September 2016, due to AEP’s ongoing evaluation of strategic alternatives for its merchant generation assets, declining forecasts of future energy and capacity prices, and a decreasing likelihood of cost recovery through regulatory proceedings or legislation in the state of Ohio providing for the recovery of AEP’s existing Ohio merchant generation assets, AEP performed an impairment analysis at the unit level on the remaining merchant generation assets in accordance with accounting guidance for impairments of long-lived assets. The evaluation was performed using generating unit specific estimated future cash flows and resulted in a material impairment of certain merchant generation fleet assets. As a result, AEP recorded a pretax impairment of $2.3 billion ($1.5 billion, net of tax) in Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges on the statements of income related to 2,684 MWs of Ohio merchant generation including Cardinal, Unit 1, 43.5% ownership interest in Conesville, Unit 4, Conesville, Units 5 and 6, 26.0% ownership interest in Stuart, Units 1-4, and 25.4% ownership interest in Zimmer, Unit 1, as well as Putnam coal and I&M’s Price River coal reserves, Desert Sky and Trent Wind Farms and the merchant generation portion of the Oklaunion Plant. As of December 31, 2016, the remaining net book value of these assets is $57 million. See “Merchant Generating Assets (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

Management continues to evaluate potential alternatives for the remaining merchant generation assets. These potential alternatives may include, but are not limited to, transfer or sale of AEP’s ownership interests, or a wind down of merchant coal-fired generation fleet operations. In February 2017, AEP signed an agreement to purchase Dynegy Corporation’s 40% ownership share of Conesville Plant, Unit 4.  Simultaneously, AEP signed an agreement to sell its 25.4% ownership share of Zimmer Plant, Unit 1 to Dynegy Corporation.  The transactions are expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, subject to FERC approval and are not expected to have a material impact on net income, cash flows and financial condition.  AEP is also continuing a separate strategic review and evaluating alternatives related to the 48 MW Racine Hydroelectric Plant. Management has not set a specific time frame for a decision on these assets. These alternatives could result in additional losses which could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Renewable Generation Portfolio

The growth of AEP’s renewable generation portfolio reflects the company’s strategy to diversify generation resources to provide clean energy options to customers that meet both their energy and capacity needs. 

AEP has formed two new subsidiaries within the Generation & Marketing segment to further develop its renewable portfolio.  AEP OnSite Partners, LLC works directly with wholesale and large retail customers to provide tailored solutions based upon market knowledge, technology innovations and deal structuring which may include distributed solar, wind, combined heat and power, energy storage, waste heat recovery, energy efficiency, peaking generation and other forms of cost reducing energy technologies.  AEP OnSite Partners, LLC pursues projects where a suitable termed agreement is entered into with a credit-worthy counterparty.  AEP Renewables, LLC develops and/or acquires large

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scale renewable generation projects that are backed with long-term contracts with credit-worthy counterparties. These subsidiaries have approximately 41 MWs of renewable generation projects in operation and 83 MWs of renewable generation projects under construction with an estimated financial commitment of approximately $226 million. As of December 31, 2016, $171 million of costs have been incurred related to these projects.

Merchant Portion of Turk Plant

SWEPCo constructed the Turk Plant, a base load 600 MW pulverized coal ultra-supercritical generating unit in Arkansas, which was placed into service in December 2012 and is included in the Vertically Integrated Utilities segment. SWEPCo owns 73% (440 MWs) of the Turk Plant and operates the facility.

The APSC granted approval for SWEPCo to build the Turk Plant by issuing a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN) for the SWEPCo Arkansas jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant (approximately 20%). Following an appeal by certain intervenors, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a decision that reversed the APSC’s grant of the CECPN. In June 2010, in response to an Arkansas Supreme Court decision, the APSC issued an order which reversed and set aside the previously granted CECPN. This share of the Turk Plant output is currently not subject to cost-based rate recovery and is being sold into the wholesale market. Approximately 80% of the Turk Plant investment is recovered under cost-based rate recovery in Texas, Louisiana, and through SWEPCo’s wholesale customers under FERC-based rates. As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of Turk Plant was $1.5 billion, before cost of removal, including materials and supplies inventory and CWIP. 

If SWEPCo cannot ultimately recover its investment and expenses related to the Turk Plant, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

2012 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing

In 2012, SWEPCo initiated a proceeding to establish new formula base rates in Louisiana, including recovery of the Louisiana jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant. In February 2013, a settlement was approved by the LPSC that increased SWEPCo’s Louisiana total rates by approximately $2 million annually, effective March 2013. The March 2013 base rates are based upon a 10% return on common equity and cost recovery of the Louisiana jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant and Stall Unit, subject to refund. The settlement also provided that the LPSC would review base rates in 2014 and 2015 and that SWEPCo would recover non-fuel Turk Plant costs and a full weighted-average cost of capital return on the prudently incurred Turk Plant investment in jurisdictional rate base, effective January 2013. In December 2014, the LPSC approved a settlement agreement related to the staff review of the cost of service. The settlement agreement reduced the requested revenue increase by $3 million, primarily due to the timing of both the allowed recovery of certain existing regulatory assets and the establishment of a regulatory asset for certain previously expensed costs. A hearing at the LPSC related to the Turk Plant prudence review is scheduled for June 2017. If the LPSC orders refunds based upon the pending prudence review of the Turk Plant investment, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition. See the “2012 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing” section of Note 4.

2016 Texas Base Rate Case

In December 2016, SWEPCo filed a base rate request with the PUCT for a net increase in Texas annual revenues of $69 million based upon a 10% return on common equity. The annual increase includes approximately (a) $34 million related to additional environmental controls to comply with Federal EPA mandates, (b) $25 million for additional generation, transmission and distribution investments and increased operating costs, (c) $8 million related to transmission cost recovery within SWEPCo’s regional transmission organization and (d) $2 million in additional vegetation management.

If any of these costs are not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.


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Welsh Plant - Environmental Impact

Management currently estimates that the investment necessary to meet proposed environmental regulations through 2025 for Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3 could cost a total of approximately $850 million, excluding AFUDC. As of December 31, 2016, SWEPCo had incurred costs of $397 million, including AFUDC, and had remaining contractual construction obligations of $11 million related to these projects.  Management continues to evaluate the impact of environmental rules and related project cost estimates. In March 2016, SWEPCo filed a request with the APSC to recover $69 million in environmental costs related to the Arkansas retail jurisdictional share of Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3, which was approved by the APSC in August 2016. SWEPCo began recovering the Arkansas jurisdictional share of these costs in March 2016, subject to review in the next filed base rate proceeding. In September 2016, SWEPCo filed an additional request to increase the Arkansas retail jurisdictional share of the environmental investment by $10 million, for a total of $79 million. SWEPCo implemented the increase in September 2016. In December 2016, the LPSC approved deferral of certain expenses related to environmental controls installed at Welsh Plant, until these investments are put into base rates. The eligible Welsh Plant deferrals through December 31, 2016 are $8 million, excluding $5 million of unrecognized equity, subject to review by the LPSC, and include a WACC return on environmental investments and the related depreciation expense and taxes. SWEPCo will seek recovery of its project costs from customers at the state commissions and the FERC. See “Mercury and Other Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) Regulation” and “Climate Change, CO2 Regulation and Energy Policy” sections of “Environmental Issues” below.

As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3 was $633 million, before cost of removal, including materials and supplies inventory and CWIP.  In April 2016, Welsh Plant, Unit 2 was retired. Upon retirement, $76 million was reclassified as Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets related to the net book value of Welsh Plant, Unit 2 and the related asset retirement obligation costs. In SWEPCo’s 2016 Texas Base Rate Case, SWEPCo requested recovery of the Texas jurisdictional share (approximately 33%) of the net book value of Welsh Plant, Unit 2 through 2042, the remaining life of Welsh Plant, Unit 3. Management will seek recovery of the remaining Welsh Plant, Unit 2 retirement-related regulatory assets in future rate proceedings.

If any of these costs are not recoverable, including retirement-related costs for Welsh Plant, Unit 2, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition. See the “Welsh Plant - Environmental Impact” section of Note 4.

2015 Oklahoma Base Rate Case

In July 2015, PSO filed a request with the OCC to increase annual revenues by $137 million. In addition, the filing also notified the OCC that the incremental replacement capacity and energy costs, including the first year effects of new PPAs, estimated to be $35 million, will be incurred related to the environmental compliance plan due to the closure of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4, which would be recovered through the FAC.

In November 2016 and December 2016, the OCC issued orders that approved a net annual revenue increase of $19 million based upon a 9.5% return on common equity. The orders also included (a) approval to defer incurred costs related to PSO’s environmental compliance plan until those costs are included in base rates, (b) no determination related to the return of and return on the post-retirement remaining net book value of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4 since the April 2016 retirement was outside of the test year, (c) approval to include environmental consumable costs in the FAC (d) the continued depreciation of Northeastern Plant, Units 3 and 4 through 2040 (no accelerated depreciation) and (e) altered the system reliability rider by eliminating the expense portion of the rider and setting the capital portion of the rider at the December 2016 plant balance and approved recovery of deferred expenses and return on the capital balance incurred prior to the effective date of new tariffs in January 2017. Additionally, the orders stated that the cost recovery of new PPAs related to replacement power resulting from the retirement of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4 will be addressed in a future FAC proceeding. Effective December 2016, interim rates were terminated and the refund of over collections began and will be completed no later than October 2017. In accordance with the final order, updated rates and tariffs went into effect in January 2017.


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If any of these costs, including a return on Northeastern Plant, Unit 4, are ultimately not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition. See the “2015 Oklahoma Base Rate Case” section of Note 4.

Indiana Amended PJM Settlement Agreement

In November 2016, the IURC issued an order that approved an amended settlement agreement between I&M and certain intervenors.  This agreement amends a previously approved 2014 settlement agreement that addresses the recovery of 43.5% of certain transmission expenses through the Indiana PJM rider through 2017.

The amended agreement allows I&M to recover 100% of the Indiana jurisdictional share of these transmission expenses not recovered through base rates through the Indiana PJM rider, subject to a $109 million cap for the period January 2017 through June 2018. Beginning July 2018, I&M will be allowed to recover 100% of the Indiana jurisdictional share of these transmission expenses through the Indiana PJM rider, without a cap, until the issue is addressed by the IURC in a future proceeding, subject to the condition that I&M files a base rate case on or before January 2018. The amended agreement also provides for deferral of incremental vegetation management expenses over the period January 2017 through June 2018.  Any vegetation management expenses deferred would reduce the cap for the transmission expenses described above. As part of the amended settlement, I&M agreed that it will not file a base rate case before July 2017 and will not implement new base rates prior to July 2018.

Rockport Plant, Unit 2 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

In October 2016, I&M filed an application with the IURC for approval of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to install SCR technology at Rockport Plant, Unit 2 by December 2019. The equipment will allow I&M to reduce emissions of NOx from Rockport Plant, Unit 2 in order for I&M to continue to operate that unit under current environmental requirements. The estimated cost of the SCR project is $274 million, excluding AFUDC, to be shared equally between I&M and AEGCo.  The filing included a request for authorization for I&M to defer its Indiana jurisdictional ownership share of costs including investment carrying costs at a weighted average cost of capital (WACC), depreciation over a 10-year life and other related expenses. I&M proposed recovery of these costs using the existing Clean Coal Technology Rider. The AEGCo ownership share of the proposed SCR project will be billable under the Rockport Unit Power Agreement to affiliates, including I&M, with I&M’s share recoverable in its base rates. In February 2017, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and other parties filed testimony with the IURC. The OUCC recommended approval of the CPCN but also stated that any decision regarding recovery of any under-depreciated plant due to retirement should be fully investigated in a base rate case, not in a tracker or other abbreviated proceeding. The other parties recommended either denial of the CPCN or approval of the CPCN with conditions including a cap on the amount of SCR costs allowed to be recovered in the rider and limitations on other costs related to legal issues involving the Rockport lease. A hearing at the IURC is scheduled for March 2017.

TCC and TNC Merger

Effective December 31, 2016, TCC and TNC merged into AEP Utilities, Inc., as approved by the FERC and the PUCT in September 2016 and December 2016, respectively. Upon merger, AEP Utilities, Inc. changed its name to AEP Texas Inc., but maintained TCC’s and TNC’s respective customer rates. The PUCT ordered certain post-merger conditions which included a) the sharing of certain interest rate savings with customers and b) an annual credit to customers of approximately $630 thousand for savings resulting from an expected reduction in post-merger debt issuance costs, effective until the next base rate case.

FERC Transmission Complaint and Proposed Modifications to Transmission Rates

In October 2016, several parties filed a joint complaint with the FERC claiming that the base return on common equity used by various AEP affiliates in calculating formula transmission rates under the PJM OATT is excessive and should be reduced from 10.99% to 8.32%, effective upon the date of the complaint. In November 2016, AEP affiliates filed an application with the FERC to modify the FERC formula transmission rate calculation, including adjustments for certain tax issues and a shift from historical to estimated expenses with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2017. The rates will be implemented based upon the date provided in the pending FERC order, subject to refund. Management

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believes its financial statements adequately address the impact of the complaint and the proposed modifications to AEP’s transmission rates in PJM. If the FERC orders revenue reductions as a result of the complaint, including refunds from the date of the complaint filing, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Virginia Legislation Affecting Biennial Reviews

In February 2015, amendments to Virginia law governing the regulation of investor-owned electric utilities were enacted. Under the amended Virginia law, APCo’s existing generation and distribution base rates are frozen until after the Virginia SCC rules on APCo’s next biennial review, which APCo will file in March 2020 for the 2018 and 2019 test years. These amendments also preclude the Virginia SCC from performing biennial reviews of APCo’s earnings for the years 2014 through 2017. Management believes APCo’s financial statements adequately address the impact of these amendments. The amendments provide that APCo will absorb its Virginia jurisdictional share of incremental generation and distribution costs incurred during 2014 through 2017 that are associated with severe weather events and/or natural disasters and costs associated with potential asset impairments related to new carbon emission guidelines issued by the Federal EPA.

In February 2016, certain APCo industrial customers filed a petition with the Virginia SCC requesting the issuance of a declaratory order that finds the amendments to Virginia law suspending biennial reviews unconstitutional and, accordingly, directs APCo to make biennial review filings beginning in 2016. In July 2016, the Virginia SCC issued an order that denied the petition. In July 2016, the industrial customers filed an appeal of the order with the Supreme Court of Virginia. Management is unable to predict the outcome of these challenges to the Virginia legislation. If the biennial review process is reinstated in advance of March 2020, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

PJM Capacity Market

AGR is required to offer all of its available generation capacity in the PJM Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) auction, which is conducted three years in advance of the delivery year.

In June 2015, FERC approved PJM’s proposal to create a new Capacity Performance (CP) product, intended to improve generator performance and reliability during emergency events by allowing higher offers into the RPM auction and imposing greater charges for non-performance during emergency events. PJM procured approximately 80% CP and 20% Base Capacity for the June 2018 through May 2019 and June 2019 through May 2020 periods, while transitioning to 100% CP with the June 2020 through May 2021 period. FERC also approved transition incremental auctions to procure CP for the June 2016 through May 2017 and June 2017 through May 2018 periods.

In the third quarter of 2015, PJM conducted the two transition auctions. The transition auctions allowed generators, including AGR, to re-offer cleared capacity that qualifies as CP. Shown below are the results of the two transition auctions:
 
 
Capacity Performance Transition
PJM Auction Period
 
Incremental Auction Price
 
 
(dollars per MW day)
June 2016 through May 2017
 
134.00
June 2017 through May 2018
 
151.50

AGR cleared 7,169 MWs at $134/MW-day for the June 2016 through May 2017 period, replacing the original auction clearing price of $59.37/MW-day. AGR cleared 6,495 MWs for the June 2017 through May 2018 period at $151.50/MW-day, replacing the original auction clearing price of $120/MW-day.


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In August 2015, PJM held its first base residual auction implementing CP rules for the June 2018 through May 2019 period. AGR cleared 7,209 MWs at the CP auction price of $164.77/MW-day. The base residual auction for the June 2019 through May 2020 period was conducted in May 2016. AGR cleared 7,301 MWs at the CP auction price of $100/MW-day. Shown below are the results for the June 2018 through May 2019 and June 2019 through May 2020 periods:
 
 
Capacity Performance
 
Base Capacity
PJM Auction Period
 
Auction Price
 
Auction Price
 
 
(dollars per MW day)
 
(dollars per MW day)
June 2018 through May 2019
 
164.77
 
150.00
June 2019 through May 2020
 
100.00
 
80.00

After the sale of the Darby, Gavin, Lawrenceburg and Waterford Plants in January 2017, AGR is no longer responsible for and does not receive capacity revenue for the portion of the cleared capacity associated with these plants.

The FERC order exempted Fixed Resource Requirement (FRR) entities, including APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo, from the CP rules through the delivery period ending May 2019. Beginning in June 2019, FRR entities are subject to CP rules.

LITIGATION

In the ordinary course of business, AEP is involved in employment, commercial, environmental and regulatory litigation. Since it is difficult to predict the outcome of these proceedings, management cannot predict the eventual resolution, timing or amount of any loss, fine or penalty. Management assesses the probability of loss for each contingency and accrues a liability for cases that have a probable likelihood of loss if the loss can be estimated.  For details on the regulatory proceedings and pending litigation see Note 4 – Rate Matters and Note 6 – Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies. Adverse results in these proceedings have the potential to reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Rockport Plant Litigation

In July 2013, the Wilmington Trust Company filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against AEGCo and I&M alleging that it will be unlawfully burdened by the terms of the modified NSR consent decree after the Rockport Plant, Unit 2 lease expiration in December 2022.  The terms of the consent decree allow the installation of environmental emission control equipment, repowering or retirement of the unit.  The plaintiff further alleges that the defendants’ actions constitute breach of the lease and participation agreement.  The plaintiff seeks a judgment declaring that the defendants breached the lease, must satisfy obligations related to installation of emission control equipment and indemnify the plaintiff.  The New York court granted a motion to transfer this case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  In October 2013, a motion to dismiss the case was filed on behalf of AEGCo and I&M. In January 2015, the court issued an opinion and order granting the motion in part and denying the motion in part. The court dismissed certain of the plaintiff’s claims. Several claims remained, including the claim for breach of the participation agreement and a claim alleging breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In June 2015, AEGCo and I&M filed a motion for partial judgment on the claims seeking dismissal of the breach of participation agreement claim as well as any claim for indemnification of costs associated with this case. The plaintiff subsequently filed an amended complaint to add another claim under the lease and also filed a motion for partial summary judgment. In November 2015, AEGCo and I&M filed a motion to strike the plaintiff’s motion for partial judgment and filed a motion to dismiss the case for failure to state a claim. In March 2016, the court entered an opinion and order in favor of AEGCo and I&M, dismissing certain of the plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract and dismissing claims for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and further dismissing plaintiffs’ claim for indemnification of costs. By the same order, the court permitted plaintiffs to move forward with their claim that AEGCo and I&M failed to exercise prudent utility practices in the maintenance and operation of Rockport Plant, Unit 2. In April 2016, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of all remaining claims with prejudice and the court subsequently entered a final judgment. In May 2016, Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on whether AEGCo and I&M are in breach of certain contract provisions that Plaintiffs allege operate to protect the Plaintiffs’ residual interests in

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the unit and whether the trial court erred in dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims that AEGCo and I&M breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This matter is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Management is unable to determine a range of potential losses that are reasonably possible of occurring.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

AEP is implementing a substantial capital investment program and incurring additional operational costs to comply with environmental control requirements.  Additional investments and operational changes will need to be made in response to existing and anticipated requirements such as the CAA requirements to reduce emissions of SO2, NOx, PM, CO2 and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from fossil fuel-fired power plants, rules governing the beneficial use and disposal of coal combustion products, clean water rules and renewal permits for certain water discharges.

AEP is engaged in litigation about environmental issues, was notified of potential responsibility for the clean-up of contaminated sites and incurred costs for disposal of SNF and future decommissioning of the nuclear units.  AEP, along with various industry groups, affected states and other parties challenged some of the Federal EPA requirements in court.  Management is also engaged in the development of possible future requirements including the items discussed below and state plans to reduce CO2 emissions to address concerns about global climate change.  Management believes that further analysis and better coordination of these environmental requirements would facilitate planning and lower overall compliance costs while achieving the same environmental goals.

AEP will seek recovery of expenditures for pollution control technologies and associated costs from customers through rates in regulated jurisdictions.  Environmental rules could result in accelerated depreciation, impairment of assets or regulatory disallowances.  If AEP is unable to recover the costs of environmental compliance, it would reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Environmental Controls Impact on the Generating Fleet

The rules and proposed environmental controls discussed in the next several sections will have a material impact on the generating units in the AEP System.  Management continues to evaluate the impact of these rules, project scope and technology available to achieve compliance.  As of December 31, 2016, the AEP System had a total generating capacity of approximately 31,000 MWs, of which approximately 16,000 MWs are coal-fired.  Management continues to refine the cost estimates of complying with these rules and other impacts of the environmental proposals on the fossil generating facilities. Based upon management estimates, AEP’s investment to meet these existing and proposed requirements ranges from approximately $4.3 billion to $4.9 billion through 2025.

The cost estimates will change depending on the timing of implementation and whether the Federal EPA provides flexibility in the final rules.  The cost estimates will also change based on: (a) the states’ implementation of these regulatory programs, including the potential for state implementation plans (SIPs) or federal implementation plans (FIPs) that impose more stringent standards, (b) additional rulemaking activities in response to court decisions, (c) the actual performance of the pollution control technologies installed on the units, (d) changes in costs for new pollution controls, (e) new generating technology developments, (f) total MWs of capacity retired and replaced, including the type and amount of such replacement capacity and (g) other factors.  In addition, management is continuing to evaluate the economic feasibility of environmental investments on both regulated and competitive plants.


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In May 2015, AEP retired the following plants or units of plants:
Company
 
Plant Name and Unit
 
Generating
Capacity
 
 
 
 
(in MWs)
AGR
 
Kammer Plant
 
630

AGR
 
Muskingum River Plant
 
1,440

AGR
 
Picway Plant
 
100

APCo
 
Clinch River Plant, Unit 3
 
235

APCo
 
Glen Lyn Plant
 
335

APCo
 
Kanawha River Plant
 
400

APCo/AGR
 
Sporn Plant
 
600

I&M
 
Tanners Creek Plant
 
995

KPCo
 
Big Sandy Plant, Unit 2
 
800

Total
 
 
 
5,535


As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of the AGR units listed above was zero.  The net book value before cost of removal, including related materials and supplies inventory and CWIP balances, of the regulated plants in the table above was approved for recovery, except for $148 million which management plans to seek regulatory approval.

In April 2016, AEP retired the following units of plants:
Company
 
Plant Name and Unit
 
Generating Capacity
 
 
 
 
(in MWs)
PSO
 
Northeastern Station, Unit 4
 
470

SWEPCo
 
Welsh Plant, Unit 2
 
528

Total
 
 
 
998


As of December 31, 2016, the net book value before cost of removal, including related materials and supplies inventory and CWIP balances, of the PSO and SWEPCo units listed above was $161 million. For Northeastern Station, Unit 4, in November and December 2016, the OCC issued orders that provided no determination related to the return of and return on the post-retirement remaining net book value. These regulatory assets are pending regulatory approval. SWEPCo requested recovery of the Texas jurisdictional share (approximately 33%) of the net book value of Welsh Plant, Unit 2 in the 2016 Texas Base Rate Case. Management will seek recovery of the remaining PSO and SWEPCo regulatory assets in future rate proceedings.

In October 2015, KPCo obtained permits following the KPSC’s approval to convert its 278 MW Big Sandy Plant, Unit 1 to natural gas. Big Sandy Plant, Unit 1 began operations as a natural gas unit in May 2016.

APCo obtained permits following the Virginia SCC’s and WVPSC’s approval to convert its 470 MW Clinch River Plant, Units 1 and 2 to natural gas. In the third and fourth quarters of 2015, APCo retired the coal-related assets of Clinch River Plant, Units 1 and 2. Of the retired coal related assets for Clinch River Plant, Units 1 and 2, management plans to seek regulatory approval for $24 million. Clinch River Plant, Unit 1 and Unit 2 began operations as natural gas units in February 2016 and April 2016, respectively.

In January 2017, Dayton Power and Light Co. announced the future retirement of the 2,308 MW Stuart Plant, Units 1-4. The retirement is scheduled for June 2018. Stuart Plant, Units 1-4 are operated by Dayton Power and Light Co. and are jointly owned by AGR and nonaffiliated entities. AGR owns 600 MWs of the Stuart Plant, Units 1-4. As of December 31, 2016, AGR’s net book value before cost of removal, including related materials and supplies inventory and CWIP balances, of the Stuart Plant, Units 1-4 was $221 thousand.

To the extent existing generation assets and the cost of new equipment and converted facilities are not recoverable, it could materially reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

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Clean Air Act Requirements

The CAA establishes a comprehensive program to protect and improve the nation’s air quality and control sources of air emissions. The states implement and administer many of these programs and could impose additional or more stringent requirements.

The Federal EPA issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) in 2005 requiring specific reductions in SO2 and NOx emissions from power plants.  The Federal EPA issued the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) in August 2011 to replace CAIR.  The CSAPR was challenged in the courts.  In 2012, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision vacating and remanding CSAPR to the Federal EPA with instructions to continue implementing CAIR until a replacement rule is finalized.  That decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which reversed the decision and remanded the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ordered CSAPR to take effect on January 1, 2015 while the remand proceeding was still pending. In July 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit remanded the rule to the Federal EPA. In September 2016, the Federal EPA finalized its response to the remand for ozone season NOx budgets. In November 2016, the Federal EPA proposed to remove Texas from the annual SO2 and NOx budget programs. Texas would remain part of CSAPR’s ozone season NOx budget program. All of the states in which AEP’s power plants are located are covered by CSAPR. See “Cross-State Air Pollution Rule” section below.

The Federal EPA issued the final maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards for coal and oil-fired power plants in 2012, but the rule was remanded to the Federal EPA upon further review. The Federal EPA issued a supplemental finding, received comments and affirmed its decision on the MACT standards for power plants. That decision has been challenged in the courts but the rule remains in effect. See “Mercury and Other Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) Regulation” section below.

The Federal EPA issued a Clean Air Visibility Rule (CAVR), detailing how the CAA’s requirement that certain facilities install best available retrofit technology (BART) will address regional haze in federal parks and other protected areas.  BART requirements apply to facilities built between 1962 and 1977 that emit more than 250 tons per year of certain pollutants in specific industrial categories, including power plants.  CAVR will be implemented through SIPs or, if SIPs are not adequate or are not developed on schedule, through FIPs.  In January 2017, the Federal EPA revised the rules governing submission of SIPs to implement the visibility programs, including a provision that postpones the due date for the next comprehensive SIP revisions until 2021.

The Federal EPA proposed disapproval of regional haze SIPs in a few states, including Arkansas and Texas.  In March 2012, the Federal EPA disapproved certain portions of the Arkansas regional haze SIP. In April 2015, the Federal EPA published a proposed FIP to replace the disapproved portions, including revised BART determinations for the Flint Creek Plant that were consistent with the environmental controls currently under construction. In September 2016, the Federal EPA published a final FIP that retains its BART determinations, but accelerates the schedule for implementation of certain required controls. The final rule is being challenged in the courts. In January 2016, the Federal EPA disapproved portions of the Texas regional haze SIP and promulgated a final FIP that did not include any BART determinations. That rule was challenged and stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court. The parties engaged in settlement discussion but were unable to reach agreement. In January 2017, Federal EPA proposed source-specific BART requirements for SO2 from sources in Texas, including certain AEP units. The comment period has not yet closed.

In June 2012, the Federal EPA published revisions to the regional haze rules to allow states participating in the CSAPR trading programs to use those programs in place of source-specific BART for SO2 and NOx emissions based on its determination that CSAPR results in greater visibility improvements than source-specific BART in the CSAPR states.  This rule is being challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Management supports compliance with CSAPR programs as satisfaction of the BART requirements.

The Federal EPA issued rules for CO2 emissions that apply to new and existing electric utility units. See “Climate Change, CO2 Regulation and Energy Policy” section below.

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The Federal EPA also issued new, more stringent national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM in 2012, SO2 in 2010 and ozone in 2015. States are in the process of evaluating the attainment status and need for additional control measures in order to attain and maintain the new NAAQS and may develop additional requirements for facilities as a result of those evaluations. Management cannot currently predict the nature, stringency or timing of those requirements.

Notable developments in significant CAA regulatory requirements affecting AEP’s operations are discussed in the following sections.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

In 2011, the Federal EPA issued CSAPR as a replacement of CAIR.  Certain revisions to the rule were finalized in 2012.  CSAPR relies on newly-created SO2 and NOx allowances and individual state budgets to compel further emission reductions from electric utility generating units.  Interstate trading of allowances is allowed on a restricted sub-regional basis.  Arkansas and Louisiana are subject only to the seasonal NOx program in the rule.  Texas is subject to the annual programs for SO2 and NOx in addition to the seasonal NOx program, although the Federal EPA has proposed to withdraw the annual CSAPR budget programs in Texas.  The annual SO2 allowance budgets in Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia were reduced significantly in the rule.  A supplemental rule includes Oklahoma in the seasonal NOx program.  The supplemental rule was finalized in December 2011 with an increased NOx emission budget for the 2012 compliance year.  The Federal EPA issued a final Error Corrections Rule and further CSAPR revisions in 2012 to make corrections to state budgets and unit allocations and to remove the restrictions on interstate trading in the first phase of CSAPR.

Numerous affected entities, states and other parties filed petitions to review the CSAPR in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  In 2012, the court issued a decision vacating and remanding CSAPR to the Federal EPA with instructions to continue implementing CAIR until a replacement rule is finalized.  The majority determined that the CAA does not allow the Federal EPA to “overcontrol” emissions in an upwind state and that the Federal EPA exceeded its statutory authority by failing to allow states an opportunity to develop their own implementation plans before issuing a FIP. A petition for review filed by the Federal EPA and other parties in the U.S. Supreme Court was granted in June 2013. In April 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision reversing in part the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and remanding the case for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. The Federal EPA filed a motion to lift the stay and allow Phase I of CSAPR to take effect on January 1, 2015 and Phase II to take effect on January 1, 2017. The court granted the Federal EPA’s motion. The parties filed briefs and presented oral arguments. In July 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that the Federal EPA over-controlled the SO2 and/or NOx budgets of 14 states. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit remanded the rule to the Federal EPA to timely revise the rule consistent with the court’s opinion while CSAPR remains in place.

In December 2015, the Federal EPA issued a proposal to revise the ozone season NOx budgets in 23 states beginning in 2017 to address transport issues associated with the 2008 ozone standard and the budget errors identified in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s July 2015 decision. The proposal was open for public comment through February 1, 2016. In October 2016, a final rule was issued that significantly reduces ozone season budgets in many states and discounts the value of banked CSAPR ozone season allowances beginning with the 2017 ozone season. The rule has been challenged in the courts and petitions for administrative reconsideration have been filed. Management believes that there are flaws in the underlying analysis of and justification for this rule. Management is evaluating compliance options for the 2017 ozone season, including any opportunity to further optimize NOx emissions and availability of allowances.


13




Mercury and Other Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) Regulation

In 2012, the Federal EPA issued a rule addressing a broad range of HAPs from coal and oil-fired power plants.  The rule establishes unit-specific emission rates for units burning coal on a 30-day rolling average basis for mercury, PM (as a surrogate for particles of nonmercury metals) and hydrogen chloride (as a surrogate for acid gases).  In addition, the rule proposes work practice standards, such as boiler tune-ups, for controlling emissions of organic HAPs and dioxin/furans.  The effective date of the final rule was April 16, 2012 and compliance was required within three years. Management obtained a one-year administrative extension at several units to facilitate the installation of controls or to avoid a serious reliability problem.

In April 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied all of the petitions for review of the April 2012 final rule. Industry trade groups and several states filed petitions for further review in the U.S. Supreme Court and the court granted those petitions in November 2014.

In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit remanded the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule for further proceedings consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that the Federal EPA was unreasonable in refusing to consider costs in its determination whether to regulate emissions of HAPs from power plants. The Federal EPA issued notice of a supplemental finding concluding that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate HAP emissions from coal-fired and oil-fired units. Management submitted comments on the proposal. In April 2016, the Federal EPA affirmed its determination that regulation of HAPs from electric generating units is necessary and appropriate. Petitions for review of the Federal EPA’s April 2016 determination have been filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The rule remains in effect.

Climate Change, CO2 Regulation and Energy Policy

The majority of the states where AEP has generating facilities passed legislation establishing renewable energy, alternative energy and/or energy efficiency requirements that can assist in reducing carbon emissions.  Management is taking steps to comply with these requirements, including increasing wind and solar installations and power purchases and broadening the AEP System’s portfolio of energy efficiency programs.

In October 2015, the Federal EPA published the final standards for new, modified and reconstructed fossil fired steam generating units and combustion turbines, and final guidelines for the development of state plans to regulate CO2 emissions from existing sources. The final standard for new combustion turbines is 1,000 pounds of CO2 per MWh and the final standard for new fossil steam units is 1,400 pounds of CO2 per MWh. Reconstructed turbines are subject to the same standard as new units and no standard for modified combustion turbines was issued. Reconstructed fossil steam units are subject to a standard of 1,800 pounds of CO2 per MWh for larger units and 2,000 pounds of CO2 per MWh for smaller units. Modified fossil steam units will be subject to a site specific standard no lower than the standards that would be applied if the units were reconstructed.

The final emissions guidelines for existing sources, known as the Clean Power Plan (CPP), are based on a series of declining emission rates that are implemented beginning in 2022 through 2029. The final emission rate is 771 pounds of CO2 per MWh for existing natural gas combined cycle units and 1,305 pounds of CO2 per MWh for existing fossil steam units in 2030 and thereafter. The Federal EPA also developed a set of rate-based and mass-based state goals.

The Federal EPA also published proposed “model” rules that can be adopted by the states that would allow sources within “trading ready” state programs to trade, bank or sell allowances or credits issued by the states. These rules would also be the basis for any federal plan issued by the Federal EPA in a state that fails to submit or receive approval for a state plan. The Federal EPA intends to finalize either a rate-based or mass-based trading program that can be enforced in states that fail to submit approved plans by the deadlines established in the final guidelines. The Federal EPA established a 90-day public comment period on the proposed rules and management submitted comments. In June 2016, the Federal EPA issued a separate proposal for the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) that was included in the model rules. Through the CEIP, states could issue allowances or credits for eligible actions prior to the first

14




compliance period under the CPP. The final rules are being challenged in the courts. In February 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the final Clean Power Plan, including all of the deadlines for submission of initial or final state plans. The stay will remain in effect until a final decision is issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court considers any petition for review.

Federal and state legislation or regulations that mandate limits on the emission of CO2 could result in significant increases in capital expenditures and operating costs, which in turn, could lead to increased liquidity needs and higher financing costs.  Excessive costs to comply with future legislation or regulations might force AEP to close some coal-fired facilities and could lead to possible impairment of assets.

Coal Combustion Residual Rule

In April 2015, the Federal EPA published a final rule to regulate 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 final rule became effective in October 2015. The Federal EPA regulates CCR as a non-hazardous solid waste by its issuance of new minimum federal solid waste management standards. The rule applies to new and existing active CCR landfills and CCR surface impoundments at operating electric utility or independent power production facilities. The rule imposes new and additional construction and operating obligations, including location restrictions, liner criteria, structural integrity requirements for impoundments, operating criteria and additional groundwater monitoring requirements. The rule does not apply to inactive CCR landfills, surface impoundments at retired generating stations or the beneficial use of CCR. The rule is self-implementing so state action is not required. Because of this self-implementing feature, the rule contains extensive record keeping, notice and internet posting requirements. The CCR rule requirements contain a compliance schedule spanning an approximate four year implementation period. If CCR units do not meet these standards within the timeframes provided, they will be required to close. Extensions of time for closure are available provided there is no alternative disposal capacity or the owner can certify cessation of a boiler by a certain date. Challenges to the rule by industry associations of which AEP is a member are proceeding. In April 2016, the parties entered into a settlement agreement that would require the Federal EPA to reconsider certain aspects of the rule. In June 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued an order granting the voluntary remand of certain provisions including the Federal EPA’s issuance of a rule vacating the provision creating specific closure requirements for inactive surface impoundments that complete closure by April 17, 2018. In August 2016, the Federal EPA proposed a direct final rule to extend the deadlines for these facilities to comply with the CCR standards. The proposed rule received no adverse comments and became effective 60 days following publication. Management does not believe the direct final rule will have a significant impact on its planned pond closures. The Federal EPA will also use its best efforts to complete reconsideration of all of the affected provisions within three years.

In December 2016, the U.S. Congress passed legislation authorizing states to submit programs to regulate CCR facilities, and the Federal EPA to approve such programs if they are no less stringent than the minimum federal standards. The Federal EPA may also enforce compliance with the minimum standards until a state program is approved or if states fail to adopt their own programs.

Because AEP currently uses surface impoundments and landfills to manage CCR materials at generating facilities, significant costs will be incurred to upgrade or close and replace these existing facilities at some point in the future as the new rule is implemented. Management recorded a $95 million increase in asset retirement obligations in the second quarter of 2015 primarily due to the publication of the final rule. Management will continue to evaluate the rule’s impact on operations.

In February 2014, the Federal EPA completed a risk evaluation of the beneficial uses of coal fly ash in concrete and FGD gypsum in wallboard and concluded that the Federal EPA supports these beneficial uses.  Currently, approximately 40% of the coal ash and other residual products from AEP’s generating facilities are re-used in the production of cement and wallboard, as structural fill or soil amendments, as abrasives or road treatment materials and for other beneficial uses.  Encapsulated beneficial uses are not materially impacted by the new rule but additional demonstrations may be required to continue land applications in significant amounts except in road construction projects.

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Clean Water Act (CWA) Regulations

In 2014, the Federal EPA issued a final rule setting forth standards for existing power plants that is intended to reduce mortality of aquatic organisms pinned against a plant’s cooling water intake screen (impingement) or entrained in the cooling water.  Entrainment is when small fish, eggs or larvae are drawn into the cooling water system and affected by heat, chemicals or physical stress.  The final rule affects all plants withdrawing more than two million gallons of cooling water per day. The rule offers seven technology options to comply with the impingement standard and requires site-specific studies to determine appropriate entrainment compliance measures at facilities withdrawing more than 125 million gallons per day. Additional requirements may be imposed as a result of consultation with other federal agencies to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Facilities with existing closed cycle recirculating cooling systems, as defined in the rule, are not expected to require any technology changes. Facilities subject to both the impingement standard and site-specific entrainment studies will typically be given at least three years to conduct and submit the results of those studies to the permit agency. Compliance timeframes will then be established by the permit agency through each facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for installation of any required technology changes, as those permits are renewed over the next five to eight years. Petitions for review of the final rule were filed by industry and environmental groups and are currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

In addition, the Federal EPA developed revised effluent limitation guidelines for electricity generating facilities.  A final rule was issued in November 2015. The rule has been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In addition to other requirements, the final rule establishes limits on flue gas desulfurization wastewater, zero discharge for fly ash and bottom ash transport water and flue gas mercury control wastewater. The applicability of these requirements is as soon as possible after November 2018 and no later than December 2023. These new requirements will be implemented through each facility’s wastewater discharge permit. Management continues to assess technology additions and retrofits.

In June 2015, the Federal EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly issued a final rule to clarify the scope of the regulatory definition of “waters of the United States” in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court cases. The CWA provides for federal jurisdiction over “navigable waters” defined as “the waters of the United States.” This jurisdictional definition applies to all CWA programs, potentially impacting generation, transmission and distribution permitting and compliance requirements. Among those programs are: permits for wastewater and storm water discharges, permits for impacts to wetlands and water bodies and oil spill prevention planning. The final definition continues to recognize traditional navigable waters of the U.S. as jurisdictional as well as certain exclusions. The rule also contains a number of new specific definitions and criteria for determining whether certain other waters are jurisdictional because of a “significant nexus.” Management believes that clarity and efficiency in the permitting process is needed. Management remains concerned that the rule introduces new concepts and could subject more of AEP’s operations to CWA jurisdiction, thereby increasing the time and complexity of permitting. The final rule is being challenged in both courts of appeal and district courts. Challengers include industry associations of which AEP is a member. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted a nationwide stay of the rule pending jurisdictional determinations. In February 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision holding that it has exclusive jurisdiction to decide the challenges to the “waters of the United States” rule. Industry, state and related associations have filed petitions for a rehearing of the jurisdictional decision. In April 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied the petitions. In January 2017, the decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted certiorari to review the jurisdictional issue.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SEGMENTS

AEP’s primary business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.  Within its Vertically Integrated Utilities segment, AEP centrally dispatches generation assets and manages its overall utility operations on an integrated basis because of the substantial impact of cost-based rates and regulatory oversight.  Intersegment sales and transfers are generally based on underlying contractual arrangements and agreements.

AEP’s reportable segments and their related business activities are outlined below:

Vertically Integrated Utilities

Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by AEGCo, APCo, I&M, KGPCo, KPCo, PSO, SWEPCo and WPCo.

Transmission and Distribution Utilities

Transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by OPCo and AEP Texas.
OPCo purchases energy and capacity at auction to serve SSO customers and provides transmission and distribution services for all connected load.
With the merger of TCC and TNC into AEP Utilities, Inc. to form AEP Texas, the Transmission and Distribution segment now includes certain activities related to the former AEP Utilities, Inc. that had been included in Corporate and Other.

AEP Transmission Holdco

Development, construction and operation of transmission facilities through investments in AEP’s wholly-owned transmission-only subsidiaries and transmission-only joint ventures. These investments have PUCT-approved or FERC-approved returns on equity.

Generation & Marketing

Competitive generation in ERCOT and PJM.
Marketing, risk management and retail activities in ERCOT, PJM, SPP and MISO.
Contracted renewable energy investments and management services.

The remainder of AEP’s activities is presented as Corporate and Other. While not considered a reportable segment, Corporate and Other primarily includes the purchasing of receivables from certain AEP utility subsidiaries, Parent’s guarantee revenue received from affiliates, investment income, interest income and interest expense and other nonallocated costs. With the sale of AEPRO in November 2015, the activities related to the AEP River Operations segment have been moved to Corporate and Other for the periods presented. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

The following discussion of AEP’s results of operations by operating segment includes an analysis of gross margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Gross margin includes Total Revenues less the costs of Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation as well as Purchased Electricity for Resale, Generation Deferrals and Amortization of Generation Deferrals as presented in the Registrants statements of income as applicable. These expenses are generally collected from customers through cost recovery mechanisms. As such, management uses gross margin for internal reporting analysis as it excludes the fluctuations in revenue caused by changes in these expenses. Operating income, which is presented in accordance with GAAP in AEP’s statements of income, is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to the presentation of gross margin. AEP’s definition of gross margin may not be directly comparable to similarly titled financial measures used by other companies.


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The table below presents Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders by segment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
$
979.9

 
$
896.5

 
$
707.6

Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
482.1

 
352.4

 
352.2

AEP Transmission Holdco
 
266.3

 
191.2

 
150.8

Generation & Marketing
 
(1,198.0
)
 
366.0

 
367.4

Corporate and Other
 
80.6

 
241.0

 
55.8

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
 
$
610.9

 
$
2,047.1

 
$
1,633.8


AEP CONSOLIDATED

2016 Compared to 2015

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders decreased from $2 billion in 2015 to $611 million in 2016 primarily due to:

An impairment of certain merchant generation assets.
A decrease in generation revenues due to lower capacity revenue and a decrease in wholesale energy prices.

These decreases were partially offset by:

A decrease in system income taxes primarily due to reduced pretax book income as a result of the impairment of certain merchant generation assets as well as the reversal of valuation allowances related to the pending sale of certain merchant generation assets and the settlement of a 2011 audit issue with the IRS, as well as favorable 2015 income tax return adjustments related to AEP’s commercial barging operations.
Favorable rate proceedings during 2016 in AEP’s various jurisdictions.

2015 Compared to 2014

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders increased from $1.6 billion in 2014 to $2 billion in 2015 primarily due to:

Favorable rate proceedings during 2015 in AEP’s various jurisdictions.
The gain on the sale of commercial barge operations.
An increase in transmission investment which resulted in higher revenues and income.
A decrease in expenses due to a settlement and revision of certain asset retirement obligations.
Favorable retail, trading and marketing activity.

These increases were partially offset by:

A decrease in generation revenues due to lower capacity revenue.
A decrease in off-system sales margins due to lower market prices and reduced sales volumes.
An increase in depreciation and amortization expenses primarily due to higher depreciable base.

AEP’s results of operations by operating segment are discussed below.

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VERTICALLY INTEGRATED UTILITIES
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
$
9,091.9

 
$
9,172.2

 
$
9,484.4

Fuel and Purchased Electricity
 
3,079.3

 
3,413.6

 
3,953.4

Gross Margin
 
6,012.6

 
5,758.6

 
5,531.0

Other Operation and Maintenance
 
2,702.9

 
2,529.5

 
2,515.0

Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
10.5

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization
 
1,073.8

 
1,062.6

 
1,033.0

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
390.8

 
383.1

 
370.8

Operating Income
 
1,834.6

 
1,783.4

 
1,612.2

Interest and Investment Income
 
4.8

 
4.6

 
3.4

Carrying Costs Income
 
10.5

 
11.8

 
6.7

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
45.5

 
63.2

 
46.3

Interest Expense
 
(522.1
)
 
(517.4
)
 
(525.5
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense and Equity Earnings
 
1,373.3

 
1,345.6

 
1,143.1

Income Tax Expense
 
397.3

 
449.3

 
433.5

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
 
8.0

 
3.9

 
2.2

Net Income
 
984.0

 
900.2

 
711.8

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
4.1

 
3.7

 
4.2

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
 
$
979.9

 
$
896.5

 
$
707.6

Summary of KWh Energy Sales for Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(in millions of KWhs)
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
32,606

 
32,720

 
34,073

 
Commercial
 
25,229

 
25,006

 
25,048

 
Industrial
 
34,029

 
34,638

 
35,281

 
Miscellaneous
 
2,316

 
2,279

 
2,311

 
Total Retail
 
94,180

 
94,643

 
96,713

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale (a)
 
23,081

 
25,353

 
34,241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total KWhs
 
117,261

 
119,996

 
130,954

 

(a)
Includes off-system sales, municipalities and cooperatives, unit power and other wholesale customers.



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Heating degree days and cooling degree days are metrics commonly used in the utility industry as a measure of the impact of weather on revenues.  In general, degree day changes in the eastern region have a larger effect on revenues than changes in the western region due to the relative size of the two regions and the number of customers within each region.
Summary of Heating and Cooling Degree Days for Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in degree days)
Eastern Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Heating (a)
 
2,541

 
2,710

 
3,313

Normal – Heating (b)
 
2,767

 
2,755

 
2,740

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Cooling (c)
 
1,345

 
1,113

 
932

Normal – Cooling (b)
 
1,075

 
1,075

 
1,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Heating (a)
 
1,130

 
1,379

 
1,840

Normal – Heating (b)
 
1,495

 
1,491

 
1,510

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Cooling (c)
 
2,480

 
2,315

 
2,049

Normal – Cooling (b)
 
2,215

 
2,210

 
2,203


(a)
Heating degree days are calculated on a 55 degree temperature base.
(b)
Normal Heating/Cooling represents the thirty-year average of degree days.
(c)
Cooling degree days are calculated on a 65 degree temperature base.

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2016 Compared to 2015

Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2015 to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Vertically Integrated Utilities
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
896.5

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Retail Margins
 
274.5

Off-system Sales
 
(18.7
)
Transmission Revenues
 
(6.1
)
Other Revenues
 
4.3

Total Change in Gross Margin
 
254.0

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(173.4
)
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
(10.5
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
(11.2
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(7.7
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
0.2

Carrying Costs Income
 
(1.3
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
(17.7
)
Interest Expense
 
(4.7
)
Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(226.3
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
52.0

Equity Earnings
 
4.1

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(0.4
)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
$
979.9


The major components of the increase in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of fuel, including consumption of chemicals and emissions allowances, and purchased electricity were as follows:

Retail Margins increased $275 million primarily due to the following:
The effect of rate proceedings in AEP’s service territories which include:
A $158 million increase in rates in West Virginia and Virginia, which includes recognition of deferred billing in West Virginia as approved by the WVPSC in June 2016. This increase is partially offset by a 2015 adjustment affected by the amended Virginia law that has an impact on biennial reviews.
A $48 million increase for KPCo primarily due to increases in base rates and riders.
A $41 million increase for I&M due to increases in riders in the Indiana service territory.
A $26 million increase for PSO due to base rate increases implemented in January 2016 and rider revenues.
A $23 million increase for SWEPCo due to revenue increases from rate riders in Arkansas and Texas.
For the increases described above, $177 million relate to riders/trackers which have corresponding increases in expense items below.
A $29 million increase in weather-related usage primarily in the eastern region.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $22 million decrease in weather-normalized margins primarily in the eastern region.
A $20 million decrease for SWEPCo in municipal and cooperative revenues due to a true-up of formula rates in 2015.
An $11 million decrease for I&M in FERC municipal and cooperative revenues due to annual formula rate adjustments offset by increased formula rate changes.
Margins from Off-system Sales decreased $19 million primarily due to lower market prices and decreased sales volumes.


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Transmission Revenues decreased $6 million primarily due to the following:
A $27 million decrease due to lower Network Integration Transmission Service (NITS) revenues.
This decrease was partially offset by:
An $14 million increase in SPP Non-Affiliated Base Plan Funding associated with increased transmission investments. This increase was offset by a corresponding increase in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
$5 million of SPP sponsor-funded transmission upgrades recorded in 2016. This increase was offset by a corresponding increase in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
Other Revenues increased $4 million primarily due to increased revenues from demand side management programs in Kentucky, partially offset within Other Operation and Maintenance below.

Expenses and Other, Income Tax Expense and Equity Earnings changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $173 million primarily due to the following:
A $103 million increase in recoverable expenses, primarily including PJM, vegetation management, energy efficiency and storm expenses fully recovered in rate recovery riders/trackers within Retail Margins above.
A $57 million increase associated with amortization of deferred transmission costs in accordance with the Virginia Transmission Rate Adjustment Clause effective January 2016. This increase in expense is offset within Retail Margins above.
A $35 million increase due to a charitable donation to the AEP Foundation.
A $33 million increase in SPP and PJM transmission services expense.
A $6 million increase due to the reduction of an environmental liability in 2015 at I&M.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $61 million decrease in plant outages, primarily planned outages in the eastern region.
A $6 million decrease due to a 2016 gain on the sale of property in the APCo region.
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges increased $11 million due to the impairment of I&M’s Price River Coal reserves.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses increased $11 million primarily due to:
A $42 million increase due to a higher depreciable base.
These increases were partially offset by the following:
A $14 million decrease in the amortization of capitalized software due to retirements in 2015.
An $8 million decrease due to a revision in I&M’s nuclear asset retirement obligation (ARO) estimate, which has a corresponding increase in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses above.
A $4 million decrease in amortization related to the advanced metering infrastructure projects in Oklahoma.
A $3 million decrease in ARO expenses due to steam plant retirements in 2015.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $8 million primarily due to an increase in property taxes as a result of increased property investment.
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction decreased $18 million primarily due to the completion of environmental projects at SWEPCo.
Interest Expense increased $5 million primarily due to the following:
An $11 million increase due to higher long-term debt balances at I&M.
This increase was partially offset by:
A $7 million decrease primarily due to the deferral of the debt component of carrying charges on environmental control costs for projects in Oklahoma at Northeastern Plant, Unit 3 and the Comanche Plant.
Income Tax Expense decreased $52 million primarily due to the recording of federal and state income tax adjustments and other book/tax differences which are accounted for on a flow-through basis, partially offset by an increase in pretax book income.
Equity Earnings increased $4 million primarily due to favorable tax adjustments in 2016.



22




2015 Compared to 2014

Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2014 to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Vertically Integrated Utilities
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
$
707.6

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Retail Margins
 
377.6

Off-system Sales
 
(124.9
)
Transmission Revenues
 
(26.4
)
Other Revenues
 
1.3

Total Change in Gross Margin
 
227.6

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(14.5
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
(29.6
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(12.3
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
1.2

Carrying Costs Income
 
5.1

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
16.9

Interest Expense
 
8.1

Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(25.1
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(15.8
)
Equity Earnings
 
1.7

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
0.5

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
896.5


The major components of the increase in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of fuel, including consumption of chemicals and emissions allowances, and purchased electricity were as follows:

Retail Margins increased $378 million primarily due to the following:
The effect of successful rate proceedings in AEP’s service territories which included:
A $158 million increase primarily due to increases in rates in West Virginia, as well as an adjustment due to the amended Virginia law impacting biennial reviews.
An $88 million increase for I&M primarily due to rate increases from Indiana rate riders and annual FERC formula rate adjustments.
A $79 million increase for SWEPCo due to revenue increases from rate riders in Louisiana and Texas and increases in municipal and cooperative revenues due to annual FERC formula rate adjustments.
A $25 million increase for PSO primarily due to revenue increases from rate riders.
For the increases described above, $70 million relate to riders/trackers which have corresponding increases in expense items below.
A $72 million decrease in Fuel and Purchased Electricity primarily due to the transfer of a one-half interest in the Mitchell Plant from AGR to WPCo in January 2015. This decrease was partially offset by increases in other expense items below.
A $32 million decrease in PJM charges not currently included in rate recovery riders/trackers.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $70 million decrease in weather-normalized load primarily due to lower residential and industrial sales.
A $32 million decrease in weather-related usage primarily in the eastern region.
Margins from Off-system Sales decreased $125 million primarily due to lower market prices and decreased sales volumes.
Transmission Revenues decreased $26 million primarily due to decreased PJM revenues, partially offset by an increase in SPP margins.

23




Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $15 million primarily due to the following:
A $56 million increase in recoverable expenses, primarily PJM expenses and vegetation management expenses currently fully recovered in rate recovery riders/trackers, partially offset by lower River Transportation Division (RTD) barging costs.
A $23 million increase in plant-related expenses primarily due to the transfer of a one-half interest in the Mitchell Plant from AGR to WPCo in January 2015.  This increase was offset by an increase in Retail Margins above.
A $10 million increase in SPP and PJM transmission services.
A $4 million increase in regulatory commission expenses.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $41 million decrease in employee-related expenses.
A $25 million decrease in vegetation management expenses not included in riders/trackers.
A $14 million decrease in environmental liabilities at I&M.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses increased $30 million primarily due to overall higher depreciable base as well as amortization related to an advanced metering rider implemented in November 2014 in Oklahoma.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $12 million primarily due to an increase in property taxes.
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction increased $17 million primarily due to increases in environmental and transmission projects.
Interest Expense decreased $8 million primarily due to lower interest rates on APCo long-term debt.
Income Tax Expense increased $16 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income, partially offset by the recording of state and federal income tax adjustments and other book/tax differences which are accounted for on a flow-through basis.

24




TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
$
4,422.4

 
$
4,556.6

 
$
4,813.6

Purchased Electricity
 
837.1

 
1,144.2

 
1,676.5

Generation Deferrals
 
(82.7
)
 
(30.7
)
 
(157.0
)
Amortization of Generation Deferrals
 
242.9

 
169.1

 
110.9

Gross Margin
 
3,425.1

 
3,274.0

 
3,183.2

Other Operation and Maintenance
 
1,386.7

 
1,328.9

 
1,276.1

Depreciation and Amortization
 
649.9

 
686.4

 
657.8

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
494.3

 
478.3

 
453.4

Operating Income
 
894.2

 
780.4

 
795.9

Interest and Investment Income
 
14.8

 
6.4

 
10.1

Carrying Costs Income
 
20.0

 
11.8

 
26.5

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
15.1

 
15.5

 
11.7

Interest Expense
 
(256.9
)
 
(276.2
)
 
(280.3
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense
 
687.2

 
537.9

 
563.9

Income Tax Expense
 
205.1

 
185.5

 
211.7

Net Income
 
482.1

 
352.4

 
352.2

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 

 

 

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
 
$
482.1

 
$
352.4

 
$
352.2

Summary of KWh Energy Sales for Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(in millions of KWhs)
 
Retail:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
26,191

 
25,735

 
26,209

 
Commercial
 
25,922

 
25,268

 
25,307

 
Industrial
 
22,179

 
22,353

 
21,830

 
Miscellaneous
 
700

 
702

 
713

 
Total Retail (a)
 
74,992

 
74,058

 
74,059

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale (b)
 
1,888

 
1,701

 
2,198

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total KWhs
 
76,880

 
75,759

 
76,257

 

(a)
Represents energy delivered to distribution customers.
(b)
Primarily Ohio’s contractually obligated purchases of OVEC power sold into PJM.



25




Heating degree days and cooling degree days are metrics commonly used in the utility industry as a measure of the impact of weather on revenues.  In general, degree day changes in the eastern region have a larger effect on revenues than changes in the western region due to the relative size of the two regions and the number of customers within each region.
Summary of Heating and Cooling Degree Days for Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in degree days)
Eastern Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Heating (a)
 
2,957

 
3,235

 
3,734

Normal – Heating (b)
 
3,245

 
3,226

 
3,230

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Cooling (c)
 
1,248

 
975

 
949

Normal – Cooling (b)
 
969

 
970

 
960

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Heating (a)
 
201

 
390

 
428

Normal – Heating (b)
 
328

 
325

 
337

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual – Cooling (d)
 
3,058

 
2,718

 
2,553

Normal – Cooling (b)
 
2,648

 
2,642

 
2,618


(a)
Heating degree days are calculated on a 55 degree temperature base.
(b)
Normal Heating/Cooling represents the thirty-year average of degree days.
(c)
Eastern Region cooling degree days are calculated on a 65 degree temperature base.
(d)
Western Region cooling degree days are calculated on a 70 degree temperature base.

26




2016 Compared to 2015
 
Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2015 to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Transmission and Distribution Utilities
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
352.4

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Retail Margins
 
185.4

Off-System Sales
 
46.3

Transmission Revenues
 
(0.6
)
Other Revenues
 
(80.0
)
Total Change in Gross Margin
 
151.1

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(57.8
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
36.5

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(16.0
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
8.4

Carrying Costs Income
 
8.2

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
(0.4
)
Interest Expense
 
19.3

Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(1.8
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(19.6
)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
$
482.1


The major components of the increase in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of purchased electricity and amortization of generation deferrals were as follows:

Retail Margins increased $185 million primarily due to the following:
A $117 million increase in Ohio transmission and PJM revenues primarily due to the energy supplied as a result of the Ohio auction and a regulatory change which resulted in revenues collected through a non-bypassable transmission rider, partially offset by a corresponding decrease in Transmission Revenues below.
An $83 million increase due to the impact of a 2016 regulatory deferral of capacity costs related to OPCo's December 2016 Global Settlement.
A $44 million increase in Ohio riders such as Universal Service Fund (USF) and gridSMART®. This increase in Retail Margins was primarily offset by an increase in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
A $34 million increase in collections of PIRR carrying charges in Ohio as a result of the June 2016 PUCO order.
A $24 million increase in revenues associated with the Ohio Distribution Investment Rider (DIR). This increase was partially offset in various line items below.
A $22 million increase in AEP Texas weather-normalized margins primarily in the residential class.
A $20 million increase in AEP Texas revenues primarily due to the recovery of ERCOT transmission expenses, offset in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
A $17 million increase in AEP Texas revenues primarily due to the recovery of distribution expenses.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $150 million net decrease due to the impact of 2016 provisions for refund primarily related to OPCo's December 2016 Global Settlement.
A $16 million decrease in revenues associated with the recovery of 2012 storm costs under the Ohio Storm Damage Recovery Rider which ended in April 2015. This decrease in Retail Margins was primarily offset by a decrease in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.

27




Margins from Off-system Sales increased $46 million primarily due to the following:
A $41 million increase due to a reversal of a 2015 provision for regulatory loss in Ohio.
An $8 million increase primarily due to prior year losses in Ohio from a power contract with OVEC.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $3 million decrease in margins from a power contract with AEPEP for Oklaunion.
Transmission Revenues decreased $1 million primarily due to the following:
A $56 million decrease in NITS revenue primarily due to OPCo assuming the responsibility for items determined to be cost-based transmission-related charges that were the responsibility of the CRES providers prior to June 2015, partially offset by a corresponding increase in Retail Margins above.
This decrease was partially offset by:
A $36 million increase primarily due to increased transmission investment in ERCOT.
A $19 million increase in Ohio due to a FERC settlement recorded in 2015 and FERC formula rate true-up adjustments.
Other Revenues decreased $80 million primarily due to a decrease in Texas securitization revenue as a result of the final maturity of the first Texas securitization bond, offset in Depreciation and Amortization and other expense items below.


28




Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $58 million primarily due to the following:
A $73 million increase in recoverable expenses, primarily including PJM expenses and gridSMART® expenses, currently fully recovered in rate recovery riders/trackers within Retail Margins above.
A $28 million increase due to charitable donations, including the AEP Foundation.
A $21 million increase in remitted USF surcharge payments to the Ohio Department of Development to fund an energy assistance program for qualified Ohio customers. This increase was offset by a corresponding increase in Retail Margins above.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $14 million decrease due to the completion of the Ohio amortization of 2012 deferred storm expenses in April 2015. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
A $13 million decrease in distribution expenses primarily related to storms and 2015 asset inspections.
A $12 million decrease in vegetation management expenses.
A $12 million decrease related to a 2015 regulatory settlement in Ohio.
A $6 million decrease due to a PUCO ordered contribution to the Ohio Growth Fund recorded in 2015.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses decreased $37 million primarily due to the following:
A $65 million decrease in the Texas securitization transition assets due to the final maturity of the first Texas securitization bond, which is offset in Other Revenues above.
A $7 million decrease in the amortization of capitalized software due to 2015 retirements.
A $4 million decrease in recoverable gridSMART® depreciation expenses in Ohio. This decrease was partially offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
These decreases were partially offset by:
A $20 million increase in recoverable Ohio DIR depreciation expense. This increase was offset by a corresponding increase in Retail Margins above.
A $20 million increase in depreciation expense primarily due to an increase in depreciable base of transmission and distribution assets.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $16 million primarily due to increased property taxes in Ohio resulting from additional investments in transmission and distribution assets and higher tax rates.
Interest and Investment Income increased $8 million primarily due to a settlement with the IRS related to the U.K. Windfall Tax.
Carrying Costs Income increased $8 million primarily due to the following:
A $14 million increase due to the impact of a 2016 regulatory deferral of carrying costs related to OPCo's December 2016 Global Settlement.
A $4 million increase primarily due to a 2015 unfavorable adjustment related to gridSMART® capital carrying charges in Ohio.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $10 million decrease due to the collection of carrying costs on Ohio deferred capacity charges beginning June 2015.
Interest Expense decreased $19 million primarily due to:
A $14 million decrease in the Texas securitization transition assets due to the final maturity of the first Texas securitization bond. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Other Revenues above.
A $12 million decrease due to the maturity of an OPCo senior unsecured note in June 2016.
A $2 million decrease in recoverable DIR interest expenses in Ohio. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
These decreases were partially offset by the following:
An $11 million increase due to issuances of senior unsecured notes by AEP Texas.
Income Tax Expense increased $20 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income partially offset by the recording of state and federal income tax adjustments and the settlement of a 2011 audit issue with the IRS.

29




2015 Compared to 2014
 
Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2014 to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Transmission and Distribution Utilities
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
$
352.2

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Retail Margins
 
199.1

Off-System Sales
 
(28.5
)
Transmission Revenues
 
(83.7
)
Other Revenues
 
3.9

Total Change in Gross Margin
 
90.8

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(52.8
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
(28.6
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(24.9
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
(3.7
)
Carrying Costs Income
 
(14.7
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
3.8

Interest Expense
 
4.1

Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(116.8
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
26.2

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
352.4


The major components of the increase in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of purchased electricity and amortization of generation deferrals were as follows:

Retail Margins increased $199 million primarily due to the following:
A $131 million increase in Ohio transmission and PJM revenues primarily due to energy supplied as a result of the Ohio auction and a regulatory change which resulted in revenues collected through a non-bypassable transmission rider, partially offset by a corresponding decrease in Transmission Revenues below.
A $50 million increase in Ohio rider revenues associated with the Distribution Investment Rider (DIR), the gridSMART® Rider, the Enhanced Service Reliability (ESR) Rider and the RSR. These increases in rider revenues are partially offset by net increases in other expense items below.
A $33 million negative Ohio regulatory provision recorded in 2014.
A $26 million increase in TCC and TNC revenues primarily due to the recovery of ERCOT transmission expenses, offset in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $25 million decrease in revenues associated with the recovery of 2012 storm costs under the Ohio Storm Damage Recovery Rider which ended in April 2015. This decrease in Retail Margins is offset by a decrease in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
A $17 million decrease in Ohio Energy Efficiency/Peak Demand Reduction (EE/PDR) Rider revenues. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
An $11 million decrease in revenues associated with the Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharge. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses below.
Margins from Off-system Sales decreased $29 million primarily due to losses from a legacy OPCo power contract.


30




Transmission Revenues decreased $84 million primarily due to the following:
An $80 million decrease in PJM Network Integrated Transmission Service (NITS) revenue primarily due to OPCo assuming the responsibility for items determined to be cost-based transmission-related charges that were the responsibility of the CRES providers prior to June 2015, partially offset by a corresponding increase in Retail Margins above.
A $12 million decrease in Ohio revenues related to a lower annual transmission formula rate true-up.
A $9 million OPCo transmission regulatory settlement in 2015.
These decreases were partially offset by:
A $25 million increase primarily due to increased transmission investment in ERCOT.

Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $53 million primarily due to the following:
A $72 million increase in recoverable PJM, ERCOT and gridSMART® expenses. These increases were offset by increases in Retail Margins above.
A $19 million increase in distribution expenses including system improvements and storm expenses.
A $12 million increase related to a regulatory settlement in Ohio.
A $6 million increase due to PUCO ordered contributions to the Ohio Growth Fund.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $26 million decrease due to the completion of the amortization of 2012 deferred storm expenses in April 2015. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
A $17 million decrease in EE/PDR costs and associated deferrals. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
An $11 million decrease in remitted USF surcharge payments to the Ohio Department of Development to fund an energy assistance program for qualified Ohio customers. This decrease was offset by a corresponding decrease in Retail Margins above.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses increased $29 million primarily due to the following:
A $29 million increase due to an increase in the depreciable base of transmission and distribution assets.
An $8 million increase in amortization of TCC’s securitization transition asset, partially offset in Other Revenues.
An $8 million increase in amortization expenses for the collection of carrying costs on deferred capacity charges beginning June 2015. This increase was offset by a corresponding increase in Retail Margins above.
These increases were partially offset by:
A $9 million decrease in recoverable DIR depreciation expense. This decrease was offset by a decrease in Retail Margins above.
An $8 million decrease in recoverable gridSMART® depreciation expense. This decrease was offset by a decrease in Retail Margins above.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $25 million primarily due to increased property taxes.
Interest and Investment Income decreased $4 million primarily due to a decrease in affiliated notes payable for OPCo. This decrease was offset by a decrease in Interest Expense.
Carrying Costs Income decreased $15 million primarily due to the collection of carrying costs on deferred capacity charges beginning June 2015.
Income Tax Expense decreased $26 million primarily due to a decrease in pretax book income and by the recording of state income tax adjustments.

31




AEP TRANSMISSION HOLDCO


Years Ended December 31,
AEP Transmission Holdco

2016

2015

2014


(in millions)
Transmission Revenues

$
512.8


$
329.2


$
191.9

Other Operation and Maintenance

55.3


38.4


28.7

Depreciation and Amortization

67.1


43.0


23.7

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

88.7


66.0


31.8

Operating Income

301.7


181.8


107.7

Interest and Investment Income
 
0.4

 
0.2

 

Carrying Costs Expense
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction

52.2


53.0


44.8

Interest Expense

(50.3
)

(37.2
)

(23.5
)
Income Before Income Tax Expense and Equity Earnings

303.7


197.6


129.0

Income Tax Expense

134.1


91.3


62.9

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

99.7


86.4


84.7

Net Income

269.3


192.7


150.8

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

3.0


1.5



Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders

$
266.3


$
191.2


$
150.8


Summary of Net Plant In Service and CWIP for AEP Transmission Holdco
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Net Plant In Service
 
$
4,284.6

 
$
2,832.7

 
$
1,800.8

CWIP
 
968.0

 
1,092.6

 
888.9



32




2016 Compared to 2015
 
Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2015 to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Transmission Holdco
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
191.2

 
 
 
Changes in Transmission Revenues:
 
 
Transmission Revenues
 
183.6

Total Change in Transmission Revenues
 
183.6

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(16.9
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
(24.1
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(22.7
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
0.2

Carrying Costs Income
 
(0.1
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
(0.8
)
Interest Expense
 
(13.1
)
Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(77.5
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(42.8
)
Equity Earnings
 
13.3

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(1.5
)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
$
266.3


The major components of the increase in transmission revenues, which consists of wholesale sales to affiliates and non-affiliates were as follows:

Transmission Revenues increased $184 million primarily due to the following:
A $156 million increase due to formula rate increases driven by continued investment in transmission assets and the related increases in recoverable operating expenses.
A $28 million increase due to annual formula rate true-up adjustments.

Expenses and Other, Income Tax Expense and Equity Earnings changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $17 million primarily due to increased transmission investment.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses increased $24 million primarily due to higher depreciable base.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $23 million primarily due to increased property taxes as a result of additional transmission investment.
Interest Expense increased $13 million primarily due to higher outstanding long-term debt balances.
Income Tax Expense increased $43 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income.
Equity Earnings increased $13 million primarily due to increased transmission investment by ETT.

33




2015 Compared to 2014

Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2014 to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Transmission Holdco
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
$
150.8

 
 
 
Changes in Transmission Revenues:
 
 
Transmission Revenues
 
137.3

Total Change in Transmission Revenues
 
137.3

 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(9.7
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
(19.3
)
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
(34.2
)
Interest and Investment Income
 
0.2

Carrying Costs Income
 
(0.2
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
8.2

Interest Expense
 
(13.7
)
Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(68.7
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(28.4
)
Equity Earnings
 
1.7

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
(1.5
)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
191.2


The major components of the increase in transmission revenues, which consists of wholesale sales to affiliates and non-affiliates were as follows:

Transmission Revenues increased $137 million primarily due to an increase in projects placed in-service by AEP’s wholly-owned transmission subsidiaries.

Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $10 million primarily due to increased transmission investment.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses increased $19 million primarily due to higher depreciable base.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $34 million primarily due to increased property taxes.
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction increased $8 million primarily due to increased transmission investment.
Interest Expense increased $14 million primarily due to higher outstanding long-term debt balances.
Income Tax Expense increased $28 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income.

34




GENERATION & MARKETING
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Generation & Marketing
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Revenues
 
$
2,986.0

 
$
3,412.7

 
$
3,849.6

Fuel, Purchased Electricity and Other
 
1,948.6

 
2,164.6

 
2,436.3

Gross Margin
 
1,037.4

 
1,248.1

 
1,413.3

Other Operation and Maintenance
 
418.4

 
408.4

 
549.7

Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
2,257.3

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization
 
154.6

 
201.4

 
226.8

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
37.6

 
40.7

 
49.6

Operating Income (Loss)
 
(1,830.5
)
 
597.6

 
587.2

Interest and Investment Income
 
1.4

 
2.8

 
4.7

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
0.4

 
0.2

 
0.1

Interest Expense
 
(35.8
)
 
(40.0
)
 
(45.3
)
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense
 
(1,864.5
)
 
560.6

 
546.7

Income Tax Expense (Credit)
 
(666.5
)
 
194.6

 
179.3

Net Income (Loss)
 
(1,198.0
)
 
366.0

 
367.4

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
 
$
(1,198.0
)
 
$
366.0

 
$
367.4


Summary of MWhs Generated for Generation & Marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions of MWhs)
Fuel Type:
 
 
 
 
 
Coal
25

 
27

 
38

Natural Gas
14

 
13

 
7

Wind
1

 
1

 
1

Total MWhs
40

 
41

 
46



35




2016 Compared to 2015
 
Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2015 to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Generation & Marketing
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
366.0

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Generation
 
(224.9
)
Retail, Trading and Marketing
 
17.7

Other
 
(3.5
)
Total Change in Gross Margin
 
(210.7
)
 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
(10.0
)
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
(2,257.3
)
Depreciation and Amortization
 
46.8

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
3.1

Interest and Investment Income
 
(1.4
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
0.2

Interest Expense
 
4.2

Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
(2,214.4
)
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
861.1

 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
$
(1,198.0
)

The major components of the decrease in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of fuel, including consumption of chemicals and emissions allowances, purchased electricity and certain cost of service for retail operations were as follows:

Generation decreased $225 million primarily due to reduced power prices, lower capacity revenues resulting from plant retirements, and the transition of the Ohio SSO to full market pricing, partially offset by favorable hedging activity.
Retail, Trading and Marketing increased $18 million primarily due to an increase in retail volumes and increased margins.
Other Revenue decreased $4 million primarily due to unfavorable wind conditions and decreased wholesale energy prices.

Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses increased $10 million primarily due to the 2015 sale of certain assets and revision of the related asset retirement obligations, partially offset by a decrease in maintenance due to plant retirements in June 2015.
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges increased $2.3 billion due to an asset impairment of certain merchant generation assets.
Depreciation and Amortization decreased $47 million primarily due to the impairment of certain merchant generation assets, the classification of certain assets as held for sale and plant retirements in June 2015.
Interest Expense decreased $4 million primarily due to a decrease in long-term debt outstanding.
Income Tax Expense decreased $861 million primarily due to reduced pretax book income as a result of the impairment of certain merchant generation assets and by the recording of federal and state income tax adjustments.

36




2015 Compared to 2014
 
Reconciliation of Year Ended December 31, 2014 to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Generation & Marketing
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
$
367.4

 
 
 
Changes in Gross Margin:
 
 
Generation
 
(203.9
)
Retail, Trading and Marketing
 
43.2

Other
 
(4.5
)
Total Change in Gross Margin
 
(165.2
)
 
 
 
Changes in Expenses and Other:
 
 
Other Operation and Maintenance
 
141.3

Depreciation and Amortization
 
25.4

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
8.9

Interest and Investment Income
 
(1.9
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
0.1

Interest Expense
 
5.3

Total Change in Expenses and Other
 
179.1

 
 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
(15.3
)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
$
366.0


The major components of the decrease in Gross Margin, defined as revenues less the related direct cost of fuel, including consumption of chemicals and emissions allowances, purchased electricity and certain cost of service for retail operations were as follows:

Generation decreased $204 million primarily due to lower capacity revenue due to the termination of the Power Supply Agreement between AGR and OPCo in May 2015.
Retail, Trading and Marketing increased $43 million primarily due to favorable wholesale trading and marketing performance as well as an increase in retail volumes.

Expenses and Other and Income Tax Expense changed between years as follows:

Other Operation and Maintenance expenses decreased $141 million primarily due to a settlement and revision of certain asset retirement obligations and decreased plant outage and maintenance costs.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses decreased $25 million primarily due to reduced plant in-service.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes decreased $9 million primarily due to a decrease in property taxes.
Interest Expense decreased $5 million primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances and lower long-term interest rates.
Income Tax Expense increased $15 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income and by the recording of federal and state income tax adjustments.

37




CORPORATE AND OTHER

2016 Compared to 2015

Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Corporate and Other decreased from $241 million in 2015 to $81 million in 2016 primarily due to the reversal of capital loss valuation allowances related to the settlement of a 2011 audit issue with the IRS and the impact of the pending sale of certain merchant generation assets as well as 2015 tax return adjustments related to the disposition of AEP’s commercial barging operations. This was partly offset by the gain on the sale of AEP River Operations, charges related to the final accounting of the disposition of AEP’s commercial barging operations and decreased income from the discontinued operations of AEP’s commercial barging operations which was sold in November 2015.

2015 Compared to 2014

Earnings attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Corporate and Other increased from $56 million in 2014 to $241 million in 2015 primarily due to the gain on the sale of AEP River Operations that was recorded in Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, on the statement of income.

AEP SYSTEM INCOME TAXES

2016 Compared to 2015

Income Tax Expense decreased $993 million primarily due to reduced pretax book income as a result of the impairment of certain merchant generation assets, the reversal of capital loss valuation allowances related to the pending sale of certain merchant generation assets and the settlement of a 2011 audit issue with the IRS as well as 2015 tax return adjustments related to the disposition of AEP’s commercial barging operations.

2015 Compared to 2014

Income Tax Expense increased $17 million primarily due to an increase in pretax book income, partially offset by the recording of state income tax adjustments and other book/tax differences which are accounted for on a flow-through basis.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

AEP measures financial condition by the strength of its balance sheet and the liquidity provided by its cash flows.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Debt and Equity Capitalization
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(dollars in millions)
Long-term Debt, including amounts due within one year
 
$
20,391.2

(a)
51.6
%
 
$
19,572.7

 
51.1
%
Short-term Debt
 
1,713.0

 
4.3

 
800.0

 
2.1

Total Debt
 
22,104.2

(a)
55.9

 
20,372.7

 
53.2

AEP Common Equity
 
17,397.0

 
44.0

 
17,891.7

 
46.8

Noncontrolling Interests
 
23.1

 
0.1

 
13.2

 

Total Debt and Equity Capitalization
 
$
39,524.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
38,277.6

 
100.0
%

(a)
Amounts include debt related to the Lawrenceburg Plant that has been classified as Liabilities Held for Sale on the balance sheet. See “Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.


38




AEP’s ratio of debt-to-total capital changed primarily due to an increase in debt related to increased construction expenditures in AEP Transmission Holdco, offset by a decrease in common equity as a result of the impairment of certain merchant generation assets.

Liquidity

Liquidity, or access to cash, is an important factor in determining AEP’s financial stability.  Management believes AEP has adequate liquidity under its existing credit facilities.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP had $3.5 billion in aggregate credit facility commitments to support its operations.  Additional liquidity is available from cash from operations and a receivables securitization agreement.  Management is committed to maintaining adequate liquidity.  AEP generally uses short-term borrowings to fund working capital needs, property acquisitions and construction until long-term funding is arranged.  Sources of long-term funding include issuance of long-term debt, sale-leaseback or leasing agreements or common stock.

Commercial Paper Credit Facilities

AEP manages liquidity by maintaining adequate external financing commitments.  As of December 31, 2016, available liquidity was approximately $2.7 billion as illustrated in the table below:
 
 
Amount
 
Maturity
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Commercial Paper Backup:
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
3,000.0

 
June 2021
Revolving Credit Facility
 
500.0

 
June 2018
Total
 
3,500.0

 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
210.5

 
 
Total Liquidity Sources
 
3,710.5

 
 
Less: AEP Commercial Paper Outstanding
 
1,040.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Available Liquidity
 
$
2,670.5

 
 

AEP has credit facilities totaling $3.5 billion to support its commercial paper program.  The $3 billion credit facility allows management to issue letters of credit in an amount up to $1.2 billion.

AEP uses its commercial paper program to meet the short-term borrowing needs of its subsidiaries.  The program is used to fund both a Utility Money Pool, which funds the utility subsidiaries, and a Nonutility Money Pool, which funds certain nonutility subsidiaries.  In addition, the program also funds, as direct borrowers, the short-term debt requirements of other subsidiaries that are not participants in either money pool for regulatory or operational reasons.  The maximum amount of commercial paper outstanding during 2016 was $1.5 billion.  The weighted-average interest rate for AEP’s commercial paper during 2016 was 0.80%.

Other Credit Facilities

An uncommitted facility gives the issuer of the facility the right to accept or decline each request made under the facility. AEP issues letters of credit under four uncommitted facilities totaling $300 million.  As of December 31, 2016, the maximum future payments for letters of credit issued under the uncommitted facilities was $150 million with maturities ranging from January 2017 to February 2018.

Financing Plan

As of December 31, 2016, AEP has $3 billion of long-term debt due within one year which includes $458 million of Pollution Control Bonds with mandatory tender dates and credit support for variable interest rates that requires the debt be classified as current.  Management plans to refinance the majority of the other maturities due within one year. Also included in AEP’s long-term debt due within one year is $423 million of securitization bonds and DCC Fuel notes.

39




Securitized Accounts Receivables

AEP’s receivables securitization agreement provides a commitment of $750 million from bank conduits to purchase receivables.  The agreement expires in June 2018.

Debt Covenants and Borrowing Limitations

AEP’s credit agreements contain certain covenants and require it to maintain a percentage of debt to total capitalization at a level that does not exceed 67.5%.  The method for calculating outstanding debt and capitalization is contractually defined in AEP’s credit agreements.  Debt as defined in the revolving credit agreements excludes securitization bonds and debt of AEP Credit.  As of December 31, 2016, this contractually-defined percentage was 53.6%.  Nonperformance under these covenants could result in an event of default under these credit agreements.  In addition, the acceleration of AEP’s payment obligations, or the obligations of certain of AEP’s major subsidiaries, prior to maturity under any other agreement or instrument relating to debt outstanding in excess of $50 million, would cause an event of default under these credit agreements.  This condition also applies in a majority of AEP’s non-exchange traded commodity contracts and would similarly allow lenders and counterparties to declare the outstanding amounts payable.  However, a default under AEP’s non-exchange traded commodity contracts would not cause an event of default under its credit agreements.

The revolving credit facilities do not permit the lenders to refuse a draw on any facility if a material adverse change occurs.

Utility Money Pool borrowings and external borrowings may not exceed amounts authorized by regulatory orders and AEP manages its borrowings to stay within those authorized limits.

Dividend Policy and Restrictions

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share in January 2017.  Future dividends may vary depending upon AEP’s profit levels, operating cash flow levels and capital requirements, as well as financial and other business conditions existing at the time.  Parent’s income primarily derives from common stock equity in the earnings of its utility subsidiaries.  Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements may impose certain restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to transfer funds to Parent in the form of dividends.

Management does not believe these restrictions related to AEP’s various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements will have any significant impact on its ability to access cash to meet the payment of dividends on its common stock.

Credit Ratings

AEP does not have any credit arrangements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit downgrade, but its access to the commercial paper market may depend on their credit ratings.  In addition, downgrades in AEP’s credit ratings by one of the rating agencies could increase its borrowing costs.  Counterparty concerns about the credit quality of AEP or its utility subsidiaries could subject AEP to additional collateral demands under adequate assurance clauses under its derivative and non-derivative energy contracts.


40




CASH FLOW

AEP relies primarily on cash flows from operations, debt issuances and its existing cash and cash equivalents to fund its liquidity and investing activities. AEP’s investing and capital requirements are primarily capital expenditures, repaying of long-term debt and paying dividends to shareholders.
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
$
176.4

 
$
162.5

 
$
117.5

Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities
 
4,521.8

 
4,748.7

 
4,602.4

Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities
 
(4,989.1
)
 
(4,564.0
)
 
(4,405.9
)
Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Continuing Financing Activities
 
503.9

 
(661.7
)
 
(150.9
)
Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Discontinued Operations
 
(2.5
)
 
490.9

 
(0.6
)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
34.1

 
13.9

 
45.0

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
210.5

 
$
176.4

 
$
162.5


AEP uses short-term debt, including commercial paper, as a bridge to long-term debt financing. The levels of borrowing may vary significantly due to the timing of long-term debt financings and the impact of fluctuations in cash flows.

Operating Activities
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
620.5

 
$
1,768.6

 
$
1,590.5

Depreciation and Amortization
 
1,962.3

 
2,009.7

 
1,897.6

Deferred Income Taxes
 
(50.0
)
 
808.2

 
868.8

Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
2,267.8

 

 

Deferred Fuel Over/Under-Recover, Net
 
(65.5
)
 
137.8

 
(35.5
)
Disposition of Tanners Creek Plant Site
 
(93.5
)
 

 

Fuel, Materials and Supplies
 
60.2

 
(38.6
)
 
100.8

Accrued Taxes, Net
 
42.8

 
120.2

 
0.4

Other
 
(222.8
)
 
(57.2
)
 
179.8

Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities
 
$
4,521.8

 
$
4,748.7

 
$
4,602.4


Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities were $4.5 billion in 2016 consisting primarily of Income from Continuing Operations of $621 million and $2 billion of noncash Depreciation and Amortization.  AEP also had asset impairments of $2.3 billion during the third quarter of 2016. AEP sold its retired Tanners Creek plant site, including its associated asset retirement obligations to a nonaffiliated party. See Note 7 - Dispositions, Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Impairments for a complete discussion of dispositions, asset impairments and other related charges. Accrued Taxes decreased primarily due to the impacts of bonus depreciation related to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Deferred Income Taxes decreased primarily due to the tax effect of the asset impairment partially offset by an increase in tax versus book temporary differences from operations, which includes provisions related to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Over/Under Fuel decreased primarily due to updated fuel rates at PSO. Other changes represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital, as well as items that represent future rights or obligations to receive or pay cash, such as regulatory assets and liabilities.  


41




Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities were $4.7 billion in 2015 consisting primarily of Income from Continuing Operations of $1.8 billion and $2 billion of noncash Depreciation and Amortization.  Other changes represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital, as well as items that represent future rights or obligations to receive or pay cash, such as regulatory assets and liabilities. Deferred Income Taxes increased primarily due to provisions in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 and an increase in tax versus book temporary differences from operations.  

Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities were $4.6 billion in 2014 consisting primarily of Income from Continuing Operations of $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion of noncash Depreciation and Amortization.  Other changes represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital, as well as items that represent future rights or obligations to receive or pay cash, such as regulatory assets and liabilities.  Deferred Income Taxes increased primarily due to provisions in the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 and an increase in tax versus book temporary differences from operations.  The reduction in Fuel, Material and Supplies balance reflects a decrease in fuel inventory due to cold winter weather and increased generation.

Investing Activities
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Construction Expenditures
 
$
(4,781.1
)
 
$
(4,508.0
)
 
$
(4,130.0
)
Acquisitions of Nuclear Fuel
 
(128.5
)
 
(92.0
)
 
(116.2
)
Acquisitions of Assets/Businesses
 
(107.9
)
 
(5.3
)
 
(64.8
)
Other
 
28.4

 
41.3

 
(94.9
)
Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities
 
$
(4,989.1
)
 
$
(4,564.0
)
 
$
(4,405.9
)

Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities were $5 billion in 2016 primarily due to Construction Expenditures for generation, distribution and transmission investments. AEP also purchased solar assets for $102 million.

Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities were $4.6 billion in 2015 primarily due to Construction Expenditures for generation, distribution and transmission investments.

Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities were $4.4 billion in 2014 primarily due to Construction Expenditures for generation, distribution and transmission investments. AEP also purchased transmission assets for $38 million.

Financing Activities
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Issuance of Common Stock, Net
 
$
34.2

 
$
81.6

 
$
73.6

Issuance/Retirement of Debt, Net
 
1,713.0

 
492.7

 
878.6

Dividends Paid on Common Stock
 
(1,121.0
)
 
(1,059.0
)
 
(997.6
)
Other
 
(122.3
)
 
(177.0
)
 
(105.5
)
Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Continuing Financing Activities
 
$
503.9

 
$
(661.7
)
 
$
(150.9
)

Net Cash Flows from Continuing Financing Activities in 2016 were $504 million.  AEP’s net debt issuances were $1.7 billion.  The net issuances included issuances of $1.7 billion of senior unsecured notes, $191 million of pollution control bonds, $779 million of other debt notes and an increase in short-term borrowing of $913 million offset by retirements of $807 million of senior unsecured notes, $323 million of securitization bonds, $251 million of pollution control bonds and $414 million of other debt notes.  AEP paid common stock dividends of $1.1 billion.  See Note 14 – Financing Activities.

42




Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Financing Activities in 2015 were $662 million.  AEP’s net debt issuances were $493 million.  The net issuances included issuances of $2.1 billion of senior unsecured notes, $140 million of pollution control bonds and $1.2 billion of other debt notes offset by retirements of $1 billion of senior unsecured notes, $342 million of securitization bonds, $308 million of pollution control bonds and $716 million of other debt notes and a decrease in short term borrowing of $546 million.  AEP paid common stock dividends of $1.1 billion.  See Note 14 – Financing Activities.

Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Financing Activities in 2014 were $151 million.  AEP’s net debt issuances were $879 million.  The net issuances included issuances of $1.6 billion of senior unsecured notes and other debt notes, $444 million of pollution control bonds and an increase in short-term borrowing of $589 million offset by retirements of $1.1 billion of notes, $412 million of pollution control bonds and $306 million of securitization bonds.  AEP paid common stock dividends of $998 million.  See Note 14 – Financing Activities.

The following financing activities occurred during 2016:

AEP Common Stock:

During 2016, AEP issued 659 thousand shares of common stock under the incentive compensation, employee saving and dividend reinvestment plans and received net proceeds of $34 million.

Debt:

During 2016, AEP issued approximately $2.6 billion of long-term debt, including $1.7 billion of senior notes at interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 4.55%, $191 million of pollution control revenue bonds and $779 million of other debt at variable interest rates.  The proceeds from these issuances were used to fund long-term debt maturities and construction programs.
During 2016, AEP did not enter into any interest rate derivatives and settled $60 million of such transactions. The settlements resulted in net cash received of $582 thousand. As of December 31, 2016, AEP had in place $500 million of notional interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow and fair value hedges.

In 2017:

In January and February 2017, I&M retired $20 million and $7 million, respectively, of Notes Payable related to DCC Fuel.
In January 2017, APCo retired $104 million of variable rate Pollution Control Bonds.
In January 2017, OPCo retired $22 million of Securitization Bonds.
In January 2017, SWEPCo retired $250 million of Senior Unsecured Notes.
In January 2017, AEP Texas retired $90 million of Securitization Bonds.
In January 2017, AGR retired $500 million of Other Long-term Debt.
In February 2017, APCo retired $12 million of Securitization Bonds.
In February 2017, SWEPCo retired $2 million of Other Long-term Debt.

Cash Flow Activity from Discontinued Operations

In October 2015, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEPRO, to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in November 2015 and resulted in net cash proceeds from the sale of $491 million, which were immediately available for use in AEP’s continuing operations. The cash proceeds of $539 million were recorded in Discontinued Investing Activities. These proceeds were reduced by a make whole payment on the extinguishment of AEPRO long-term debt of $32 million, which was recorded in Discontinued Financing Activities, and transaction costs of $16 million, which were recorded in Discontinued Operating Activities. In the second quarter of 2016, AEP recorded a $3 million loss related to the final accounting for the sale of AEPRO, which was also recorded in Discontinued Operating Activities. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

43




BUDGETED CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURES

Management forecasts approximately $5.7 billion of construction expenditures in 2017.  For 2018 and 2019 combined, management forecasts construction expenditures of $11.6 billion. The expenditures are generally for transmission, generation, distribution and required environmental investment to comply with the Federal EPA rules.  Estimated construction expenditures are subject to periodic review and modification and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints, environmental regulations, business opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, weather, legal reviews and the ability to access capital.  Management expects to fund these construction expenditures through cash flows from operations and financing activities.  Generally, the Registrant Subsidiaries use cash or short-term borrowings under the money pool to fund these expenditures until long-term funding is arranged. The 2017 estimated construction expenditures include generation, transmission and distribution related investments, as well as expenditures for compliance with environmental regulations as follows:
 
 
2017 Budgeted Construction Expenditures
Segment
 
Environmental
 
Generation
 
Transmission
 
Distribution
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
$
203.2

 
$
496.4

 
$
653.2

 
$
756.3

 
$
191.9

 
$
2,301.0

Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
0.1

 
1.5

 
812.7

 
597.6

 
186.3

 
1,598.2

AEP Transmission Holdco
 

 

 
1,473.5

 

 
32.7

 
1,506.2

Generation & Marketing
 
23.4

 
278.0

 

 

 
15.2

 
316.6

Corporate and Other
 

 

 

 

 
(55.8
)
 
(55.8
)
Total
 
$
226.7

 
$
775.9

 
$
2,939.4

 
$
1,353.9

 
$
370.3

 
$
5,666.2


The 2017 estimated construction expenditures by Registrant Subsidiary include distribution, transmission and generation related investments, as well as expenditures for compliance with environmental regulations as follows:
 
 
2017 Budgeted Construction Expenditures
Company
 
Environmental
 
Generation
 
Transmission
 
Distribution
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
44.2

 
$
129.9

 
$
300.1

 
$
234.2

 
$
66.1

 
$
774.5

I&M
 
57.9

 
212.2

 
98.3

 
221.9

 
46.3

 
636.6

OPCo
 

 

 
130.4

 
337.0

 
78.8

 
546.2

PSO
 
0.3

 
37.3

 
47.9

 
137.5

 
28.3

 
251.3

SWEPCo
 
22.9

 
85.7

 
173.3

 
99.4

 
36.5

 
417.8


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

AEP’s current guidelines restrict the use of off-balance sheet financing entities or structures to traditional operating lease arrangements that AEP enters in the normal course of business.  The following identifies significant off-balance sheet arrangements.

Rockport Plant, Unit 2

AEGCo and I&M entered into a sale-and-leaseback transaction in 1989 with Wilmington Trust Company (Owner Trustee), an unrelated unconsolidated trustee for Rockport Plant, Unit 2 (the Plant).  The Owner Trustee was capitalized with equity from six owner participants with no relationship to AEP or any of its subsidiaries and debt from a syndicate of banks and certain institutional investors.  The future minimum lease payments for AEGCo and I&M are $443 million each as of December 31, 2016.

The gain from the sale was deferred and is being amortized over the term of the lease, which expires in 2022.  The Owner Trustee owns the Plant and leases it to AEGCo and I&M.  AEP’s subsidiaries account for the lease as an operating lease with the future payment obligations included in Note 13.  The lease term is for 33 years with potential renewal options.  At the end of the lease term, AEGCo and I&M have the option to renew the lease or the Owner Trustee can sell the Plant.  AEP, as well as AEP’s subsidiaries, have no ownership interest in the Owner Trustee and do not guarantee its debt.

44




Railcars

In June 2003, AEP entered into an agreement with BTM Capital Corporation, as lessor, to lease 875 coal-transporting aluminum railcars.  The initial lease term was five years with three consecutive five-year renewal periods for a maximum lease term of twenty years.  AEP intends to maintain the lease for the full lease term of twenty years via the renewal options.  The lease is accounted for as an operating lease.  The future minimum lease obligation is $19 million for the remaining railcars as of December 31, 2016.  Under a return-and-sale option, the lessor is guaranteed that the sale proceeds will equal at least a specified lessee obligation amount which declines with each five-year renewal.  As of December 31, 2016, the maximum potential loss was approximately $18 million assuming the fair value of the equipment is zero at the end of the current five-year lease term.  However, management believes that the fair value would produce a sufficient sales price to avoid any loss.  AEP has other railcar lease arrangements that do not utilize this type of financing structure.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION INFORMATION

AEP’s contractual cash obligations include amounts reported on the balance sheets and other obligations disclosed in the footnotes.  The following table summarizes AEP’s contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2016:
Payments Due by Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Cash Obligations
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Short-term Debt (a)
 
$
1,713.0

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,713.0

Interest on Fixed Rate Portion of Long-term Debt (b)
 
900.9

 
1,603.2

 
1,400.3

 
8,794.2

 
12,698.6

Fixed Rate Portion of Long-term Debt (c)
 
1,904.0

 
3,165.7

 
1,786.8

 
11,437.3

 
18,293.8

Variable Rate Portion of Long-term Debt (d)
 
1,109.4

 
1,108.4

 
8.0

 

 
2,225.8

Capital Lease Obligations (e)
 
81.3

 
113.7

 
72.1

 
118.7

 
385.8

Noncancelable Operating Leases (e)
 
238.2

 
450.5

 
410.3

 
282.2

 
1,381.2

Fuel Purchase Contracts (f) (g)
 
1,387.8

 
1,478.5

 
1,040.7

 
458.2

 
4,365.2

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
215.5

 
437.1

 
439.1

 
1,740.2

 
2,831.9

Construction Contracts for Capital Assets (h) (i)
 
1,689.5

 
1,623.8

 
742.9

 
1,552.1

 
5,608.3

Total
 
$
9,239.6

 
$
9,980.9

 
$
5,900.2

 
$
24,382.9

 
$
49,503.6


(a)
Represents principal only, excluding interest.
(b)
Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances.
(c)
See “Long-term Debt” section of Note 14.  Represents principal only, excluding interest.
(d)
See “Long-term Debt” section of Note 14.  Represents principal only, excluding interest.  Variable rate debt had interest rates that ranged between 0.68% and 2.57% as of December 31, 2016.
(e)
See Note 13.
(f)
Represents contractual obligations to purchase coal, natural gas, uranium and other consumables as fuel for electric generation along with related transportation of the fuel.
(g)
Excludes approximately $1.1 billion of fuel purchase contracts related to plants Held for Sale. See Note 7.
(h)
Represents only capital assets for which there are signed contracts.  Actual payments are dependent upon and may vary significantly based upon the decision to build, regulatory approval schedules, timing and escalation of project costs.
(i)
Excludes approximately $20 million of construction contracts for capital assets related to plants Held for Sale. See Note 7.

AEP’s $49 million liability related to uncertain tax positions is not included above because management cannot reasonably estimate the cash flows by period.


45




AEP’s pension funding requirements are not included in the above table.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP expects to make contributions to the pension plans totaling $98 million in 2017.  Estimated contributions of $90 million in 2018 and $91 million in 2019 may vary significantly based on market returns, changes in actuarial assumptions and other factors.  Based upon the projected benefit obligation and fair value of assets available to pay pension benefits, the pension plans were 94.9% funded as of December 31, 2016. See “Estimated Future Benefit Payments and Contributions” section of Note 8.

In addition to the amounts disclosed in the contractual cash obligations table above, additional commitments are made in the normal course of business.  These commitments include standby letters of credit, guarantees for the payment of obligation performance bonds and other commitments.  As of December 31, 2016, the commitments outstanding under these agreements are summarized in the table below:
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Commercial Commitments
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Standby Letters of Credit (a)
 
$
130.9

 
$
18.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
149.7

Guarantees of the Performance of Outside Parties (b)
 

 

 

 
115.0

 
115.0

Guarantees of Performance (c)
 
1,159.9

 

 

 

 
1,159.9

Total Commercial Commitments
 
$
1,290.8

 
$
18.8

 
$

 
$
115.0

 
$
1,424.6


(a)
Standby letters of credit (LOCs) are entered into with third parties.  These LOCs are issued in the ordinary course of business and cover items such as natural gas and electricity risk management contracts, construction contracts, insurance programs, security deposits and debt service reserves.  There is no collateral held in relation to any guarantees in excess of the ownership percentages.  In the event any LOC is drawn, there is no recourse to third parties.  See “Letters of Credit” section of Note 6.
(b)
See “Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations” section of Note 6.
(c)
Performance guarantees and indemnifications issued for energy trading and various sale agreements.

SIGNIFICANT TAX LEGISLATION

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 provided for a one-year extension of the 50% bonus depreciation and for the extension of research and development, employment and several energy tax credits for 2014.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH) included an extension of the 50% bonus depreciation for three years through 2017, phasing down to 40% in 2018 and 30% in 2019. PATH also provided for the extension of research and development, employment and several energy tax credits for 2015. PATH also includes provisions to extend the wind energy production tax credit through 2016 with a three-year phase-out (2017-2019), and to extend the 30% temporary solar investment tax credit for three years through 2019 with a two-year phase-out (2020-2021). PATH also provided for a permanent extension of the Research and Development tax credit.

These enacted provisions had no material impact on net income or financial condition but did have a favorable impact on cash flows in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and are expected to have a favorable impact on future cash flows.

Federal Tax Reform

Management is evaluating the possibility of federal tax reform. While there is no proposed statutory tax language on which to base definitive conclusions, management reviewed the tax proposals currently available, particularly the House Republican Blueprint. Management has assessed the accumulated deferred federal income taxes on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and identified approximately $4 billion in potential excess accumulated deferred federal income taxes based on an assumed 20% federal tax rate. Based upon the last major tax reform initiative in 1986, management believes that approximately $3 billion of the excess accumulated deferred income tax related to

46




depreciation would flow back to customers through lower rates over the life of the applicable property, while the remaining $1 billion would flow back to customers through lower rates over a negotiated period of years as determined through the regulatory process. Management continues to work with industry groups and legislators to advocate for the benefit of AEP’s customers and shareholders.

CYBER SECURITY

Cyber security presents a growing risk for electric utility systems because a cyber-attack could affect critical energy infrastructure.  Breaches to the cyber security of the grid or to the AEP System are potentially disruptive to people, property and commerce and create risk for business, investors and customers.  In February 2013, President Obama signed an executive order that addresses how government agencies will operate and support their functions in cyber security as well as redefines how the government interfaces with critical infrastructure, such as the electric grid.  The AEP System already operates under regulatory cyber security standards to protect critical infrastructure.  The cyber security framework that was being developed through this executive order was reviewed by FERC and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  In 2014, the DOE published an Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework Implementation Guide for utilities to use in adopting and implementing the National Institute of Standards and Technology framework. AEP continues to be actively engaged in the framework process.

The electric utility industry is one of the few critical infrastructure functions with mandatory cyber security requirements under the authority of FERC. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave FERC the authority to oversee reliability of the bulk power system, including the authority to implement mandatory cyber security reliability standards. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which FERC certified as the nation’s Electric Reliability Organization, developed mandatory critical infrastructure protection cyber security reliability standards. AEP participated in the NERC grid security and emergency response exercises, GridEx, in 2013 and 2015.  These efforts, led by NERC, test and further develop the coordination, threat sharing and interaction between utilities and various government agencies relative to potential cyber and physical threats against the nation’s electric grid.

Critical cyber assets, such as data centers, power plants, transmission operations centers and business networks are protected using multiple layers of cyber security and authentication.  The AEP System is constantly scanned for risks or threats. Cyber hackers have been able to breach a number of very secure facilities, from federal agencies, banks and retailers to social media sites.  As these events become known and develop, AEP continually assesses its cyber security tools and processes to determine where to strengthen its defenses. Management continually reviews its business continuity plan to develop an effective recovery effort that decreases response times, limits financial impacts and maintains customer confidence following any business interruption. Management works closely with a broad range of departments, including Legal, Regulatory, Corporate Communications, Audit Services, Information Technology and Security, to ensure the corporate response to consequences of any breach or potential breach is appropriate both for internal and external audiences based on the specific circumstances surrounding the event.

Management continues to take steps to enhance the AEP System’s capabilities for identifying risks or threats and has shared that knowledge of threats with utility peers, industry and federal agencies.  AEP operates a Cyber Security Intelligence and Response Center responsible for monitoring the AEP System for cyber threats as well as collaborating with internal and external threat sharing partners from both industry and government. AEP is a member of a number of industry specific threat and information sharing communities including the Department of Homeland Security and the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

AEP has partnered in the past with a major defense contractor who has significant cyber security experience and technical capabilities developed through their work with the U.S. Department of Defense.  AEP works with a consortium of other utilities across the country, learning how best to share information about potential threats and collaborating with each other.  AEP continues to work with a nonaffiliated entity to conduct several discussions each year about recognizing and investigating cyber vulnerabilities.  Through these types of efforts, AEP is working to protect itself while helping its industry advance its cyber security capabilities.


47




CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES AND ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures, including amounts related to legal matters and contingencies.  Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

It requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and
Changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material effect on net income or financial condition.

Management discusses the development and selection of critical accounting estimates as presented below with the Audit Committee of AEP’s Board of Directors and the Audit Committee reviews the disclosures relating to them.

Management believes that the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in the financial statements are appropriate.  However, actual results can differ significantly from those estimates.

The sections that follow present information about AEP’s critical accounting estimates, as well as the effects of hypothetical changes in the material assumptions used to develop each estimate.

Regulatory Accounting

Nature of Estimates Required

The Registrants’ financial statements reflect the actions of regulators that can result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in different time periods than enterprises that are not rate-regulated.

The Registrants recognize regulatory assets (deferred expenses to be recovered in the future) and regulatory liabilities (deferred future revenue reductions or refunds) for the economic effects of regulation.  Specifically, the timing of expense and income recognition is matched with regulated revenues.  Liabilities are also recorded for refunds, or probable refunds, to customers that have not been made.

Assumptions and Approach Used

When incurred costs are probable of recovery through regulated rates, regulatory assets are recorded on the balance sheet.  Management reviews the probability of recovery at each balance sheet date and whenever new events occur.  Similarly, regulatory liabilities are recorded when a determination is made that a refund is probable or when ordered by a commission.  Examples of new events that affect probability include changes in the regulatory environment, issuance of a regulatory commission order or passage of new legislation.  The assumptions and judgments used by regulatory authorities continue to have an impact on the recovery of costs as well as the return of revenues, rate of return earned on invested capital and timing and amount of assets to be recovered through regulated rates.  If recovery of a regulatory asset is no longer probable, that regulatory asset is written-off as a charge against earnings.  A write-off of regulatory assets or establishment of a regulatory liability may also reduce future cash flows since there will be no recovery through regulated rates.

Effect if Different Assumptions Used

A change in the above assumptions may result in a material impact on net income.  Refer to Note 5 for further detail related to regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities.


48




Revenue Recognition – Unbilled Revenues

Nature of Estimates Required

AEP records revenues when energy is delivered to the customer.  The determination of sales to individual customers is based on the reading of their meters, which is performed on a systematic basis throughout the month.  At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading are estimated and the corresponding unbilled revenue accrual is recorded.  This estimate is reversed in the following month and actual revenue is recorded based on meter readings.  PSO and SWEPCo do not record the fuel portion of unbilled revenue in accordance with the applicable state commission regulatory treatment in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

Accrued unbilled revenues for the Vertically Integrated Utilities segment were $241 million and $191 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in unbilled electric utility revenues for AEP’s Vertically Integrated Utilities segment were $50 million, $(63) million and $(29) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The changes in unbilled electric revenues are primarily due to changes in weather and rates.  

Accrued unbilled revenues for the Transmission and Distribution Utilities segment were $191 million and $151 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in unbilled electric utility revenues for AEP’s Transmission and Distribution Utilities segment were $40 million, $(30) million and $16 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The changes in unbilled electric revenues are primarily due to changes in weather and rates.  

Accrued unbilled revenues for the Generation & Marketing segment were $49 million and $47 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in unbilled electric utility revenues for AEP’s Generation & Marketing segment were $2 million, $(3) million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  

Assumptions and Approach Used

For each Registrant, the monthly estimate for unbilled revenues is based upon a primary computation of net generation (generation plus purchases less sales) less the current month’s billed KWh and estimated line losses, plus the prior month’s unbilled KWh.  However, due to meter reading issues, meter drift and other anomalies, a secondary computation is made, based upon an allocation of billed KWh to the current month and previous month, on a billing cycle-by-cycle basis, and by dividing the current month aggregated result by the billed KWh.  The two methodologies are evaluated to confirm that they are not statistically different.

For AEP’s Generation & Marketing segment, management calculates unbilled revenues by contract using the most recent historic daily activity adjusted for significant known changes in usage.

Effect if Different Assumptions Used

If the two methodologies used to estimate unbilled revenue are statistically different, a limiter adjustment is made to bring the primary computation within one standard deviation of the secondary computation. Additionally, significant fluctuations in energy demand for the unbilled period, weather, line losses or changes in the composition of customer classes could impact the estimate of unbilled revenue.  


49




Accounting for Derivative Instruments

Nature of Estimates Required

Management considers fair value techniques, valuation adjustments related to credit and liquidity and judgments related to the probability of forecasted transactions occurring within the specified time period to be critical accounting estimates.  These estimates are considered significant because they are highly susceptible to change from period to period and are dependent on many subjective factors.

Assumptions and Approach Used

The Registrants measure the fair values of derivative instruments and hedge instruments accounted for using MTM accounting based primarily on exchange prices and broker quotes.  If a quoted market price is not available, the fair value is estimated based on the best market information available including valuation models that estimate future energy prices based on existing market and broker quotes, supply and demand market data and other assumptions.  Fair value estimates, based upon the best market information available, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.  These uncertainties include projections of macroeconomic trends and future commodity prices, including supply and demand levels and future price volatility.

The Registrants reduce fair values by estimated valuation adjustments for items such as discounting, liquidity and credit quality.  Liquidity adjustments are calculated by utilizing bid/ask spreads to estimate the potential fair value impact of liquidating open positions over a reasonable period of time.  Credit adjustments on risk management contracts are calculated using estimated default probabilities and recovery rates relative to the counterparties or counterparties with similar credit profiles and contractual netting agreements.

With respect to hedge accounting, management assesses hedge effectiveness and evaluates a forecasted transaction’s probability of occurrence within the specified time period as provided in the original hedge documentation.

Effect if Different Assumptions Used

There is inherent risk in valuation modeling given the complexity and volatility of energy markets.  Therefore, it is possible that results in future periods may be materially different as contracts settle.

The probability that hedged forecasted transactions will not occur by the end of the specified time period could change operating results by requiring amounts currently classified in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be classified into operating income.

For additional information regarding derivatives, hedging and fair value measurements, see Notes 10 and 11.  See “Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities” section of Note 1 for fair value calculation policy.

Long-Lived Assets

Nature of Estimates Required

In accordance with the requirements of “Property, Plant and Equipment” accounting guidance, the Registrants evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of any such assets may not be recoverable including planned abandonments and a probable disallowance for rate-making on a plant under construction or the assets meet the held-for-sale criteria.  The Registrants utilize a group composite method of depreciation to estimate the useful lives of long-lived assets.  The evaluations of long-lived, held and used assets may result from abandonments, significant decreases in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of an asset, as well as other economic or operations analyses.  If the carrying amount is not recoverable, the Registrants record an impairment to the extent that the fair

50




value of the asset is less than its book value.  Performing an impairment evaluation involves a significant degree of estimation and judgment in areas such as identifying circumstances that indicate an impairment may exist, identifying and grouping affected assets and developing the undiscounted and discounted future cash flows (used to estimate fair value in the absence of market-based value, in some instances) associated with the asset.  For assets held for sale, an impairment is recognized if the expected net sales price is less than its book value.  For regulated assets, the earnings impact of an impairment charge could be offset by the establishment of a regulatory asset, if rate recovery is probable. For competitive generation assets, any impairment charge is recorded against earnings.

Assumptions and Approach Used

The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties other than in a forced or liquidation sale.  Quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are used as the basis for the measurement, if available.  In the absence of quoted prices for identical or similar assets in active markets, the Registrants estimate fair value using various internal and external valuation methods including cash flow projections or other market indicators of fair value such as bids received, comparable sales or independent appraisals.  Cash flow estimates are based on relevant information available at the time the estimates are made.  Estimates of future cash flows are, by nature, highly uncertain and may vary significantly from actual results.  Also, when measuring fair value, management evaluates the characteristics of the asset or liability to determine if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Such characteristics include, for example, the condition and location of the asset or restrictions on the use of the asset.  The Registrants perform depreciation studies that include a review of any external factors that may affect the useful life to determine composite depreciation rates and related lives which are subject to periodic review by state regulatory commissions for cost-based regulated assets.  The fair value of the asset could be different using different estimates and assumptions in these valuation techniques.

Effect if Different Assumptions Used

In connection with the evaluation of long-lived assets in accordance with the requirements of “Property, Plant and Equipment” accounting guidance, the fair value of the asset can vary if different estimates and assumptions would have been used in the applied valuation techniques.  The estimate for depreciation rates takes into account the history of interim capital replacements and the amount of salvage expected.  In cases of impairment, the best estimate of fair value was made using valuation methods based on the most current information at that time.  Fluctuations in realized sales proceeds versus the estimated fair value of the asset are generally due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, differences in subsequent market conditions, the level of bidder interest, timing and terms of the transactions and management’s analysis of the benefits of the transaction.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

AEP maintains a qualified, defined benefit pension plan (Qualified Plan), which covers substantially all nonunion and certain union employees, and unfunded, nonqualified supplemental plans (Nonqualified Plans) to provide benefits in excess of amounts permitted under the provisions of the tax law for participants in the Qualified Plan (collectively the Pension Plans).  Additionally, AEP entered into individual employment contracts with certain current and retired executives that provide additional retirement benefits as a part of the Nonqualified Plans.  AEP also sponsors other postretirement benefit plans to provide health and life insurance benefits for retired employees (Postretirement Plans).  The Pension Plans and Postretirement Plans are collectively referred to as the Plans.

For a discussion of investment strategy, investment limitations, target asset allocations and the classification of investments within the fair value hierarchy, see “Investments Held in Trust for Future Liabilities” and “Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities” sections of Note 1.  See Note 8 for information regarding costs and assumptions for employee retirement and postretirement benefits.


51




The following table shows the net periodic cost (credit) of the Plans:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Net Periodic Cost (Credit)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Pension Plans
 
$
103.2

 
$
133.3

 
$
157.8

Postretirement Plans
 
(73.5
)
 
(92.3
)
 
(76.8
)

The net periodic benefit cost is calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including expected long-term rates of return on the Plans’ assets.  In developing the expected long-term rate of return assumption for 2017, management evaluated input from actuaries and investment consultants, including their reviews of asset class return expectations as well as long-term inflation assumptions.  Management also considered historical returns of the investment markets and tax rates which affect a portion of the Postretirement Plans’ assets.  Management anticipates that the investment managers employed for the Plans will invest the assets to generate future returns averaging 6% for the Qualified Plan and 6.75% for the Postretirement Plans.

The expected long-term rate of return on the Plans’ assets is based on management’s targeted asset allocation and expected investment returns for each investment category.  Assumptions for the Plans are summarized in the following table:
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
 
Assumed/
 
 
 
Assumed/
 
2017
 
Expected
 
2017
 
Expected
 
Target
 
Long-Term
 
Target
 
Long-Term
 
Asset
 
Rate of
 
Asset
 
Rate of
 
Allocation
 
Return
 
Allocation
 
Return
Equity
25
%
 
8.55
%
 
65
%
 
7.88
%
Fixed Income
59

 
4.65

 
33

 
4.54

Other Investments
15

 
8.03

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
1

 
3.30

 
2

 
3.30

Total
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
 

Management regularly reviews the actual asset allocation and periodically rebalances the investments to the targeted allocation.  Management believes that 6% for the Qualified Plan and 6.75% for the Postretirement Plans are reasonable estimates of the long-term rate of return on the Plans’ assets.  The Pension Plans’ assets had an actual gain of 6.98% and 0.8% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The Postretirement Plans’ assets had an actual gain of 5.39% for the year ended December 31, 2016 and an actual loss of 0.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Management will continue to evaluate the actuarial assumptions, including the expected rate of return, at least annually, and will adjust the assumptions as necessary.

AEP bases the determination of pension expense or income on a market-related valuation of assets, which reduces year-to-year volatility.  This market-related valuation recognizes investment gains or losses over a five-year period from the year in which they occur.  Investment gains or losses for this purpose are the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets and the actual return based on the market-related value of assets.  Since the market-related value of assets recognizes gains or losses over a five-year period, the future value of assets will be impacted as previously deferred gains or losses are recorded.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP had cumulative losses of approximately $39 million that remain to be recognized in the calculation of the market-related value of assets.  These unrecognized net actuarial losses may result in increases in the future pension costs depending on several factors, including whether such losses at each measurement date exceed the corridor in accordance with “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” accounting guidance.


52




The method used to determine the discount rate that AEP utilizes for determining future obligations is a duration-based method in which a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds is constructed with cash flows matching the benefit plan liability.  The composite yield on the hypothetical bond portfolio is used as the discount rate for the plan.  The discount rate as of December 31, 2016 under this method was 4.05% for the Qualified Plan, 3.85% for the Nonqualified Plans and 4.1% for the Postretirement Plans.  Due to the effect of the unrecognized actuarial losses and based on an expected rate of return on the Pension Plans’ assets of 6%, discount rates of 4.05% and 3.85% and various other assumptions, management estimates that the pension costs for the Pension Plans will approximate $96 million, $67 million and $59 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.  Based on an expected rate of return on the Postretirement Plans’ assets of 6.75%, a discount rate of 4.1% and various other assumptions, management estimates Postretirement Plan credits will approximate $66 million, $72 million and $76 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Future actual costs will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the populations participating in the Plans.  The actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from actual results.  The effects of a 50 basis point change to selective actuarial assumptions are included in the “Effect if Different Assumptions Used” section below.

The value of AEP’s Pension Plans’ assets remain unchanged at $4.8 billion as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 primarily due to investment returns and company contributions offsetting benefit payments from AEP System companies.  During 2016, the Qualified Plan paid $340 million and the Nonqualified Plans paid $7 million in benefits to plan participants.  The value of AEP’s Postretirement Plans’ assets decreased to $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2016 from $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2015 primarily due to benefit payments in excess of investment returns and contributions from AEP System companies and the participants.  The Postretirement Plans paid $130 million in benefits to plan participants during 2016.

Nature of Estimates Required

AEP sponsors pension and other retirement and postretirement benefit plans in various forms covering all employees who meet eligibility requirements.  These benefits are accounted for under “Compensation” and “Plan Accounting” accounting guidance.  The measurement of pension and postretirement benefit obligations, costs and liabilities is dependent on a variety of assumptions.

Assumptions and Approach Used

The critical assumptions used in developing the required estimates include the following key factors:

Discount rate
Compensation increase rate
Cash balance crediting rate
Health care cost trend rate
Expected return on plan assets

Other assumptions, such as retirement, mortality and turnover, are evaluated periodically and updated to reflect actual experience.


53




Effect if Different Assumptions Used

The actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates, longer or shorter life spans of participants or higher or lower lump sum versus annuity payout elections by plan participants.  These differences may result in a significant impact to the amount of pension and postretirement benefit expense recorded.  If a 50 basis point change were to occur for the following assumptions, the approximate effect on the financial statements would be as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Postretirement
 
 
Pension Plans
 
Benefit Plans
 
 
+0.5%
 
-0.5%
 
+0.5%
 
-0.5%
 
 
(in millions)
Effect on December 31, 2016 Benefit Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
$
(262.9
)
 
$
289.1

 
$
(74.7
)
 
$
82.2

Compensation Increase Rate
 
20.5

 
(18.7
)
 
NA

 
NA

Cash Balance Crediting Rate
 
71.0

 
(64.8
)
 
NA

 
NA

Health Care Cost Trend Rate
 
NA

 
NA

 
27.8

 
(25.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect on 2016 Periodic Cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Rate
 
(13.2
)
 
14.3

 
(3.1
)
 
3.3

Compensation Increase Rate
 
5.0

 
(4.5
)
 
NA

 
NA

Cash Balance Crediting Rate
 
13.9

 
(12.9
)
 
NA

 
NA

Health Care Cost Trend Rate
 
NA

 
NA

 
3.3

 
(3.0
)
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
(23.4
)
 
23.4

 
(7.7
)
 
7.7


NA
Not applicable.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During 2016

The FASB issued ASU 2015-01 “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items” eliminating the concept of extraordinary items for presentation on the face of the statements of income. Under the new standard, a material event or transaction that is unusual in nature, infrequent or both shall be reported as a separate component of income from continuing operations. Alternatively, it may be disclosed in the notes to financial statements. Management adopted ASU 2015-01 effective January 1, 2016.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-05 “Customer’s Accounting for Fees paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement” providing guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. Management adopted ASU 2015-05 prospectively, effective January 1, 2016, with no impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Pronouncements Effective in the Future

The FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” clarifying the method used to determine the timing and requirements for revenue recognition on the statements of income. Under the new standard, an entity must identify the performance obligations in a contract, determine the transaction price and allocate the price to specific performance obligations to recognize the revenue when the obligation is completed. The amendments in this update also require disclosure of sufficient information to allow users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow arising from contracts. The FASB deferred implementation of ASU 2014-09 under the terms in ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic: 606): Deferral of the Effective Date.” The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Management continues to analyze the impact of the new revenue standard and related ASUs. During 2016, initial revenue contract assessments were completed. Material revenue streams were identified within the AEP System and representative contract/transaction types were sampled. Performance obligations identified within each material

54




revenue stream were evaluated to determine whether the obligations were satisfied at a point in time or over time. Contracts determined to be satisfied over time generally qualified for the invoicing practical expedient since the invoiced amounts reasonably represented the value to customers of performance obligations fulfilled to date. Based upon the completed assessments, management does not expect a material impact to the timing of revenue recognized or net income and plans to elect the modified retrospective transition approach upon adoption. Management also continues to monitor unresolved industry implementation issues, including items related to collectability and alternative revenue programs, and will analyze the related impacts to revenue recognition. Management plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018.

The FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” to simplify the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first-out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, inventory should be at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. Management adopted ASU 2015-11 prospectively, effective January 1, 2017. There was no impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows at adoption.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments. Under the new standard, equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new standard also amends disclosure requirements and requires separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendments also clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The amendments will be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Management is analyzing the impact of this new standard and, at this time, cannot estimate the impact of adoption on net income. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Accounting for Leases” increasing the transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Under the new standard, an entity must recognize an asset and liability for operating leases on the balance sheets. Additionally, a capital lease will be known as a finance lease going forward. Leases with lease terms of 12 months or longer will be subject to the new requirements. Fundamentally, the criteria used to determine lease classification will remain the same, but will be more subjective under the new standard. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be applied by means of a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach will require lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Management continues to analyze the impact of the new lease standard. During 2016, initial lease contract assessments were completed. The AEP System lease population was identified and representative lease contracts were sampled. Based upon the completed assessments, management prepared a system gap analysis to outline new disclosure compliance requirements compared to current system capabilities. Lease system options are currently being evaluated. Management plans to elect certain of the following practical expedients upon adoption:
Practical Expedient
 
Description
Overall Expedients (for leases commenced prior to adoption date and must be adopted as a package)
 
Do not need to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are/or contain leases, do not need to reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and do not need to reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.
Lease and Non-lease Components (elect by class of underlying asset)
 
Elect as an accounting policy to not separate non-lease components from lease components and instead account for each lease and associated non-lease component as a single lease component.
Short-term Lease (elect by class of underlying asset)
 
Elect as an accounting policy to not apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases.
Lease term
 
Elect to use hindsight to determine the lease term.

55




Management expects the new standard to impact financial position, but not results of operations or cash flows. Management also continues to monitor unresolved industry implementation issues, including items related to renewables and PPAs, pole attachments, easements and right-of-ways, and will analyze the related impacts to lease accounting. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-09 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” simplifying the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit on the statements of income. Under current GAAP, excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital while tax deficiencies are recognized either as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or on the statements of income.  The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. Certain provisions require retrospective/modified retrospective transition while others are to be applied prospectively. Management adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. There was no impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows at adoption.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” requiring an allowance to be recorded for all expected credit losses for financial assets. The allowance for credit losses is based on historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new standard also makes revisions to the other than temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. Disclosures of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables are further disaggregated by year of origination. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Management is analyzing the impact of this new standard and, at this time, cannot estimate the impact of adoption on net income. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Restricted Cash” clarifying the treatment of restricted cash on the statements of cash flows. Under the new standard, amounts considered restricted cash will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statements of cash flows. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The guidance will be applied by means of a retrospective approach. Management is analyzing the impact of the new standard. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-18 effective for the 2017 Annual Report.

Future Accounting Changes

The FASB’s standard-setting process is ongoing and until new standards have been finalized and issued, management cannot determine the impact on the reporting of operations and financial position that may result from any such future changes.  The FASB is currently working on several projects including hedge accounting, consolidations and pension and postretirement benefits.  The ultimate pronouncements resulting from these and future projects could have an impact on future net income and financial position.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risks

The Vertically Integrated Utilities segment is exposed to certain market risks as a major power producer and through transactions in power, coal, natural gas and marketing contracts. These risks include commodity price risks which may be subject to capacity risk, credit risk as well as interest rate risk. In addition, this segment is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk from occasionally procuring various services and materials used in its energy business from foreign suppliers. These risks represent the risk of loss that may impact this segment due to changes in the underlying market prices or rates.


56




The Transmission and Distribution Utilities segment is exposed to energy procurement risk and interest rate risk.

The Generation & Marketing segment conducts marketing, risk management and retail activities in ERCOT, PJM, SPP and MISO.  This segment is exposed to certain market risks as a marketer of wholesale and retail electricity.  These risks include commodity price risks which may be subject to capacity risk, credit risk as well as interest rate risk.  These risks represent the risk of loss that may impact this segment due to changes in the underlying market prices or rates.  In addition, the Generation & Marketing segment is also exposed to certain market risks as a major power producer and through transactions in wholesale electricity and natural gas and marketing contracts.

Management employs risk management contracts including physical forward and financial forward purchase-and-sale contracts.  Management engages in risk management of power, capacity, coal, natural gas and, to a lesser extent, heating oil, gasoline and other commodity contracts to manage the risk associated with the energy business.  As a result, AEP is subject to price risk.  The amount of risk taken is determined by the Commercial Operations, Energy Supply and Finance groups in accordance with established risk management policies as approved by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.  AEPSC’s market risk oversight staff independently monitors risk policies, procedures and risk levels and provides members of the Commercial Operations Risk Committee (Regulated Risk Committee) and the Energy Supply Risk Committee (Competitive Risk Committee) various reports regarding compliance with policies, limits and procedures.  The Regulated Risk Committee consists of AEPSC’s Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of Generation, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and Chief Risk Officer.  The Competitive Risk Committee consists of AEPSC’s Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Risk Officer in addition to Energy Supply’s President and Vice President.  When commercial activities exceed predetermined limits, positions are modified to reduce the risk to be within the limits unless specifically approved by the respective committee.

The following table summarizes the reasons for changes in total MTM value as compared to December 31, 2015:
MTM Risk Management Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vertically
Integrated
Utilities
 
Transmission
and
Distribution
Utilities
 
Generation
&
Marketing
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Total MTM Risk Management Contract Net Assets as of December 31, 2015
$
8.6

 
$
14.4

 
$
143.2

 
$
166.2

(Gain) Loss from Contracts Realized/Settled During the Period and Entered in a Prior Period
(12.9
)
 
4.8

 
(16.3
)
 
(24.4
)
Fair Value of New Contracts at Inception When Entered During the Period (a)

 

 
30.5

 
30.5

Changes in Fair Value Due to Market Fluctuations During the Period (b)

 

 
6.8

 
6.8

Changes in Fair Value Allocated to Regulated Jurisdictions (c)
9.5

 
(137.4
)
 

 
(127.9
)
Total MTM Risk Management Contract Net Assets (Liabilities) as of December 31, 2016
$
5.2

 
$
(118.2
)
 
$
164.2

 
51.2

Commodity Cash Flow Hedge Contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
(35.5
)
Fair Value Hedge Contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1.4
)
Collateral Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
(0.3
)
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets as of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
14.0


(a)
Reflects fair value on primarily long-term structured contracts which are typically with customers that seek fixed pricing to limit their risk against fluctuating energy prices.  The contract prices are valued against market curves associated with the delivery location and delivery term.  A significant portion of the total volumetric position has been economically hedged.
(b)
Market fluctuations are attributable to various factors such as supply/demand, weather, etc.
(c)
Relates to the net gains (losses) of those contracts that are not reflected on the statements of income.  These net gains (losses) are recorded as regulatory liabilities/assets.


57




See Note 10 – Derivatives and Hedging and Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements for additional information related to risk management contracts.  The following tables and discussion provide information on credit risk and market volatility risk.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is mitigated in wholesale marketing and trading activities by assessing the creditworthiness of potential counterparties before entering into transactions with them and continuing to evaluate their creditworthiness on an ongoing basis.  Management uses Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and current market-based qualitative and quantitative data as well as financial statements to assess the financial health of counterparties on an ongoing basis.

AEP has risk management contracts with numerous counterparties.  Since open risk management contracts are valued based on changes in market prices of the related commodities, exposures change daily.  As of December 31, 2016, credit exposure net of collateral to sub investment grade counterparties was approximately 7.1%, expressed in terms of net MTM assets, net receivables and the net open positions for contracts not subject to MTM (representing economic risk even though there may not be risk of accounting loss).  As of December 31, 2016, the following table approximates AEP’s counterparty credit quality and exposure based on netting across commodities, instruments and legal entities where applicable:
Counterparty Credit Quality
 
Exposure
Before
Credit
Collateral
 
Credit
Collateral
 
Net
Exposure
 
Number of
Counterparties
>10% of
Net Exposure
 
Net Exposure
of
Counterparties
>10%
 
 
(in millions, except number of counterparties)
Investment Grade
 
$
686.7

 
$
2.6

 
$
684.1

 
3

 
$
356.1

Split Rating
 
16.4

 

 
16.4

 
1

 
16.0

Noninvestment Grade
 
0.1

 

 
0.1

 
1

 
0.1

No External Ratings:
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
Internal Investment Grade
 
105.7

 

 
105.7

 
2

 
55.9

Internal Noninvestment Grade
 
73.1

 
11.3

 
61.8

 
3

 
39.2

Total as of December 31, 2016
 
$
882.0

 
$
13.9

 
$
868.1

 
 
 
 

In addition, AEP is exposed to credit risk related to participation in RTOs.  For each of the RTOs in which AEP participates, this risk is generally determined based on the proportionate share of member gross activity over a specified period of time.


58




Value at Risk (VaR) Associated with Risk Management Contracts

Management uses a risk measurement model, which calculates VaR, to measure AEP’s commodity price risk in the risk management portfolio.  The VaR is based on the variance-covariance method using historical prices to estimate volatilities and correlations and assumes a 95% confidence level and a one-day holding period.  Based on this VaR analysis, as of December 31, 2016, a near term typical change in commodity prices is not expected to materially impact net income, cash flows or financial condition.

Management calculates the VaR for both a trading and non-trading portfolio. The trading portfolio consists primarily of contracts related to energy trading and marketing activities. The non-trading portfolio consists primarily of economic hedges of generation and retail supply activities. The following tables show the end, high, average and low market risk as measured by VaR for the periods indicated:

VaR Model
Trading Portfolio
Twelve Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
End
 
High
 
Average
 
Low
 
End
 
High
 
Average
 
Low
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
$
0.2

 
$
1.1

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1


VaR Model
Non-Trading Portfolio
Twelve Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
End
 
High
 
Average
 
Low
 
End
 
High
 
Average
 
Low
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
$
5.6

 
$
8.4

 
$
1.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
1.1

 
$
2.4

 
$
0.9

 
$
0.4


Management back-tests VaR results against performance due to actual price movements.  Based on the assumed 95% confidence interval, the performance due to actual price movements would be expected to exceed the VaR at least once every 20 trading days.

As the VaR calculation captures recent price movements, management also performs regular stress testing of the trading portfolio to understand AEP’s exposure to extreme price movements.  A historical-based method is employed whereby the current trading portfolio is subjected to actual, observed price movements from the last several years in order to ascertain which historical price movements translated into the largest potential MTM loss.  Management then researches the underlying positions, price movements and market events that created the most significant exposure and reports the findings to the Risk Executive Committee, Regulated Risk Committee, or Competitive Risk Committee as appropriate.

Interest Rate Risk

Management utilizes an Earnings at Risk (EaR) model to measure interest rate market risk exposure. EaR statistically quantifies the extent to which interest expense could vary over the next twelve months and gives a probabilistic estimate of different levels of interest expense.  The resulting EaR is interpreted as the dollar amount by which actual interest expense for the next twelve months could exceed expected interest expense with a one-in-twenty chance of occurrence.  The primary drivers of EaR are from the existing floating rate debt (including short-term debt) as well as long-term debt issuances in the next twelve months.  As calculated on debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the estimated EaR on AEP’s debt portfolio for the following twelve months was $29 million and $25 million, respectively.

59




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
American Electric Power Company, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February-- 27, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 27, 2017




60




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
American Electric Power Company, Inc.:

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 27, 2017



61




MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and subsidiary companies (AEP) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  AEP’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of AEP’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO 2013) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework.  Based on management’s assessment, AEP’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.

AEP’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on AEP’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appears on the previous page.

62





AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
 (in millions, except per-share and share amounts)
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
$
9,012.4

 
$
9,069.9

 
$
9,396.8

Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
4,328.3

 
4,392.0

 
4,552.6

Generation & Marketing
 
2,858.7

 
2,866.7

 
2,384.3

Other Revenues
 
180.7

 
124.6

 
44.9

TOTAL REVENUES
 
16,380.1

 
16,453.2

 
16,378.6

EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation
 
2,908.9

 
3,348.1

 
4,271.8

Purchased Electricity for Resale
 
2,821.4

 
2,760.1

 
2,085.9

Other Operation
 
2,956.9

 
2,703.9

 
2,766.6

Maintenance
 
1,237.7

 
1,325.3

 
1,328.0

Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
2,267.8

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization
 
1,962.3

 
2,009.7

 
1,897.6

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
1,018.0

 
972.6

 
901.3

TOTAL EXPENSES
 
15,173.0

 
13,119.7

 
13,251.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
1,207.1

 
3,333.5

 
3,127.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and Investment Income
 
16.3

 
7.9

 
7.4

Carrying Costs Income
 
16.2

 
23.5

 
33.2

Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
113.2

 
131.9

 
102.9

Interest Expense
 
(877.2
)
 
(873.9
)
 
(868.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CREDIT) AND EQUITY EARNINGS
 
475.6

 
2,622.9

 
2,402.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Credit)
 
(73.7
)
 
919.6

 
902.6

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
 
71.2

 
65.3

 
90.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
620.5

 
1,768.6

 
1,590.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX
 
(2.5
)
 
283.7

 
47.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
618.0

 
2,052.3

 
1,638.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
7.1

 
5.2

 
4.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
610.9

 
$
2,047.1

 
$
1,633.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF BASIC AEP COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
491,495,458

 
490,340,522

 
488,592,997

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
$
1.25

 
$
3.59

 
$
3.24

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
(0.01
)
 
0.58

 
0.10

TOTAL BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
1.24

 
$
4.17

 
$
3.34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF DILUTED AEP COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
491,662,007

 
490,574,568

 
488,899,840

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
$
1.25

 
$
3.59

 
$
3.24

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
(0.01
)
 
0.58

 
0.10

TOTAL DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
1.24

 
$
4.17

 
$
3.34

See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.

63




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(in millions)
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income
 
$
618.0

 
$
2,052.3

 
$
1,638.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges, Net of Tax of $(8.8), $(2.6) and $2.9 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, Respectively
 
(16.4
)
 
(4.9
)
 
5.3

Securities Available for Sale, Net of Tax of $0.7, $(0.3) and $0.4 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, Respectively
 
1.3

 
(0.6
)
 
0.9

Amortization of Pension and OPEB Deferred Costs, Net of Tax of $0.3, $0.6 and $2.6 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, Respectively
 
0.6

 
1.2

 
4.8

Pension and OPEB Funded Status, Net of Tax of $(7.9), $(13.9) and $0.6 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, Respectively
 
(14.7
)
 
(25.7
)
 
1.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
(29.2
)
 
(30.0
)
 
12.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
588.8

 
2,022.3

 
1,650.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
7.1

 
5.2

 
4.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
581.7

 
$
2,017.1

 
$
1,645.9

See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.

64




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(in millions)
 
AEP Common Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
TOTAL EQUITY – DECEMBER 31, 2013
508.1

 
$
3,302.7

 
$
6,131.2

 
$
6,766.1

 
$
(115.2
)
 
$
0.8

 
$
16,085.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of Common Stock
1.6

 
10.6

 
63.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
73.6

Common Stock Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
(993.3
)
(a)
 
 
(4.3
)
 
(997.6
)
Other Changes in Equity
 
 
 
 
9.2

 
 
 
 
 
3.6

 
12.8

Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,633.8

 
 
 
4.2

 
1,638.0

Other Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.1

 
 
 
12.1

TOTAL EQUITY – DECEMBER 31, 2014
509.7

 
3,313.3

 
6,203.4

 
7,406.6

 
(103.1
)
 
4.3

 
16,824.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of Common Stock
1.7

 
10.7

 
70.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
81.6

Common Stock Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,055.4
)
(a)
 
 
(3.6
)
 
(1,059.0
)
Other Changes in Equity
 
 
 
 
22.2

 
 
 
 
 
7.3

 
29.5

Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,047.1

 
 
 
5.2

 
2,052.3

Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30.0
)
 
 
 
(30.0
)
Pension and OPEB Adjustment Related to Mitchell Plant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.0

 
 
 
6.0

TOTAL EQUITY – DECEMBER 31, 2015
511.4

 
3,324.0

 
6,296.5

 
8,398.3

 
(127.1
)
 
13.2

 
17,904.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of Common Stock
0.6

 
4.3

 
29.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34.2

Common Stock Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,116.8
)
(a)
 
 
(4.2
)
 
(1,121.0
)
Other Changes in Equity
 
 
 
 
6.2

 
 
 
 
 
7.0

 
13.2

Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
610.9

 
 
 
7.1

 
618.0

Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(29.2
)
 
 
 
(29.2
)
TOTAL EQUITY – DECEMBER 31, 2016
512.0

 
$
3,328.3

 
$
6,332.6

 
$
7,892.4

 
$
(156.3
)
 
$
23.1

 
$
17,420.1


(a)
Cash dividends declared per AEP common share were $2.27, $2.15 and $2.03 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.    
See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.

65




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
December 31, 2016 and 2015
(in millions)
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
210.5

 
$
176.4

Other Temporary Investments
    (December 31, 2016 and 2015 Amounts Include $322.5 and $376.6, Respectively, Related to Transition Funding, Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding, Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding, EIS and Sabine)
 
331.7

 
386.8

Accounts Receivable:
 
 
 
 
Customers
 
705.1

 
615.9

Accrued Unbilled Revenues
 
158.7

 
31.2

Pledged Accounts Receivable – AEP Credit
 
972.7

 
940.3

Miscellaneous
 
118.1

 
82.1

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
 
(37.9
)
 
(29.0
)
Total Accounts Receivable
 
1,916.7

 
1,640.5

Fuel
 
423.8

 
600.8

Materials and Supplies
 
543.5

 
738.6

Risk Management Assets
 
94.5

 
134.4

Regulatory Asset for Under-Recovered Fuel Costs
 
156.6

 
115.2

Margin Deposits
 
79.9

 
107.3

Assets Held for Sale
 
1,951.2

 

Prepayments and Other Current Assets
 
325.5

 
172.4

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
 
6,033.9

 
4,072.4

 
 
 
 
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
 
 
Electric:
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
19,848.9

 
25,559.8

Transmission
 
16,658.7

 
14,247.9

Distribution
 
18,900.8

 
18,046.9

Other Property, Plant and Equipment (December 31, 2016 and 2015 Amounts Include Coal Mining and Nuclear Fuel, December 31, 2015 Amount Includes 2016 Plant Retirements)
 
3,444.3

 
3,722.9

Construction Work in Progress
 
3,183.9

 
3,903.9

Total Property, Plant and Equipment
 
62,036.6

 
65,481.4

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
 
16,397.3

 
19,348.2

TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT – NET
 
45,639.3

 
46,133.2

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
5,625.5

 
5,140.3

Securitized Assets
 
1,486.1

 
1,749.9

Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
2,256.2

 
2,106.4

Goodwill
 
52.5

 
52.5

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 
289.1

 
321.8

Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets
 
2,085.1

 
2,106.6

TOTAL OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
 
11,794.5

 
11,477.5

 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
63,467.7

 
$
61,683.1

See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.

66




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
December 31, 2016 and 2015
(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,688.5

 
$
1,418.0

Short-term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitized Debt for Receivables – AEP Credit
 
 
 
 
 
 
673.0

 
675.0

Other Short-term Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,040.0

 
125.0

Total Short-term Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,713.0

 
800.0

Long-term Debt Due Within One Year
(December 31, 2016 and 2015 Amounts Include $427.5 and $410.4, Respectively, Related to Transition Funding, DCC Fuel, Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding, Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding and Sabine)
 
 
2,878.0

 
1,831.8

Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
53.4

 
87.1

Customer Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
343.2

 
346.6

Accrued Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,048.0

 
979.1

Accrued Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
227.2

 
226.9

Regulatory Liability for Over-Recovered Fuel Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.0

 
113.9

Liabilities Held for Sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
235.9

 

Other Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,302.8

 
1,305.1

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,498.0

 
7,108.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt
(December 31, 2016 and 2015 Amounts Include $1,737.5 and $1,971.4, Respectively, Related to Transition Funding, DCC Fuel, Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding, Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding, Transource Energy and Sabine)
 
 
17,378.4

 
17,740.9

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
316.2

 
179.1

Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
11,884.4

 
11,733.2

Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
3,751.3

 
3,736.1

Asset Retirement Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,830.6

 
1,806.5

Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
614.1

 
583.3

Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
774.6

 
890.6

TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
36,549.6

 
36,669.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
46,047.6

 
43,778.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate Matters (Note 4)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common Stock – Par Value – $6.50 Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Authorized
 
600,000,000
 
600,000,000
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Issued
 
512,048,520
 
511,389,173
 
 
 
 
 
(20,336,592 Shares were Held in Treasury as of December 31, 2016 and 2015)
 
 
3,328.3

 
3,324.0

Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,332.6

 
6,296.5

Retained Earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,892.4

 
8,398.3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(156.3
)
 
(127.1
)
TOTAL AEP COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
17,397.0

 
17,891.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.1

 
13.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
17,420.1

 
17,904.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
63,467.7

 
$
61,683.1

See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.


67




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(in millions)
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
618.0

 
$
2,052.3

 
$
1,638.0

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
 
(2.5
)
 
283.7

 
47.5

Income from Continuing Operations
 
620.5

 
1,768.6

 
1,590.5

Adjustments to Reconcile Income from Continuing Operations to Net Cash Flows from Continuing
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
1,962.3

 
2,009.7

 
1,897.6

Deferred Income Taxes
 
(50.0
)
 
808.2

 
868.8

Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
 
2,267.8

 

 

Carrying Costs Income
 
(16.2
)
 
(23.5
)
 
(33.2
)
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction
 
(113.2
)
 
(131.9
)
 
(102.9
)
Mark-to-Market of Risk Management Contracts
 
150.8

 
52.5

 
(53.1
)
Amortization of Nuclear Fuel
 
128.6

 
145.0

 
144.2

Pension and Postemployment Benefit Reserves
 
21.6

 
33.2

 
77.2

Pension Contributions to Qualified Plan Trust
 
(84.8
)
 
(91.8
)
 
(70.3
)
Property Taxes
 
(19.0
)
 
(52.4
)
 
(41.8
)
Deferred Fuel Over/Under-Recovery, Net
 
(65.5
)
 
137.8

 
(35.5
)
Recovery (Deferral) of Ohio Capacity Costs, Net
 
88.1

 
65.5

 
(113.5
)
Provision for Refund  Global Settlement
 
120.3

 

 

Disposition of Tanners Creek Plant Site
 
(93.5
)
 

 

Change in Other Noncurrent Assets
 
(438.4
)
 
(105.7
)
 
35.6

Change in Other Noncurrent Liabilities
 
15.4

 
(89.0
)
 
256.1

Changes in Certain Components of Continuing Working Capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable, Net
 
(226.6
)
 
200.2

 
(60.3
)
Fuel, Materials and Supplies
 
60.2

 
(38.6
)
 
100.8

Accounts Payable
 
164.9

 
16.5

 
(74.9
)
Accrued Taxes, Net
 
42.8

 
120.2

 
0.4

Other Current Assets
 
14.2

 
(26.7
)
 
(20.6
)
Other Current Liabilities
 
(28.5
)
 
(49.1
)
 
237.3

Net Cash Flows from Continuing Operating Activities
 
4,521.8

 
4,748.7

 
4,602.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction Expenditures
 
(4,781.1
)
 
(4,508.0
)
 
(4,130.0
)
Change in Other Temporary Investments, Net
 
57.4

 
9.6

 
(31.1
)
Purchases of Investment Securities
 
(3,002.3
)
 
(2,282.7
)
 
(1,088.0
)
Sales of Investment Securities
 
2,957.7

 
2,218.4

 
1,031.8

Acquisitions of Nuclear Fuel
 
(128.5
)
 
(92.0
)
 
(116.2
)
Acquisitions of Assets/Businesses
 
(107.9
)
 
(5.3
)
 
(64.8
)
Other Investing Activities
 
15.6

 
96.0

 
(7.6
)
Net Cash Flows Used for Continuing Investing Activities
 
(4,989.1
)
 
(4,564.0
)
 
(4,405.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of Common Stock, Net
 
34.2

 
81.6

 
73.6

Issuance of Long-term Debt
 
2,594.9

 
3,436.6

 
2,067.0

Change in Short-term Debt, Net
 
913.0

 
(546.0
)
 
589.0

Retirement of Long-term Debt
 
(1,794.9
)
 
(2,397.9
)
 
(1,777.4
)
Make Whole Premium on Extinguishment of Long-term Debt
 

 
(92.7
)
 

Principal Payments for Capital Lease Obligations
 
(106.6
)
 
(99.0
)
 
(111.2
)
Dividends Paid on Common Stock
 
(1,121.0
)
 
(1,059.0
)
 
(997.6
)
Other Financing Activities
 
(15.7
)
 
14.7

 
5.7

Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Continuing Financing Activities
 
503.9

 
(661.7
)
 
(150.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Discontinued Operating Activities
 
(2.5
)
 
69.8

 
11.1

Net Cash Flows from (Used for) Discontinued Investing Activities
 

 
548.8

 
(0.1
)
Net Cash Flows Used for Discontinued Financing Activities
 

 
(127.7
)
 
(11.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
34.1

 
13.9

 
45.0

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
176.4

 
162.5

 
117.5

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
210.5

 
$
176.4

 
$
162.5

See Notes to Financial Statements of Registrants beginning on page 69.

68




INDEX OF NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF REGISTRANTS

The notes to financial statements are a combined presentation for the Registrants. The following list indicates Registrants to which the notes apply. Specific disclosures within each note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.
Note
 
Registrant
 
Page
Number
 
 
 
 
 
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Comprehensive Income
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Rate Matters
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Effects of Regulation
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Dispositions, Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Impairments
 
AEP, I&M
 
Benefit Plans
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Business Segments
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Derivatives and Hedging
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Income Taxes
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Leases
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Financing Activities
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Stock-based Compensation
 
AEP
 
Related Party Transactions
 
APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Variable Interest Entities
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
 
AEP, APCo, I&M, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
AEP
 

 

69




1.  ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

ORGANIZATION

The Registrants engage in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power.  The Registrant Subsidiaries that conduct most of these activities are regulated by the FERC under the Federal Power Act and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and maintain accounts in accordance with the FERC and other regulatory guidelines.  Most of these companies are subject to further regulation with regard to rates and other matters by state regulatory commissions.

AEP provides competitive electric and gas supply for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Illinois and other deregulated electricity markets and also provides energy management solutions throughout the United States, including energy efficiency services through its independent retail electric supplier.

The Registrants also engage in wholesale electricity, natural gas and other commodity marketing and risk management activities in the United States and provide various energy-related services.  In addition, operations include barging operations and competitive wind and solar farms. I&M provides barging services to both affiliated and nonaffiliated companies.  SWEPCo, through consolidated and nonconsolidated affiliates, conducts lignite mining operations to fuel certain of its generation facilities.

Disposition of AEP River Operations

In October 2015, AEP signed an agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEPRO, to a nonaffiliated third party. The sale closed in November 2015. The results of operations of AEPRO have been classified as Discontinued Operations on the statements of income for the current period and prior periods presented. The transaction was accounted for in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment.” Material disclosures within the notes to the financial statements exclude amounts related to Discontinued Operations for all periods presented. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Rates and Service Regulation

AEP’s public utility subsidiaries’ rates are regulated by the FERC and state regulatory commissions in the eleven state operating territories in which they operate.  The FERC also regulates the Registrants’ affiliated transactions, including AEPSC intercompany service billings which are generally at cost, under the 2005 Public Utility Holding Company Act and the Federal Power Act.  The FERC also has jurisdiction over the issuances and acquisitions of securities of the public utility subsidiaries, the acquisition or sale of certain utility assets and mergers with another electric utility or holding company.  For non-power goods and services, the FERC requires a nonregulated affiliate to bill an affiliated public utility company at no more than market while a public utility must bill the higher of cost or market to a nonregulated affiliate.  The state regulatory commissions also regulate certain intercompany transactions under various orders and affiliate statutes.  Both the FERC and state regulatory commissions are permitted to review and audit the relevant books and records of companies within a public utility holding company system.

The FERC regulates wholesale power markets and wholesale power transactions.  The Registrants’ wholesale power transactions are generally market-based.  Wholesale power transactions are cost-based regulated when a cost-based contract is negotiated and filed with the FERC or the FERC determines that the Registrants have “market power” in the region where the transaction occurs.  Wholesale power supply contracts have been entered into with various municipalities and cooperatives that are FERC-regulated, cost-based contracts.  These contracts are generally formula rate mechanisms, which are trued up to actual costs annually.  


70




The state regulatory commissions regulate all of the retail distribution operations and rates of the Registrants’ retail public utility subsidiaries on a cost basis.  The state regulatory commissions also regulate the retail generation/power supply operations and rates except in Ohio and the ERCOT region of Texas.  For generation in Ohio, customers who have not switched to a CRES provider for generation pay market-based auction rates.  In addition, all OPCo distribution customers pay for certain deferred generation-related costs through non-bypassable charges.  In the ERCOT region of Texas, the generation/supply business is under customer choice and market pricing is conducted by Texas Retail Electric Providers (REPs). AEP has no active REPs in ERCOT. AEP’s nonregulated subsidiaries enter into short and long-term wholesale transactions to buy or sell capacity, energy and ancillary services in the ERCOT market. In addition, these nonregulated subsidiaries control certain wind and coal-fired generation assets, the power from which is marketed and sold in ERCOT.

The FERC also regulates the Registrants’ wholesale transmission operations and rates.  Retail transmission rates are based upon the FERC OATT rate when retail rates are unbundled in connection with restructuring.  Retail transmission rates are based on formula rates included in the PJM OATT that are cost-based and are unbundled in Ohio for OPCo, in Virginia for APCo and in Michigan for I&M. AEP Texas’ retail transmission rates in Texas are unbundled but the retail transmission rates are regulated, on a cost basis, by the PUCT. Bundled retail transmission rates are regulated, on a cost basis, by the state commissions. Transmission rates for AEP’s seven wholly-owned transmission subsidiaries within the AEP Transmission Holdco segment are based on formula rates included in the applicable RTO’s OATT that are cost-based.

In West Virginia, APCo and WPCo provide retail electric service at bundled rates approved by the WVPSC, with rates set on a combined cost-of-service basis.

In addition, the FERC regulates the SIA, the Operating Agreement, the Transmission Agreement and the Transmission Coordination Agreement, all of which allocate shared system costs and revenues among the utility subsidiaries that are parties to each agreement.  In 2013, the FERC issued orders approving the creation of a PCA and a Power Supply Agreement (PSA), effective January 2014.  The PCA is among APCo, I&M and KPCo with AEPSC as the agent to coordinate the participants’ respective power supply resources. Effective May 2015, the PCA was revised and approved by the FERC to include WPCo. Also effective January 2014, the FERC approved the creation of a Bridge Agreement among AGR, APCo, I&M, KPCo and OPCo with AEPSC as the agent. The PSA term ended in May 2015. Effective June 2014, the FERC approved the cancellation of the System Transmission Integration Agreement.

Principles of Consolidation

AEP’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and VIEs of which AEP is the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements for APCo include the Registrant Subsidiary, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding (a substantially-controlled VIE).  The consolidated financial statements for I&M include the Registrant Subsidiary, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and DCC Fuel (substantially-controlled VIEs).  The consolidated financial statements for OPCo include the Registrant Subsidiary and Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding (a substantially-controlled VIE).  The consolidated financial statements for SWEPCo include the Registrant Subsidiary, its wholly-owned subsidiary and Sabine (a substantially-controlled VIE).  Intercompany items are eliminated in consolidation.  The equity method of accounting is used for equity investments where the Registrants exercise significant influence but do not hold a controlling financial interest.  Such investments are initially recorded at cost in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheets. The proportionate share of the investee’s equity earnings is included in Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries on the statements of income.  Equity method investments are required to be tested for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value. AEP, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo have ownership interests in generating units that are jointly-owned.  The proportionate share of the operating costs associated with such facilities is included in the income statements and the assets and liabilities are reflected on the balance sheets.  See Note 17 − Variable Interest Entities and Note 18 − Property, Plant and Equipment.


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Accounting for the Effects of Cost-Based Regulation

The Registrants’ financial statements reflect the actions of regulators that result in the recognition of certain revenues and expenses in different time periods than enterprises that are not rate-regulated.  In accordance with accounting guidance for “Regulated Operations,” regulatory assets (deferred expenses) and regulatory liabilities (deferred revenue reductions or refunds) are recorded to reflect the economic effects of regulation in the same accounting period by matching expenses with their recovery through regulated revenues and by matching income with its passage to customers in cost-based regulated rates.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  These estimates include, but are not limited to, inventory valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, goodwill, intangible and long-lived asset impairment, unbilled electricity revenue, valuation of long-term energy contracts, the effects of regulation, long-lived asset recovery, storm costs, the effects of contingencies and certain assumptions made in accounting for pension and postretirement benefits.  The estimates and assumptions used are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements.  Actual results could ultimately differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents include temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Other Temporary Investments (Applies to AEP)

Other Temporary Investments include funds held by trustees primarily for the payment of securitization bonds and securities available for sale, including marketable securities that management intends to hold for less than one year and investments by its protected cell of EIS.

Management classifies investments in marketable securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity in accordance with the provisions of “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” accounting guidance.  AEP does not have any investments classified as trading.

Available-for-sale securities reflected in Other Temporary Investments are carried at fair value with the unrealized gain or loss, net of tax, reported in AOCI.  Held-to-maturity securities reflected in Other Temporary Investments are carried at amortized cost.  The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification or weighted average cost method.

In evaluating potential impairment of securities with unrealized losses, management considers, among other criteria, the current fair value compared to cost, the length of time the security’s fair value has been below cost, intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in value and current economic conditions.  See “Fair Value Measurements of Other Temporary Investments” in Note 11.

Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding (Applies to APCo and OPCo)

Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding includes funds held by trustees primarily for the payment of securitization bonds.


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Inventory

Fossil fuel inventories are carried at average cost with the exception of AGR and AEP’s non-regulated ownership share of Oklaunion Plant, which is carried at the lower of average cost or market.  Materials and supplies inventories are carried at average cost.

Accounts Receivable

Customer accounts receivable primarily include receivables from wholesale and retail energy customers, receivables from energy contract counterparties related to risk management activities and customer receivables primarily related to other revenue-generating activities.

Revenue is recognized from electric power sales when power is delivered to customers.  To the extent that deliveries have occurred but a bill has not been issued, the Registrants accrue and recognize, as Accrued Unbilled Revenues on the balance sheets, an estimate of the revenues for energy delivered since the last billing.

AEP Credit factors accounts receivable on a daily basis, excluding receivables from risk management activities, through purchase agreements with I&M, KGPCo, KPCo, OPCo, PSO, SWEPCo and a portion of APCo.  Since APCo does not have regulatory authority to sell accounts receivable in its West Virginia regulatory jurisdiction, only a portion of APCo’s accounts receivable are sold to AEP Credit.  AEP Credit has a receivables securitization agreement with bank conduits. Under the securitization agreement, AEP Credit receives financing from bank conduits for the interest in the billed and unbilled receivables AEP Credit acquires from affiliated utility subsidiaries. See “Sale of Receivables – AEP Credit” section of Note 14 for additional information.

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Generally, AEP Credit records bad debt expense based upon a 12-month rolling average of bad debt write-offs in proportion to gross accounts receivable purchased from participating AEP subsidiaries. For receivables related to APCo’s West Virginia operations, the bad debt reserve is calculated based on a rolling two-year average write-off in proportion to gross accounts receivable.  For customer accounts receivables relating to risk management activities, accounts receivables are reviewed for bad debt reserves at a specific counterparty level basis.  For AEP Texas, bad debt reserves are calculated using the specific identification of receivable balances greater than 120 days delinquent, and for those balances less than 120 days where the collection is doubtful. For miscellaneous accounts receivable, bad debt expense is recorded for all amounts outstanding 180 days or greater at 100%, unless specifically identified.  Miscellaneous accounts receivable items open less than 180 days may be reserved using specific identification for bad debt reserves.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers (Applies to Registrant Subsidiaries)

The Registrant Subsidiaries do not have any significant customers that comprise 10% or more of their operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Registrant Subsidiaries monitor credit levels and the financial condition of their customers on a continuing basis to minimize credit risk.  The regulatory commissions allow recovery in rates for a reasonable level of bad debt costs.  Management believes adequate provisions for credit loss have been made in the accompanying Registrant Subsidiary financial statements.

Emission Allowances

In regulated jurisdictions, the Registrants record emission allowances at cost, including the annual SO2 and NOx emission allowance entitlements received at no cost from the Federal EPA.  For AEP’s competitive generation business, management records allowances at the lower of cost or market.  The Registrants follow the inventory model for these allowances.  Allowances expected to be consumed within one year are reported in Materials and Supplies on the

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balance sheets.  Allowances with expected consumption beyond one year are included in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheets. The purchases and sales of allowances are reported in the Operating Activities section of the statements of cash flows. These allowances are consumed in the production of energy and are recorded in Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation at an average cost on the statements of income. The net margin on sales of emission allowances is included in Vertically Integrated Utilities Revenue on AEP’s statements of income and in Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Revenues for nonaffiliated transactions and in Sales to AEP Affiliates for affiliated transactions on Registrant Subsidiaries’ statements of income because of its integral nature to the production process of energy and the Registrants’ revenue optimization strategy for their operations.  The net margin on sales of emission allowances affects the determination of deferred fuel or deferred emission allowance costs and the amortization of regulatory assets for certain jurisdictions.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Regulated

Electric utility property, plant and equipment for rate-regulated operations are stated at original cost. Additions, major replacements and betterments are added to the plant accounts.  Under the group composite method of depreciation, continuous interim routine replacements of items such as boiler tubes, pumps, motors, etc. result in original cost retirements, less salvage, being charged to accumulated depreciation.  The group composite method of depreciation assumes that on average, asset components are retired at the end of their useful lives and thus there is no gain or loss.  The equipment in each primary electric plant account is identified as a separate group.  The depreciation rates that are established take into account the past history of interim capital replacements and the amount of removal cost incurred and salvage received.  These rates and the related lives are subject to periodic review.  Removal costs accrued are typically recorded as regulatory liabilities when removal costs accrued exceed actual removal costs incurred. The asset removal costs liability is relieved as removal costs are incurred. A regulatory asset balance will occur if actual removal costs incurred exceed accumulated removal costs accrued.

The costs of labor, materials and overhead incurred to operate and maintain plant and equipment are included in operating expenses.

Long-lived assets are required to be tested for impairment when it is determined that the carrying value of the assets may no longer be recoverable or when the assets meet the held-for-sale criteria under the accounting guidance for “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  When it becomes probable that an asset in service or an asset under construction will be abandoned and regulatory cost recovery has been disallowed, the cost of that asset shall be removed from plant-in-service or CWIP and charged to expense.

The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, as opposed to a forced or liquidation sale.  Quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are used as the basis for the measurement, if available.  In the absence of quoted prices for identical or similar assets in active markets, fair value is estimated using various internal and external valuation methods including cash flow analysis and appraisals.

Nonregulated

Nonregulated operations generally follow the policies of rate-regulated operations listed above but with the following exceptions.  Property, plant and equipment of nonregulated operations are stated at original cost (or as adjusted for any applicable impairments) plus the original cost of property acquired or constructed since the acquisition, less disposals.  Normal and routine retirements from the plant accounts, net of salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation for most nonregulated operations under the group composite method of depreciation.  A gain or loss would be recorded if the retirement is not considered an interim routine replacement.  Removal costs are charged to expense.


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Allowance for Funds Used During Construction and Interest Capitalization

For regulated operations, AFUDC represents the estimated cost of borrowed and equity funds used to finance construction projects that is capitalized and recovered through depreciation over the service life of regulated electric utility plant.  The Registrants record the equity component of AFUDC in Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction and the debt component of AFUDC as a reduction to Interest Expense.  For nonregulated operations, including certain generating assets, interest is capitalized during construction in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Capitalization of Interest.”

Valuation of Nonderivative Financial Instruments

The book values of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Advances to/from Affiliates, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Short-term Debt approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The book value of the pre-April 1983 spent nuclear fuel disposal liability approximates the best estimate of its fair value.

Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities

The accounting guidance for “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).  Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2.  When quoted market prices are not available, pricing may be completed using comparable securities, dealer values, operating data and general market conditions to determine fair value.  Valuation models utilize various inputs such as commodity, interest rate and, to a lesser degree, volatility and credit that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, market corroborated inputs (i.e. inputs derived principally from, or correlated to, observable market data) and other observable inputs for the asset or liability.  The amount of risk taken is determined by the Commercial Operations, Energy Supply and Finance groups in accordance with established risk management policies as approved by the Finance Committee of AEP’s Board of Directors.  AEPSC’s market risk oversight staff independently monitors risk policies, procedures and risk levels and provides members of the Commercial Operations Risk Committee (Regulated Risk Committee) and the Energy Supply Risk Committee (Competitive Risk Committee) various reports regarding compliance with policies, limits and procedures.  The Regulated Risk Committee consists of AEPSC’s Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of Generation, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and Chief Risk Officer. The Competitive Risk Committee consists of AEPSC’s Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer in addition to Energy Supply’s President and Vice President.

For commercial activities, exchange traded derivatives, namely futures contracts, are generally fair valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 1.  Level 2 inputs primarily consist of OTC broker quotes in moderately active or less active markets, as well as exchange traded contracts where there is insufficient market liquidity to warrant inclusion in Level 1.  Management verifies price curves using these broker quotes and classifies these fair values within Level 2 when substantially all of the fair value can be corroborated.  Management typically obtains multiple broker quotes, which are nonbinding in nature but are based on recent trades in the marketplace.  When multiple broker quotes are obtained, the quoted bid and ask prices are averaged.  In certain circumstances, a broker quote may be discarded if it is a clear outlier.  Management uses a historical correlation analysis between the broker quoted location and the illiquid locations.  If the points are highly correlated, these locations are included within Level 2 as well.  Certain OTC and bilaterally executed derivative instruments are executed in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information.  Illiquid transactions, complex structured transactions, FTRs and counterparty credit risk may require nonmarket based inputs.  Some of these inputs may be internally developed or extrapolated and utilized to estimate fair value.  When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized as Level 3.  The main driver of contracts being classified as Level 3 is the inability to substantiate energy price curves in the market.  A portion of the Level 3 instruments have been economically hedged which limits potential earnings volatility.

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AEP utilizes its trustee’s external pricing service to estimate the fair value of the underlying investments held in the benefit plan and nuclear trusts.  AEP’s investment managers review and validate the prices utilized by the trustee to determine fair value.  AEP’s management performs its own valuation testing to verify the fair values of the securities.  AEP receives audit reports of the trustee’s operating controls and valuation processes.  The trustee uses multiple pricing vendors for the assets held in the trusts.

Assets in the benefits and nuclear trusts, cash and cash equivalents, other temporary investments and restricted cash for securitized funding are classified using the following methods.  Equities are classified as Level 1 holdings if they are actively traded on exchanges.  Items classified as Level 1 are investments in money market funds, fixed income and equity mutual funds and domestic equity securities.  They are valued based on observable inputs, primarily unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.  Items classified as Level 2 are primarily investments in individual fixed income securities and cash equivalent funds.  Fixed income securities generally do not trade on exchanges and do not have an official closing price but their valuation inputs are based on observable market data.  Pricing vendors calculate bond valuations using financial models and matrices.  The models use observable inputs including yields on benchmark securities, quotes by securities brokers, rating agency actions, discounts or premiums on securities compared to par prices, changes in yields for U.S. Treasury securities, corporate actions by bond issuers, prepayment schedules and histories, economic events and, for certain securities, adjustments to yields to reflect changes in the rate of inflation.  Other securities with model-derived valuation inputs that are observable are also classified as Level 2 investments.  Investments with unobservable valuation inputs are classified as Level 3 investments.  Benefit plan assets included in Level 3 are primarily real estate, infrastructure and private equity investments that are valued using methods requiring judgment including appraisals. The fair value of real estate and infrastructure investments is measured using market capitalization rates, recent sales of comparable investments and independent third-party appraisals. The fair value of private equity investments is measured using cost and purchase multiples, operating results, discounted future cash flows and market based comparable data. Depending on the specific situation, one or multiple approaches are used to determine the valuation of a real estate, infrastructure or private equity investment.

Deferred Fuel Costs

The cost of fuel and related emission allowances and emission control chemicals/consumables is charged to Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation expense when the fuel is burned or the allowance or consumable is utilized.  The cost of fuel also includes the cost of nuclear fuel burned which is computed primarily on the units-of-production method.  In regulated jurisdictions with an active FAC, fuel cost over-recoveries (the excess of fuel-related revenues over applicable fuel costs incurred) are generally deferred as current regulatory liabilities and under-recoveries (the excess of applicable fuel costs incurred over fuel-related revenues) are generally deferred as current regulatory assets.  Fuel cost over-recovery and under-recovery balances are classified as noncurrent when there is a phase-in plan or the FAC has been suspended.  These deferrals are amortized when refunded or when billed to customers in later months with the state regulatory commissions’ review and approval.  The amount of an over-recovery or under-recovery can also be affected by actions of the state regulatory commissions.  On a routine basis, state regulatory commissions review and/or audit the Registrants’ fuel procurement policies and practices, the fuel cost calculations and FAC deferrals.  FAC deferrals are adjusted when costs are no longer probable of recovery or when refunds of fuel reserves are probable.

Changes in fuel costs, including purchased power in Kentucky for KPCo, Indiana and Michigan for I&M, in Ohio (through the ESP related to standard service offer load served through auctions) for OPCo, in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas for SWEPCo, in Oklahoma for PSO, in Virginia and West Virginia for APCo and in West Virginia for WPCo are reflected in rates in a timely manner generally through the FAC.  Changes in fuel costs, including purchased power in Ohio (from 2009 through 2011) for OPCo are reflected in rates through FAC phase-in plans.  The FAC generally includes some sharing of off-system sales margins.  In West Virginia for APCo and WPCo, all of the non-merchant margins from off-system sales are given to customers through the FAC.  A portion of margins from off-system sales are given to customers through the FAC and other rate mechanisms in Oklahoma for PSO, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas for SWEPCo, Kentucky for KPCo, Virginia for APCo and in Indiana and Michigan for I&M.  Where the FAC or off-system sales sharing mechanism is capped, frozen or non-existent, changes in fuel costs or sharing of off-system sales impact earnings.

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Revenue Recognition

Regulatory Accounting

The Registrants’ financial statements reflect the actions of regulators that can result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in different time periods than enterprises that are not rate-regulated.  Regulatory assets (deferred expenses) and regulatory liabilities (deferred revenue reductions or refunds) are recorded to reflect the economic effects of regulation in the same accounting period by matching expenses with their recovery through regulated revenues and by matching income with its passage to customers in cost-based regulated rates.

When regulatory assets are probable of recovery through regulated rates, assets are recorded on the balance sheets.  Regulatory assets are tested for probability of recovery at each balance sheet date or whenever new events occur.  Examples of new events include the issuance of a regulatory commission order or passage of new legislation.  If it is determined that recovery of a regulatory asset is no longer probable, the regulatory asset is written off as a charge against income.

Electricity Supply and Delivery Activities

The Registrants recognize revenues from retail and wholesale electricity sales and electricity transmission and distribution delivery services.  The Registrants recognize the revenues on the statements of income upon delivery of the energy to the customer and include unbilled as well as billed amounts.  In accordance with the applicable state commission regulatory treatment, PSO and SWEPCo do not record the fuel portion of unbilled revenue. Wholesale transmission revenue is based on FERC approved formula rate filings made for each calendar year using estimated costs. The annual rate filing is compared to actual costs with an over- or under-recovery being trued-up with interest and refunded or recovered in a future year’s rates.

Most of the power produced at the generation plants is sold to PJM or SPP.  The Registrants also purchase power from PJM and SPP to supply power to customers.  Generally, these power sales and purchases are reported on a net basis as revenues on the statements of income.  However, purchases of power in excess of sales to PJM or SPP, on an hourly net basis, used to serve retail load are recorded gross as Purchased Electricity for Resale on the statements of income. With the exception of certain dedicated load bilateral power supply contracts, the transactions of AEP’s nonregulated subsidiaries are reported as gross purchases or sales.

Physical energy purchases arising from non-derivative contracts are accounted for on a gross basis in Purchased Electricity for Resale on the statements of income.  Energy purchases arising from non-trading derivative contracts are recorded based on the transaction’s facts and circumstances.  Purchases under non-trading derivatives used to serve accrual based obligations are recorded in Purchased Electricity for Resale on the statements of income.  All other non-trading derivative purchases are recorded net in revenues.

In general, the Registrants record expenses when purchased electricity is received and when expenses are incurred, with the exception of certain power purchase contracts that are derivatives and accounted for using MTM accounting where generation/supply rates are not cost-based regulated.  In jurisdictions where the generation/supply business is subject to cost-based regulation, the unrealized MTM amounts are deferred as regulatory assets (for losses) and regulatory liabilities (for gains).

Energy Marketing and Risk Management Activities

The Registrants engage in power, capacity and, to a lesser extent, natural gas marketing as major power producers and participants in electricity and natural gas markets. The Registrants also engage in power, capacity, coal, natural gas and, to a lesser extent, heating oil, gasoline and other commodity risk management activities focused on markets where the AEP System owns assets and adjacent markets.  These activities include the purchase-and-sale of energy under forward contracts at fixed and variable prices.  These contracts include physical transactions, exchange-traded futures, and to a lesser extent, OTC swaps and options.  Certain energy marketing and risk management transactions are with RTOs.

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The Registrants recognize revenues and expenses from marketing and risk management transactions that are not derivatives upon delivery of the commodity.  The Registrants use MTM accounting for marketing and risk management transactions that are derivatives unless the derivative is designated in a qualifying cash flow hedge relationship or elected normal under the normal purchase normal sale election.  The Registrants include realized gains and losses on marketing and risk management transactions in revenues or expense based on the transaction’s facts and circumstances.  In certain jurisdictions subject to cost-based regulation, unrealized MTM amounts and some realized gains and losses are deferred as regulatory assets (for losses) and regulatory liabilities (for gains).  Unrealized MTM gains and losses are included on the balance sheets as Risk Management Assets or Liabilities as appropriate.

Certain qualifying marketing and risk management derivatives transactions are designated as hedges of variability in future cash flows as a result of forecasted transactions (cash flow hedge).  In the event the Registrants designate a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the cash flow hedge’s gain or loss is initially recorded as a component of AOCI.  When the forecasted transaction is realized and affects net income, the Registrants subsequently reclassify the gain or loss on the hedge from AOCI into revenues or expenses within the same financial statement line item as the forecasted transaction on their statements of income.  In regulated jurisdictions, the ineffective portion is deferred as regulatory assets (for losses) and regulatory liabilities (for gains).  See “Accounting for Cash Flow Hedging Strategies” section of Note 10.

Barging Activities (Applies to AEP)

AEP River Operations’ revenue, which is presented in Discontinued Operations, was recognized based on percentage of voyage completion.  The proportion of freight transportation revenue to be recognized was determined by applying a percentage to the contractual charges for such services.  The percentage was determined by dividing the number of miles from the loading point to the position of the barge as of the end of the accounting period by the total miles to the destination specified in the customer’s freight contract.  The position of the barge at accounting period end was determined by AEP’s computerized barge tracking system. See the “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7.

SPP Integrated Power Market (Applies to AEP, PSO and SWEPCo)

In March 2014, SPP changed from an energy imbalance service market to a fully integrated power market. In the past, PSO and SWEPCo would satisfy their load requirements with their own generation resources or through the Operating Agreement. In the new integrated power market, PSO and SWEPCo operate as standalone entities by offering their respective generation into the SPP power market, which then economically dispatches the resources. This change further enables retail customers to obtain power through either internal generation or power purchases from the SPP market. The new integrated power market now operates in a similar manner as the PJM power market for the AEP East Companies. The change in the SPP integrated power market did not have a significant effect on the results of operations or cash flows.

Levelization of Nuclear Refueling Outage Costs (Applies to AEP and I&M)

In accordance with regulatory orders, I&M defers incremental operation and maintenance costs associated with periodic refueling outages at its Cook Plant and amortizes the costs over the period beginning with the month following the start of each unit’s refueling outage and lasting until the end of the month in which the same unit’s next scheduled refueling outage begins.  

Maintenance

The Registrants expense maintenance costs as incurred.  If it becomes probable that the Registrants will recover specifically-incurred costs through future rates, a regulatory asset is established to match the expensing of those maintenance costs with their recovery in cost-based regulated revenues.  In certain regulated jurisdictions, the Registrants defer costs above the level included in base rates and amortize those deferrals commensurate with recovery through rate riders.

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Income Taxes and Investment Tax Credits

The Registrants use the liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Under the liability method, deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities which will result in a future tax consequence.

When the flow-through method of accounting for temporary differences is reflected in regulated revenues (that is, when deferred taxes are not included in the cost of service for determining regulated rates for electricity), deferred income taxes are recorded and related regulatory assets and liabilities are established to match the regulated revenues and tax expense.

Investment tax credits (ITC) were historically accounted for under the flow-through method, except where regulatory commissions reflected ITC in the rate-making process. In the third quarter of 2016, AEP and subsidiaries changed accounting for the recognition of ITC and elected to apply the preferred deferral methodology. Retrospective application is not necessary for reporting periods prior to 2016 as the financial impact to AEP and subsidiaries was immaterial.

Deferred ITC is amortized to income tax expense over the life of the asset. Amortization of deferred ITC begins when the asset is placed into service, except where regulatory commissions reflect ITC in the rate-making process, then amortization begins when the cash tax benefit is recognized.

The Registrants account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Income Taxes.”  The Registrants classify interest expense or income related to uncertain tax positions as interest expense or income as appropriate and classify penalties as Other Operation expense.

Excise Taxes

As agents for some state and local governments, the Registrants collect from customers certain excise taxes levied by those state or local governments on customers.  The Registrants do not record these taxes as revenue or expense.

Debt

Gains and losses from the reacquisition of debt used to finance regulated electric utility plants are deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the reacquired debt in accordance with their rate-making treatment unless the debt is refinanced.  If the reacquired debt associated with the regulated business is refinanced, the reacquisition costs attributable to the portions of the business that are subject to cost-based regulatory accounting are generally deferred and amortized over the term of the replacement debt consistent with its recovery in rates.  Operations not subject to cost-based rate regulation report gains and losses on the reacquisition of debt in Interest Expense on the statements of income upon reacquisition.

Debt discount or premium and debt issuance expenses are deferred and amortized generally utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related debt.  The straight-line method approximates the effective interest method and is consistent with the treatment in rates for regulated operations.  The net amortization expense is included in Interest Expense on the statements of income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Applies to AEP)

When AEP acquires businesses, management records the fair value of all assets and liabilities, including intangible assets.  To the extent that consideration exceeds the fair value of identified assets, goodwill is recorded.  Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized.  Management tests acquired goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually at their estimated fair value.  Management tests goodwill at the reporting unit level and other intangibles at the asset level.  Fair value is the amount at which an asset or liability could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.  Quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are used as the basis for the measurement, if available.  In the absence of quoted prices for identical or similar assets in active markets, management

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estimates fair value using various internal and external valuation methods.  AEP amortizes intangible assets with finite lives over their respective estimated lives to their estimated residual values.  AEP also reviews the lives of the amortizable intangibles with finite lives on an annual basis.

Pension and OPEB Plans

AEP sponsors a qualified pension plan and two unfunded nonqualified pension plans.  Substantially all AEP employees are covered by the qualified plan or both the qualified and a nonqualified pension plan.  AEP also sponsors OPEB plans to provide health and life insurance benefits for retired employees.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are allocated a proportionate share of benefit costs and account for their participation in these plans as multiple-employer plans.  See Note 8 - Benefit Plans for additional information including significant accounting policies associated with the plans.

Investments Held in Trust for Future Liabilities

AEP has several trust funds with significant investments intended to provide for future payments of pension and OPEB benefits, nuclear decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel disposal.  All of the trust funds’ investments are diversified and managed in compliance with all laws and regulations.  The investment strategy for the trust funds is to use a diversified portfolio of investments to achieve an acceptable rate of return while managing the investment risk of the assets relative to the associated liabilities.  To minimize investment risk, the trust funds are broadly diversified among classes of assets, investment strategies and investment managers.  Management regularly reviews the actual asset allocations and periodically rebalances the investments to targeted allocations when appropriate.  Investment policies and guidelines allow investment managers in approved strategies to use financial derivatives to obtain or manage market exposures and to hedge assets and liabilities.  The investments are reported at fair value under the “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” accounting guidance.

Benefit Plans

All benefit plan assets are invested in accordance with each plan’s investment policy.  The investment policy outlines the investment objectives, strategies and target asset allocations by plan.

The investment philosophies for AEP’s benefit plans support the allocation of assets to minimize risks and optimize net returns.  Strategies used include:

Maintaining a long-term investment horizon.
Diversifying assets to help control volatility of returns at acceptable levels.
Managing fees, transaction costs and tax liabilities to maximize investment earnings.
Using active management of investments where appropriate risk/return opportunities exist.
Keeping portfolio structure style-neutral to limit volatility compared to applicable benchmarks.
Using alternative asset classes such as real estate and private equity to maximize return and provide additional portfolio diversification.

The objective of the investment policy for the pension fund is to maintain the funded status of the plan while providing for growth in the plan assets to offset the growth in the plan liabilities.  The current target asset allocations are as follows:
Pension Plan Assets
 
Target
Equity
 
25
%
Fixed Income
 
59
%
Other Investments
 
15
%
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
1
%
 
 
 
OPEB Plans Assets
 
Target
Equity
 
65
%
Fixed Income
 
33
%
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
2
%


80




The investment policy for each benefit plan contains various investment limitations.  The investment policies establish concentration limits for securities and prohibit the purchase of securities issued by AEP (with the exception of proportionate and immaterial holdings of AEP securities in passive index strategies).  However, the investment policies do not preclude the benefit trust funds from receiving contributions in the form of AEP securities, provided that the AEP securities acquired by each plan may not exceed the limitations imposed by law.

For equity investments, the concentration limits are as follows:

No security in excess of 5% of all equities.
Cash equivalents must be less than 10% of an investment manager’s equity portfolio.
No individual stock may be more than 10% and 7% for pension and OPEB investments, respectively, of each manager’s equity portfolio.
No investment in excess of 5% of an outstanding class of any company.
No securities may be bought or sold on margin or other use of leverage.

For fixed income investments, each investment manager’s portfolio is compared to investment grade, diversified long and intermediate benchmark indices.

A portion of the pension assets is invested in real estate funds to provide diversification, add return and hedge against inflation.  Real estate properties are illiquid, difficult to value and not actively traded.  The pension plan uses external real estate investment managers to invest in commingled funds that hold real estate properties.  To mitigate investment risk in the real estate portfolio, commingled real estate funds are used to ensure that holdings are diversified by region, property type and risk classification.  Real estate holdings include core, value-added and development risk classifications and some investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts, which are publicly traded real estate securities.

A portion of the pension assets is invested in private equity.  Private equity investments add return and provide diversification and typically require a long-term time horizon to evaluate investment performance.  Private equity is classified as an alternative investment because it is illiquid, difficult to value and not actively traded.  The pension plan uses limited partnerships and commingled funds to invest across the private equity investment spectrum.   The private equity holdings are with multiple general partners who help monitor the investments and provide investment selection expertise.  The holdings are currently comprised of venture capital, buyout and hybrid debt and equity investment instruments.  Commingled private equity funds are used to enhance the holdings’ diversity.

AEP participates in a securities lending program with BNY Mellon to provide incremental income on idle assets and to provide income to offset custody fees and other administrative expenses.  AEP lends securities to borrowers approved by BNY Mellon in exchange for collateral.  All loans are collateralized by at least 102% of the loaned asset’s market value and the collateral is invested.  The difference between the rebate owed to the borrower and the collateral rate of return determines the earnings on the loaned security.  The securities lending program’s objective is providing modest incremental income with a limited increase in risk.

Trust owned life insurance (TOLI) underwritten by The Prudential Insurance Company is held in the OPEB plan trusts.  The strategy for holding life insurance contracts in the taxable Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association trust is to minimize taxes paid on the asset growth in the trust.  Earnings on plan assets are tax-deferred within the TOLI contract and can be tax-free if held until claims are paid.  Life insurance proceeds remain in the trust and are used to fund future retiree medical benefit liabilities.  With consideration to other investments held in the trust, the cash value of the TOLI contracts is invested in two diversified funds.  A portion is invested in a commingled fund with underlying investments in stocks that are actively traded on major international equity exchanges.  The other portion of the TOLI cash value is invested in a diversified, commingled fixed income fund with underlying investments in government bonds, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities.


81




Cash and cash equivalents are held in each trust to provide liquidity and meet short-term cash needs. Cash equivalent funds are used to provide diversification and preserve principal.  The underlying holdings in the cash funds are investment grade money market instruments including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, treasury bills and other types of investment grade short-term debt securities.  The cash funds are valued each business day and provide daily liquidity.

Nuclear Trust Funds (Applies to AEP and I&M)

Nuclear decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel trust funds represent funds that regulatory commissions allow I&M to collect through rates to fund future decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel disposal liabilities.  By rules or orders, the IURC, the MPSC and the FERC established investment limitations and general risk management guidelines.  In general, limitations include:

Acceptable investments (rated investment grade or above when purchased).
Maximum percentage invested in a specific type of investment.
Prohibition of investment in obligations of AEP, I&M or their affiliates.
Withdrawals permitted only for payment of decommissioning costs and trust expenses.

I&M maintains trust funds for each regulatory jurisdiction.  Regulatory approval is required to withdraw decommissioning funds.  These funds are managed by external investment managers who must comply with the guidelines and rules of the applicable regulatory authorities. The trust assets are invested to optimize the net of tax earnings of the trust giving consideration to liquidity, risk, diversification and other prudent investment objectives.

I&M records securities held in these trust funds in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on its balance sheets.  I&M records these securities at fair value.  I&M classifies securities in the trust funds as available-for-sale due to their long-term purpose.  Other-than-temporary impairments for investments in both debt and equity securities are considered realized losses as a result of securities being managed by an external investment management firm.  The external investment management firm makes specific investment decisions regarding the debt and equity investments held in these trusts and generally intends to sell debt securities in an unrealized loss position as part of a tax optimization strategy.  Impairments reduce the cost basis of the securities which will affect any future unrealized gain or realized gain or loss due to the adjusted cost of investment.  I&M records unrealized gains and other-than-temporary impairments from securities in these trust funds as adjustments to the regulatory liability account for the nuclear decommissioning trust funds and to regulatory assets or liabilities for the SNF disposal trust funds in accordance with their treatment in rates.  Consequently, changes in fair value of trust assets do not affect earnings or AOCI.  See the “Nuclear Contingencies” section of Note 6 for additional discussion of nuclear matters.  See “Fair Value Measurements of Trust Assets for Decommissioning and SNF Disposal” section of Note 11 for disclosure of the fair value of assets within the trusts.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources.  It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.  Comprehensive income (loss) has two components: net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss).

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2016, AEP had performance units and restricted stock units outstanding under the American Electric Power System Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).  Upon vesting, performance units are paid in cash and restricted stock units are settled in AEP common shares, except for restricted stock units granted after January 1, 2013 and vesting to executive officers, which are paid in cash. The impact of AEP’s stock-based compensation plans are insignificant to the financial statements of the Registrant Subsidiaries.


82




AEP maintains a variety of tax qualified and nonqualified deferred compensation plans for employees and non-employee directors that include, among other options, an investment in or an investment return equivalent to that of AEP common stock.  This includes AEP career shares maintained under the American Electric Power System Stock Ownership Requirement Plan, which facilitates executives in meeting minimum stock ownership requirements assigned to them by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors.  AEP career shares are derived from vested performance units granted to employees under the LTIP.  AEP career shares are equal in value to shares of AEP common stock and become payable to executives in cash after their service ends.  AEP career shares accrue additional dividend shares in an amount equal to dividends paid on AEP common shares at the closing market price on the dividend payments date.

AEP compensates their non-employee directors, in part, with stock units under the American Electric Power Company, Inc. Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.  These stock units become payable in cash to directors after their service ends.

Management measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. For share-based payment awards with service only vesting conditions, management recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis.  Stock-based compensation expense recognized on the statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest.  Therefore, stock-based compensation expense has been reduced to reflect estimated forfeitures.  Accounting guidance for “Compensation - Stock Compensation” requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, compensation expense is included in Net Income for the performance units, career shares, restricted stock units and the non-employee director’s stock units. See Note 15 for additional discussion.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Applies to AEP)

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding common shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options and awards.

The following table presents AEP’s basic and diluted EPS calculations included on the statements of income:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
$/share
 
 
 
$/share
 
 
 
$/share
Income from Continuing Operations
 
$
620.5

 
 
 
$
1,768.6

 
 
 
$
1,590.5

 
 
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
7.1

 
 
 
5.2

 
 
 
4.2

 
 
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Continuing Operations
 
$
613.4

 
 
 
$
1,763.4

 
 
 
$
1,586.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Basic Shares Outstanding
 
491.5

 
$
1.25

 
490.3

 
$
3.59

 
488.6

 
$
3.24

Weighted Average Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock Units
 
0.2

 

 
0.3

 

 
0.3

 

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares Outstanding
 
491.7

 
$
1.25

 
490.6

 
$
3.59

 
488.9

 
$
3.24


There were no antidilutive shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.


83




Supplementary Related Party Information (Applies to AEP)

AEP and several nonaffiliated utility companies jointly own OVEC.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP’s ownership and investment in OVEC were 43.47% and $4 million, respectively.

OVEC’s owners are members to an intercompany power agreement.  Participants of this agreement are entitled to receive and obligated to pay for all OVEC generating capacity, approximately 2,400 MWs, in proportion to their respective power participation ratios.  The aggregate power participation ratio of certain AEP utility subsidiaries is 43.47%.  The proceeds from the sale of power by OVEC are designed to be sufficient for OVEC to meet its operating expenses and fixed costs, including outstanding indebtedness, and provide a return on capital.  The intercompany power agreement ends in June 2040.
 
AEP and other nonaffiliated owners authorized environmental investments related to their ownership interests. OVEC financed capital expenditures in connection with the engineering and construction of FGD projects and the associated waste disposal landfills at its two generation plants.  These environmental projects were funded through debt issuances. As of December 31, 2016, OVEC’s outstanding indebtedness is approximately $1.5 billion. AEP is responsible for their 43.47% share of OVEC’s outstanding debt. Principal and interest payments related to OVEC’s outstanding indebtedness are disclosed in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Commitments.” See the “Commitments” section of Note 6.

The following details related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Related Party Transactions
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEP Revenues – Other Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
OVEC – Barging and Other Transportation Services (a)
 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
24.0

AEP Expenses – Purchased Electricity for Resale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
OVEC
 
243.7

 
241.7

 
268.5


(a)    AEP did not ship coal to OVEC in 2016 and 2015.

84




Supplementary Income Statement Information

The following tables provide the components of Depreciation and Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment
 
$
1,688.5

 
$
387.6

 
$
183.9

 
$
202.3

 
$
122.6

 
$
196.6

Amortization of Certain Securitized Assets
 
254.6

 

 

 
44.3

 

 

Amortization of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
 
19.2

 
0.9

 
7.8

 
(8.0
)
 
7.6

 
(0.1
)
Total Depreciation and Amortization
 
$
1,962.3

 
$
388.5

 
$
191.7

 
$
238.6

 
$
130.2

 
$
196.5

2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment
 
$
1,674.3

 
$
385.6

 
$
193.5

 
$
184.4

 
$
108.6

 
$
190.7

Amortization of Certain Securitized Assets
 
318.9

 

 

 
43.3

 

 

Amortization of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
 
16.5

 
3.2

 
4.9

 
(10.2
)
 
8.9

 
1.3

Total Depreciation and Amortization
 
$
2,009.7

 
$
388.8

 
$
198.4

 
$
217.5

 
$
117.5

 
$
192.0

2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment
 
$
1,573.7

 
$
383.3

 
$
199.3

 
$
188.3

 
$
99.7

 
$
183.2

Amortization of Certain Securitized Assets
 
310.4

 

 

 
43.5

 

 

Amortization of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
 
13.5

 
17.6

 
0.9

 
(18.1
)
 
1.3

 
1.9

Total Depreciation and Amortization
 
$
1,897.6

 
$
400.9

 
$
200.2

 
$
213.7

 
$
101.0

 
$
185.1


Supplementary Cash Flow Information (Applies to AEP)
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Cash Flow Information
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Cash Paid for:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest, Net of Capitalized Amounts
 
$
848.5

 
$
857.2

 
$
838.5

Income Taxes
 
29.5

 
120.2

 
117.3

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions Under Capital Leases
 
86.1

 
150.2

 
135.1

Construction Expenditures Included in Current Liabilities as of December 31,
 
858.0

 
741.4

 
559.3

Construction Expenditures Included in Noncurrent Liabilities as of December 31,
 

 
51.6

 

Construction Expenditures Included in Noncurrent Assets as of December 31,
 

 
10.5

 

Acquisition of Nuclear Fuel Included in Current Liabilities as of December 31,
 
2.1

 
37.9

 
44.5

Expected Reimbursement for Spent Nuclear Fuel Dry Cask Storage
 
0.7

 
2.2

 
3.4


85




2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Upon issuance of final pronouncements, management reviews the new accounting literature to determine its relevance, if any, to the Registrants’ business. The following final pronouncements will impact the financial statements.

ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (ASU 2014-09)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 clarifying the method used to determine the timing and requirements for revenue recognition on the statements of income. Under the new standard, an entity must identify the performance obligations in a contract, determine the transaction price and allocate the price to specific performance obligations to recognize the revenue when the obligation is completed. The amendments in this update also require disclosure of sufficient information to allow users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow arising from contracts.

The FASB deferred implementation of ASU 2014-09 under the terms in ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic: 606): Deferral of the Effective Date.” The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted.

Management continues to analyze the impact of the new revenue standard and related ASUs. During 2016, initial revenue contract assessments were completed. Material revenue streams were identified within the AEP System and representative contract/transaction types were sampled. Performance obligations identified within each material revenue stream were evaluated to determine whether the obligations were satisfied at a point in time or over time. Contracts determined to be satisfied over time generally qualified for the invoicing practical expedient since the invoiced amounts reasonably represented the value to customers of performance obligations fulfilled to date. Based upon the completed assessments, management does not expect a material impact to the timing of revenue recognized or net income and plans to elect the modified retrospective transition approach upon adoption. Management also continues to monitor unresolved industry implementation issues, including items related to collectability and alternative revenue programs, and will analyze the related impacts to revenue recognition. Management plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018.

ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (ASU 2015-11)

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 simplifying the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first-out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, inventory should be at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. Management adopted ASU 2015-11 prospectively, effective January 1, 2017. There was no impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows at adoption.

ASU 2016-01 “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (ASU 2016-01)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 enhancing the reporting model for financial instruments. Under the new standard, equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new standard also amends disclosure requirements and requires separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendments also clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.


86




The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The amendments will be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Management is analyzing the impact of this new standard and, at this time, cannot estimate the impact of adoption on net income. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.

ASU 2016-02 “Accounting for Leases” (ASU 2016-02)

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 increasing the transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Under the new standard, an entity must recognize an asset and liability for operating leases on the balance sheets. Additionally, a capital lease will be known as a finance lease going forward. Leases with lease terms of 12 months or longer will be subject to the new requirements. Fundamentally, the criteria used to determine lease classification will remain the same, but will be more subjective under the new standard.

The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be applied by means of a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach will require lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Management continues to analyze the impact of the new lease standard. During 2016, initial lease contract assessments were completed. The AEP System lease population was identified and representative lease contracts were sampled. Based upon the completed assessments, management prepared a system gap analysis to outline new disclosure compliance requirements compared to current system capabilities. Lease system options are currently being evaluated. Management plans to elect certain of the following practical expedients upon adoption:
Practical Expedient
 
Description
Overall Expedients (for leases commenced prior to adoption date and must be adopted as a package)
 
Do not need to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are/or contain leases, do not need to reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and do not need to reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.
Lease and Non-lease Components (elect by class of underlying asset)
 
Elect as an accounting policy to not separate non-lease components from lease components and instead account for each lease and associated non-lease component as a single lease component.
Short-term Lease (elect by class of underlying asset)
 
Elect as an accounting policy to not apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases.
Lease term
 
Elect to use hindsight to determine the lease term.

Management expects the new standard to impact financial position, but not results of operations or cash flows. Management also continues to monitor unresolved industry implementation issues, including items related to renewables and PPAs, pole attachments, easements and right-of-ways, and will analyze the related impacts to lease accounting. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019.

ASU 2016-09 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (ASU 2016-09)

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 simplifying the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit on the statements of income. Under current GAAP, excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital while tax deficiencies are recognized either as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or on the statements of income.

The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. Certain provisions require retrospective/modified retrospective transition while others are to be applied prospectively. Management adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. There was no impact on results of operations, financial position or cash flows at adoption.


87




ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASU 2016-13)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 requiring an allowance to be recorded for all expected credit losses for financial assets. The allowance for credit losses is based on historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new standard also makes revisions to the other than temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. Disclosures of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables are further disaggregated by year of origination.

The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Management is analyzing the impact of this new standard and, at this time, cannot estimate the impact of adoption on net income. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020.

ASU 2016-18 “Restricted Cash” (ASU 2016-18)

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 clarifying the treatment of restricted cash on the statements of cash flows. Under the new standard, amounts considered restricted cash will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statements of cash flows.

The new accounting guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The guidance will be applied by means of a retrospective approach. Management is analyzing the impact of the new standard. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-18 effective for the 2017 Annual Report.

88




3.   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

The following tables provide the components of changes in AOCI and details of reclassifications from AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.  The amortization of pension and OPEB AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs. See Note 8 for additional details.
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Securities
Available for Sale
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
$
(5.2
)
 
$
(17.2
)
 
$
7.1

 
$
139.9

 
$
(251.7
)
 
$
(127.1
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
(14.6
)
 

 
1.3

 

 
(14.7
)
 
(28.0
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation & Marketing Revenues
(21.4
)
 

 

 

 

 
(21.4
)
Purchased Electricity for Resale
16.4

 

 

 

 

 
16.4

Interest Expense

 
2.4

 

 

 

 
2.4

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)

 

 

 
(19.4
)
 

 
(19.4
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses

 

 

 
20.3

 

 
20.3

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(5.0
)
 
2.4

 

 
0.9

 

 
(1.7
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(1.7
)
 
0.9

 

 
0.3

 

 
(0.5
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(3.3
)
 
1.5

 

 
0.6

 

 
(1.2
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(17.9
)
 
1.5

 
1.3

 
0.6

 
(14.7
)
 
(29.2
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
$
(23.1
)
 
$
(15.7
)
 
$
8.4

 
$
140.5

 
$
(266.4
)
 
$
(156.3
)
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Securities
Available for Sale
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
$
1.6

 
$
(19.1
)
 
$
7.7

 
$
138.7

 
$
(232.0
)
 
$
(103.1
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
5.6

 

 
(0.6
)
 

 
(25.7
)
 
(20.7
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation & Marketing Revenues
(48.1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(48.1
)
Purchased Electricity for Resale
29.1

 

 

 

 

 
29.1

Interest Expense

 
2.9

 

 

 

 
2.9

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)

 

 

 
(19.5
)
 

 
(19.5
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses

 

 

 
21.3

 

 
21.3

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(19.0
)
 
2.9

 

 
1.8

 

 
(14.3
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(6.6
)
 
1.0

 

 
0.6

 

 
(5.0
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
(12.4
)
 
1.9

 

 
1.2

 

 
(9.3
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(6.8
)
 
1.9

 
(0.6
)
 
1.2

 
(25.7
)
 
(30.0
)
Balance in AOCI as of Pension and OPEB Adjustment Related to Mitchell Plant

 

 

 

 
6.0

 
6.0

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
$
(5.2
)
 
$
(17.2
)
 
$
7.1

 
$
139.9

 
$
(251.7
)
 
$
(127.1
)


89




AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Securities
Available for Sale
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
$
0.2

 
$
(23.0
)
 
$
6.8

 
$
133.9

 
$
(233.1
)
 
$
(115.2
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
(9.8
)
 

 
0.9

 

 
1.1

 
(7.8
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation & Marketing Revenues
59.1

 

 

 

 

 
59.1

Purchased Electricity for Resale
(39.1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(39.1
)
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
(2.8
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2.8
)
Interest Expense

 
6.1

 

 

 

 
6.1

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)

 

 

 
(20.6
)
 

 
(20.6
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses

 

 

 
28.0

 

 
28.0

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
17.2

 
6.1

 

 
7.4

 

 
30.7

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
6.0

 
2.2

 

 
2.6

 

 
10.8

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
11.2

 
3.9

 

 
4.8

 

 
19.9

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income
1.4

 
3.9

 
0.9

 
4.8

 
1.1

 
12.1

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
$
1.6

 
$
(19.1
)
 
$
7.7

 
$
138.7

 
$
(232.0
)
 
$
(103.1
)
APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
3.6

 
$
17.4

 
$
(23.8
)
 
$
(2.8
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(3.5
)
 
(3.5
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(1.1
)
 

 

 
(1.1
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(5.1
)
 

 
(5.1
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
3.0

 

 
3.0

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.1
)
 
(2.1
)
 

 
(3.2
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.7
)
 

 
(1.1
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.7
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 
(2.1
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(0.7
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(5.6
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
2.9

 
$
16.0

 
$
(27.3
)
 
$
(8.4
)


90




APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
3.9

 
$
19.2

 
$
(18.1
)
 
$
5.0

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(5.7
)
 
(5.7
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(0.4
)
 

 

 
(0.4
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(5.1
)
 

 
(5.1
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
2.3

 

 
2.3

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(2.8
)
 

 
(3.2
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(1.0
)
 

 
(1.1
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.3
)
 
(1.8
)
 

 
(2.1
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(0.3
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(5.7
)
 
(7.8
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
3.6

 
$
17.4

 
$
(23.8
)
 
$
(2.8
)
APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
 
$
0.1

 
$
3.1

 
$
20.5

 
$
(20.8
)
 
$
2.9

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 
1.7

 

 

 
2.7

 
4.4

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Electricity for Resale
 
(0.5
)
 

 

 

 
(0.5
)
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
 
(2.2
)
 

 

 

 
(2.2
)
Interest Expense
 

 
1.2

 

 

 
1.2

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(5.1
)
 

 
(5.1
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
3.1

 

 
3.1

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(2.7
)
 
1.2

 
(2.0
)
 

 
(3.5
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.9
)
 
0.4

 
(0.7
)
 

 
(1.2
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(1.8
)
 
0.8

 
(1.3
)
 

 
(2.3
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(0.1
)
 
0.8

 
(1.3
)
 
2.7

 
2.1

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
3.9

 
$
19.2

 
$
(18.1
)
 
$
5.0



91




I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(13.3
)
 
$
5.1

 
$
(8.5
)
 
$
(16.7
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
2.0

 

 

 
2.0

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(0.8
)
 

 
(0.8
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
0.8

 

 
0.8

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
2.0

 

 

 
2.0

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
0.7

 

 

 
0.7

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.3

 

 

 
1.3

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
1.3

 

 
(0.8
)
 
0.5

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
(12.0
)
 
$
5.1

 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(16.2
)
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(14.4
)
 
$
5.1

 
$
(5.0
)
 
$
(14.3
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(3.5
)
 
(3.5
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
1.7

 

 

 
1.7

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(0.9
)
 

 
(0.9
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
0.9

 

 
0.9

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.7

 

 

 
1.7

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
0.6

 

 

 
0.6

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.1

 

 

 
1.1

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
1.1

 

 
(3.5
)
 
(2.4
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(13.3
)
 
$
5.1

 
$
(8.5
)
 
$
(16.7
)


92




I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
 
$
0.1

 
$
(16.0
)
 
$
4.9

 
$
(4.5
)
 
$
(15.5
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 
1.1

 

 

 
(0.5
)
 
0.6

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Electricity for Resale
 
(0.8
)
 

 

 

 
(0.8
)
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
 
(1.0
)
 

 

 

 
(1.0
)
Interest Expense
 

 
2.4

 

 

 
2.4

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(0.8
)
 

 
(0.8
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
1.1

 

 
1.1

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(1.8
)
 
2.4

 
0.3

 

 
0.9

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.6
)
 
0.8

 
0.1

 

 
0.3

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(1.2
)
 
1.6

 
0.2

 

 
0.6

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(0.1
)
 
1.6

 
0.2

 
(0.5
)
 
1.2

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(14.4
)
 
$
5.1

 
$
(5.0
)
 
$
(14.3
)

OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
4.3

 
$
4.3

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(1.9
)
 
(1.9
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.9
)
 
(1.9
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.6
)
 
(0.6
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.3
)
 
(1.3
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(1.3
)
 
(1.3
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
3.0

 
$
3.0



93




OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
5.6

 
$
58.4

 
$
(58.4
)
 
$
5.6

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(2.0
)
 

 

 
(2.0
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(2.0
)
 

 

 
(2.0
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.7
)
 

 

 
(0.7
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.3
)
 

 

 
(1.3
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(1.3
)
 

 

 
(1.3
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
4.3

 
$
58.4

 
$
(58.4
)
 
$
4.3


OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
 
$
0.1

 
$
7.0

 
$
58.4

 
$
(58.4
)
 
$
7.1

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
 
(0.2
)
 

 

 

 
(0.2
)
Interest Expense
 

 
(2.1
)
 

 

 
(2.1
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.2
)
 
(2.1
)
 

 

 
(2.3
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.7
)
 

 

 
(0.8
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 

 
(1.5
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.4
)
 

 

 
(1.5
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
5.6

 
$
58.4

 
$
(58.4
)
 
$
5.6


PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
4.2

 
$
4.2

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
3.4

 
$
3.4



94




PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
5.0

 
$
5.0

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(1.2
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
4.2

 
$
4.2


PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
 
$
0.1

 
$
5.7

 
$
5.8

Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
 
(0.1
)
 

 
(0.1
)
Interest Expense
 

 
(1.1
)
 
(1.1
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(1.2
)
Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(0.8
)
Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Loss
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(0.8
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
5.0

 
$
5.0


SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(9.1
)
 
$
2.6

 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(9.4
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(1.0
)
 
(1.0
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
2.7

 

 

 
2.7

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(1.8
)
 

 
(1.8
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
0.7

 

 
0.7

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
2.7

 
(1.1
)
 

 
1.6

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.0

 
(0.4
)
 

 
0.6

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.7

 
(0.7
)
 

 
1.0

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
1.7

 
(0.7
)
 
(1.0
)
 

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
(7.4
)
 
$
1.9

 
$
(3.9
)
 
$
(9.4
)


95




SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
3.6

 
$

 
$
(7.5
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(2.9
)
 
(2.9
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 

 
3.1

 

 

 
3.1

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(1.9
)
 

 
(1.9
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
0.4

 

 
0.4

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
3.1

 
(1.5
)
 

 
1.6

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
1.1

 
(0.5
)
 

 
0.6

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
2.0

 
(1.0
)
 

 
1.0

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
2.0

 
(1.0
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(1.9
)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(9.1
)
 
$
2.6

 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(9.4
)

SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Pension and OPEB
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Amortization of Deferred Costs
 
Changes in Funded Status
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2013
 
$

 
$
(13.3
)
 
$
4.5

 
$
0.3

 
$
(8.5
)
Change in Fair Value Recognized in AOCI
 

 

 

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.3
)
Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets/(Liabilities), Net (a)
 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 
(0.1
)
Interest Expense
 

 
3.5

 

 

 
3.5

Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 

 
(1.9
)
 

 
(1.9
)
Amortization of Actuarial (Gains)/Losses
 

 

 
0.5

 

 
0.5

Reclassifications from AOCI, before Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
3.5

 
(1.4
)
 

 
2.0

Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 
(0.1
)
 
1.3

 
(0.5
)
 

 
0.7

Reclassifications from AOCI, Net of Income Tax (Expense) Credit
 

 
2.2

 
(0.9
)
 

 
1.3

Net Current Period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

 
2.2

 
(0.9
)
 
(0.3
)
 
1.0

Balance in AOCI as of December 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
3.6

 
$

 
$
(7.5
)

(a)
Represents realized gains and losses subject to regulatory accounting treatment recorded as either current or noncurrent on the balance sheets.

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4.   RATE MATTERS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

The Registrants are involved in rate and regulatory proceedings at the FERC and their state commissions.  Rate matters can have a material impact on net income, cash flows and possibly financial condition.  The Registrants’ recent significant rate orders and pending rate filings are addressed in this note.

APCo and WPCo Rate Matters (Applies to AEP and APCo)

2016 West Virginia Expanded Net Energy Cost Filing

In June 2016, the WVPSC approved a settlement agreement related to APCo and WPCo’s combined annual ENEC filing. The settlement agreement included $38 million ($30 million related to APCo) of additional ENEC revenues and $17 million ($14 million related to APCo) in construction surcharges annually for two years, effective July 2016. Additionally, APCo and WPCo agreed that a general rate case will not be filed before April 2018.

West Virginia Deferred Base Rate Increase

In May 2015, the WVPSC issued an order on APCo and WPCo’s combined base rate case. The order included a delayed billing of $25 million ($22 million related to APCo) of the annual base rate increase to residential customers until July 2016. In June 2016, the WVPSC issued an order that approved recovery of the total deferred billing, including carrying charges through June 2018, totaling $29 million ($27 million related to APCo). Recovery was approved over two years, effective July 2016. Additionally, at the end of the two-year amortization, any over/under-recovery of the delayed billing will be included in the annual ENEC filing. The WVPSC also approved implementation of the prospective $25 million base rate increase effective July 2016.

2015 Virginia Regulatory Asset Proceeding

In 2015, the Virginia SCC initiated a proceeding to address the treatment of APCo’s authorized regulatory assets. In September 2016, the Virginia SCC issued an order that approved the continued recovery through amortization of certain regulatory assets established prior to the period of frozen rates pursuant to the amended Virginia law (see “Virginia Legislation Affecting Biennial Reviews” below).

Virginia Legislation Affecting Biennial Reviews

In February 2015, amendments to Virginia law governing the regulation of investor-owned electric utilities were enacted. Under the amended Virginia law, APCo’s existing generation and distribution base rates are frozen until after the Virginia SCC rules on APCo’s next biennial review, which APCo will file in March 2020 for the 2018 and 2019 test years. These amendments also preclude the Virginia SCC from performing biennial reviews of APCo’s earnings for the years 2014 through 2017. APCo’s financial statements adequately address the impact of these amendments. The amendments provide that APCo will absorb its Virginia jurisdictional share of incremental generation and distribution costs incurred during 2014 through 2017 that are associated with severe weather events and/or natural disasters and costs associated with potential asset impairments related to new carbon emission guidelines issued by the Federal EPA.

In February 2016, certain APCo industrial customers filed a petition with the Virginia SCC requesting the issuance of a declaratory order that finds the amendments to Virginia law suspending biennial reviews unconstitutional and, accordingly, directs APCo to make biennial review filings beginning in 2016. In July 2016, the Virginia SCC issued an order that denied the petition. In July 2016, the industrial customers filed an appeal of the order with the Supreme Court of Virginia. Management is unable to predict the outcome of these challenges to the Virginia legislation. If the biennial review process is reinstated in advance of March 2020, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

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ETT Rate Matters (Applies to AEP)

ETT Interim Transmission Rates

Parent has a 50% equity ownership interest in ETT. Predominantly all of ETT’s revenues are based on interim rate changes that can be filed twice annually and are subject to review and possible true-up in the next filed base rate proceeding. During a 2015 open meeting at the PUCT, ETT committed to file a base rate case by February 2017. In January 2017, the PUCT approved ETT’s request to suspend the base rate case filing and decrease ETT’s annual revenue requirement by $46 million, effective March 2017. As of December 31, 2016, AEP’s share of ETT’s cumulative revenues, subject to review, is estimated to be $591 million based upon interim rate increases received from 2009 through 2016. A base rate review could produce a refund if ETT incurs a disallowance of the transmission investment on which an interim increase was based. Management is unable to determine a range of potential losses that are reasonably possible of occurring. A revenue decrease, including a refund of interim transmission rates, could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

I&M Rate Matters (Applies to AEP and I&M)

Indiana Amended PJM Settlement Agreement

In November 2016, the IURC issued an order that approved an amended settlement agreement between I&M and certain intervenors.  This agreement amends a previously approved 2014 settlement agreement that addresses the recovery of 43.5% of certain transmission expenses through the Indiana PJM rider through 2017.

The amended agreement allows I&M to recover 100% of the Indiana jurisdictional share of these transmission expenses not recovered through base rates through the Indiana PJM rider, subject to a $109 million cap for the period January 2017 through June 2018. Beginning July 2018, I&M will be allowed to recover 100% of the Indiana jurisdictional share of these transmission expenses through the Indiana PJM rider, without a cap, until the issue is addressed by the IURC in a future proceeding, subject to the condition that I&M files a base rate case on or before January 2018. The amended agreement also provides for deferral of incremental vegetation management expenses over the period January 2017 through June 2018.  Any vegetation management expenses deferred would reduce the cap for the transmission expenses described above. As part of the amended settlement, I&M agreed that it will not file a base rate case before July 2017 and will not implement new base rates prior to July 2018.

Rockport Plant, Unit 2 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

In October 2016, I&M filed an application with the IURC for approval of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to install SCR technology at Rockport Plant, Unit 2 by December 2019. The equipment will allow I&M to reduce emissions of NOx from Rockport Plant, Unit 2 in order for I&M to continue to operate that unit under current environmental requirements. The estimated cost of the SCR project is $274 million, excluding AFUDC, to be shared equally between I&M and AEGCo.  The filing included a request for authorization for I&M to defer its Indiana jurisdictional ownership share of costs including investment carrying costs at a weighted average cost of capital (WACC), depreciation over a 10-year life and other related expenses. I&M proposed recovery of these costs using the existing Clean Coal Technology Rider. The AEGCo ownership share of the proposed SCR project will be billable under the Rockport Unit Power Agreement to affiliates, including I&M, with I&M’s share recoverable in its base rates. In February 2017, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and other parties filed testimony with the IURC. The OUCC recommended approval of the CPCN but also stated that any decision regarding recovery of any under-depreciated plant due to retirement should be fully investigated in a base rate case, not in a tracker or other abbreviated proceeding. The other parties recommended either denial of the CPCN or approval of the CPCN with conditions including a cap on the amount of SCR costs allowed to be recovered in the rider and limitations on other costs related to legal issues involving the Rockport lease. A hearing at the IURC is scheduled for March 2017.


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KGPCo Rate Matters (Applies to AEP)

Kingsport Base Rate Case

In August 2016, the TRA approved a settlement agreement that included an $8 million annual increase in base rates with a 9.85% return on common equity, effective September 2016.

OPCo Rate Matters (Applies to AEP and OPCo)

Ohio Global Settlement

In February 2017, the PUCO approved a settlement agreement (Global Settlement) filed by OPCo in December 2016. The parties to the Global Settlement include OPCo, the PUCO staff and various intervenors. The Global Settlement resolves all remaining open issues on remand from the Ohio Supreme Court in OPCo’s 2009 - 2011 and June 2012 - May 2015 ESP filings, including issues related to carrying charges on the PIRR and issues related to the RSR capacity charges. It also resolves all open issues in OPCo’s 2009, 2014 and 2015 SEET filings and 2009, 2012 and 2013 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audits.

The significant components of the Global Settlement include:

Remands Related to the PIRR

All applicable parties participating in this settlement will withdraw their pending applications for rehearing of the PUCO order that allowed for the reinstatement of the equity portion of the WACC rate on previously deferred fuel balances. As part of the Global Settlement, the PIRR rate to be collected from customers through December 2018 will be reduced by $97 million.

Remands Related to the RSR

Beginning January 2017, OPCo will be entitled to collect $388 million in RSR revenues over a total of 30 months, subject to true up at the end of the collection period in June 2019. Current RSR rates will continue until the new RSR rates are approved. The Global Settlement resolves the issues related to the non-deferral portion of RSR collections and the impact of the appropriate energy credit on capacity charges. In December 2016, OPCo recorded an increase in Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets for the deferral of $83 million in RSR capacity costs and $14 million in related debt carrying charges with a corresponding decrease in expense in Generation Deferrals and an increase in Carrying Costs Income, respectively, on the statements of income.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, AEP recorded approximately $97 million in RSR capacity deferrals and related carrying charges to the following line items on the statements of income:
 
AEP
 
(in millions)
 
 
Fuel and Other Consumables Used for Electric Generation
$
(19.0
)
Purchased Electricity for Resale
(19.9
)
Other Operation
(15.7
)
Depreciation and Amortization
(42.1
)
Total Decrease in RSR Expenses
$
(96.7
)

As of December 31, 2016, OPCo’s total RSR under-recovery balance, including carrying charges, was $299 million.


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Remands Related to the SEET

As part of the Global Settlement,$20 million will be returned to customers over a 12-month period commencing within 45 days of the final PUCO order adopting the Global Settlement. The Global Settlement states that this obligation has no precedential effect on OPCo’s SEET methodology. In addition, the parties agreed that earnings were not significantly excessive in 2015. In December 2016, OPCo accrued $20 million in Other Current Liabilities on the balance sheets with a corresponding decrease in Electricity, Transmission and Distribution revenues (Transmission and Distribution Utilities for AEP) on the statements of income. The Global Settlement resolves the issues related to the 2014 and 2015 SEET proceedings.

Fuel Adjustment Clause Proceedings

OPCo will refund $100 million paid by SSO customers from August 2012 - May 2015 related to OVEC and Lawrenceburg purchases. In December 2016, OPCo accrued $100 million in Other Current Liabilities on the balance sheets with a corresponding decrease in Electricity, Transmission and Distribution revenues (Transmission and Distribution Utilities for AEP) on the statements of income. The Global Settlement resolves the claimed recovery of fixed fuel costs through both the FAC and the approved capacity charges. This refund will be a one-time credit that will be applied the earlier of either 45 days after the final non-appealable order from the PUCO adopting the Global Settlement, or the December 2017 billing cycle.

Ohio Electric Security Plan Filings

2009 – 2011 ESP

The PUCO issued an order in March 2009 that modified and approved the ESP which established rates at the start of the April 2009 billing cycle through 2011. The order also provided a phase-in FAC, which was authorized to be recovered through a non-bypassable surcharge over the period 2012 through 2018.

In 2012, the PUCO issued an order in a separate proceeding which implemented a PIRR to recover OPCo’s deferred fuel costs in rates beginning September 2012. The PUCO ruled that carrying charges should be calculated without an offset for accumulated deferred income taxes and that a long-term debt rate should be applied when collections begin. In November 2012, OPCo appealed that PUCO order to the Supreme Court of Ohio claiming a long-term debt rate modified the previously adjudicated 2009 - 2011 ESP order, which granted a WACC rate. In 2015, the Supreme Court of Ohio issued a decision that reversed the PUCO order on the carrying cost rate issue and remanded the matter back to the PUCO for reinstatement of the WACC rate. In June 2016, the PUCO approved OPCo’s proposed increase to the PIRR rates, in accordance with the Supreme Court of Ohio ruling. The increase to PIRR rates included $146 million in additional carrying charges and the recovery of $40 million in additional under-recovered fuel costs resulting from a decrease in customer demand. The increase is effective July 2016 through December 2018. In July 2016, intervenors filed requests for rehearing with the PUCO, which the PUCO granted in August 2016. In December 2016, OPCo filed a Global Settlement with the PUCO related to this issue. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

June 2012 – May 2015 ESP Including Capacity Charge

In August 2012, the PUCO issued an order which adopted and modified a new ESP that established base generation rates through May 2015. In 2013, this ruling was generally upheld in PUCO rehearing orders.

In July 2012, the PUCO issued an order in a separate capacity proceeding requiring OPCo to charge CRES providers the RPM price and authorized OPCo to defer a portion of its incurred capacity costs not recovered from CRES providers up to $188.88/MW day.  The OPCo RPM price collected from CRES providers, which included reserve margins, was approximately $34/MW day through May 2014 and $150/MW day from June 2014 through May 2015. In April 2016, the Supreme Court of Ohio issued two opinions related to the deferral of OPCo’s capacity charges. In one of the opinions, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that the PUCO must reconsider an energy credit that was used to determine OPCo’s authorized capacity deferral threshold of $188.88/MW day during the August 2012 through May 2015 period.

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The PUCO reduced OPCo’s authorized capacity deferral threshold to $188.88/MW day largely due to an offset for an energy credit of $147.41/MW day. The Supreme Court of Ohio directed the PUCO to substantively address OPCo’s arguments that the $147.41/MW day credit was overstated by approximately $100/MW day due to various inaccuracies affecting input data and assumptions. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

As part of the August 2012 ESP order, the PUCO established a non-bypassable RSR, effective September 2012.  The RSR was collected from customers at $3.50/MWh through May 2014 and at $4.00/MWh for the period June 2014 through May 2015, with $1.00/MWh applied to the recovery of deferred capacity costs. In April 2015, the PUCO issued an order that modified and approved OPCo’s July 2014 application to collect the unrecovered portion of the deferred capacity costs. The order included approval to continue the collection of deferred capacity costs at a rate of $4.00/MWh beginning June 1, 2015 for approximately 32 months, with carrying costs at a long-term cost of debt rate. Additionally, the order stated that an audit will be conducted of the May 31, 2015 capacity deferral balance. As of December 31, 2016, OPCo’s net deferred capacity costs balance was $202 million, including debt carrying costs, and was recorded in Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets. In April 2016, the second Supreme Court of Ohio opinion rejected a portion of OPCo’s RSR revenues collected during the period September 2012 through May 2015 and directed the PUCO to reduce OPCo’s deferred capacity costs by these previously collected RSR revenues. The Supreme Court of Ohio was not able to determine the amount of the reduction to OPCo’s deferred capacity costs and remanded the issue to the PUCO to determine the appropriate reduction. As directed by the PUCO, in May 2016, OPCo submitted revised RSR tariffs that reflect the RSR being collected subject to refund. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

In April 2016, the Supreme Court of Ohio also ruled favorably on OPCo’s cross-appeal regarding a previously PUCO-imposed SEET threshold under the ESP and remanded this issue to the PUCO. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above and “Significantly Excessive Earnings Test Filings” section below.

In 2013, the PUCO issued its Orders on Rehearing for the ESP which generally upheld its August 2012 order. The PUCO clarified that a final reconciliation of revenues and expenses would be permitted for any over- or under-recovery on several riders including fuel. In November 2013, the PUCO issued an order approving OPCo’s competitive bid process with modifications. Additionally, the PUCO ordered that intervenor concerns related to the recovery of the fixed fuel costs through potentially both the FAC and the approved capacity charges be addressed in subsequent FAC proceedings.

In 2014, the PUCO denied all rehearing requests, agreed to issue a supplemental request for an independent auditor in the 2012 - 2013 FAC proceeding to separately examine the recovery of the fixed fuel costs, including OVEC, and approved OPCo’s request to implement riders related to the unbundling of the FAC. In October 2014, the independent auditor, selected by the PUCO, filed its report with the PUCO for the period August 2012 through May 2015. If the PUCO ultimately concludes that a portion of the fixed fuel costs are also recovered through OPCo’s $188.88/MW day capacity charge, the independent auditor has recommended a methodology for calculating a refund of a portion of certain fixed fuel costs. The retail share of these fixed fuel costs is approximately $90 million annually. See “2012 and 2013 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audits” section below.

In June 2016, OPCo filed a request with the PUCO that requested a consolidated procedural schedule to resolve interrelated proceedings including (a) OPCo’s deferral of capacity costs for the period August 2012 through May 2015, (b) the implementation of OPCo’s RSR and (c) the concerns related to the recovery of fixed fuel costs through both the FAC and the approved capacity charges. As part of the filing, and due to the interrelated nature of the two Supreme Court of Ohio opinions that directly relate to OPCo’s deferred capacity costs, OPCo requested that its net deferred capacity costs balance as of May 31, 2015 increase by $157 million, including carrying charges through September 2016. This net increase consists of a $327 million decrease due to the non-deferral portion of the RSR collections and an increase of $484 million for the correction of the energy credit. Additionally, OPCo filed testimony supporting the position that double recovery of fixed fuel costs could not have occurred because OPCo was unable to fully recover its capacity costs, which included fixed fuel costs, even with a corrected energy credit. In December 2016, OPCo filed a Global Settlement with the PUCO related to these issues. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.


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June 2015 - May 2018 ESP Including PPA Application and Proposed ESP Extension through 2024

In 2013, OPCo filed an application with the PUCO to approve an ESP that included proposed rate adjustments and the continuation and modification of certain existing riders, including the Distribution Investment Rider (DIR), effective June 2015 through May 2018. The proposal also included a PPA rider that would allow retail customers to receive a rate stabilizing charge or credit by hedging market-based prices with a cost-based PPA. The PPA would initially be based upon the OVEC contractual entitlement and could, upon further approval, be expanded to include other contracts involving other Ohio legacy generation assets.

In February 2015, the PUCO issued an order approving OPCo’s ESP application, subject to certain modifications, with a return on common equity of 10.2% on capital costs for certain riders. The order included (a) approval of the DIR, with modified rate caps established by the PUCO, (b) authorization to establish a zero rate rider for OPCo’s proposed PPA, (c) the option for OPCo to reapply in a future proceeding with a more detailed PPA proposal and (d) a directive to continue to pursue the transfer of the OVEC contractual entitlement to AGR or to otherwise divest of its interest in OVEC. In May 2015, the PUCO issued an order on rehearing that increased the DIR rate caps and deferred ruling on all requests for rehearing related to the establishment of the PPA rider. In July 2015, the PUCO granted OPCo’s and various intervenors’ requests for rehearing related to the May 2015 order. In November 2016, the PUCO issued an additional order on rehearing that approved the DIR caps with additional amendments and denied the remaining requests for rehearing. In January 2017, the PUCO granted intervenors requests for rehearing that oppose the PPA rider as well as the amended DIR caps.

In May 2015, OPCo filed an amended PPA application that (a) included OPCo’s OVEC contractual entitlement (OVEC PPA), (b) addressed the PPA requirements set forth in the PUCO’s February 2015 order and (c) included the 2,671 MWs to be available for capacity, energy and ancillary services, produced by AGR over the lives of the respective generating units (Affiliate PPA).

In March 2016, a contested stipulation agreement related to the PPA rider application was modified and approved by the PUCO. The approved PPA rider is effective April 2016 through May 2024, subject to audit and review by the PUCO. The stipulation agreement, as approved, included (a) an Affiliate PPA between OPCo and AGR to be included in the PPA rider, (b) OPCo’s OVEC PPA to be included in the PPA rider, (c) potential additional contingent customer credits of up to $100 million to be included in the PPA rider over the final four years of the PPA rider and (d) the limitation that OPCo will not flow through any capacity performance penalties or bonuses through the PPA rider. Additionally, subject to cost recovery and PUCO approval, OPCo agreed to develop and implement, by 2021, a solar energy project(s) of at least 400 MWs and a wind energy project(s) of at least 500 MWs, with 100% of all output to be received by OPCo. AEP affiliates could own up to 50% of these solar and wind projects. In December 2016, in accordance with the stipulation agreement, OPCo filed a carbon reduction plan that focused on fuel diversification and carbon emission reductions.

In April 2016, the FERC issued an order granting a January 2016 complaint filed against AGR and OPCo.  The FERC order rescinded the waivers of the FERC’s affiliate rules as to the affiliate PPA between AGR and OPCo.  As a result, AGR and OPCo cannot implement the affiliate PPA without the FERC review, in accordance with FERC’s rules governing affiliate transactions.  As a result of the April 2016 FERC order, management does not intend to pursue the affiliate PPA.

In May 2016, OPCo filed an application for rehearing with the PUCO related to certain aspects of the March 2016 PUCO order. The application included a proposed OVEC-only PPA Rider to recover the net margin after sales through PJM and included an option for the rider to be bypassable. The proposed OVEC-only PPA Rider included (a) the elimination of the PUCO-imposed customer-specific rate impact cap of 5% through May 2018, (b) modifications to decrease the amount of the potential customer credits and (c) the inclusion of PJM capacity performance penalties within the PPA rider. Also in May 2016, intervenors filed applications for rehearing with the PUCO opposing the modified and approved stipulation agreement. In November 2016, the PUCO issued an order on rehearing that approved recovery of the OVEC-related net margin incurred from June 2016 through the term of the PPA rider and the modification to reduce the customer credits to $15 million as requested by OPCo. The PUCO rejected OPCo’s request to eliminate both the 5% rate impact cap and the inclusion of the capacity performance penalties within the PPA rider. In January

102




2017, the PUCO granted, for further consideration, intervenors additional applications for rehearing that included arguments that opposed the OVEC-only PPA and stated that the stipulation agreement approved in March 2016 does not provide customers with rate stability.

OPCo has the option to exercise its right to withdraw from the PPA stipulation if the PUCO makes unacceptable modifications to the stipulation, including modifications as part of the pending rehearing.

Consistent with the terms of the modified and approved stipulation agreement, and based upon a September 2016 PUCO order, in November 2016, OPCo refiled its amended ESP extension application and supporting testimony. The amended filing proposed to extend the ESP through May 2024 and included (a) an extension of the OVEC PPA rider, (b) a proposed 10.41% return on common equity on capital costs for certain riders, (c) the continuation of riders previously approved in the June 2015 - May 2018 ESP, (d) proposed increases in rate caps related to OPCo’s DIR and (e) the addition of various new riders, including a Distribution Technology Rider and a Renewable Resource Rider.

If OPCo is ultimately not permitted to fully collect all components of its ESP rates, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Significantly Excessive Earnings Test Filings

Background

Ohio law provides for the return of significantly excessive earnings to ratepayers upon PUCO review. Significantly excessive earnings are measured by whether the earned return on common equity of the electric distribution utility is significantly in excess of the return on common equity that was earned during the same period by publicly traded companies, including utilities, that face comparable business and financial risk.

2009 SEET Filing

In 2011, the PUCO issued an order on the 2009 SEET filing. The order gave consideration for a future commitment to invest $20 million to support the development of a large solar farm. In 2013, the PUCO found there was not a need for the large solar farm. The PUCO noted that OPCo remains obligated to spend $20 million on this solar project or another project.

In September 2013, a proposed second phase of OPCo’s gridSMART® (gridSMART® Phase II) program was filed with the PUCO which included a proposed project to satisfy the PUCO 2009 SEET directive. In April 2016, a stipulation agreement related to the gridSMART® Phase II program was filed with the PUCO. As part of the stipulation agreement, OPCo will invest at least $20 million over a six-year period for the installation of Volt VAR Optimization (VVO) technology on selected circuits throughout OPCo’s service territory. All parties to the stipulation agree that OPCo’s proposed VVO investment resolves OPCo’s outstanding obligation for renewable or similar investment associated with the PUCO’s 2009 SEET directive. As a part of the December 2016 Global Settlement, OCC agreed to no longer contest the gridSMART® Phase II stipulation. In February 2017, the PUCO approved the gridSMART® Phase II stipulation agreement. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

2014 and 2015 SEET Filings

The PUCO established an annual SEET earnings threshold of 12% during the June 2012 - May 2015 ESP period. In May 2013, OPCo filed a cross appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio, asserting that the SEET threshold was not based on the earnings of comparable publicly traded companies as originally required by the SEET statute.

In April 2016, the Supreme Court of Ohio agreed with OPCo’s cross-appeal assertion that a 12% SEET threshold was not based on the applicable Ohio SEET statute. The Supreme Court of Ohio reversed the 12% threshold and remanded this issue to the PUCO.


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In June 2015 and May 2016, OPCo submitted its SEET filings for 2014 and 2015, respectively, with the PUCO. In August 2016, intervenors filed testimony recommending a revenue refund of approximately $20 million for 2014 and no refund for 2015 based upon a new approach to determine significantly excessive earnings that has not been previously approved by the PUCO. In September 2016, OPCo and the PUCO staff filed a stipulation agreement with the PUCO stating that no significantly excessive earnings occurred for 2014 or 2015. In September 2016, intervenors filed testimony opposing the stipulation agreement. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

2016 SEET Filing

OPCo expects to submit its 2016 SEET filing in the second quarter of 2017.  OPCo’s 2016 SEET provision was determined by excluding the gain on the deferral of RSR costs related to the Global Settlement. In addition, refunds to customers included in the Global Settlement relating to the SEET remands and fuel adjustment clause proceedings were excluded from the determination of the 2016 SEET provision. Management believes its financial statements adequately address the impact of 2016 SEET requirements.  If the PUCO adopts a different 2016 SEET methodology, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

2009 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audit

In January 2012, the PUCO issued an order in OPCo’s 2009 FAC that the remaining $65 million in proceeds from a 2008 coal contract settlement agreement be applied against OPCo’s under-recovered fuel balance. In April 2012, on rehearing, the PUCO ordered that the settlement credit only needed to reflect the Ohio retail jurisdictional share of the gain not already flowed through the FAC with carrying charges. As a result, OPCo recorded a $30 million net favorable adjustment on the statements of income in 2012. The January 2012 PUCO order also stated that a consultant should be hired to review the coal reserve valuation and recommend whether any additional value should benefit ratepayers. In 2014, the Supreme Court of Ohio upheld the PUCO order on appeal. See “Ohio Global Settlement” section above.

2012 and 2013 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audits

In May 2014, the PUCO-selected outside consultant provided its final report related to its 2012 and 2013 FAC audit which included certain unfavorable recommendations related to the FAC recovery for 2012 and 2013. These recommendations are opposed by OPCo. In addition, the PUCO will consider the results of the final audit of the recovery of fixed fuel costs that was issued in October 2014. See the “June 2012 - May 2015 ESP Including Capacity Charge” and “Ohio Global Settlement” sections above.

Ormet

Ormet, a large aluminum company, had a contract to purchase power from OPCo. In OPCo’s 2009 - 2011 ESP proceeding, intervenors requested that OPCo be required to refund the Ormet-related revenues under a previous interim arrangement (effective from January 2009 through September 2009) and requested that the PUCO prevent OPCo from collecting Ormet-related revenues. Through September 2009, the last month of the interim arrangement, OPCo had approximately $64 million of deferred FAC costs related to the interim arrangement, excluding $2 million of unrecognized equity carrying costs. The PUCO did not take any action on this request. The intervenors raised this issue again in response to OPCo’s filing to approve recovery of the deferral under the interim agreement. Of the $64 million in deferred FAC costs, approximately 50% was related to Columbus Southern Power Company (CSPCo) and 50% related to OPCo, prior to the merger of CSPCo into OPCo in December 2011. CSPCo’s portion of these deferred fuel costs has been recovered as a result of the previous collections of CSPCo fuel costs from ratepayers and the PUCO’s 2013 order to apply CSPCo’s 2010 excessive earnings to offset CSPCo’s final deferred fuel balance. OPCo’s share of Ormet deferred fuel costs continues to be recovered through OPCo’s PIRR.

The Ohio Global Settlement discussed above, approved by the PUCO in February 2017, includes the resolution of the 2009, 2012 and 2013 Fuel Adjustment Clause Audits together with the finalization of the PIRR.  The resolution of those cases effectively makes the risk of non-recovery of the Ormet deferrals remote.


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PSO Rate Matters (Applies to AEP and PSO)

2015 Oklahoma Base Rate Case

In July 2015, PSO filed a request with the OCC to increase annual revenues by $137 million. The request consisted of (a) a base rate increase of $89 million, which includes $48 million in increased depreciation expense that reflects, among other things, recovery through June 2026 of Northeastern Plant, Units 3 and 4, (b) a rider or base rate increase of $44 million to recover costs for the environmental controls being installed on Northeastern Plant, Unit 3 and the Comanche Plant and (c) a request to include environmental consumable costs in the FAC, estimated to be $4 million annually. The rate increase included a proposed return on common equity of 10.5%. The $44 million increase related to environmental investments was proposed to be effective in March 2016, after the Northeastern Plant, Unit 3 environmental controls were placed in service. The total estimated cost of the environmental controls to be installed at Northeastern Plant, Unit 3 and the Comanche Plant is $219 million, excluding AFUDC. As of December 31, 2016, PSO had incurred costs of $181 million and $44 million, including AFUDC, for Northeastern Plant, Unit 3 and Comanche Plant, respectively. In January 2016, PSO implemented an interim annual base rate increase of $75 million, subject to refund.

In addition, the filing also notified the OCC that the incremental replacement capacity and energy costs, including the first year effects of new PPAs, estimated to be $35 million, will be incurred related to the environmental compliance plan due to the closure of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4, which would be recovered through the FAC. In April 2016, Northeastern Plant, Unit 4 was retired. Upon retirement, $87 million was reclassified as Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets related to the net book value of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4. These regulatory assets are pending regulatory approval.

In November 2016 and December 2016, the OCC issued orders that approved a net annual revenue increase of $19 million based upon a 9.5% return on common equity. The orders also included (a) approval to defer incurred costs related to PSO’s environmental compliance plan until those costs are included in base rates, (b) no determination related to the return of and return on the post-retirement remaining net book value of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4 since the April 2016 retirement was outside of the test year, (c) approval to include environmental consumable costs in the FAC (d) the continued depreciation of Northeastern Plant, Units 3 and 4 through 2040 (no accelerated depreciation) and (e) altered the system reliability rider by eliminating the expense portion of the rider and setting the capital portion of the rider at the December 2016 plant balance and approved recovery of deferred expenses and return on the capital balance incurred prior to the effective date of new tariffs in January 2017. Additionally, the orders stated that the cost recovery of new PPAs related to replacement power resulting from the retirement of Northeastern Plant, Unit 4 will be addressed in a future FAC proceeding. Effective December 2016, interim rates were terminated and the refund of over collections began and will be completed no later than October 2017. In accordance with the final order, updated rates and tariffs went into effect in January 2017.

If any of these costs, including a return on Northeastern Plant, Unit 4, are ultimately not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

SWEPCo Rate Matters (Applies to AEP and SWEPCo)

2012 Texas Base Rate Case

In 2012, SWEPCo filed a request with the PUCT to increase annual base rates primarily due to the completion of the Turk Plant. In 2013, the PUCT issued an order affirming the prudence of the Turk Plant but determined that the Turk Plant’s Texas jurisdictional capital cost cap established in a previous Certificate of Convenience and Necessity case also limited SWEPCo’s recovery of AFUDC in addition to limits on its recovery of cash construction costs. Additionally, the PUCT deferred consideration of the requested increase in depreciation expense related to the change in the 2016 retirement date of the Welsh Plant, Unit 2.



105




Upon rehearing in 2014, the PUCT reversed its initial ruling and determined that AFUDC was excluded from the Turk Plant’s Texas jurisdictional capital cost cap. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2013, SWEPCo reversed $114 million of previously recorded regulatory disallowances. The resulting annual base rate increase was approximately $52 million. In 2014, intervenors filed appeals of that order with the Texas District Court and SWEPCo intervened in those appeals. A hearing at the Texas District Court is scheduled for March 2017.

If certain parts of the PUCT order are overturned or if SWEPCo cannot ultimately recover its Texas jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant investment, including AFUDC, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

2016 Texas Base Rate Case

In December 2016, SWEPCo filed a base rate request with the PUCT for a net increase in Texas annual revenues of $69 million based upon a 10% return on common equity. The annual increase includes approximately (a) $34 million related to additional environmental controls to comply with Federal EPA mandates, (b) $25 million for additional generation, transmission and distribution investments and increased operating costs, (c) $8 million related to transmission cost recovery within SWEPCo’s regional transmission organization and (d) $2 million in additional vegetation management.

If any of these costs are not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

2012 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing

In 2012, SWEPCo initiated a proceeding to establish new formula base rates in Louisiana, including recovery of the Louisiana jurisdictional share (approximately 29%) of the Turk Plant. In February 2013, a settlement was approved by the LPSC. The settlement increased SWEPCo’s Louisiana total rates by approximately $2 million annually, effective March 2013, which consisted of an increase in base rates of approximately $85 million annually offset by a decrease in fuel and other rates of approximately $83 million annually.  The March 2013 base rates are based upon a 10% return on common equity and cost recovery of the Louisiana jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant and Stall Unit. The rates are subject to refund based on the prudence review of the Turk Plant. The settlement also provided that the LPSC would review base rates in 2014 and 2015 and that SWEPCo would recover non-fuel Turk Plant costs and a full weighted-average cost of capital return on the prudently incurred Turk Plant investment in jurisdictional rate base, effective January 2013. In December 2014, the LPSC approved a settlement agreement related to the staff review of the cost of service. The settlement agreement reduced the requested revenue increase by $3 million, primarily due to the timing of both the allowed recovery of certain existing regulatory assets and the establishment of a regulatory asset for certain previously expensed costs. A hearing at the LPSC related to the Turk Plant prudence review is scheduled for June 2017. If the LPSC orders refunds based upon the pending prudence review of the Turk Plant investment, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

2014 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing

In 2014, SWEPCo filed its annual formula rate plan for test year 2013 with the LPSC.  The filing included a $5 million annual increase, which was effective August 2014.  SWEPCo also proposed to increase rates by an additional $15 million annually, effective January 2015, for a total annual increase of $20 million. This additional increase reflects the cost of incremental generation used to serve Louisiana customers in 2015 due to the expiration of a purchased power agreement attributable to Louisiana customers.  In December 2014, the LPSC approved a partial settlement agreement that included the implementation of the $15 million annual increase in rates effective January 2015, subject to staff review of the cost of service and prudence review of the Turk Plant. In July 2016, the LPSC approved a settlement agreement related to the staff review of the cost of service. A portion of the rates remain subject to refund based on the prudence review of the Turk Plant. See “2012 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing” above. Management believes its financial statements adequately address the impact of this settlement agreement. If the LPSC orders refunds based upon the pending prudence review of the Turk Plant investment, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

106




2015 Louisiana Formula Rate Filing

In April 2015, SWEPCo filed its formula rate plan for test year 2014 with the LPSC.  The filing included a $14 million annual increase, which was effective August 2015.  This increase is subject to LPSC staff review and is subject to refund.  If any of these costs are not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Welsh Plant - Environmental Impact

Management currently estimates that the investment necessary to meet proposed environmental regulations through 2025 for Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3 could cost a total of approximately $850 million, excluding AFUDC. As of December 31, 2016, SWEPCo had incurred costs of $397 million, including AFUDC, and had remaining contractual construction obligations of $11 million related to these projects.  As part of this investment, in 2016 SWEPCo completed construction of environmental control projects to meet Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3 at a cost of approximately $370 million, excluding AFUDC.  Management continues to evaluate the impact of environmental rules and related project cost estimates. In March 2016, SWEPCo filed a request with the APSC to recover $69 million in environmental costs related to the Arkansas retail jurisdictional share of Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3, which was approved by the APSC in August 2016. SWEPCo began recovering the Arkansas jurisdictional share of these costs in March 2016, subject to review in the next filed base rate proceeding. In September 2016, SWEPCo filed an additional request to increase the Arkansas retail jurisdictional share of the environmental investment by $10 million, for a total of $79 million. SWEPCo implemented the increase in September 2016. In December 2016, the LPSC approved deferral of certain expenses related to environmental controls installed at Welsh Plant, until these investments are put into base rates. The eligible Welsh Plant deferrals through December 31, 2016 are $8 million, excluding $5 million of unrecognized equity, subject to review by the LPSC, and include a WACC return on environmental investments and the related depreciation expense and taxes. SWEPCo will seek recovery of its project costs from customers at the state commissions and the FERC.

As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of Welsh Plant, Units 1 and 3 was $633 million, before cost of removal, including materials and supplies inventory and CWIP.  In April 2016, Welsh Plant, Unit 2 was retired. Upon retirement, $76 million was reclassified as Regulatory Assets on the balance sheets related to the net book value of Welsh Plant, Unit 2 and the related asset retirement obligation costs. In SWEPCo’s 2016 Texas Base Rate Case, SWEPCo requested recovery of the Texas jurisdictional share (approximately 33%) of the net book value of Welsh Plant, Unit 2 through 2042, the remaining life of Welsh Plant, Unit 3. Management will seek recovery of the remaining Welsh Plant, Unit 2 retirement-related regulatory assets in future rate proceedings.

If any of these costs are not recoverable, including retirement-related costs for Welsh Plant, Unit 2, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

AEP Texas Rate Matters (Applies to AEP)

TCC and TNC Merger

Effective December 31, 2016, TCC and TNC merged into AEP Utilities, Inc., as approved by the FERC and the PUCT in September 2016 and December 2016, respectively. Upon merger, AEP Utilities, Inc. changed its name to AEP Texas Inc., but maintained TCC’s and TNC’s respective customer rates. The PUCT ordered certain post-merger conditions which included a) the sharing of certain interest rate savings with customers and b) an annual credit to customers of approximately $630 thousand for savings resulting from an expected reduction in post-merger debt issuance costs, effective until the next base rate case.


107




AEP Texas Distribution Cost Recovery Factor (DCRF)

In July 2016, the PUCT approved settlement agreements between TCC, TNC and intervenors related to requests for DCRF riders to allow recovery of eligible net distribution investments. The settlement agreement included an annual revenue requirement of $56 million ($45 million for the TCC division and $11 million for the TNC division), effective September 2016. Amounts approved are subject to refund based upon a prudence review of the investments in AEP Texas’ next base rate case.

FERC Rate Matters (Applies to AEP, APCo, I&M and OPCo)

PJM Transmission Rates

In June 2016, PJM transmission owners, including the AEP East Companies, and various state commissions filed a settlement agreement with the FERC to resolve outstanding issues related to cost responsibility for charges to transmission customers for certain transmission facilities that operate at or above 500 kV. In July 2016, certain parties filed comments at the FERC contesting the settlement agreement. Upon final FERC approval, PJM would implement a transmission enhancement charge adjustment through the PJM OATT, billable through 2025. Management expects that any refunds received would generally be returned to retail customers through existing state rider mechanisms.

FERC Transmission Complaint and Proposed Modifications to Transmission Rates

In October 2016, several parties filed a joint complaint with the FERC claiming that the base return on common equity used by various AEP affiliates in calculating formula transmission rates under the PJM OATT is excessive and should be reduced from 10.99% to 8.32%, effective upon the date of the complaint. In November 2016, AEP affiliates filed an application with the FERC to modify the FERC formula transmission rate calculation, including adjustments for certain tax issues and a shift from historical to estimated expenses with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2017. The rates will be implemented based upon the date provided in the pending FERC order, subject to refund. Management believes its financial statements adequately address the impact of the complaint and the proposed modifications to AEP’s transmission rates in PJM. If the FERC orders revenue reductions as a result of the complaint, including refunds from the date of the complaint filing, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

Other Rate Matters (Applies to AEP, PSO and SWEPCo)

SPP OATT Upgrade Costs

Under the SPP OATT, costs of sponsor-funded transmission upgrades may be recovered, in part, from SPP customers whose transmission service is dependent upon capacity enabled by the upgrades. Prior to 2016, SPP had not charged its customers any amounts attributable to these upgrades. In November 2016, SPP billed transmission service customers, including PSO and SWEPCo, for upgrade costs incurred since 2008. SPP then credited the qualifying transmission upgrade owners, including SWEPCo, for the use of these upgrades. In 2016, PSO and SWEPCo recognized a net unfavorable impact of approximately $3 million and $4 million, respectively, related to the OATT upgrade costs.


108




5.   EFFECTS OF REGULATION

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities are comprised of the following items:
 
 
AEP
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining Recovery Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Current Regulatory Assets
 
(in millions)
 
 
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - earns a return
 
$
61.4

 
$
38.9

 
1 year
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - does not earn a return
 
95.2

 
76.3

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Assets
 
$
156.6

 
$
115.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant
 
$
159.9

 
$

 
 
Ohio Capacity Deferral
 
96.7

 

 
 
Storm Related Costs
 
25.1

 
24.2

 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Materials and Supplies
 
9.1

 
20.9

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
1.3

 

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cook Plant Uprate Project
 
36.3

 

 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
 
29.6

 
59.8

 
 
Storm Related Costs
 
25.9

 
18.2

 
 
Environmental Control Projects
 
24.1

 

 
 
Cook Plant Turbine
 
12.8

 
9.7

 
 
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
0.2

 
13.1

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
29.1

 
22.0

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval (b)
 
450.1

 
167.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant
 
550.6

 
539.3

 
28 years
Ohio Phase-In Recovery Rider
 
218.9

 
304.5

 
2 years
Ohio Capacity Deferral
 
201.9

 
358.7

 
2 years
Meter Replacement Costs
 
99.9

 
90.4

 
11 years
Ohio Distribution Decoupling
 
41.8

 
37.5

 
2 years
Advanced Metering System
 
20.9

 
3.6

 
4 years
Basic Transmission Cost Rider
 
19.9

 

 
2 years
West Virginia Delayed Customer Billing
 
19.5

 

 
2 years
Asset Removal Costs
 
18.7

 
38.1

 
(a)
Mitchell Plant Transfer
 
18.5

 
19.3

 
24 years
Plant Retirement Costs - Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
 
18.3

 
7.6

 
24 years
Storm Related Costs
 
15.3

 
8.8

 
3 years
Red Rock Generating Facility
 
9.1

 
9.3

 
40 years
Ohio Transmission Cost Recovery Rider
 

 
12.3

 

Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
27.6

 
25.5

 
various
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes, Net (c)
 
1,575.0

 
1,385.3

 
62 years
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
1,516.2

 
1,410.5

 
12 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
137.8

 
148.7

 
29 years
Unrealized Loss on Forward Commitments
 
119.1

 
10.7

 
16 years
Cook Plant Nuclear Refueling Outage Levelization
 
75.2

 
26.8

 
3 years
Storm Related Costs
 
58.7

 
94.6

 
4 years
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
49.9

 
33.3

 
5 years
Plant Retirement Costs - Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
 
48.9

 
58.0

 
24 years
Postemployment Benefits
 
39.1

 
42.6

 
5 years
Virginia Transmission Rate Adjustment Clause
 
38.7

 
74.6

 
2 years
Medicare Subsidy
 
37.2

 
41.8

 
8 years
Vegetation Management
 
31.4

 
36.9

 
5 years
Off-system Sales Margin Sharing - Indiana
 
24.3

 
6.8

 
2 years
OVEC Purchased Power
 
22.1

 

 
2 years

109




United Mine Workers of America Pension Withdrawal
 
20.2

 
14.4

 
6 years
Deferred System Reliability Rider Expenses
 
12.5

 
9.9

 
1 year
SPP Base Plan Fees
 
10.7

 

 
2 years
Carbon Capture and Storage Product Validation Facility
 
9.1

 
11.7

 
4 years
IGCC Pre-Construction Costs
 
8.6

 
10.9

 
24 years
Transmission Cost Recovery Factor
 
5.3

 
9.9

 
1 year
Distribution Investment Rider
 
2.0

 
12.3

 
2 years
Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
52.5

 
77.8

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
5,175.4

 
4,972.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
5,625.5

 
$
5,140.3

 
 

(a)
As a regulated entity, removal costs accrued are typically recorded as regulatory liabilities when removal costs accrued exceed actual removal costs incurred. The asset removal costs liability is relieved as removal costs are incurred. As of December 31, 2016, KPCo’s accumulated actual removal cost incurred exceeded accumulated removal cost accrued, creating an asset balance. As a result, the balance was reclassified to a regulatory asset. Within the next two years, KPCo’s removal costs accrued are expected to exceed removal costs incurred resulting in a regulatory liability.
(b)
As of December 31, 2016, APCo has deferred a total of $91 million as charges to accumulated depreciation related to certain plant retirements in 2015. APCo intends to address the need for depreciation rate increases in a subsequent base rate cases.
(c)
Includes $320 million and $288 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, expected to be recovered in formula rates.

 
 
AEP
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Refund Period
Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
(in millions)
 
 
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - pays a return
 
$
3.8

 
$
84.8

 
1 year
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - does not pay a return
 
4.2

 
29.1

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
$
8.0

 
$
113.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities pending final regulatory determination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for Regulatory Loss
 
$

 
$
40.6

 
 
Other Regulatory Liabilities Pending Final Regulatory Determination
 
0.8

 
0.2

 
 
Total Regulatory Liabilities Pending Final Regulatory Determination
 
0.8

 
40.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs (a)
 
2,627.5

 
2,656.5

 
(b)
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Surcharge
 
17.0

 
21.2

 
4 years
Louisiana Refundable Construction Financing Costs
 
16.2

 
37.4

 
2 years
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
12.6

 
14.7

 
42 years
Excess Earnings
 
10.0

 
10.6

 
37 years
Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
1.6

 
20.5

 
various
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess Nuclear Decommissioning Funding
 
731.2

 
636.5

 
(c)
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
132.9

 
113.3

 
46 years
Spent Nuclear Fuel
 
44.2

 
43.4

 
(c)
Transition Charges
 
40.5

 
46.5

 
11 years
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
34.0

 
5.3

 
2 years
Enhanced Service Reliability Plan
 
21.7

 
8.0

 
2 years
   gridSMART® Costs
 
11.9

 

 
2 years
Advanced Metering Costs
 
11.5

 
11.4

 
1 year
Unrealized Gain on Forward Commitments
 
6.2

 
33.8

 
2 years
Deferred Wind Power Costs
 
2.1

 
11.8

 
1 year
Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
29.4

 
24.4

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
3,750.5

 
3,695.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
3,751.3

 
$
3,736.1

 
 

(a)
As of December 31, 2016, I&M also charged $43 million to asset removal costs related to various Tanners Creek Plant related assets, primarily related to the net book value of ARO assets. The Indiana and Michigan retail jurisdictions of I&M have increased depreciation rates on Rockport Plant to recover the net book value of Tanners Creek Plant that was retired in 2015. I&M intends to address the need for increases in depreciation rates to recover the deferral in its next Indiana and Michigan base rate cases.
(b)
Relieved as removal costs are incurred.
(c)
Relieved when plant is decommissioned.


110




 
 
APCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Recovery
Period
Regulatory Assets:
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Current Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - earns a return
 
$
6.2

 
$
27.3

 
1 year
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - does not earn a return
 
62.2

 
59.6

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Assets
 
$
68.4

 
$
86.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Materials and Supplies
 
$
9.1

 
$
9.3

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Asset Retirement Obligation Costs
 
29.6

 
32.7

 
 
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency - Virginia
 

 
12.7

 
 
Amos Plant Transfer Costs - West Virginia
 

 
2.0

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
0.6

 
0.6

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval (a)
 
39.3

 
57.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant - West Virginia
 
85.4

 
86.5

 
27 years
West Virginia Delayed Customer Billing
 
18.1

 

 
2 years
Storm Related Costs - Virginia
 
4.6

 
8.8

 
2 years
RTO Formation/Integration Costs
 
1.6

 
2.1

 
3 years
Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.6

 

 
various
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes, Net (b)
 
463.5

 
441.7

 
26 years
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
221.4

 
217.6

 
12 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
97.2

 
101.5

 
29 years
Storm Related Costs - West Virginia
 
47.8

 
63.5

 
4 years
Virginia Transmission Rate Adjustment Clause
 
38.7

 
74.6

 
2 years
Vegetation Management Program - West Virginia
 
31.4

 
31.2

 
5 years
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
19.2

 
3.5

 
4 years
Postemployment Benefits
 
17.4

 
19.6

 
5 years
Carbon Capture and Storage Product Validation Facility - West Virginia, FERC
 
9.1

 
11.7

 
4 years
IGCC Pre-Construction Costs - West Virginia, FERC
 
7.4

 
9.6

 
4 years
Virginia Generation Rate Adjustment Clause
 
6.5

 
5.2

 
2 years
Medicare Subsidy - West Virginia, FERC
 
4.7

 
5.3

 
8 years
Uncollected Accounts - West Virginia
 
2.7

 
3.5

 
4 years
Deferred Restructuring Costs - West Virginia
 
2.5

 
4.5

 
2 years
Carbon Capture and Storage Commercial Scale Facility - West Virginia, FERC
 
1.0

 
1.2

 
6 years
Asset Retirement Obligation
 
0.6

 
2.4

 
1 year
Transmission Agreement Phase-In - West Virginia
 

 
1.7

 

Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.4

 
1.2

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
1,081.8

 
1,096.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
1,121.1

 
$
1,154.2

 
 

(a)
As of December 31, 2016, APCo has also deferred $91 million as a charge to accumulated depreciation related to the net book value of certain plants retired in 2015, primarily in its Virginia jurisdiction.  These plants were normal retirements and not abandonments.  APCo intends to address the need for an increase in its Virginia depreciation rates in March 2020, as part of its 2018-2019 Virginia biennial filing.
(b)
Includes $64 million and $59 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, expected to be recovered in formula rates.



111




 
 
APCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Refund
Period
Regulatory Liabilities:
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs
 
$
616.9

 
$
612.9

 
(a)
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
0.9

 
1.0

 
42 years
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Rate Relief - West Virginia
 
5.1

 
2.9

 
1 year
Deferred Wind Power Costs - Virginia
 
2.1

 
11.8

 
1 year
Energy Efficiency Rate Adjustment Clause - Virginia
 
1.5

 

 
2 years
Unrealized Gain on Forward Commitments
 
1.3

 
8.4

 
2 years
Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 

 
0.1

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
627.8

 
637.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
627.8

 
$
637.1

 
 

(a)
Relieved as removal costs are incurred.

112




 
 
I&M
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Recovery
Period
Regulatory Assets:
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Current Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - earns a return
 
$
13.0

 
$
7.5

 
1 year
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - does not earn a return
 
13.1

 
4.1

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Assets
 
$
26.1

 
$
11.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Materials and Supplies
 
$

 
$
11.6

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cook Uprate Project
 
36.3

 

 
 
Cook Plant Turbine
 
12.8

 
9.7

 
 
Deferred Cook Plant Life Cycle Management Project Costs - Michigan
 
8.1

 
4.2

 
 
Rockport Plant Dry Sorbent Injection System - Indiana
 
6.6

 
2.8

 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Asset Retirement Obligation Costs - Indiana
 

 
27.1

 
 
Stranded Costs on Abandoned Plants
 

 
3.9

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
0.9

 

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
64.7

 
59.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant
 
252.8

 
260.3

 
28 years
Cook Plant, Unit 2 Baffle Bolts - Indiana
 
6.3

 
6.6

 
22 years
RTO Formation/Integration Costs
 
1.2

 
1.5

 
3 years
Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
1.3

 
1.0

 
various
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes, Net (a)
 
302.6

 
246.8

 
32 years
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
141.9

 
126.4

 
12 years
Cook Plant Nuclear Refueling Outage Levelization
 
75.2

 
26.8

 
3 years
Off-system Sales Margin Sharing - Indiana
 
24.3

 
6.8

 
2 years
Postemployment Benefits
 
11.4

 
10.7

 
5 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
10.7

 
12.0

 
16 years
Medicare Subsidy
 
8.2

 
9.2

 
8 years
Litigation Settlement - Indiana
 
7.6

 
8.6

 
9 years
River Transportation Division Expenses
 
3.7

 

 
1 year
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
3.6

 
10.6

 
2 years
Capacity Costs - Indiana
 
0.4

 
7.5

 
1 year
Unrealized Loss on Forward Commitments
 
0.1

 
3.2

 
2 years
PJM Expense - Indiana
 

 
4.1

 

Storm Related Costs - Indiana
 

 
1.8

 

Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.6

 
1.1

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
851.9

 
745.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
916.6

 
$
804.3

 
 

(a)
Includes $74 million and $69 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, expected to be recovered in formula rates.

113




 
 
I&M
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Refund
Period
Regulatory Liabilities:
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - pays a return
 
$

 
$
0.3

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
$

 
$
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs (a)
 
$
236.5

 
$
350.6

 
(b)
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess Nuclear Decommissioning Funding
 
731.2

 
636.5

 
(c)
Spent Nuclear Fuel
 
44.2

 
43.4

 
(c)
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
38.8

 
35.0

 
20 years
Deferred Cook Plant Life Cycle Management Project Costs - Indiana
 
4.6

 

 
3 years
PJM Expense - Indiana
 
4.2

 

 
2 years
Unrealized Gain on Forward Commitments
 
2.4

 
7.1

 
2 years
Rockport Plant Dry Sorbent Injection
 
1.7

 
0.4

 
2 years
Storm Related Costs - Indiana
 
1.2

 

 
1 year
River Transportation Division Expenses
 

 
1.9

 

Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
0.7

 
1.3

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
1,065.5

 
1,076.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
1,065.5

 
$
1,076.2

 
 

(a)
As of December 31, 2016, I&M has charged $43 million to asset removal costs related to various Tanners Creek Plant related assets, primarily related to the net book value of ARO assets. The Indiana and Michigan retail jurisdictions of I&M have increased depreciation rates on Rockport Plant to recover the net book value of Tanners Creek Plant that was retired in 2015. I&M intends to address the need for increases in depreciation rates to recover the deferral in its next Indiana and Michigan base rate cases.
(b)
Relieved as removal costs are incurred.
(c)
Relieved when plant is decommissioned.

114




 
 
OPCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Recovery
Period
Regulatory Assets:
 
2016

2015
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capacity Deferral
 
$
96.7

 
$

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
gridSMART ® Costs
 
4.1

 
1.3

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
100.8

 
1.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Phase-In Recovery Rider
 
218.9

 
304.5

 
2 years
Capacity Deferral
 
201.9

 
358.7

 
2 years
Distribution Decoupling
 
41.8

 
37.5

 
2 years
Basic Transmission Cost Rider
 
19.9

 

 
2 years
RTO Formation/Integration Costs
 
2.5

 
3.1

 
3 years
Economic Development Rider
 
1.7

 

 
2 years
Transmission Cost Recovery Rider
 

 
12.3

 

Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
225.2

 
219.4

 
12 years
Income Taxes, Net (a)
 
126.4

 
129.0

 
28 years
Unrealized Loss on Forward Commitments
 
118.6

 

 
16 years
OVEC Purchased Power
 
22.1

 

 
2 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
9.1

 
10.4

 
22 years
Medicare Subsidy
 
8.3

 
9.3

 
8 years
Postemployment Benefits
 
6.8

 
7.3

 
5 years
Distribution Investment Rider
 
2.0

 
12.3

 
2 years
Partnership with Ohio Contribution
 
1.4

 
2.4

 
2 years
gridSMART® Costs
 

 
4.5

 

Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.1

 
1.0

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
1,006.7

 
1,111.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
1,107.5

 
$
1,113.0

 
 

(a)
Includes $76 million and $82 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, expected to be recovered in formula rates.


115




 
 
OPCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Refund
Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Regulatory Liabilities:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - does not pay a return
 
$
4.2

 
$
27.6

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
$
4.2

 
$
27.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities pending final regulatory determination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for Regulatory Loss
 
$

 
$
40.6

 
 
Other Regulatory Liabilities Pending Final Regulatory Determination
 
0.2

 
0.2

 
 
Total Regulatory Liabilities Pending Final Regulatory Determination
 
0.2

 
40.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs
 
432.4

 
422.3

 
(a)
Basic Transmission Cost Rider
 
0.3

 
4.9

 
2 years
Economic Development Rider
 

 
5.0

 

Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
29.0

 
1.5

 
2 years
Enhanced Service Reliability Plan
 
21.7

 
8.0

 
2 years
gridSMART ® Costs
 
11.9

 

 
2 years
Storm Related Costs
 
5.3

 
1.3

 
2 years
Deferred Asset Phase-In Rider
 
4.5

 
5.1

 
4 years
Unrealized Gain on Forward Commitments
 

 
15.3

 

Regulatory Settlement
 

 
9.0

 

Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
0.9

 
1.0

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
506.0

 
473.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
506.2

 
$
514.2

 
 

(a)    Relieved as removal costs are incurred.

116




 
 
PSO
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Recovery
Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Regulatory Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - earns a return
 
$
33.8

 
$

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Assets
 
$
33.8

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant
 
$
84.5

 
$

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
0.5

 

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Storm Related Costs
 
20.0

 
12.3

 
 
Environmental Control Projects
 
13.1

 

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 

 
1.1

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
118.1

 
13.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meter Replacement Costs
 
50.1

 
35.8

 
8 years
Storm Related Costs
 
10.8

 

 
3 years
Red Rock Generating Facility
 
9.1

 
9.3

 
40 years
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
98.1

 
95.1

 
12 years
Deferred System Reliability Rider Expenses
 
12.5

 
9.9

 
1 year
Storm Related Costs
 

 
15.4

 
 
SPP Base Plan Fees
 
10.7

 

 
2 years
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
10.3

 
11.8

 
2 years
Income Taxes, Net
 
9.3

 
6.1

 
33 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
5.8

 
6.8

 
16 years
Medicare Subsidy
 
3.9

 
4.4

 
8 years
Rate Case Expenses
 
1.4

 
1.2

 
1 year
Vegetation Management
 

 
4.5

 

Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.1

 
1.1

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
222.1

 
201.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
340.2

 
$
214.8

 
 

117




 
 
PSO
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Refund
Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Regulatory Liabilities:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - pays a return
 
$

 
$
76.1

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
$

 
$
76.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs
 
$
279.3

 
$
275.5

 
(a)
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
48.0

 
46.3

 
38 years
Advanced Metering Costs
 
11.5

 
11.4

 
1 year
Base Plan Funding Costs
 

 
1.3

 

Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
0.9

 
0.6

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
339.7

 
335.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
339.7

 
$
335.1

 
 

(a)
Relieved as removal costs are incurred.


118




 
 
SWEPCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Recovery
Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Regulatory Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Under-recovered Fuel Costs - earns a return
 
$
8.4

 
$
4.1

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Assets
 
$
8.4

 
$
4.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets pending final regulatory approval:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant Retirement Costs - Unrecovered Plant
 
$
75.4

 
$

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
0.8

 

 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental Controls Projects
 
11.0

 

 
 
Shipe Road Transmission Project - FERC
 
3.1

 
3.1

 
 
Asset Retirement Obligation - Arkansas, Louisiana
 
2.7

 
1.7

 
 
Rate Case Expense - Texas
 
1.0

 
0.3

 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
1.9

 
0.8

 
 
Total Regulatory Assets Pending Final Regulatory Approval
 
95.9

 
5.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets approved for recovery:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets Currently Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
1.3

 
0.2

 
various
Regulatory Assets Currently Not Earning a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes, Net
 
314.2

 
271.9

 
34 years
Pension and OPEB Funded Status
 
119.8

 
108.9

 
12 years
Unamortized Loss on Reacquired Debt
 
5.4

 
6.0

 
27 years
Medicare Subsidy
 
4.3

 
4.8

 
8 years
Rate Case Expense - Texas
 
4.2

 
6.8

 
2 years
Peak Demand Reduction/Energy Efficiency
 
3.0

 
1.0

 
2 years
Deferred Restructuring Costs - Louisiana
 
1.9

 
3.5

 
2 years
Unrealized Loss on Forward Commitments
 
0.3

 
5.5

 
1 year
Other Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
0.9

 
1.3

 
various
Total Regulatory Assets Approved for Recovery
 
455.3

 
409.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Assets
 
$
551.2

 
$
415.8

 
 


119




 
 
SWEPCo
 
 
December 31,
 
Remaining
Refund
Period
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Regulatory Liabilities:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Over-recovered Fuel Costs - pays a return
 
$
3.8

 
$
8.4

 
1 year
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities
 
$
3.8

 
$
8.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities approved for payment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Removal Costs
 
$
409.7

 
$
396.8

 
(a)
Refundable Construction Financing Costs - Louisiana
 
16.2

 
37.4

 
2 years
Excess Earnings - Texas
 
2.7

 
2.7

 
37 years
Generation Recovery Rider Costs - Arkansas
 
1.2

 
1.5

 
2 years
Regulatory Liabilities Currently Not Paying a Return
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
7.3

 
8.5

 
14 years
Other Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
1.8

 
1.9

 
various
Total Regulatory Liabilities Approved for Payment
 
438.9

 
448.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
$
438.9

 
$
448.8

 
 

(a)
Relieved as removal costs are incurred.


120




6.   COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

The Registrants are subject to certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In addition, the Registrants business activities are subject to extensive governmental regulation related to public health and the environment.  The ultimate outcome of such pending or potential litigation against the Registrants cannot be predicted.  Management accrues contingent liabilities only when management concludes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When management determines that it is not probable, but rather reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, management discloses such contingencies and the possible loss or range of loss if such estimate can be made. Any estimated range is based on currently available information and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Any estimated range of possible loss may not represent the maximum possible loss exposure. Circumstances change over time and actual results may vary significantly from estimates.

For current proceedings not specifically discussed below, management does not anticipate that the liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings would have a material effect on the financial statements.

COMMITMENTS

Construction and Commitments

The AEP System has substantial construction commitments to support its operations and environmental investments.  In managing the overall construction program and in the normal course of business, AEP subsidiaries contractually commit to third-party construction vendors for certain material purchases and other construction services. Fuel, materials, supplies, services and property, plant and equipment are also purchased under contract as part of the normal course of business.  Certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early termination.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for “Commitments”, the following tables summarize the Registrants’ actual contractual commitments as of December 31, 2016:
Contractual Commitments - AEP
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Fuel Purchase Contracts (a) (b)
 
$
1,407.8

 
$
1,441.6

 
$
985.5

 
$
371.8

 
$
4,206.7

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
215.5

 
437.1

 
439.1

 
1,740.2

 
2,831.9

Total
 
$
1,623.3

 
$
1,878.7

 
$
1,424.6

 
$
2,112.0

 
$
7,038.6

Contractual Commitments - APCo
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Fuel Purchase Contracts (a)
 
$
491.5

 
$
433.8

 
$
415.0

 
$
1.2

 
$
1,341.5

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
33.4

 
68.9

 
72.4

 
430.7

 
605.4

Total
 
$
524.9

 
$
502.7

 
$
487.4

 
$
431.9

 
$
1,946.9

Contractual Commitments - I&M
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Fuel Purchase Contracts (a)
 
$
292.7

 
$
277.8

 
$
221.9

 
$
266.1

 
$
1,058.5

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
118.5

 
247.7

 
249.5

 
497.5

 
1,113.2

Total
 
$
411.2

 
$
525.5

 
$
471.4

 
$
763.6

 
$
2,171.7


121




Contractual Commitments - OPCo
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
$
27.1

 
$
55.9

 
$
58.6

 
$
442.6

 
$
584.2

Total
 
$
27.1

 
$
55.9

 
$
58.6

 
$
442.6

 
$
584.2

Contractual Commitments - PSO
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Fuel Purchase Contracts (a)
 
$
63.9

 
$
55.5

 
$
29.8

 
$
14.9

 
$
164.1

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
90.6

 
181.7

 
179.9

 
282.3

 
734.5

Total
 
$
154.5

 
$
237.2

 
$
209.7

 
$
297.2

 
$
898.6

Contractual Commitments - SWEPCo
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
2-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
Fuel Purchase Contracts (a)
 
$
98.4

 
$
139.7

 
$
69.7

 
$
22.6

 
$
330.4

Energy and Capacity Purchase Contracts
 
32.6

 
66.6

 
62.5

 
175.9

 
337.6

Total
 
$
131.0

 
$
206.3

 
$
132.2

 
$
198.5

 
$
668.0


(a)
Represents contractual commitments to purchase coal, natural gas, uranium and other consumables as fuel for electric generation along with related transportation of the fuel.
(b)
Excludes approximately $1.1 billion of fuel purchase contracts related to plants Held for Sale. See Note 7.

GUARANTEES

Liabilities for guarantees are recorded in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Guarantees.”  There is no collateral held in relation to any guarantees.  In the event any guarantee is drawn, there is no recourse to third parties unless specified below.

Letters of Credit (Applies to AEP, APCo, I&M and OPCo)

Standby letters of credit are entered into with third parties.  These letters of credit are issued in the ordinary course of business and cover items such as natural gas and electricity risk management contracts, construction contracts, insurance programs, security deposits and debt service reserves.

AEP has two revolving credit facilities totaling $3.5 billion. In June 2016, the $1.75 billion credit facility due in June 2017 was amended to $3 billion due in June 2021, under which up to $1.2 billion may be issued as letters of credit on behalf of subsidiaries.  Also in June 2016, the $1.75 billion credit facility due in July 2018 was amended to $500 million due in June 2018. As of December 31, 2016, no letters of credit were issued under the $3 billion revolving credit facility.


122




An uncommitted facility gives the issuer of the facility the right to accept or decline each request made under the facility. AEP also issues letters of credit on behalf of subsidiaries under four uncommitted facilities totaling $300 million.  As of December 31, 2016, the Registrants’ maximum future payments for letters of credit issued under the uncommitted facilities were as follows:
Company
 
Amount
 
Maturity
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
AEP
 
$
149.7

 
January 2017 to February 2018
OPCo
 
0.6

 
September 2017

The Registrants have $291 million of variable rate Pollution Control Bonds supported by $295 million of bilateral letters of credit as follows:
Company
 
Pollution
Control Bonds
 
Bilateral Letters
of Credit
 
Maturity of Bilateral Letters of Credit
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
AEP
 
$
291.4

 
$
294.7

 
March 2017 to July 2017
APCo
 
104.4

 
105.6

 
March 2017
I&M
 
77.0

 
77.9

 
March 2017

Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations (Applies to AEP and SWEPCo)

As part of the process to receive a renewal of a Texas Railroad Commission permit for lignite mining, SWEPCo provides guarantees of mine reclamation of $115 million.  Since SWEPCo uses self-bonding, the guarantee provides for SWEPCo to commit to use its resources to complete the reclamation in the event the work is not completed by Sabine.  This guarantee ends upon depletion of reserves and completion of final reclamation.  Based on the latest study completed in 2010, it is estimated the reserves will be depleted in 2036 with final reclamation completed by 2046 at an estimated cost of approximately $58 million.  Actual reclamation costs could vary due to period inflation and any changes to actual mine reclamation.  As of December 31, 2016, SWEPCo has collected approximately $69 million through a rider for final mine closure and reclamation costs, of which $73 million is recorded in Asset Retirement Obligations, offset by $4 million that is recorded in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on SWEPCo’s balance sheet.

Sabine charges SWEPCo, its only customer, all of its costs.  SWEPCo passes these costs to customers through its fuel clause.

Guarantees of Equity Method Investees (Applies to AEP)

AEP issued a performance guarantee for a 50% owned joint venture which is accounted for as an equity method investment. If the joint venture were to default on payments or performance, AEP would be required to make payments on behalf of the joint venture. As of December 31, 2016, the maximum potential amount of future payments associated with this guarantee was $75 million, which expires in December 2019.

Indemnifications and Other Guarantees

Contracts

The Registrants enter into certain types of contracts which require indemnifications.  Typically these contracts include, but are not limited to, sale agreements, lease agreements, purchase agreements and financing agreements.  Generally, these agreements may include, but are not limited to, indemnifications around certain tax, contractual and environmental matters.  With respect to sale agreements, exposure generally does not exceed the sale price.  As of December 31, 2016, there were no material liabilities recorded for any indemnifications.


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APCo, I&M and OPCo are jointly and severally liable for activity conducted by AEPSC on behalf of AEP companies related to power purchase and sale activity.  PSO and SWEPCo are jointly and severally liable for activity conducted by AEPSC on behalf of PSO and SWEPCo related to power purchase and sale activity.

Lease Obligations

Certain Registrants lease certain equipment under master lease agreements.  See “Master Lease Agreements”, “Railcar Lease” and “AEPRO Boat and Barge Leases” sections of Note 13 for disclosure of lease residual value guarantees.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCIES

The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund) and State Remediation

By-products from the generation of electricity include materials such as ash, slag, sludge, low-level radioactive waste and SNF.  Coal combustion by-products, which constitute the overwhelming percentage of these materials, are typically treated and deposited in captive disposal facilities or are beneficially utilized.  In addition, the generation plants and transmission and distribution facilities have used asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and other hazardous and nonhazardous materials.  The Registrants currently incur costs to dispose of these substances safely.

Superfund addresses clean-up of hazardous substances that are released to the environment.  The Federal EPA administers the clean-up programs.  Several states enacted similar laws.  As of December 31, 2016, APCo and OPCo are named as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) for one site and three sites, respectively, by the Federal EPA for which alleged liability is unresolved.  There are nine additional sites for which APCo, I&M, OPCo and SWEPCo received information requests which could lead to PRP designation.  I&M has also been named potentially liable at two sites under state law including the I&M site discussed in the next paragraph. In those instances where a PRP or defendant has been named, disposal or recycling activities were in accordance with the then-applicable laws and regulations. Superfund does not recognize compliance as a defense, but imposes strict liability on parties who fall within its broad statutory categories.  Liability has been resolved for a number of sites with no significant effect on net income.

In 2008, I&M received a letter from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) concerning conditions at a site under state law and requesting I&M take voluntary action necessary to prevent and/or mitigate public harm.  I&M started remediation work in accordance with a plan approved by MDEQ. In 2014, I&M recorded an accrual for remediation at certain additional sites in Michigan. As a result of receiving approval of completed remediation work from the MDEQ in March 2015, I&M’s accrual was reduced. As of December 31, 2016, I&M’s accrual for all of these sites is $7 million.  As the remediation work is completed, I&M’s cost may change as new information becomes available concerning either the level of contamination at the sites or changes in the scope of remediation.  Management cannot predict the amount of additional cost, if any.

Management evaluates the potential liability for each Superfund site separately, but several general statements can be made about potential future liability.  Allegations that materials were disposed at a particular site are often unsubstantiated and the quantity of materials deposited at a site can be small and often nonhazardous.  Although Superfund liability has been interpreted by the courts as joint and several, typically many parties are named as PRPs for each site and several of the parties are financially sound enterprises.  At present, management’s estimates do not anticipate material cleanup costs for identified Superfund sites, except the I&M sites discussed above.


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NUCLEAR CONTINGENCIES (APPLIES TO AEP AND I&M)

I&M owns and operates the two-unit 2,191 MW Cook Plant under licenses granted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  I&M has a significant future financial commitment to dispose of SNF and to safely decommission and decontaminate the plant.  The licenses to operate the two nuclear units at the Cook Plant expire in 2034 and 2037.  The operation of a nuclear facility also involves special risks, potential liabilities and specific regulatory and safety requirements.  By agreement, I&M is partially liable, together with all other electric utility companies that own nuclear generation units, for a nuclear power plant incident at any nuclear plant in the U.S.  Should a nuclear incident occur at any nuclear power plant in the U.S., the resultant liability could be substantial.

Decommissioning and Low Level Waste Accumulation Disposal

The cost to decommission a nuclear plant is affected by NRC regulations and the SNF disposal program.  Decommissioning costs are accrued over the service life of the Cook Plant.  The most recent decommissioning cost study was performed in 2015.  According to that study, the estimated cost of decommissioning and disposal of low-level radioactive waste is $1.6 billion in 2015 nondiscounted dollars, with additional ongoing costs of $5 million per year for post decommissioning storage of SNF and an eventual cost of $57 million for the subsequent decommissioning of the spent fuel storage facility, also in 2015 nondiscounted dollars. I&M recovers estimated decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant in its rates.  The amounts recovered in rates were $9 million, $9 million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Decommissioning costs recovered from customers are deposited in external trusts.
 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the total decommissioning trust fund balance was $1.9 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively.  Trust fund earnings increase the fund assets and decrease the amount remaining to be recovered from ratepayers.  The decommissioning costs (including interest, unrealized gains and losses and expenses of the trust funds) increase or decrease the recorded liability.

I&M continues to work with regulators and customers to recover the remaining estimated costs of decommissioning the Cook Plant.  However, future net income and cash flows would be reduced and financial condition could be impacted if the cost of SNF disposal and decommissioning continues to increase and cannot be recovered.

SNF Disposal

The federal government is responsible for permanent SNF disposal and assesses fees to nuclear plant owners for SNF disposal.  A fee of one mill per KWh for fuel consumed after April 6, 1983 at the Cook Plant was collected from customers and remitted to the Department of Energy (DOE) through May 14, 2014. In May 2014, pursuant to court order from the U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the DOE adjusted the fee to zero. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, fees and related interest of $266 million and $266 million, respectively, for fuel consumed prior to April 7, 1983 have been recorded as Long-term Debt and funds collected from customers along with related earnings totaling $311 million and $309 million, respectively, to pay the fee are recorded as part of Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on the balance sheets.  I&M has not paid the government the pre-April 1983 fees due to continued delays and uncertainties related to the federal disposal program.

In 2011, I&M signed a settlement agreement with the federal government which permits I&M to make annual filings to recover certain SNF storage costs incurred as a result of the government’s delays in accepting SNF for permanent storage.  Under the settlement agreement, I&M received $6 million, $13 million and $22 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to recover costs and will be eligible to receive additional payment of annual claims for allowed costs that are incurred through December 31, 2016.  In February 2017, the settlement agreement was extended through December 31, 2019. The proceeds reduced costs for dry cask storage.  As of December 31, 2016, I&M has deferred $22 million in Prepayments and Other Current Assets and $5 million in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheet of dry cask storage and related operation and maintenance costs for recovery under this agreement.


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See “Fair Value Measurements of Trust Assets for Decommissioning and SNF Disposal” section of Note 11 for disclosure of the fair value of assets within the trusts.

Nuclear Insurance

I&M carries insurance coverage in the amount of $3 billion for a nuclear incident at the Cook Plant for decontamination, stabilization and extraordinary incidents caused by premature decommissioning.  Insurance coverage for a nonnuclear property incident at the Cook Plant is $1.5 billion.  Additional insurance provides coverage for a weekly indemnity payment resulting from an insured accidental outage.  I&M utilizes industry mutual insurers for the placement of this insurance coverage.  Coverage from these industry mutual insurance programs require a contingent financial obligation of up to $50 million for I&M, which is assessable if the insurer’s financial resources would be inadequate to pay for industry losses.

The Price-Anderson Act, extended through December 31, 2025, establishes insurance protection for public nuclear liability arising from a nuclear incident at $13.4 billion and applies to any incident at a licensed reactor in the U.S.  Commercially available insurance, which must be carried for each licensed reactor, provides $375 million of coverage.  In the event of a nuclear incident at any nuclear plant in the U.S., the remainder of the liability would be provided by a deferred premium assessment of $127 million on each licensed reactor in the U.S. payable in annual installments of $19 million.  As a result, I&M could be assessed $255 million per nuclear incident payable in annual installments of $38 million.  The number of incidents for which payments could be required is not limited.

In the event of an incident of a catastrophic nature, I&M was initially covered for public nuclear liability for the first $375 million through commercially available insurance.  Beginning in January 2017, the coverage increases to $450 million. The next level of liability coverage of up to $13 billion would be covered by claim premium assessments made under the Price-Anderson Act. In the event nuclear losses or liabilities are underinsured or exceed accumulated funds, I&M would seek recovery of those amounts from customers through rate increase. If recovery from customers is not possible, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCIES

Insurance and Potential Losses

The Registrants maintain insurance coverage normal and customary for electric utilities, subject to various deductibles.  The Registrants also maintain property and casualty insurance that may cover certain physical damage or third-party injuries caused by cyber security incidents. Insurance coverage includes all risks of physical loss or damage to nonnuclear assets, subject to insurance policy conditions and exclusions.  Covered property generally includes power plants, substations, facilities and inventories.  Excluded property generally includes transmission and distribution lines, poles and towers.  The insurance programs also generally provide coverage against loss arising from certain claims made by third parties and are in excess of retentions absorbed by the Registrants.  Coverage is generally provided by a combination of the protected cell of EIS and/or various industry mutual and/or commercial insurance carriers.

See “Nuclear Contingencies” section of this footnote for a discussion of I&M’s nuclear exposures and related insurance.

Some potential losses or liabilities may not be insurable or the amount of insurance carried may not be sufficient to meet potential losses and liabilities, including, but not limited to, liabilities relating to a cyber security incident or damage to the Cook Plant and costs of replacement power in the event of an incident at the Cook Plant.  Future losses or liabilities, if they occur, which are not completely insured, unless recovered from customers, could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.


126




Rockport Plant Litigation (Applies to AEP and I&M)

In July 2013, the Wilmington Trust Company filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against AEGCo and I&M alleging that it will be unlawfully burdened by the terms of the modified NSR consent decree after the Rockport Plant, Unit 2 lease expiration in December 2022.  The terms of the consent decree allow the installation of environmental emission control equipment, repowering or retirement of the unit.  The plaintiff further alleges that the defendants’ actions constitute breach of the lease and participation agreement.  The plaintiff seeks a judgment declaring that the defendants breached the lease, must satisfy obligations related to installation of emission control equipment and indemnify the plaintiff.  The New York court granted a motion to transfer this case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  In October 2013, a motion to dismiss the case was filed on behalf of AEGCo and I&M. In January 2015, the court issued an opinion and order granting the motion in part and denying the motion in part. The court dismissed certain of the plaintiff’s claims. Several claims remained, including the claim for breach of the participation agreement and a claim alleging breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In June 2015, AEGCo and I&M filed a motion for partial judgment on the claims seeking dismissal of the breach of participation agreement claim as well as any claim for indemnification of costs associated with this case. The plaintiff subsequently filed an amended complaint to add another claim under the lease and also filed a motion for partial summary judgment. In November 2015, AEGCo and I&M filed a motion to strike the plaintiff’s motion for partial judgment and filed a motion to dismiss the case for failure to state a claim. In March 2016, the court entered an opinion and order in favor of AEGCo and I&M, dismissing certain of the plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract and dismissing claims for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and further dismissing plaintiffs’ claim for indemnification of costs. By the same order, the court permitted plaintiffs to move forward with their claim that AEGCo and I&M failed to exercise prudent utility practices in the maintenance and operation of Rockport Plant, Unit 2. In April 2016, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of all remaining claims with prejudice and the court subsequently entered a final judgment. In May 2016, Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on whether AEGCo and I&M are in breach of certain contract provisions that Plaintiffs allege operate to protect the Plaintiffs’ residual interests in the unit and whether the trial court erred in dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims that AEGCo and I&M breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This matter is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Management is unable to determine a range of potential losses that are reasonably possible of occurring.

Natural Gas Markets Lawsuits (Applies to AEP)

In 2002, a lawsuit was commenced in Los Angeles County California Superior Court against numerous energy companies, including AEP, alleging violations of California law through alleged fraudulent reporting of false natural gas price and volume information with an intent to affect the market price of natural gas and electricity.  AEP was dismissed from the case.  A number of similar cases were also filed in state and federal courts in several states making essentially the same allegations under federal or state laws against the same companies.  AEP is among the companies named as defendants in some of these cases.  AEP settled, received summary judgment or was dismissed from all of these cases.  The plaintiffs appealed the Nevada federal district court’s dismissal of several cases involving AEP companies to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  In April 2013, the appellate court reversed in part, and affirmed in part, the district court’s orders in these cases.  The United States Supreme Court affirmed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s opinion.  The cases were remanded to the district court for further proceedings. AEP had four pending cases, of which three are class actions and one is a single plaintiff case. A settlement has been reached in the three class actions and the district court issued preliminary approval of that settlement on January 26, 2017. In May 2016, the district court dismissed the remaining case. In December 2016, the plaintiff appealed the dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In February 2017, a tentative settlement was reached for the remaining case, subject to final documentation. Management does not expect the settlement to have a material impact on the financial statements.


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Gavin Landfill Litigation (Applies to AEP and OPCo)
In August 2014, a complaint was filed in the Mason County, West Virginia Circuit Court against AEP, AEPSC, OPCo and an individual supervisor alleging wrongful death and personal injury/illness claims arising out of purported exposure to coal combustion by-product waste at the Gavin Plant landfill.  As a result of OPCo transferring its generation assets to AGR, the outcome of this complaint will be the responsibility of AGR. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 77 plaintiffs, consisting of 39 current and former contractors of the landfill and 38 family members of those contractors.  Twelve of the family members are pursuing personal injury/illness claims (non-working direct claims) and the remainder are pursuing loss of consortium claims.  The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, as well as medical monitoring.  In September 2014, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, contending the case should be filed in Ohio. In August 2015, the court denied the motion. Defendants appealed that decision to the West Virginia Supreme Court. In February 2016, a decision was issued by the court denying the appeal and remanding the case to the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel (WVMLP), rather than back to the Mason County, West Virginia Circuit Court. Defendants’ subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the twelve non-working direct claims under Ohio law. The WVMLP denied the motion and defendants again appealed to the West Virginia Supreme Court. The West Virginia Supreme Court granted the appeal of the twelve non-working direct claims and stayed the entire case pending oral argument in March 2017. Management will continue to defend against the claims and believes the provision recorded is adequate. Management is unable to determine a range of potential additional losses that are reasonably possible of occurring.

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7.   DISPOSITIONS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND IMPAIRMENTS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

DISPOSITIONS

2016

Tanners Creek Plant (Vertically Integrated Utilities Segment) (Applies to AEP and I&M)

In October 2016, I&M sold its retired Tanners Creek Plant site including its associated asset retirement obligations (AROs) to a nonaffiliated party.  I&M paid $92 million and the nonaffiliated party took ownership of the Tanners Creek plant site assets and assumed responsibility for environmental liabilities and AROs, including ash pond closure, asbestos abatement and decommissioning and demolition.  I&M did not record a gain or loss related to this sale and will address recovery of Tanners Creek deferred costs in future rate proceedings. If any of the costs associated with Tanners Creek are not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and impact financial condition.

2015

Muskingum River Plant (Generation & Marketing Segment)

In August 2015, AGR sold its retired Muskingum River Plant site including its associated asset retirement obligations to a nonaffiliated party.  AGR paid $48 million and the nonaffiliated party took ownership of the Muskingum River Plant site assets and assumed responsibility for environmental liabilities and AROs, including ash pond closure, asbestos abatement and decommissioning and demolition.  As a result of the sale, a net gain of $32 million was recognized and recorded in Other Operation on the statements of income.  The cash paid was recorded in Operating Activities on the statements of cash flows.  

AEPRO (Corporate and Other)

In October 2015, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEPRO, to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in November 2015. The nonaffiliated party acquired AEPRO by purchasing all of the common stock of AEP Resources, Inc., the parent company of AEPRO.  The nonaffiliated party assumed certain assets and liabilities of AEPRO, excluding the equity method investment in International Marine Terminals, LLC, pension and benefit assets and liabilities and debt obligations. Prior to the closing of the sale, AEP retired the debt obligations of AEPRO. AEP retained ownership of its captive barge fleet that delivers coal to the company’s regulated coal-fueled power plant units owned or leased by AEGCo, APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo.  AEP signed a contract with the nonaffiliated party to dispatch and schedule its captive barge fleet for the company’s regulated coal-fueled power plant units.  AEP also had a separate contract with the nonaffiliated party to barge coal for AGR. These agreements with the nonaffiliated party extend through the end of 2019.

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Results of operations of AEPRO have been classified as discontinued operations on AEP’s statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, as shown in the following table:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Other Revenues
 
$
447.1

 
$
641.6

 
 
 
 
 
Other Operation Expense
 
321.3

 
459.5

Maintenance Expense
 
21.5

 
32.6

Depreciation and Amortization Expense
 
26.9

 
31.5

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes
 
10.6

 
14.2

Total Expenses
 
380.3

 
537.8

 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
(16.9
)
 
(17.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Pretax Income of Discontinued Operations
 
49.9

 
86.7

Income Tax Expense
 
19.4

 
39.0

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
Income from Discontinued Operations of AEPRO
 
30.4

 
47.5

 
 
 
 
 
Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations
 
240.1

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
(13.2
)
 

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
253.3

 

 
 
 
 
 
Total Income on Discontinued Operations as Presented on the Statements of Income
 
$
283.7

 
$
47.5


In the second quarter of 2016, AEP recorded a $3 million loss related to the final accounting for the sale of AEPRO, which was recorded in Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, on AEP’s statements of income.

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

2016

Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)
In September 2016, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell AGR’s Gavin, Waterford and Darby plants as well as AEGCo’s Lawrenceburg plant totaling 5,329 MWs of competitive generation assets for approximately $2.2 billion to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in January 2017.


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In the third quarter of 2016, management determined the disposal group met the classification of held for sale. Accordingly, the four plants’ assets and liabilities have been recorded as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Held for Sale on AEP’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and as shown in the table below. The Income from Continuing Operations before Income Tax Expense (Credit) and Equity Earnings of the four plants was approximately $375 million, $451 million and $444 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
Assets:
 
(in millions)
Fuel
 
$
145.5

Materials and Supplies
 
49.4

Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
1,756.2

Other Class of Assets That Are Not Major
 
0.1

Total Assets Classified as Held for Sale on the Balance Sheets
 
$
1,951.2

 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
Long-term Debt
 
$
134.8

Waterford Plant Upgrade Liability
 
52.2

Asset Retirement Obligations
 
36.7

Other Classes of Liabilities That Are Not Major
 
12.2

Total Liabilities Classified as Held for Sale on the Balance Sheets
 
$
235.9


IMPAIRMENTS

2016

Merchant Generating Assets (Generation & Marketing Segment)

In September 2016, due to AEP’s ongoing evaluation of strategic alternatives for its merchant generation assets, declining forecasts of future energy and capacity prices, and a decreasing likelihood of cost recovery through regulatory proceedings or legislation in the state of Ohio providing for the recovery of AEP’s existing Ohio merchant generation assets, AEP performed an impairment analysis at the unit level on the remaining merchant generation assets in accordance with accounting guidance for impairments of long-lived assets. Cardinal, Unit 1, a 43.5% interest in Conesville, Unit 4, Conesville, Units 5 and 6, a 26% interest in Stuart, Units 1-4, a 25.4% interest in Zimmer, Unit 1, and a 54.7% interest in Oklaunion (collectively the “Merchant Coal-Fired Generation Assets”) were subject to this analysis. Additionally, Racine Hydroelectric Plant (“Racine”), Putnam and I&M’s Price River coal reserves (“Coal Reserves”) and Desert Sky and Trent Wind Farms (“Wind Farms”) were also included in this analysis. For the Merchant Coal-Fired Generation Assets, Racine and the Wind Farms, AEP performed step one of the impairment analysis using undiscounted cash flows for the estimated useful lives of the assets based upon energy and capacity price curves, as applicable, which were developed internally with both observable Level 2 third party quotations and unobservable Level 3 inputs, as well as management’s forecasts of operating expenses and capital expenditures. The step one analysis concluded the book value of Racine would be recovered and the book value of the remaining assets would not be recovered.

AEP performed step two of the impairment analysis on the Merchant Coal-Fired Generation Assets using a ten-year discounted cash flow model based upon forecasted energy and capacity price curves, which were developed internally using both observable Level 2 third party quotations and unobservable Level 3 inputs, as well as management’s forecasts of operating expenses and capital expenditures. The step two analysis resulted in projected negative cash flows. Based on this result, coupled with the significant capital investments necessary to comply with environmental rules to allow the Merchant Coal-Fired Generation Assets to operate to the end of their currently estimated depreciable lives and the joint-ownership structure of these facilities, management determined the fair value of these assets was $0. AEP performed step two of the impairment analysis on the Wind Farms using a ten-year discounted cash flow model utilizing forecasted energy price curves, which were developed internally using both observable Level 2 third party quotations and unobservable Level 3 inputs, as well as management’s forecasts of operating expenses and capital expenditures. The results concluded the Wind Farms were also impaired.

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For the Coal Reserves, AEP performed step one of the impairment analysis and concluded the book value of the assets would not be recovered. Step two of the impairment analysis on the Coal Reserves was performed using a market approach with Level 3 unobservable inputs. The results concluded the Coal Reserves were also impaired.
Based on the impairment analysis performed, in the third quarter of 2016, AEP recorded a pretax impairment of $2.3 billion in Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges on the statements of income. See the table below for additional information.
Impaired Assets
 
Book Value
 
Fair Value
 
Impairment
 
 
(in millions)
Merchant Coal-Fired Generation Assets
 
$
2,139.4

 
$

 
$
2,139.4

Trent and Desert Sky Wind Farms
 
118.7

 
46.0

 
72.7

Coal Reserves (a)
 
56.6

 
3.8

 
52.8

Total
 
$
2,314.7

 
$
49.8

 
$
2,264.9


(a)
Includes the $11 million book value of I&M’s Price River Coal Reserves which were fully impaired. This $11 million impairment is reflected in the Vertically Integrated Utilities Segment.

Based on capital expenditure activity of the Merchant Coal-fired Generation Assets in the fourth quarter of 2016, AEP recorded a pretax impairment of an additional $3 million in Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges on AEP’s statements of income.

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8.   BENEFIT PLANS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

For a discussion of investment strategy, investment limitations, target asset allocations and the classification of investments within the fair value hierarchy, see “Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities” and “Investments Held in Trust for Future Liabilities” sections of Note 1.

AEP sponsors a qualified pension plan and two unfunded nonqualified pension plans.  Substantially all AEP employees are covered by the qualified plan or both the qualified and a nonqualified pension plan.  AEP also sponsors OPEB plans to provide health and life insurance benefits for retired employees.

Due to the Registrant Subsidiaries’ participation in AEP’s benefits plans, the assumptions used by the actuary and the accounting for the plans by each subsidiary are the same.  This section details the assumptions that apply to all Registrants and the rate of compensation increase for each Registrant.

The Registrants recognize the funded status associated with defined benefit pension and OPEB plans on the balance sheets.  Disclosures about the plans are required by the “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” accounting guidance.  The Registrants recognize an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status, and recognize, as a component of other comprehensive income, the changes in the funded status of the plan that arise during the year that are not recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.  The Registrants record a regulatory asset instead of other comprehensive income for qualifying benefit costs of regulated operations that for ratemaking purposes are deferred for future recovery.  The cumulative funded status adjustment is equal to the remaining unrecognized deferrals for unamortized actuarial losses or gains, prior service costs and transition obligations, such that remaining deferred costs result in an AOCI equity reduction or regulatory asset and deferred gains result in an AOCI equity addition or regulatory liability.

Actuarial Assumptions for Benefit Obligations

The weighted-average assumptions used in the measurement of the Registrants’ benefit obligations are shown in the following tables:
 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
Assumption
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Discount Rate
 
4.05
%
 
4.30
%
 
4.10
%
 
4.30
%
 
 
Pension Plans
 
 
December 31,
Assumption  Rate of Compensation Increase (a)
 
2016
 
2015
AEP
 
4.75
%
 
4.80
%
APCo
 
4.55
%
 
4.45
%
I&M
 
4.80
%
 
4.75
%
OPCo
 
4.85
%
 
4.85
%
PSO
 
4.90
%
 
4.85
%
SWEPCo
 
4.75
%
 
4.80
%

(a)
Rates are for base pay only.  In addition, an amount is added to reflect target incentive compensation for exempt employees and overtime and incentive pay for nonexempt employees.

A duration-based method is used to determine the discount rate for the plans.  A hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds is constructed with cash flows matching the benefit plan liability.  The composite yield on the hypothetical bond portfolio is used as the discount rate for the plan.  The discount rate is the same for each Registrant.

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For 2016, the rate of compensation increase assumed varies with the age of the employee, ranging from 3.5% per year to 12% per year, with the average increase shown in the table above.  The compensation increase rates reflect variations in each Registrants’ population participating in the pension plan.

Actuarial Assumptions for Net Periodic Benefit Costs

The weighted-average assumptions used in the measurement of each Registrants’ benefit costs are shown in the following tables:
 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
January 1,
Assumptions
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Discount Rate
 
4.30
%
 
4.00
%
 
4.70
%
 
4.30
%
 
4.00
%
 
4.70
%
Expected Return on Plan Assets
 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
7.00
%
 
6.75
%
 
6.75
%
 
 
Pension Plans
 
 
January 1,
Assumption Rate of Compensation Increase (a)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
AEP
 
4.75
%
 
4.80
%
 
4.85
%
APCo
 
4.55
%
 
4.45
%
 
4.60
%
I&M
 
4.80
%
 
4.80
%
 
4.90
%
OPCo
 
4.85
%
 
4.80
%
 
5.00
%
PSO
 
4.90
%
 
4.80
%
 
4.90
%
SWEPCo
 
4.75
%
 
4.80
%
 
4.85
%

(a)
Rates are for base pay only.  In addition, an amount is added to reflect target incentive compensation for exempt employees and overtime and incentive pay for nonexempt employees.

The expected return on plan assets was determined by evaluating historical returns, the current investment climate (yield on fixed income securities and other recent investment market indicators), rate of inflation, third party forecasts and current prospects for economic growth.  The expected return on plan assets is the same for each Registrant.

The health care trend rate assumptions used for OPEB plans measurement purposes are shown below:
 
 
January 1,
Health Care Trend Rates
 
2016
 
2015
Initial
 
7.00
%
 
6.25
%
Ultimate
 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
Year Ultimate Reached
 
2024

 
2020



134




Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the OPEB health care plans.  A 1% change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost Components of Net Periodic Postretirement Health Care Benefit Cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1% Increase
 
$
3.1

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

1% Decrease
 
(2.3
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect on the Health Care Component of the Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1% Increase
 
$
58.8

 
$
12.6

 
$
5.6

 
$
5.5

 
$
2.6

 
$
2.9

1% Decrease
 
(50.7
)
 
(10.6
)
 
(4.9
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(2.6
)

Significant Concentrations of Risk within Plan Assets

In addition to establishing the target asset allocation of plan assets, the investment policy also places restrictions on securities to limit significant concentrations within plan assets.  The investment policy establishes guidelines that govern maximum market exposure, security restrictions, prohibited asset classes, prohibited types of transactions, minimum credit quality, average portfolio credit quality, portfolio duration and concentration limits.  The guidelines were established to mitigate the risk of loss due to significant concentrations in any investment.  Management monitors the plans to control security diversification and ensure compliance with the investment policy.  As of December 31, 2016, the assets were invested in compliance with all investment limits.  See “Investments Held in Trust for Future Liabilities” section of Note 1 for limit details.

Benefit Plan Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets and funded status.  The benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension and OPEB plans are the projected benefit obligation and the accumulated benefit obligation, respectively.
AEP
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
4,992.9

 
$
5,224.9

 
$
1,450.6

 
$
1,439.0

Service Cost
 
85.8

 
93.5

 
10.2

 
12.2

Interest Cost
 
211.6

 
205.3

 
60.9

 
56.8

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
142.7

 
(200.6
)
 
17.3

 
37.2

Benefit Payments
 
(347.2
)
 
(330.2
)
 
(130.2
)
 
(128.7
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
37.8

 
33.3

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 
0.8

 
0.8

Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
5,085.8

 
$
4,992.9

 
$
1,447.4

 
$
1,450.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
4,767.6

 
$
4,967.5

 
$
1,577.4

 
$
1,693.9

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
315.5

 
32.4

 
56.0

 
(34.0
)
Company Contributions
 
91.4

 
97.9

 
4.9

 
12.9

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
37.8

 
33.3

Benefit Payments
 
(347.2
)
 
(330.2
)
 
(130.2
)
 
(128.7
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
4,827.3

 
$
4,767.6

 
$
1,545.9

 
$
1,577.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded (Underfunded) Status as of December 31,
 
$
(258.5
)
 
$
(225.3
)
 
$
98.5

 
$
126.8


135




APCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
653.4

 
$
702.8

 
$
262.2

 
$
267.1

Service Cost
 
8.1

 
8.7

 
1.0

 
1.1

Interest Cost
 
27.2

 
26.7

 
10.8

 
10.3

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
9.2

 
(41.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
2.5

Benefit Payments
 
(43.9
)
 
(43.4
)
 
(24.8
)
 
(24.7
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
6.4

 
5.7

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
654.0

 
$
653.4

 
$
255.6

 
$
262.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
603.2

 
$
642.3

 
$
256.7

 
$
280.6

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
38.3

 
(5.7
)
 
5.9

 
(7.7
)
Company Contributions
 
8.8

 
10.0

 
2.7

 
2.8

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
6.4

 
5.7

Benefit Payments
 
(43.9
)
 
(43.4
)
 
(24.8
)
 
(24.7
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
606.4

 
$
603.2

 
$
246.9

 
$
256.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underfunded Status as of December 31,
 
$
(47.6
)
 
$
(50.2
)
 
$
(8.7
)
 
$
(5.5
)
I&M
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
591.5

 
$
617.9

 
$
166.3

 
$
161.7

Service Cost
 
12.2

 
12.9

 
1.5

 
1.6

Interest Cost
 
25.3

 
24.5

 
7.0

 
6.4

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
20.1

 
(28.4
)
 
3.8

 
7.7

Benefit Payments
 
(37.5
)
 
(35.4
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(15.2
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
4.6

 
4.0

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
611.6

 
$
591.5

 
$
167.6

 
$
166.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
570.0

 
$
591.7

 
$
189.0

 
$
202.4

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
40.6

 
(0.9
)
 
8.7

 
(2.3
)
Company Contributions
 
13.0

 
14.6

 

 
0.1

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
4.6

 
4.0

Benefit Payments
 
(37.5
)
 
(35.4
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(15.2
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
586.1

 
$
570.0

 
$
186.6

 
$
189.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded (Underfunded) Status as of December 31,
 
$
(25.5
)
 
$
(21.5
)
 
$
19.0

 
$
22.7


136




OPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
497.5

 
$
526.3

 
$
168.6

 
$
164.7

Service Cost
 
6.5

 
6.7

 
0.8

 
0.9

Interest Cost
 
20.6

 
20.3

 
7.0

 
6.4

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
4.7

 
(19.5
)
 
(1.0
)
 
8.7

Benefit Payments
 
(36.4
)
 
(36.3
)
 
(16.2
)
 
(16.3
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
4.7

 
4.3

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 
0.1

 
(0.1
)
Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
492.9

 
$
497.5

 
$
164.0

 
$
168.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
472.1

 
$
498.5

 
$
191.6

 
$
206.2

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
30.9

 
2.2

 
2.5

 
(2.6
)
Company Contributions
 
7.2

 
7.7

 

 

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
4.7

 
4.3

Benefit Payments
 
(36.4
)
 
(36.3
)
 
(16.2
)
 
(16.3
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
473.8

 
$
472.1

 
$
182.6

 
$
191.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded (Underfunded) Status as of December 31,
 
$
(19.1
)
 
$
(25.4
)
 
$
18.6

 
$
23.0

PSO
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
265.4

 
$
285.4

 
$
77.7

 
$
76.7

Service Cost
 
6.2

 
6.4

 
0.6

 
0.7

Interest Cost
 
11.2

 
10.9

 
3.3

 
3.0

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
3.1

 
(17.9
)
 
1.0

 
2.4

Benefit Payments
 
(19.2
)
 
(19.4
)
 
(7.2
)
 
(7.1
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
2.2

 
1.9

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 

 
0.1

Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
266.7

 
$
265.4

 
$
77.6

 
$
77.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
262.1

 
$
275.5

 
$
88.3

 
$
96.0

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
17.3

 
0.1

 
3.1

 
(2.5
)
Company Contributions
 
5.8

 
5.9

 

 

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
2.2

 
1.9

Benefit Payments
 
(19.2
)
 
(19.4
)
 
(7.2
)
 
(7.1
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
266.0

 
$
262.1

 
$
86.4

 
$
88.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded (Underfunded) Status as of December 31,
 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
8.8

 
$
10.6


137




SWEPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
(in millions)
Benefit Obligation as of January 1,
 
$
282.8

 
$
298.2

 
$
86.1

 
$
85.0

Service Cost
 
8.1

 
8.3

 
0.8

 
0.8

Interest Cost
 
12.4

 
11.8

 
3.6

 
3.4

Actuarial (Gain) Loss
 
13.8

 
(16.2
)
 
1.5

 
2.1

Benefit Payments
 
(20.5
)
 
(19.3
)
 
(7.5
)
 
(7.4
)
Participant Contributions
 

 

 
2.4

 
2.1

Medicare Subsidy
 

 

 

 
0.1

Benefit Obligation as of December 31,
 
$
296.6

 
$
282.8

 
$
86.9

 
$
86.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of January 1,
 
$
280.6

 
$
290.2

 
$
97.8

 
$
106.4

Actual Gain (Loss) on Plan Assets
 
18.8

 
1.6

 
4.1

 
(3.3
)
Company Contributions
 
8.4

 
8.1

 

 

Participant Contributions
 

 

 
2.4

 
2.1

Benefit Payments
 
(20.5
)
 
(19.3
)
 
(7.5
)
 
(7.4
)
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31,
 
$
287.3

 
$
280.6

 
$
96.8

 
$
97.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded (Underfunded) Status as of December 31,
 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(2.2
)
 
$
9.9

 
$
11.7


Amounts Recognized on the Balance Sheets
 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
AEP
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets – Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$

 
$

 
$
154.5

 
$
185.8

Other Current Liabilities – Accrued Short-term Benefit Liability
 
(5.9
)
 
(6.3
)
 
(3.0
)
 
(3.3
)
Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations – Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(252.6
)
 
(219.0
)
 
(53.0
)
 
(55.7
)
Funded (Underfunded) Status
 
$
(258.5
)
 
$
(225.3
)
 
$
98.5

 
$
126.8

 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
APCo
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets – Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$

 
$

 
$
25.2

 
$
30.8

Other Current Liabilities – Accrued Short-term Benefit Liability
 

 

 
(2.4
)
 
(2.6
)
Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations – Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(47.6
)
 
(50.2
)
 
(31.5
)
 
(33.7
)
Underfunded Status
 
$
(47.6
)
 
$
(50.2
)
 
$
(8.7
)
 
$
(5.5
)

138




 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
I&M
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets – Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$

 
$

 
$
19.0

 
$
22.7

Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities – Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(25.5
)
 
(21.5
)
 

 

Funded (Underfunded) Status
 
$
(25.5
)
 
$
(21.5
)
 
$
19.0

 
$
22.7

 
 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
OPCo
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets – Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$

 
$

 
$
18.6

 
$
23.0

Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations – Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(19.1
)
 
(25.4
)
 

 

Funded (Underfunded) Status
 
$
(19.1
)
 
$
(25.4
)
 
$
18.6

 
$
23.0

 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
PSO
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Employee Benefits and Pension Assets – Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$
1.6

 
$

 
$
8.8

 
$
10.6

Other Current Liabilities – Accrued Short-term Benefit Liability
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 

Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations – Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(2.1
)
 
(3.1
)
 

 

Funded (Underfunded) Status
 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
8.8

 
$
10.6

 
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
SWEPCo
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets –
Prepaid Benefit Costs
 
$

 
$

 
$
9.9

 
$
11.7

Other Current Liabilities – Accrued Short-term
Benefit Liability
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 

 

Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations –
Accrued Long-term Benefit Liability
 
(9.2
)
 
(2.1
)
 

 

Funded (Underfunded) Status
 
$
(9.3
)
 
$
(2.2
)
 
$
9.9

 
$
11.7



139




Amounts Included in AOCI and Regulatory Assets
AEP
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
1,569.8

 
$
1,546.1

 
$
614.4

 
$
577.4

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 
1.0

 
3.3

 
(485.4
)
 
(554.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
1,415.6

 
$
1,385.2

 
$
90.4

 
$
15.1

Deferred Income Taxes
 
54.4

 
57.5

 
13.5

 
2.8

Net of Tax AOCI
 
100.8

 
106.7

 
25.1

 
5.1

APCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
216.2

 
$
220.8

 
$
92.9

 
$
86.9

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 
0.2

 
0.3

 
(70.5
)
 
(80.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
213.7

 
$
218.3

 
$
7.7

 
$
(0.7
)
Deferred Income Taxes
 
1.0

 
1.0

 
5.1

 
2.4

Net of Tax AOCI
 
1.7

 
1.8

 
9.6

 
4.6

I&M
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
133.2

 
$
130.0

 
$
81.3

 
$
77.1

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 
0.2

 
0.3

 
(66.3
)
 
(75.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
128.2

 
$
125.3

 
$
13.7

 
$
1.1

Deferred Income Taxes
 
1.8

 
1.8

 
0.5

 
0.1

Net of Tax AOCI
 
3.4

 
3.2

 
0.8

 
0.2

OPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
215.4

 
$
222.0

 
$
58.2

 
$
52.6

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 
0.1

 
0.2

 
(48.5
)
 
(55.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
215.5

 
$
222.2

 
$
9.7

 
$
(2.8
)

140




PSO
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
91.0

 
$
94.1

 
$
37.3

 
$
35.2

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 

 
0.3

 
(30.2
)
 
(34.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
91.0

 
$
94.4

 
$
7.1

 
$
0.7

SWEPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
103.8

 
$
97.1

 
$
45.4

 
$
43.3

Prior Service Cost (Credit)
 
0.1

 
0.4

 
(36.6
)
 
(41.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Assets
 
$
103.9

 
$
97.5

 
$
5.7

 
$
1.2

Deferred Income Taxes
 

 

 
1.1

 
0.2

Net of Tax AOCI
 

 

 
2.0

 
0.3


Components of the change in amounts included in AOCI and Regulatory Assets by Registrant are as follows:
AEP
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial Loss During the Year
 
$
107.5

 
$
41.8

 
$
68.4

 
$
176.3

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(83.8
)
 
(107.1
)
 
(31.4
)
 
(18.8
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(2.3
)
 
(2.2
)
 
69.0

 
69.1

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
21.4

 
$
(67.5
)
 
$
106.0

 
$
226.6

APCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial (Gain) Loss During the Year
 
$
6.2

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
11.4

 
$
24.7

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(10.8
)
 
(13.9
)
 
(5.4
)
 
(3.6
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
10.1

 
10.0

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
(4.7
)
 
$
(14.4
)
 
$
16.1

 
$
31.1

I&M
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial Loss During the Year
 
$
13.2

 
$
4.7

 
$
7.9

 
$
24.7

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(10.0
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(2.0
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
9.4

 
9.4

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
3.1

 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
13.6

 
$
32.1


141




OPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial Loss During the Year
 
$
1.5

 
$
5.8

 
$
9.4

 
$
24.0

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(8.1
)
 
(10.5
)
 
(3.8
)
 
(2.1
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
6.9

 
7.0

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
(6.7
)
 
$
(4.9
)
 
$
12.5

 
$
28.9

PSO
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial (Gain) Loss During the Year
 
$
1.3

 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
3.9

 
$
10.9

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(4.4
)
 
(5.7
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(1.0
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
4.3

 
4.3

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(8.8
)
 
$
6.4

 
$
14.2

SWEPCo
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Components
 
(in millions)
Actuarial (Gain) Loss During the Year
 
$
11.5

 
$
(1.8
)
 
$
4.0

 
$
12.0

Amortization of Actuarial Loss
 
(4.8
)
 
(6.0
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(1.1
)
Amortization of Prior Service Credit (Cost)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.3
)
 
5.0

 
5.2

Change for the Year Ended December 31,
 
$
6.4

 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
7.1

 
$
16.1


Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans’ Assets

The fair value tables within Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans’ Assets present the classification of assets for AEP within the fair value hierarchy. All Level 1, 2, 3 and Other amounts can be allocated to the Registrant Subsidiaries using the percentages in the table below:
 
 
Pension Plan
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
APCo
 
12.6
%
 
12.7
%
 
16.0
%
 
16.3
%
I&M
 
12.1
%
 
12.0
%
 
12.1
%
 
12.0
%
OPCo
 
9.8
%
 
9.9
%
 
11.8
%
 
12.1
%
PSO
 
5.5
%
 
5.5
%
 
5.6
%
 
5.6
%
SWEPCo
 
6.0
%
 
5.9
%
 
6.3
%
 
6.2
%

142




The following table presents the classification of pension plan assets for AEP within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2016:
Asset Class
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
 
Year End
Allocation
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Equities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
 
$
354.7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
354.7

 
7.3
 %
International
 
439.2

 

 

 

 
439.2

 
9.1
 %
Options
 

 
20.0

 

 

 
20.0

 
0.4
 %
Real Estate Investment Trusts
 
3.1

 

 

 

 
3.1

 
0.1
 %
Common Collective Trusts (c)
 

 
14.0

 

 
400.5

 
414.5

 
8.6
  %
Subtotal – Equities
 
797.0

 
34.0

 

 
400.5

 
1,231.5

 
25.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust – Debt (c)
 

 

 

 
32.3

 
32.3

 
0.7
 %
United States Government and Agency Securities (c)
 

 
423.3

 

 
17.7

 
441.0

 
9.1
 %
Corporate Debt (c)
 

 
1,932.2

 

 
10.0

 
1,942.2

 
40.2
 %
Foreign Debt (c)
 

 
373.7

 

 
12.1

 
385.8

 
8.0
 %
State and Local Government
 

 
11.5

 

 

 
11.5

 
0.2
 %
Other  Asset Backed (c)
 

 
5.4

 

 
7.4

 
12.8

 
0.3
 %
Subtotal  Fixed Income
 

 
2,746.1

 

 
79.5

 
2,825.6

 
58.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Infrastructure
 

 

 
57.6

 

 
57.6

 
1.2
 %
Real Estate
 

 

 
254.9

 

 
254.9

 
5.3
 %
Alternative Investments
 

 

 
411.1

 

 
411.1

 
8.5
 %
Securities Lending
 

 
161.6

 

 

 
161.6

 
3.4
 %
Securities Lending Collateral (a)
 

 

 

 
(163.3
)
 
(163.3
)
 
(3.4
)%
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)
 

 

 

 
29.7

 
29.7

 
0.6
 %
Other – Pending Transactions and Accrued Income (b)
 

 

 

 
18.6

 
18.6

 
0.4
  %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
797.0

 
$
2,941.7

 
$
723.6

 
$
365.0

 
$
4,827.3

 
100.0
  %

(a)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent an obligation to repay collateral received as part of the Securities Lending Program.
(b)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent accrued interest, dividend receivables and transactions pending settlement.
(c)
Amounts in “Other” column represent investments for which fair value is measured using net asset value per share in accordance with ASU 2015-07, Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent), which was retrospectively applied to prior periods.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of AEP’s assets classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the pension assets:
 
 
Foreign
Debt
 
Infrastructure
 
Real
Estate
 
Alternative
Investments
 
Total
Level 3
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2016
 
$
0.1

 
$
42.0

 
$
253.7

 
$
378.7

 
$
674.5

Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Relating to Assets Still Held as of the Reporting Date
 

 
5.9

 
5.3

 
13.7

 
24.9

Relating to Assets Sold During the Period
 

 
0.9

 
23.2

 
21.1

 
45.2

Purchases and Sales
 
(0.1
)
 
8.8

 
(27.3
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(21.0
)
Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$

 
$
57.6

 
$
254.9

 
$
411.1

 
$
723.6



143




The following table presents the classification of OPEB plan assets for AEP within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2016:
Asset Class
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
 
Year End
Allocation
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Equities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
 
$
517.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
517.1

 
33.5
 %
International
 
435.5

 

 

 

 
435.5

 
28.2
 %
Options
 

 
15.2

 

 

 
15.2

 
1.0
 %
Common Collective Trusts (b)
 

 
10.9

 

 
20.5

 
31.4

 
2.0
 %
Subtotal  Equities
 
952.6

 
26.1

 

 
20.5

 
999.2

 
64.7
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust  Debt (b)
 

 

 

 
93.7

 
93.7

 
6.0
 %
United States Government and Agency Securities
 

 
64.7

 

 

 
64.7

 
4.2
 %
Corporate Debt
 

 
121.6

 

 

 
121.6

 
7.9
 %
Foreign Debt
 

 
18.6

 

 

 
18.6

 
1.2
 %
State and Local Government
 

 
3.0

 

 

 
3.0

 
0.2
 %
Other  Asset Backed
 

 
5.9

 

 

 
5.9

 
0.4
  %
Subtotal  Fixed Income
 

 
213.8

 

 
93.7

 
307.5

 
19.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust Owned Life Insurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Equities (b)
 

 

 

 
110.1

 
110.1

 
7.1
 %
United States Bonds (b)
 

 

 

 
97.4

 
97.4

 
6.3
 %
Subtotal  Trust Owned Life Insurance
 

 

 

 
207.5

 
207.5

 
13.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
24.0

 
10.5

 

 

 
34.5

 
2.2
 %
Other  Pending Transactions and Accrued Income (a)
 

 

 

 
(2.8
)
 
(2.8
)
 
(0.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
976.6

 
$
250.4

 
$

 
$
318.9

 
$
1,545.9

 
100.0
  %
 

(a)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent accrued interest, dividend receivables and transactions pending settlement.
(b)
Amounts in “Other” column represent investments for which fair value is measured using net asset value per share in accordance with ASU 2015-07, Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent), which was retrospectively applied to prior periods.




144




The following table presents the classification of pension plan assets for AEP within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015:
Asset Class
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
 
Year End
Allocation
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Equities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
 
$
315.7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
315.7

 
6.6
 %
International
 
402.3

 

 

 

 
402.3

 
8.4
 %
Options
 

 
15.6

 

 

 
15.6

 
0.3
 %
Real Estate Investment Trusts
 
4.0

 

 

 

 
4.0

 
0.1
 %
Common Collective Trusts (c)
 

 
16.1

 

 
369.7

 
385.8

 
8.1
  %
Subtotal  Equities
 
722.0

 
31.7

 

 
369.7

 
1,123.4

 
23.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust  Debt (c)
 

 

 

 
34.2

 
34.2

 
0.7
 %
United States Government and Agency Securities (c)
 

 
397.8

 

 
24.1

 
421.9

 
8.9
 %
Corporate Debt (c)
 

 
1,964.2

 

 
19.0

 
1,983.2

 
41.6
 %
Foreign Debt (c)
 

 
405.4

 
0.1

 
16.0

 
421.5

 
8.8
 %
State and Local Government
 

 
12.8

 

 

 
12.8

 
0.3
 %
Other  Asset Backed (c)
 

 
15.8

 

 
7.6

 
23.4

 
0.5
 %
Subtotal  Fixed Income
 

 
2,796.0

 
0.1

 
100.9

 
2,897.0

 
60.8
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Infrastructure
 

 

 
42.0

 

 
42.0

 
0.9
 %
Real Estate
 

 

 
253.7

 

 
253.7

 
5.3
 %
Alternative Investments
 

 

 
378.7

 

 
378.7

 
8.0
 %
Securities Lending
 

 
263.0

 

 

 
263.0

 
5.5
 %
Securities Lending Collateral (a)
 

 

 

 
(264.7
)
 
(264.7
)
 
(5.5
)%
Cash and Cash Equivalents (c)
 

 
1.2

 

 
47.4

 
48.6

 
1.0
 %
Other  Pending Transactions and Accrued Income (b)
 

 

 

 
25.9

 
25.9

 
0.5
  %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
722.0

 
$
3,091.9

 
$
674.5

 
$
279.2

 
$
4,767.6

 
100.0
  %

(a)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent an obligation to repay collateral received as part of the Securities Lending Program.
(b)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent accrued interest, dividend receivables and transactions pending settlement.
(c)
Amounts in “Other” column represent investments for which fair value is measured using net asset value per share in accordance with ASU 2015-07, Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent), which was retrospectively applied to prior periods.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of AEP’s assets classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the pension assets:
 
 
Foreign Debt
 
Infrastructure
 
Real
Estate
 
Alternative
Investments
 
Total
Level 3
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2015
 
$
0.1

 
$
12.5

 
$
235.8

 
$
378.9

 
$
627.3

Actual Return on Plan Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Relating to Assets Still Held as of the Reporting Date
 

 
(3.6
)
 
12.5

 
(25.9
)
 
(17.0
)
Relating to Assets Sold During the Period
 

 
0.3

 
23.8

 
37.6

 
61.7

Purchases and Sales
 

 
32.8

 
(18.4
)
 
(11.9
)
 
2.5

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
0.1

 
$
42.0

 
$
253.7

 
$
378.7

 
$
674.5



145




The following table presents the classification of OPEB plan assets for AEP within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015:
Asset Class
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
 
Year End
Allocation
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Equities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
 
$
465.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
465.1

 
29.5
%
International
 
484.3

 

 

 

 
484.3

 
30.7
%
Options
 

 
15.6

 

 

 
15.6

 
1.0
%
Common Collective Trusts (b)
 

 
12.6

 

 
19.0

 
31.6

 
2.0
%
Subtotal  Equities
 
949.4

 
28.2

 

 
19.0

 
996.6

 
63.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Collective Trust  Debt (b)
 

 

 

 
100.9

 
100.9

 
6.4
%
United States Government and Agency Securities
 

 
58.4

 

 

 
58.4

 
3.7
%
Corporate Debt
 

 
117.7

 

 

 
117.7

 
7.4
%
Foreign Debt
 

 
20.7

 

 

 
20.7

 
1.3
%
State and Local Government
 

 
4.2

 

 

 
4.2

 
0.3
%
Other  Asset Backed
 

 
8.4

 

 

 
8.4

 
0.5
%
Subtotal  Fixed Income
 

 
209.4

 

 
100.9

 
310.3

 
19.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust Owned Life Insurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Equities (b)
 

 

 

 
28.3

 
28.3

 
1.8
%
United States Bonds (b)
 

 

 

 
184.3

 
184.3

 
11.7
%
Subtotal  Trust Owned Life Insurance
 

 

 

 
212.6

 
212.6

 
13.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
44.9

 
7.2

 

 

 
52.1

 
3.3
%
Other  Pending Transactions and Accrued Income (a)
 

 

 

 
5.8

 
5.8

 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
994.3

 
$
244.8

 
$

 
$
338.3

 
$
1,577.4

 
100.0
%
 

(a)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent accrued interest, dividend receivables and transactions pending settlement.
(b)
Amounts in “Other” column represent investments for which fair value is measured using net asset value per share in accordance with ASU 2015-07, Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent), which was retrospectively applied to prior periods.

Determination of Pension Expense

The determination of pension expense or income is based on a market-related valuation of assets which reduces year-to-year volatility.  This market-related valuation recognizes investment gains or losses over a five-year period from the year in which they occur.  Investment gains or losses for this purpose are the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets and the actual return.


146




The accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plans is as follows:
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Qualified Pension Plan
 
$
4,846.0

 
$
641.0

 
$
588.5

 
$
478.0

 
$
252.0

 
$
279.8

Nonqualified Pension Plans
 
69.8

 
0.3

 
0.3

 

 
2.2

 
1.7

Total as of December 31, 2016
 
$
4,915.8

 
$
641.3

 
$
588.8

 
$
478.0

 
$
254.2

 
$
281.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Qualified Pension Plan
 
$
4,757.1

 
$
641.4

 
$
571.3

 
$
484.1

 
$
252.0

 
$
267.7

Nonqualified Pension Plans
 
75.6

 
0.5

 
0.4

 
0.1

 
2.4

 
1.6

Total as of December 31, 2015
 
$
4,832.7

 
$
641.9

 
$
571.7

 
$
484.2

 
$
254.4

 
$
269.3


For the underfunded pension plans that had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, the projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets of these plans were as follows:
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
(in millions)
Projected Benefit Obligation
$
5,085.8

 
$
654.0

 
$
611.6

 
$
492.9

 
$
2.3

 
$
1.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
$
4,915.8

 
$
641.3

 
$
588.8

 
$
478.0

 
$
2.2

 
$
1.7

Fair Value of Plan Assets
4,827.3

 
606.4

 
586.1

 
473.8

 

 

Underfunded Accumulated Benefit Obligation as of December 31, 2016
$
(88.5
)
 
$
(34.9
)
 
$
(2.7
)
 
$
(4.2
)
 
$
(2.2
)
 
$
(1.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
(in millions)
Projected Benefit Obligation
$
4,992.9

 
$
653.4

 
$
591.5

 
$
497.5

 
$
2.6

 
$
1.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
$
4,832.7

 
$
641.9

 
$
571.7

 
$
484.2

 
$
2.4

 
$
1.6

Fair Value of Plan Assets
4,767.6

 
603.2

 
570.0

 
472.1

 

 

Underfunded Accumulated Benefit Obligation as of December 31, 2015
$
(65.1
)
 
$
(38.7
)
 
$
(1.7
)
 
$
(12.1
)
 
$
(2.4
)
 
$
(1.6
)

Estimated Future Benefit Payments and Contributions

The estimated pension benefit payments and contributions to the trust are at least the minimum amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act plus payment of unfunded nonqualified benefits.  For the qualified pension plan, additional discretionary contributions may also be made to maintain the funded status of the plan.   For OPEB plans, expected payments include the payment of unfunded benefits.  The following table provides the estimated contributions and payments by Registrant for 2017:
Company
 
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
98.2

 
$
4.3

APCo
 
10.2

 
2.4

I&M
 
13.6

 

OPCo
 
7.6

 

PSO
 
5.5

 

SWEPCo
 
8.7

 



147




The tables below reflect the total benefits expected to be paid from the plan or from the Registrants’ assets.  The payments include the participants’ contributions to the plan for their share of the cost.  Future benefit payments are dependent on the number of employees retiring, whether the retiring employees elect to receive pension benefits as annuities or as lump sum distributions, future integration of the benefit plans with changes to Medicare and other legislation, future levels of interest rates and variances in actuarial results.  The estimated payments for the pension benefits and OPEB are as follows:
Pension Plans
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
332.6

 
$
43.2

 
$
35.7

 
$
35.8

 
$
19.6

 
$
20.1

2018
 
335.6

 
42.9

 
35.9

 
35.7

 
19.3

 
21.3

2019
 
344.5

 
43.8

 
38.6

 
35.8

 
20.3

 
22.0

2020
 
351.2

 
44.5

 
38.7

 
36.1

 
20.4

 
22.6

2021
 
364.4

 
46.0

 
40.2

 
35.4

 
21.9

 
23.6

Years 2022 to 2026, in Total
 
1,841.2

 
231.2

 
216.5

 
172.6

 
106.7

 
122.2

 
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Benefit Payments
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
137.0

 
$
25.4

 
$
16.6

 
$
17.0

 
$
7.6

 
$
8.0

2018
 
138.2

 
25.6

 
16.7

 
17.0

 
7.6

 
8.1

2019
 
138.3

 
25.2

 
16.8

 
17.0

 
7.7

 
8.2

2020
 
139.7

 
25.2

 
16.9

 
16.9

 
7.9

 
8.4

2021
 
141.1

 
25.1

 
17.2

 
16.9

 
7.9

 
8.7

Years 2022 to 2026, in Total
 
718.0

 
122.7

 
87.6

 
83.8

 
41.1

 
46.6

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Medicare Subsidy Receipts
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
0.3

 
$
0.2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

2018
 
0.3

 
0.2

 

 

 

 

2019
 
0.3

 
0.2

 

 

 

 

2020
 
0.3

 
0.2

 

 

 

 

2021
 
0.3

 
0.2

 

 

 

 

Years 2022 to 2026, in Total
 
1.7

 
1.0

 

 

 

 


Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) by Registrant for the plans:
AEP
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
85.8

 
$
93.5

 
$
71.9

 
$
10.2

 
$
12.2

 
$
14.2

Interest Cost
211.6

 
205.3

 
221.0

 
60.9

 
56.8

 
67.2

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(280.3
)
 
(274.8
)
 
(261.6
)
 
(107.0
)
 
(111.0
)
 
(111.3
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
2.3

 
2.2

 
2.5

 
(69.0
)
 
(69.1
)
 
(69.0
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
83.8

 
107.1

 
124.0

 
31.4

 
18.8

 
22.1

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
103.2

 
133.3

 
157.8

 
(73.5
)
 
(92.3
)
 
(76.8
)
Capitalized Portion
(37.8
)
 
(48.4
)
 
(52.2
)
 
26.9

 
33.5

 
25.3

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
65.4

 
$
84.9

 
$
105.6

 
$
(46.6
)
 
$
(58.8
)
 
$
(51.5
)

148




APCo
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
8.1

 
$
8.7

 
$
7.0

 
$
1.0

 
$
1.1

 
$
1.4

Interest Cost
27.2

 
26.7

 
29.6

 
10.8

 
10.3

 
12.8

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(35.3
)
 
(35.0
)
 
(33.9
)
 
(17.3
)
 
(18.1
)
 
(18.5
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
(10.1
)
 
(10.0
)
 
(10.1
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
10.8

 
13.9

 
16.6

 
5.4

 
3.6

 
4.6

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
10.9

 
14.5

 
19.5

 
(10.2
)
 
(13.1
)
 
(9.8
)
Capitalized Portion
(4.1
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(6.8
)
 
3.9

 
5.0

 
3.4

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
6.8

 
$
9.0

 
$
12.7

 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
(8.1
)
 
$
(6.4
)
I&M
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
12.2

 
$
12.9

 
$
10.0

 
$
1.5

 
$
1.6

 
$
1.9

Interest Cost
25.3

 
24.5

 
26.3

 
7.0

 
6.4

 
7.6

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(33.6
)
 
(32.6
)
 
(31.0
)
 
(12.9
)
 
(13.2
)
 
(13.4
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
(9.4
)
 
(9.4
)
 
(9.4
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
10.0

 
12.6

 
14.6

 
3.7

 
2.0

 
2.4

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
14.0

 
17.6

 
20.1

 
(10.1
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(10.9
)
Capitalized Portion
(3.3
)
 
(4.0
)
 
(4.6
)
 
2.4

 
2.9

 
2.5

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
10.7

 
$
13.6

 
$
15.5

 
$
(7.7
)
 
$
(9.7
)
 
$
(8.4
)
OPCo
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
6.5

 
$
6.7

 
$
5.2

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.9

 
$
1.0

Interest Cost
20.6

 
20.3

 
22.1

 
7.0

 
6.4

 
7.6

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(27.6
)
 
(27.5
)
 
(26.5
)
 
(13.0
)
 
(13.4
)
 
(13.5
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
(6.9
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(6.9
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
8.1

 
10.5

 
12.4

 
3.8

 
2.1

 
2.4

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
7.7

 
10.2

 
13.4

 
(8.3
)
 
(11.0
)
 
(9.4
)
Capitalized Portion
(3.4
)
 
(4.8
)
 
(5.5
)
 
3.7

 
5.2

 
3.8

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
4.3

 
$
5.4

 
$
7.9

 
$
(4.6
)
 
$
(5.8
)
 
$
(5.6
)
PSO
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
6.2

 
$
6.4

 
$
5.2

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.7

 
$
0.8

Interest Cost
11.2

 
10.9

 
12.1

 
3.3

 
3.0

 
3.6

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(15.5
)
 
(15.1
)
 
(14.6
)
 
(6.1
)
 
(6.3
)
 
(6.3
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
0.3

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
(4.3
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(4.3
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
4.4

 
5.7

 
6.7

 
1.8

 
1.0

 
1.1

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
6.6

 
8.1

 
9.7

 
(4.7
)
 
(5.9
)
 
(5.1
)
Capitalized Portion
(2.4
)
 
(2.8
)
 
(3.3
)
 
1.7

 
2.0

 
1.7

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
4.2

 
$
5.3

 
$
6.4

 
$
(3.0
)
 
$
(3.9
)
 
$
(3.4
)

149




SWEPCo
Pension Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service Cost
$
8.1

 
$
8.3

 
$
6.6

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.8

 
$
1.0

Interest Cost
12.4

 
11.8

 
12.7

 
3.6

 
3.4

 
4.0

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(16.4
)
 
(16.0
)
 
(15.4
)
 
(6.8
)
 
(6.9
)
 
(7.0
)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
0.3

 
0.3

 
0.3

 
(5.0
)
 
(5.2
)
 
(5.2
)
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss
4.8

 
6.0

 
7.1

 
1.9

 
1.1

 
1.2

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
9.2

 
10.4

 
11.3

 
(5.5
)
 
(6.8
)
 
(6.0
)
Capitalized Portion
(2.7
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(3.4
)
 
1.6

 
2.1

 
1.8

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Recognized in Expense
$
6.5

 
$
7.2

 
$
7.9

 
$
(3.9
)
 
$
(4.7
)
 
$
(4.2
)

Estimated amounts expected to be amortized to net periodic benefit costs (credits) and the impact on each Registrants’ balance sheet during 2017 are shown in the following tables:
 
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
Pension Plans – Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
84.2

 
$
10.7

 
$
10.0

 
$
8.1

 
$
4.4

 
$
4.9

Prior Service Cost
 
1.0

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.1

 

 

Total Estimated 2017 Amortization
 
$
85.2

 
$
10.9

 
$
10.2

 
$
8.2

 
$
4.4

 
$
4.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Plans –
Expected to be Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Asset
 
$
74.1

 
$
10.9

 
$
9.6

 
$
8.2

 
$
4.4

 
$
4.9

Deferred Income Taxes
 
3.9

 

 
0.2

 

 

 

Net of Tax AOCI
 
7.2

 

 
0.4

 

 

 

Total
 
$
85.2

 
$
10.9

 
$
10.2

 
$
8.2

 
$
4.4

 
$
4.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans –
Components
 
(in millions)
Net Actuarial Loss
 
$
34.4

 
$
5.8

 
$
4.1

 
$
4.0

 
$
1.9

 
$
2.2

Prior Service Credit
 
(69.0
)
 
(10.0
)
 
(9.4
)
 
(6.9
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(5.2
)
Total Estimated 2017 Amortization
 
$
(34.6
)
 
$
(4.2
)
 
$
(5.3
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(2.4
)
 
$
(3.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans –
Expected to be Recorded as
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Asset
 
$
(25.1
)
 
$
(2.2
)
 
$
(4.8
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(2.4
)
 
$
(1.9
)
Deferred Income Taxes
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 

 
(0.4
)
Net of Tax AOCI
 
(6.2
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(0.3
)
 

 

 
(0.7
)
Total
 
$
(34.6
)
 
$
(4.2
)
 
$
(5.3
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(2.4
)
 
$
(3.0
)

American Electric Power System Retirement Savings Plan

AEP sponsors the American Electric Power System Retirement Savings Plan, a defined contribution retirement savings plan for substantially all employees who are not covered by a retirement savings plan of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).  This qualified plan offers participants an opportunity to contribute a portion of their pay, includes features under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides for company matching contributions.  The matching contributions to the plan are 100% of the first 1% of eligible employee contributions and 70% of the next 5% of contributions.


150




The following table provides the cost for matching contributions to the retirement savings plans by Registrant:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
72.9

 
$
73.6

 
$
70.5

APCo
 
7.3

 
7.2

 
7.3

I&M
 
10.9

 
10.6

 
10.5

OPCo
 
5.6

 
5.4

 
5.2

PSO
 
4.3

 
4.2

 
4.0

SWEPCo
 
5.7

 
5.7

 
5.3


UMWA Benefits

Health and Welfare Benefits (Applies to AEP and APCo)

AEP provides health and welfare benefits for certain unionized employees, retirees and their survivors who meet eligibility requirements. APCo also provides the same UMWA health and welfare benefits for certain unionized mining retirees and their survivors who meet eligibility requirements.  UMWA trustees make final interpretive determinations with regard to all benefits. AEP and APCo administer the health and welfare benefits and pay them from their general assets.

Multiemployer Pension Benefits (Applies to AEP)

UMWA pension benefits are provided through the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan (Employer Identification Number: 52-1050282, Plan Number 002), a multiemployer plan. The UMWA pension benefits are administered by a board of trustees appointed in equal numbers by the UMWA and the Bituminous Coal Operators’ Association (BCOA), an industry bargaining association. AEP makes contributions to the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan based on provisions in its labor agreement and the plan documents. The UMWA pension plan is different from single-employer plans as an employer’s contributions may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.  A withdrawing employer may be subject to a withdrawal liability, which is calculated based upon that employer’s share of the plan’s unfunded benefit obligations.  If an employer fails to make required contributions or if its payments in connection with its withdrawal liability fall short of satisfying its share of the plan’s unfunded benefit obligations, the remaining employers may be allocated a greater share of the remaining unfunded plan obligations. Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), the UMWA pension plan was in Critical and Declining Status for the plan years ending June 30, 2016 and 2015, without utilization of extended amortization provisions.  As required under the PPA, the Plan adopted a Rehabilitation Plan in February 2015 which was updated in May 2016 and again in August 2016.

The amounts contributed in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were immaterial and represent less than 5% of the total contributions in the plan’s latest annual report based on the plan year ended June 30, 2015.  UMWA pension contributions included a surcharge of 5% from December 2014 through June 2015. UMWA pension contributions included a surcharge of 10% from July 2015 through June 2016 at which time new base contribution rates went into effect with no associated surcharges.

Under the terms of the UMWA pension plan, contributions will be required to continue beyond the December 31, 2017 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, whether or not the term of that agreement is extended or a subsequent agreement is entered, so long as both the UMWA pension plan remains in effect and an AEP affiliate continues to operate the facility covered by the current collective bargaining agreement. The contribution rate applicable would be determined in accordance with the terms of the UMWA pension plan by reference to the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement, subject to periodic revisions, between the UMWA and the BCOA. If the UMWA pension plan would terminate or an AEP affiliate would cease operation of the facility without arranging for a successor operator to assume its liability, the withdrawal liability obligation would be triggered.

151





Based upon the planned closure of Cook Coal Terminal in 2022, AEP records a UMWA pension withdrawal liability on the balance sheet. The UMWA pension withdrawal liability is re-measured annually and is related to the company’s proportionate share of the plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the liability balance was $39 million and $31 million, respectively. AEP recovers the estimated UMWA pension withdrawal liability through fuel clauses in certain regulated jurisdictions. A regulatory asset is recorded on the balance sheet when the UMWA pension withdrawal liability exceeds the cumulative billings collected. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the regulatory asset balance was $20 million and $14 million, respectively. If any portion of the UMWA pension withdrawal liability is not recoverable, it could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

152




9.   BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

AEP’s Reportable Segments

AEP’s primary business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.  Within its Vertically Integrated Utilities segment, AEP centrally dispatches generation assets and manages its overall utility operations on an integrated basis because of the substantial impact of cost-based rates and regulatory oversight.  Intersegment sales and transfers are generally based on underlying contractual arrangements and agreements.

AEP’s reportable segments and their related business activities are outlined below:

Vertically Integrated Utilities

Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by AEGCo, APCo, I&M, KGPCo, KPCo, PSO, SWEPCo and WPCo.

Transmission and Distribution Utilities

Transmission and distribution of electricity for sale to retail and wholesale customers through assets owned and operated by OPCo and AEP Texas.
OPCo purchases energy and capacity to serve SSO customers and provides transmission and distribution services for all connected load.
With the merger of TCC and TNC into AEP Utilities, Inc. to form AEP Texas, the Transmission and Distribution segment now includes certain activities related to the former AEP Utilities, Inc. that had been included in Corporate and Other.

AEP Transmission Holdco

Development, construction and operation of transmission facilities through investments in AEP’s wholly-owned transmission-only subsidiaries and transmission-only joint ventures. These investments have PUCT-approved or FERC-approved returns on equity.

Generation & Marketing

Competitive generation in ERCOT and PJM.
Marketing, risk management and retail activities in ERCOT, PJM, SPP and MISO.
Contracted renewable energy investments and management services.

The remainder of AEP’s activities is presented as Corporate and Other. While not considered a reportable segment, Corporate and Other primarily includes the purchasing of receivables from certain AEP utility subsidiaries, Parent’s guarantee revenue received from affiliates, investment income, interest income and interest expense and other nonallocated costs. With the sale of AEPRO in November 2015, the activities related to the AEP River Operations segment have been moved to Corporate and Other for the periods presented. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7 for additional information.


153




The tables below present AEP’s reportable segment income statement information for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and reportable segment balance sheet information as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.  These amounts include certain estimates and allocations where necessary.
 
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
AEP Transmission Holdco
 
Generation & Marketing
 
Corporate and Other(a)
 
Reconciling Adjustments
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Customers
$
9,012.4

 
$
4,328.3

 
$
145.9

 
$
2,858.7

 
$
34.8

 
$

 
$
16,380.1

Other Operating Segments
79.5

 
94.1

 
366.9

 
127.3

 
70.3

 
(738.1
)
 

Total Revenues
$
9,091.9

 
$
4,422.4

 
$
512.8

 
$
2,986.0

 
$
105.1

 
$
(738.1
)
 
$
16,380.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges
$
10.5

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,257.3

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,267.8

Depreciation and Amortization
1,073.8

 
649.9

 
67.1

 
154.6

 
0.2

 
16.7

(d)
1,962.3

Interest and Investment Income
4.8

 
14.8

 
0.4

 
1.4

 
11.8

 
(16.9
)
 
16.3

Carrying Costs Income
10.5

 
20.0

 
(0.3
)
 

 

 
(14.0
)
 
16.2

Interest Expense
522.1

 
256.9

 
50.3

 
35.8

 
40.5

 
(28.4
)
(d)
877.2

Income Tax Expense (Credit)
397.3

 
205.1

 
134.1

 
(666.5
)
 
(143.7
)
 

 
(73.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
$
984.0

 
$
482.1

 
$
269.3

 
$
(1,198.0
)
 
$
83.1

 
$

 
$
620.5

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

 

 

 

 
(2.5
)
 

 
(2.5
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
984.0

 
$
482.1

 
$
269.3

 
$
(1,198.0
)
 
$
80.6

 
$

 
$
618.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Property Additions
$
2,237.0

 
$
1,058.3

 
$
1,265.8

 
$
336.2

 
$
9.8

 
$
(18.1
)
 
$
4,889.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment
$
41,552.6

 
$
14,762.2

 
$
5,354.0

 
$
364.7

 
$
356.6

 
$
(353.5
)
(d)
$
62,036.6

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
12,596.7

 
3,655.0

 
101.4

 
42.2

 
186.0

 
(184.0
)
(d)
16,397.3

Total Property, Plant and Equipment  Net
$
28,955.9

 
$
11,107.2

 
$
5,252.6

 
$
322.5

 
$
170.6

 
$
(169.5
)
(d)
$
45,639.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets Held for Sale
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,951.2

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,951.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
37,428.3

 
$
14,802.4

 
$
6,384.8

 
$
3,386.1

 
$
20,354.8

 
$
(18,888.7
)
(d) (e)
$
63,467.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in Equity Method Investees
$
41.2

 
$
1.2

 
$
742.0

 
$
0.1

 
$
24.9

 
$

 
$
809.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Affiliated
$
1,519.9

 
$
309.4

 
$

 
$
500.1

 
$
548.6

 
$

 
$
2,878.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated
20.0

 

 

 
32.2

 

 
(52.2
)
 

Non-Affiliated
10,353.3

 
4,672.2

 
2,055.7

 

 
297.2

 

 
17,378.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Long-term Debt
$
11,893.2

 
$
4,981.6

 
$
2,055.7

 
$
532.3

 
$
845.8

 
$
(52.2
)
 
$
20,256.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities Held for Sale
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
235.9

 
$

 
$

 
$
235.9


154




 
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
AEP Transmission Holdco
 
Generation & Marketing
 
Corporate and Other(a)
 
Reconciling Adjustments
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Customers
$
9,069.9

 
$
4,392.0

 
$
100.6

 
$
2,866.7

 
$
24.0

 
$

 
$
16,453.2

Other Operating Segments
102.3

 
164.6

 
228.6

 
546.0

 
75.0

 
(1,116.5
)
 

Total Revenues
$
9,172.2

 
$
4,556.6

 
$
329.2

 
$
3,412.7

 
$
99.0

 
$
(1,116.5
)
 
$
16,453.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$
1,062.6

 
$
686.4

 
$
43.0

 
$
201.4

 
$
0.8

 
$
15.5

(d)
$
2,009.7

Interest and Investment Income
4.6

 
6.4

 
0.2

 
2.8

 
9.2

 
(15.3
)
 
7.9

Carrying Costs Income
11.8

 
11.8

 
(0.2
)
 

 

 
0.1

 
23.5

Interest Expense
517.4

 
276.2

 
37.2

 
40.0

 
30.3

 
(27.2
)
(d)
873.9

Income Tax Expense (Credit)
449.3

 
185.5

 
91.3

 
194.6

 
(1.1
)
 

 
919.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
$
900.2

 
$
352.4

 
$
192.7

 
$
366.0

 
$
(42.7
)
 
$

 
$
1,768.6

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

 

 

 

 
283.7

 

 
283.7

Net Income
$
900.2

 
$
352.4

 
$
192.7

 
$
366.0

 
$
241.0

 
$

 
$
2,052.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Property Additions
$
2,222.3

 
$
1,048.4

 
$
1,121.3

 
$
134.3

 
$
4.8

 
$
(17.8
)
 
$
4,513.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment
$
40,130.3

 
$
13,840.5

 
$
3,977.6

 
$
7,461.3

 
$
350.9

 
$
(279.2
)
(d)
$
65,481.4

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
12,335.0

 
3,529.2

 
52.3

 
3,367.0

 
176.9

 
(112.2
)
(d)
19,348.2

Total Property, Plant and Equipment  Net
$
27,795.3

 
$
10,311.3

 
$
3,925.3

 
$
4,094.3

 
$
174.0

 
$
(167.0
)
(d)
$
46,133.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
35,792.3

 
$
14,795.0

 
$
5,012.1

 
$
5,414.5

 
$
20,242.2

 
$
(19,573.0
)
(d) (e)
$
61,683.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in Equity Method Investees
$
31.9

 
$
0.9

 
$
630.8

 
$
0.1

 
$
56.8

 
$

 
$
720.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt Due Within One Year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Affiliated
$
935.4

 
$
824.7

 
$

 
$
71.6

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$
1,831.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated
20.0

 

 

 
32.2

 

 
(52.2
)
 

Non-Affiliated
9,833.0

 
4,776.8

 
1,648.4

 
639.5

 
843.2

 

 
17,740.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Long-term Debt
$
10,788.4

 
$
5,601.5

 
$
1,648.4

 
$
743.3

 
$
843.3

 
$
(52.2
)
 
$
19,572.7


155




 
Vertically Integrated Utilities
 
Transmission and Distribution Utilities
 
AEP Transmission Holdco
 
Generation & Marketing
 
Corporate and Other(a)
 
Reconciling Adjustments
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Customers
$
9,396.8

(b)
$
4,552.6

 
$
73.9

 
$
2,384.3

(b)
$
22.2

 
$
(51.2
)
(c)
$
16,378.6

Other Operating Segments
87.6

(b)
261.0

 
118.0

 
1,465.3

(b)
73.2

 
(2,005.1
)
 

Total Revenues
$
9,484.4

 
$
4,813.6

 
$
191.9

 
$
3,849.6

 
$
95.4

 
$
(2,056.3
)
 
$
16,378.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$
1,033.0

 
$
657.8

 
$
23.7

 
$
226.8

 
$

 
$
(43.7
)
(d)
$
1,897.6

Interest and Investment Income
3.4

 
10.1

 

 
4.7

 
8.6

 
(19.4
)
 
7.4

Carrying Costs Income
6.7

 
26.5

 

 

 

 

 
33.2

Interest Expense
525.5

 
280.3

 
23.5

 
45.3

 
25.1

 
(31.7
)
(d)
868.0

Income Tax Expense
433.5

 
211.7

 
62.9

 
179.3

 
15.2

 

 
902.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Continuing Operations
$
711.8

 
$
352.2

 
$
150.8

 
$
367.4

 
$
8.3

 
$

 
$
1,590.5

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

 

 

 

 
47.5

 

 
47.5

Net Income
$
711.8

 
$
352.2

 
$
150.8

 
$
367.4

 
$
55.8

 
$

 
$
1,638.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Property Additions
$
2,054.7

 
$
1,037.7

 
$
948.3

 
$
164.9

 
$
17.2

 
$
(28.0
)
 
$
4,194.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
33,705.1

 
$
14,524.6

 
$
3,570.0

 
$
6,326.2

 
$
20,512.9

 
$
(19,094.2
)
(d) (e)
$
59,544.6


(a)
Corporate and Other primarily includes the purchasing of receivables from certain AEP utility subsidiaries. This segment also includes Parent’s guarantee revenue received from affiliates, investment income, interest income, interest expense and discontinued operations of AEPRO and other nonallocated costs.
(b)
Includes the impact of the corporate separation of OPCo’s generation assets and liabilities that took effect December 31, 2013, as well as the impact of the termination of the Interconnection Agreement effective January 1, 2014.
(c)
Reconciling Adjustments for External Customers primarily include eliminations as a result of corporate separation in Ohio.
(d)
Includes eliminations due to an intercompany capital lease.
(e)
Reconciling Adjustments for Total Assets primarily include the elimination of intercompany advances to affiliates and intercompany accounts receivable along with the elimination of AEP’s investments in subsidiary companies.

Registrant Subsidiaries’ Reportable Segments

The Registrant Subsidiaries each have one reportable segment, an integrated electricity generation, transmission and distribution business for APCo, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo, and an electricity transmission and distribution business for OPCo.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ other activities are insignificant.  The Registrant Subsidiaries’ operations are managed on an integrated basis because of the substantial impact of cost-based rates and regulatory oversight on the business process, cost structures and operating results.

156




10.   DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

OBJECTIVES FOR UTILIZATION OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

AEPSC is agent for and transacts on behalf of AEP subsidiaries, including the Registrant Subsidiaries. AEPEP is agent for and transacts on behalf of other AEP subsidiaries.

The Registrants are exposed to certain market risks as major power producers and participants in the electricity, capacity, natural gas, coal and emission allowance markets.  These risks include commodity price risks which may be subject to capacity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency exchange risk.  These risks represent the risk of loss that may impact the Registrants due to changes in the underlying market prices or rates.  Management utilizes derivative instruments to manage these risks.

STRATEGIES FOR UTILIZATION OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES

Risk Management Strategies

The strategy surrounding the use of derivative instruments primarily focuses on managing risk exposures, future cash flows and creating value utilizing both economic and formal hedging strategies.  The risk management strategies also include the use of derivative instruments for trading purposes which focus on seizing market opportunities to create value driven by expected changes in the market prices of the commodities.  To accomplish these objectives, the Registrants primarily employ risk management contracts including physical and financial forward purchase-and-sale contracts and, to a lesser extent, OTC swaps and options.  Not all risk management contracts meet the definition of a derivative under the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”  Derivative risk management contracts elected normal under the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception are not subject to the requirements of this accounting guidance.

The Registrants utilize power, capacity, coal, natural gas, interest rate and, to a lesser extent, heating oil, gasoline and other commodity contracts to manage the risk associated with the energy business.  The Registrants utilize interest rate derivative contracts in order to manage the interest rate exposure associated with the commodity portfolio.  For disclosure purposes, such risks are grouped as “Commodity,” as these risks are related to energy risk management activities.  The Registrants also utilize derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk associated with debt financing.  For disclosure purposes, these risks are grouped as “Interest Rate.”  The amount of risk taken is determined by the Commercial Operations, Energy Supply and Finance groups in accordance with established risk management policies as approved by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.


157




The following tables represent the gross notional volume of the Registrants’ outstanding derivative contracts:

Notional Volume of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
Primary Risk
Exposure
 
Unit of
Measure
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Commodity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power
 
MWhs
 
348.0

 
51.9

 
19.9

 
11.2

 
11.9

 
14.2

Coal
 
Tons
 
1.5

 

 
0.5

 

 

 
1.0

Natural Gas
 
MMBtus
 
32.8

 

 

 

 

 

Heating Oil and Gasoline
 
Gallons
 
7.4

 
1.4

 
0.7

 
1.6

 
0.8

 
0.9

Interest Rate
 
USD
 
$
75.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency
 
USD
 
$
500.0

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


Notional Volume of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
Primary Risk
Exposure
 
Unit of
Measure
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Commodity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power
 
MWhs
 
317.8

 
40.9

 
22.8

 
13.3

 
11.3

 
14.0

Coal
 
Tons
 
4.4

 

 
1.6

 

 

 
2.8

Natural Gas
 
MMBtus
 
38.2

 
0.3

 
0.2

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

Heating Oil and Gasoline
 
Gallons
 
7.4

 
1.4

 
0.7

 
1.6

 
0.8

 
0.9

Interest Rate
 
USD
 
$
113.5

 
$
2.4

 
$
1.6

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency
 
USD
 
$
560.3

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


Fair Value Hedging Strategies (Applies to AEP)

Parent enters into interest rate derivative transactions as part of an overall strategy to manage the mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt.  Certain interest rate derivative transactions effectively modify exposure to interest rate risk by converting a portion of fixed-rate debt to a floating rate.  Provided specific criteria are met, these interest rate derivatives may be designated as fair value hedges.

Cash Flow Hedging Strategies

The Registrants utilize cash flow hedges on certain derivative transactions for the purchase and sale of power (“Commodity”) in order to manage the variable price risk related to forecasted purchases and sales.  Management monitors the potential impacts of commodity price changes and, where appropriate, enters into derivative transactions to protect profit margins for a portion of future electricity sales and purchases.  The Registrants do not hedge all commodity price risk.

The Registrants utilize a variety of interest rate derivative transactions in order to manage interest rate risk exposure.  The Registrants also utilize interest rate derivative contracts to manage interest rate exposure related to future borrowings of fixed-rate debt.  The Registrants do not hedge all interest rate exposure.

At times, the Registrants are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks primarily when some fixed assets are purchased from foreign suppliers. In accordance with AEP’s risk management policy, the Registrants may utilize foreign currency derivative transactions to protect against the risk of increased cash outflows resulting from a foreign currency’s appreciation against the dollar. The Registrants do not hedge all foreign currency exposure.

158




ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND THE IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging” requires recognition of all qualifying derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheets at fair value.  The fair values of derivative instruments accounted for using MTM accounting or hedge accounting are based on exchange prices and broker quotes.  If a quoted market price is not available, the estimate of fair value is based on the best information available including valuation models that estimate future energy prices based on existing market and broker quotes, supply and demand market data and assumptions.  In order to determine the relevant fair values of the derivative instruments, the Registrants apply valuation adjustments for discounting, liquidity and credit quality.

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will fail to perform on the contract or fail to pay amounts due.  Liquidity risk represents the risk that imperfections in the market will cause the price to vary from estimated fair value based upon prevailing market supply and demand conditions.  Since energy markets are imperfect and volatile, there are inherent risks related to the underlying assumptions in models used to fair value risk management contracts.  Unforeseen events may cause reasonable price curves to differ from actual price curves throughout a contract’s term and at the time a contract settles.  Consequently, there could be significant adverse or favorable effects on future net income and cash flows if market prices are not consistent with management’s estimates of current market consensus for forward prices in the current period.  This is particularly true for longer term contracts.  Cash flows may vary based on market conditions, margin requirements and the timing of settlement of risk management contracts.

According to the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging,” the Registrants reflect the fair values of derivative instruments subject to netting agreements with the same counterparty net of related cash collateral.  For certain risk management contracts, the Registrants are required to post or receive cash collateral based on third party contractual agreements and risk profiles.  For the December 31, 2016 and 2015 balance sheets, the Registrants netted cash collateral received from third parties against short-term and long-term risk management assets and cash collateral paid to third parties against short-term and long-term risk management liabilities as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Company
 
Cash Collateral
Received
Netted Against
Risk Management
Assets
 
Cash Collateral
Paid
Netted Against
Risk Management
Liabilities
 
Cash Collateral
Received
Netted Against
Risk Management
Assets
 
Cash Collateral
Paid
Netted Against
Risk Management
Liabilities
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
7.9

 
$
7.6

 
$
5.8

 
$
44.4

APCo
 
0.5

 
0.7

 

 
3.1

I&M
 
0.3

 
0.4

 

 
0.6

OPCo
 
0.2

 

 

 
0.5

PSO
 
0.1

 

 

 
0.3

SWEPCo
 
0.1

 

 

 
0.3


159




The following tables represent the gross fair value of the Registrants’ derivative activity on the balance sheets:

AEP

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts
 
Hedging Contracts
 
Gross Amounts
of Risk
Management
Assets/
Liabilities
Recognized
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
Commodity (a)
 
Commodity (a)
 
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency (a)
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
264.4

 
$
13.2

 
$

 
$
277.6

 
$
(183.1
)
 
$
94.5

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 
315.0

 
7.7

 

 
322.7

 
(33.6
)
 
289.1

Total Assets
 
579.4

 
20.9

 

 
600.3

 
(216.7
)
 
383.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
227.2

 
6.3

 

 
233.5

 
(180.1
)
 
53.4

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 
301.0

 
50.1

 
1.4

 
352.5

 
(36.3
)
 
316.2

Total Liabilities
 
528.2

 
56.4

 
1.4

 
586.0

 
(216.4
)
 
369.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
51.2

 
$
(35.5
)
 
$
(1.4
)
 
$
14.3

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
14.0


AEP

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts
 
Hedging Contracts
 
Gross Amounts
of Risk
Management
Assets/
Liabilities
Recognized
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
Commodity (a)
 
Commodity (a)
 
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency (a)
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
368.8

 
$
8.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
377.1

 
$
(242.7
)
 
$
134.4

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 
364.8

 
11.7

 

 
376.5

 
(54.7
)
 
321.8

Total Assets
 
733.6

 
19.9

 
0.1

 
753.6

 
(297.4
)
 
456.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
347.0

 
9.1

 
0.3

 
356.4

 
(269.3
)
 
87.1

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 
223.3

 
19.3

 
3.2

 
245.8

 
(66.7
)
 
179.1

Total Liabilities
 
570.3

 
28.4

 
3.5

 
602.2

 
(336.0
)
 
266.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
163.3

 
$
(8.5
)
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
151.4

 
$
38.6

 
$
190.0


(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts primarily include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.


160




APCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
$
22.7

 
$
(20.1
)
 
$
2.6

Long-term Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
1.9

 
(1.9
)
 

Total Assets
 
24.6

 
(22.0
)
 
2.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
20.6

 
(20.3
)
 
0.3

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
2.8

 
(1.9
)
 
0.9

Total Liabilities
 
23.4

 
(22.2
)
 
1.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
1.2

 
$
0.2

 
$
1.4


APCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated and Affiliated
 
$
25.9

 
$
(10.3
)
 
$
15.6

Long-term Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
0.3

 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

Total Assets
 
26.2

 
(10.5
)
 
15.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
18.1

 
(13.3
)
 
4.8

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
0.3

 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

Total Liabilities
 
18.4

 
(13.5
)
 
4.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
7.8

 
$
3.0

 
$
10.8


(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.

161




I&M

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
$
14.9

 
$
(11.4
)
 
$
3.5

Long-term Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
1.1

 
(1.1
)
 

Total Assets
 
16.0

 
(12.5
)
 
3.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
11.8

 
(11.5
)
 
0.3

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
1.9

 
(1.1
)
 
0.8

Total Liabilities
 
13.7

 
(12.6
)
 
1.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
2.3

 
$
0.1

 
$
2.4


I&M

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated and Affiliated
 
$
22.8

 
$
(10.5
)
 
$
12.3

Long-term Risk Management Assets - Nonaffiliated
 
0.6

 
(0.6
)
 

Total Assets
 
23.4

 
(11.1
)
 
12.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
17.0

 
(10.7
)
 
6.3

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities - Nonaffiliated
 
2.6

 
(1.0
)
 
1.6

Total Liabilities
 
19.6

 
(11.7
)
 
7.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
3.8

 
$
0.6

 
$
4.4


(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.


162




OPCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
0.4

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
0.2

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 

 

 

Total Assets
 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
 
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
5.9

 

 
5.9

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 
113.1

 

 
113.1

Total Liabilities
 
119.0

 

 
119.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Liabilities
 
$
(118.6
)
 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
(118.8
)

OPCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$

 
$

 
$

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 
19.2

 

 
19.2

Total Assets
 
19.2

 

 
19.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
4.1

 
(0.5
)
 
3.6

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 

 

 

Total Liabilities
 
4.1

 
(0.5
)
 
3.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
15.1

 
$
0.5

 
$
15.6


(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.


163




PSO

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
0.9

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.8

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 

 

 

Total Assets
 
0.9

 
(0.1
)
 
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 

 

 

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 

 

 

Total Liabilities
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
0.9

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.8

 

PSO

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
0.6

 
$

 
$
0.6

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 

 

 

Total Assets
 
0.6

 

 
0.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
0.5

 
(0.3
)
 
0.2

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 

 

 

Total Liabilities
 
0.5

 
(0.3
)
 
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets
 
$
0.1

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.4


(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.


164




SWEPCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2016
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
1.1

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
0.9

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 

 

 

Total Assets
 
1.1

 
(0.2
)
 
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
 
0.3

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 

 

 

Total Liabilities
 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
 
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
0.7

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.6


SWEPCo

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
December 31, 2015
 
 
Risk
Management
Contracts -
Commodity (a)
 
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (b)
 
Net Amounts of
Assets/Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Financial
Position (c)
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Current Risk Management Assets
 
$
0.8

 
$

 
$
0.8

Long-term Risk Management Assets
 

 

 

Total Assets
 
0.8

 

 
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Risk Management Liabilities
 
3.4

 
(0.3
)
 
3.1

Long-term Risk Management Liabilities
 
2.1

 

 
2.1

Total Liabilities
 
5.5

 
(0.3
)
 
5.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total MTM Derivative Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
 
$
(4.7
)
 
$
0.3

 
$
(4.4
)

(a)
Derivative instruments within these categories are reported gross.  These instruments are subject to master netting agreements and are presented on the balance sheets on a net basis in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(b)
Amounts include counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(c)
There are no derivative contracts subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement which are not offset in the statement of financial position.


165




The tables below present the Registrants’ activity of derivative risk management contracts:

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized on
Risk Management Contracts
 Year Ended December 31, 2016
Location of Gain (Loss)
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Vertically Integrated Utilities Revenues
 
$
4.0

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Transmission and Distribution Utilities Revenues
 
0.1

 

 

 

 

 

Generation & Marketing Revenues
 
59.4

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Revenues
 

 
(0.6
)
 
4.1

 
0.1

 

 

Sales to AEP Affiliates
 

 
2.1

 
5.8

 

 

 

Purchased Electricity for Resale
 
6.6

 
3.5

 
0.3

 

 

 

Other Operation Expense
 
(1.6
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.3
)
Maintenance Expense
 
(1.8
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Regulatory Assets (a)
 
(117.4
)
 
0.6

 
3.1

 
(127.7
)
 
0.4

 
5.2

Regulatory Liabilities (a)
 
79.1

 
51.4

 
13.9

 
(15.2
)
 
6.5

 
15.7

Total Gain (Loss) on Risk Management Contracts
 
$
28.4

 
$
56.5

 
$
27.0

 
$
(143.5
)
 
$
6.6

 
$
20.4


Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized on
Risk Management Contracts
 Year Ended December 31, 2015
Location of Gain (Loss)
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Vertically Integrated Utilities Revenues
 
$
6.7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Transmission and Distribution Utilities Revenues
 
(4.3
)
 

 

 

 

 

Generation & Marketing Revenues
 
54.9

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Revenues
 

 
1.1

 
3.3

 
(4.3
)
 

 

Sales to AEP Affiliates
 

 
2.4

 
8.2

 

 

 

Purchased Electricity for Resale
 
6.4

 
2.0

 
0.4

 

 

 

Other Operation Expense
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
Maintenance Expense
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
Regulatory Assets (a)
 
(0.9
)
 
3.4

 
(2.7
)
 

 
0.6

 
(4.3
)
Regulatory Liabilities (a)
 
30.2

 
28.7

 
7.5

 
(24.7
)
 
4.4

 
15.1

Total Gain (Loss) on Risk Management Contracts
 
$
86.4

 
$
36.5

 
$
15.9

 
$
(30.1
)
 
$
4.2

 
$
9.9


Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized on
Risk Management Contracts
 Year Ended December 31, 2014
Location of Gain (Loss)
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Vertically Integrated Utilities Revenues
 
$
35.4

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Generation & Marketing Revenues
 
52.5

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Revenues
 

 
8.7

 
13.2

 

 
0.2

 

Sales to AEP Affiliates
 

 

 
(0.9
)
 

 
0.9

 

Regulatory Assets (a)
 
(11.4
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(0.5
)
 

 
(1.0
)
 
(1.1
)
Regulatory Liabilities (a)
 
193.2

 
49.6

 
37.4

 
86.0

 
0.3

 
16.9

Total Gain on Risk Management Contracts
 
$
269.7

 
$
54.2

 
$
49.2

 
$
86.0

 
$
0.4

 
$
15.8


(a)
Represents realized and unrealized gains and losses subject to regulatory accounting treatment recorded as either current or noncurrent on the balance sheets.

Certain qualifying derivative instruments have been designated as normal purchase or normal sale contracts, as provided in the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”  Derivative contracts that have been designated as normal purchases or normal sales under that accounting guidance are not subject to MTM accounting treatment and are recognized on the statements of income on an accrual basis.

166




The accounting for the changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies for and has been designated as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship.  Depending on the exposure, management designates a hedging instrument as a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge.

For contracts that have not been designated as part of a hedging relationship, the accounting for changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative instrument is held for trading purposes.  Unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments held for trading purposes are included in revenues on a net basis on the statements of income.  Unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments not held for trading purposes are included in revenues or expenses on the statements of income depending on the relevant facts and circumstances.  Certain derivatives that economically hedge future commodity risk are recorded in the same expense line item on the statements of income as that of the associated risk. However, unrealized and some realized gains and losses in regulated jurisdictions for both trading and non-trading derivative instruments are recorded as regulatory assets (for losses) or regulatory liabilities (for gains) in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Regulated Operations.”

In connection with OPCo’s June 2012 - May 2015 ESP, the PUCO ordered OPCo to conduct energy and capacity auctions for its entire SSO load for delivery beginning in June 2015, see Note 4 - Rate Matters. These auctions resulted in a range of products, including 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month periods. The delivery period for each contract is scheduled to start on the first day of June of each year, immediately following the auction. Certain affiliated Vertically Integrated Utility and Generation & Marketing segment entities participated in the auction process and were awarded tranches of OPCo’s SSO load. Certain underlying contracts are derivatives subject to the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging” and are accounted for using MTM accounting, unless the contract has been designated as a normal purchase or normal sale.

Accounting for Fair Value Hedging Strategies (Applies to AEP)

For fair value hedges (i.e. hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or an identified portion thereof attributable to a particular risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item associated with the hedged risk impacts Net Income during the period of change.

AEP records realized and unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify for fair value hedge accounting treatment and any offsetting changes in the fair value of the debt being hedged in Interest Expense on the statements of income. The following table shows the results of hedging gains (losses):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Gain on Fair Value Hedging Instruments
$
1.6

 
$
3.2

 
$
3.8

Loss on Fair Value Portion of Long-term Debt
(1.6
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(3.9
)

For 2016, 2015 and 2014, hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial.

Accounting for Cash Flow Hedging Strategies

For cash flow hedges (i.e. hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the Registrants initially report the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the balance sheets until the period the hedged item affects Net Income.  The Registrants recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in Net Income immediately during the period of change, except in regulated jurisdictions where hedge ineffectiveness would be recorded as a regulatory asset (for losses) or a regulatory liability (for gains) if applicable.

Realized gains and losses on derivative contracts for the purchase and sale of power designated as cash flow hedges are included in Total Revenues or Purchased Electricity for Resale on the statements of income or in Regulatory Assets or Regulatory Liabilities on the balance sheets, depending on the specific nature of the risk being hedged.  During 2016, 2015 and 2014, AEP applied cash flow hedging to outstanding power derivatives. During 2016 and 2015, the Registrant Subsidiaries did not apply cash flow hedging to outstanding power derivatives. During 2014, APCo and I&M applied cash flow hedging to outstanding power derivatives.

167




The Registrants reclassify gains and losses on interest rate derivative hedges related to debt financings from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the balance sheets into Interest Expense on the statements of income in those periods in which hedged interest payments occur.  During 2016, 2015 and 2014, AEP applied cash flow hedging to outstanding interest rate derivatives. During 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Registrant Subsidiaries did not apply cash flow hedging to outstanding interest rate derivatives.

During 2016, 2015 and 2014, hedge ineffectiveness was immaterial or nonexistent for all of the hedge strategies disclosed above.

For details on effective cash flow hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the balance sheets and the reasons for changes in cash flow hedges, see Note 3.

Cash flow hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the balance sheets were:

Impact of Cash Flow Hedges on AEP’s Balance Sheets
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
Commodity
 
Interest Rate
 
 
(in millions)
Hedging Assets (a)
 
$
11.2

 
$

 
$
17.6

 
$

Hedging Liabilities (a)
 
46.7

 

 
26.1

 
0.4

AOCI Gain (Loss) Net of Tax
 
(23.1
)
 
(15.7
)
 
(5.2
)
 
(17.2
)
Portion Expected to be Reclassified to Net Income During the Next Twelve Months
 
4.3

 
(1.0
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(1.5
)

(a)
Hedging Assets and Hedging Liabilities are included in Risk Management Assets and Liabilities on the balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2016 the maximum length of time that AEP is hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows related to forecasted transactions is 132 months.

Impact of Cash Flow Hedges on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ Balance Sheets
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency
Company
 
AOCI Gain (Loss)
Net of Tax
 
Expected to be
Reclassified to
Net Income During
the Next
Twelve Months
 
AOCI Gain (Loss)
Net of Tax
 
Expected to be
Reclassified to
Net Income During
the Next
Twelve Months
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
2.9

 
$
0.7

 
$
3.6

 
$
0.7

I&M
 
(12.0
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(13.3
)
 
(1.3
)
OPCo
 
3.0

 
1.1

 
4.3

 
1.2

PSO
 
3.4

 
0.8

 
4.2

 
0.8

SWEPCo
 
(7.4
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(9.1
)
 
(1.7
)

The actual amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Net Income can differ from the estimate above due to market price changes.


168




Credit Risk

Management limits credit risk in wholesale marketing and trading activities by assessing the creditworthiness of potential counterparties before entering into transactions with them and continuing to evaluate their creditworthiness on an ongoing basis. Management uses Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and current market-based qualitative and quantitative data as well as financial statements to assess the financial health of counterparties on an ongoing basis.

Master agreements are typically used to facilitate the netting of cash flows associated with a single counterparty and may include collateral requirements. Collateral requirements in the form of cash, letters of credit and parental/affiliate guarantees may be obtained as security from counterparties in order to mitigate credit risk. A counterparty is required to post cash or letters of credit in the event exposure exceeds the established threshold. The threshold represents an unsecured credit limit which may be supported by a parental/affiliate guaranty, as determined in accordance with AEP’s credit policy. In addition, master agreements allow for termination and liquidation of all positions in the event of a failure or inability to post collateral.

Collateral Triggering Events

Credit Downgrade Triggers (Applies to AEP, APCo, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo)

Under the tariffs of the RTOs and Independent System Operators (ISOs) and a limited number of derivative and non-derivative contracts primarily related to competitive retail auction loads, additional amounts of collateral are required if certain credit ratings decline below a specified rating threshold.  The amount of collateral required fluctuates based on market prices and total exposure.  On an ongoing basis, AEP’s risk management organization assesses the appropriateness of these collateral triggering items in contracts.  AEP, APCo, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo have not experienced a downgrade below a specified rating threshold that would require the posting of additional collateral.  There is no exposure relating to derivative contracts, however, there is exposure relating to RTOs, ISOs and non-derivative contracts. The following table represents the exposure if credit ratings were to decline below a specified rating threshold:

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Company
 
Amount of Collateral
That Would
Have Been Required
to Post Attributable to
RTOs and ISOs
 
Amount of
Collateral
Attributable to
Other
Contracts
 
Amount of Collateral
That Would
Have Been Required
to Post Attributable to
RTOs and ISOs
 
Amount of
Collateral
Attributable to
Other
Contracts
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
AEP
 
$
9.3

 
$
280.3

(a)
$
17.5

 
$
297.8

(a)
APCo
 
1.0

 

 
4.9

 
0.1

 
I&M
 
0.6

 

 
3.3

 
0.1

 
PSO
 
2.1

 
3.2

 

 
3.2

 
SWEPCo
 
2.5

 
0.1

 

 
0.1

 

(a)
Represents the amount of collateral AEP subsidiaries would have been required to post for other significant non-derivative contracts including AGR jointly owned plant contracts and various other commodity related contracts.


169




Cross-Default Triggers (Applies to AEP, APCo and I&M)

In addition, a majority of non-exchange traded commodity contracts contain cross-default provisions that, if triggered, would permit the counterparty to declare a default and require settlement of the outstanding payable. These cross-default provisions could be triggered if there was a non-performance event by Parent or the obligor under outstanding debt or a third party obligation that is $50 million or greater.  On an ongoing basis, AEP’s risk management organization assesses the appropriateness of these cross-default provisions in the contracts. The following tables represent: (a) the fair value of these derivative liabilities subject to cross-default provisions prior to consideration of contractual netting arrangements, (b) the amount that the exposure has been reduced by cash collateral posted and (c) if a cross-default provision would have been triggered, the settlement amount that would be required after considering contractual netting arrangements:
 
 
December 31, 2016
Company
 
Liabilities for
Contracts with Cross
Default Provisions
Prior to Contractual
Netting Arrangements
 
Amount of Cash
Collateral Posted
 
Additional
Settlement
Liability if Cross
Default Provision
is Triggered
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
259.6

 
$
0.4

 
$
235.8

APCo
 
0.1

 

 

I&M
 
0.1

 

 

 
 
December 31, 2015
Company
 
Liabilities for
Contracts with Cross
Default Provisions
Prior to Contractual
Netting Arrangements
 
Amount of Cash
Collateral Posted
 
Additional
Settlement
Liability if Cross
Default Provision
is Triggered
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
300.1

 
$
0.8

 
$
240.6

APCo
 
3.7

 

 
3.7

I&M
 
2.5

 

 
2.5


170




11.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Fair Value Measurements of Long-term Debt

The fair values of Long-term Debt are based on quoted market prices, without credit enhancements, for the same or similar issues and the current interest rates offered for instruments with similar maturities classified as Level 2 measurement inputs.  These instruments are not marked-to-market.  The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange.

The book values and fair values of Long-term Debt are summarized in the following table:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
Company
 
Book Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Book Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
20,391.2

(a)
 
$
22,211.9

(a)
 
$
19,572.7

 
$
21,201.3

APCo
 
4,033.9

 
 
4,613.2

 
 
3,930.7

 
4,416.7

I&M
 
2,471.4

 
 
2,661.6

 
 
2,000.0

 
2,193.6

OPCo
 
1,763.9

 
 
2,092.5

 
 
2,157.7

 
2,472.7

PSO
 
1,286.0

 
 
1,419.0

 
 
1,286.1

 
1,402.9

SWEPCo
 
2,679.1

 
 
2,814.3

 
 
2,273.5

 
2,417.2


(a)
Amount includes debt related to the Lawrenceburg Plant that has been classified as Liabilities Held for Sale on the balance sheet and has a fair value of $172 million. See “Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

Fair Value Measurements of Other Temporary Investments (Applies to AEP)

Other Temporary Investments include funds held by trustees primarily for the payment of securitization bonds and securities available for sale, including marketable securities that management intends to hold for less than one year and investments by AEP’s protected cell of EIS.  See “Other Temporary Investments” section of Note 1.

The following is a summary of Other Temporary Investments:
 
 
December 31, 2016
Other Temporary Investments
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Restricted Cash (a)
 
$
211.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
211.7

Fixed Income Securities – Mutual Funds (b)
 
92.7

 

 
(1.0
)
 
91.7

Equity Securities  Mutual Funds
 
14.4

 
13.9

 

 
28.3

Total Other Temporary Investments
 
$
318.8

 
$
13.9

 
$
(1.0
)
 
$
331.7


171




 
 
December 31, 2015
Other Temporary Investments
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(in millions)
Restricted Cash (a)
 
$
271.0

 
$

 
$

 
$
271.0

Fixed Income Securities – Mutual Funds (b)
 
91.1

 

 
(0.7
)
 
90.4

Equity Securities  Mutual Funds
 
13.7

 
11.7

 

 
25.4

Total Other Temporary Investments
 
$
375.8

 
$
11.7

 
$
(0.7
)
 
$
386.8


(a)
Primarily represents amounts held for the repayment of debt.
(b)
Primarily short and intermediate maturities which may be sold and do not contain maturity dates.

The following table provides the activity for fixed income and equity securities within Other Temporary Investments:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Proceeds from Investment Sales
 
$

 
$

 
$

Purchases of Investments
 
2.3

 
10.7

 
1.6

Gross Realized Gains on Investment Sales
 

 

 

Gross Realized Losses on Investment Sales
 

 

 


For details of the reasons for changes in Securities Available for Sale included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, see Note 3.

Fair Value Measurements of Trust Assets for Decommissioning and SNF Disposal (Applies to AEP and I&M)

Securities held in trust funds for decommissioning nuclear facilities and for the disposal of SNF are recorded at fair value.  See “Nuclear Trust Funds” section of Note 1.

The following is a summary of nuclear trust fund investments:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairments
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairments
 
(in millions)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
18.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
168.3

 
$

 
$

Fixed Income Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government
785.4

 
27.1

 
(5.5
)
 
731.1

 
35.9

 
(2.6
)
Corporate Debt
60.9

 
2.3

 
(1.4
)
 
57.9

 
3.2

 
(1.1
)
State and Local Government
121.1

 
0.4

 
(0.7
)
 
22.2

 
1.1

 
(0.3
)
Subtotal Fixed Income Securities
967.4

 
29.8

 
(7.6
)
 
811.2

 
40.2

 
(4.0
)
Equity Securities – Domestic
1,270.1

 
677.9

 
(79.6
)
 
1,126.9

 
571.6

 
(79.3
)
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
$
2,256.2

 
$
707.7

 
$
(87.2
)
 
$
2,106.4

 
$
611.8

 
$
(83.3
)


172




The following table provides the securities activity within the decommissioning and SNF trusts:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Proceeds from Investment Sales
$
2,957.7

 
$
2,218.4

 
$
1,031.8

Purchases of Investments
3,000.0

 
2,272.0

 
1,086.4

Gross Realized Gains on Investment Sales
46.1

 
69.1

 
32.3

Gross Realized Losses on Investment Sales
24.4

 
53.0

 
15.4


The base cost of fixed income securities was $938 million and $771 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The base cost of equity securities was $592 million and $555 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The fair value of fixed income securities held in the nuclear trust funds, summarized by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2016 was as follows:
 
Fair Value of Fixed Income Securities
 
(in millions)
Within 1 year
$
229.5

1 year – 5 years
335.3

5 years – 10 years
204.6

After 10 years
198.0

Total
$
967.4



173




Fair Value Measurements of Financial Assets and Liabilities

For a discussion of fair value accounting and the classification of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy, see the “Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities” section of Note 1.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Registrants’ financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.  As required by the accounting guidance for “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  There have not been any significant changes in management’s valuation techniques.

AEP
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (a)
 
$
8.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
201.8

 
$
210.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Temporary Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash (a)
 
173.8

 
5.1

 

 
32.8

 
211.7

Fixed Income Securities – Mutual Funds
 
91.7

 

 

 

 
91.7

Equity Securities – Mutual Funds (b)
 
28.3

 

 

 

 
28.3

Total Other Temporary Investments
 
293.8

 
5.1

 

 
32.8

 
331.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (d)
 
6.0

 
379.9

 
192.2

 
(205.7
)
 
372.4

Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Hedges (c)
 

 
16.8

 
1.7

 
(7.3
)
 
11.2

Total Risk Management Assets
 
6.0

 
396.7

 
193.9

 
(213.0
)
 
383.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (e)
 
7.3

 

 

 
11.4

 
18.7

Fixed Income Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government
 

 
785.4

 

 

 
785.4

Corporate Debt
 

 
60.9

 

 

 
60.9

State and Local Government
 

 
121.1

 

 

 
121.1

Subtotal Fixed Income Securities
 

 
967.4

 

 

 
967.4

Equity Securities – Domestic (b)
 
1,270.1

 

 

 

 
1,270.1

Total Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
1,277.4

 
967.4

 

 
11.4

 
2,256.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,585.9

 
$
1,369.2

 
$
193.9

 
$
33.0

 
$
3,182.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (d)
 
$
8.2

 
$
352.0

 
$
166.7

 
$
(205.4
)
 
$
321.5

Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Hedges (c)
 

 
29.3

 
24.7

 
(7.3
)
 
46.7

Fair Value Hedges
 

 
1.4

 

 

 
1.4

Total Risk Management Liabilities
 
$
8.2

 
$
382.7

 
$
191.4

 
$
(212.7
)
 
$
369.6


174




AEP
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (a)
 
$
3.9

 
$
4.3

 
$

 
$
168.2

 
$
176.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Temporary Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash (a)
 
230.0

 
7.7

 

 
33.3

 
271.0

Fixed Income Securities – Mutual Funds
 
90.4

 

 

 

 
90.4

Equity Securities – Mutual Funds (b)
 
25.4

 

 

 

 
25.4

Total Other Temporary Investments
 
345.8

 
7.7

 

 
33.3

 
386.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (f)
 
11.5

 
495.0

 
219.7

 
(287.7
)
 
438.5

Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Hedges (c)
 

 
15.9

 
1.0

 
0.7

 
17.6

Fair Value Hedges
 

 

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Total Risk Management Assets
 
11.5

 
510.9

 
220.7

 
(286.9
)
 
456.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (e)
 
160.5

 

 

 
7.8

 
168.3

Fixed Income Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government
 

 
731.1

 

 

 
731.1

Corporate Debt
 

 
57.9

 

 

 
57.9

State and Local Government
 

 
22.2

 

 

 
22.2

Subtotal Fixed Income Securities
 

 
811.2

 

 

 
811.2

Equity Securities – Domestic (b)
 
1,126.9

 

 

 

 
1,126.9

Total Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
1,287.4

 
811.2

 

 
7.8

 
2,106.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,648.6

 
$
1,334.1

 
$
220.7

 
$
(77.6
)
 
$
3,125.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (f)
 
$
24.1

 
$
471.5

 
$
67.3

 
$
(326.3
)
 
$
236.6

Cash Flow Hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Hedges (c)
 

 
18.9

 
6.5

 
0.7

 
26.1

Interest Rate/Foreign Currency Hedges
 

 
0.4

 

 

 
0.4

Fair Value Hedges
 

 
3.0

 

 
0.1

 
3.1

Total Risk Management Liabilities
 
$
24.1

 
$
493.8

 
$
73.8

 
$
(325.5
)
 
$
266.2



175




APCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding (a)
 
$
15.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.1

 
$
15.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 

 
20.5

 
3.9

 
(21.8
)
 
2.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
15.8

 
$
20.5

 
$
3.9

 
$
(21.7
)
 
$
18.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
20.7

 
$
2.5

 
$
(22.0
)
 
$
1.2


APCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding (a)
 
$
14.8

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.1

 
$
14.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets – Nonaffiliated and Affiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
0.2

 
13.9

 
12.2

 
(10.6
)
 
15.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
15.0

 
$
13.9

 
$
12.2

 
$
(10.5
)
 
$
30.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$
0.2

 
$
17.8

 
$
0.5

 
$
(13.6
)
 
$
4.9



176




I&M

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
12.8

 
$
3.0

 
$
(12.3
)
 
$
3.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (e)
 
7.3

 

 

 
11.4

 
18.7

Fixed Income Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government
 

 
785.4

 

 

 
785.4

Corporate Debt
 

 
60.9

 

 

 
60.9

State and Local Government
 

 
121.1

 

 

 
121.1

Subtotal Fixed Income Securities
 

 
967.4

 

 

 
967.4

Equity Securities – Domestic (b)
 
1,270.1

 

 

 

 
1,270.1

Total Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
1,277.4

 
967.4

 

 
11.4

 
2,256.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,277.4

 
$
980.2

 
$
3.0

 
$
(0.9
)
 
$
2,259.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
13.3

 
$
0.2

 
$
(12.4
)
 
$
1.1


I&M

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets – Nonaffiliated and Affiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$
0.1

 
$
17.0

 
$
6.3

 
$
(11.1
)
 
$
12.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (e)
 
160.5

 

 

 
7.8

 
168.3

Fixed Income Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government
 

 
731.1

 

 

 
731.1

Corporate Debt
 

 
57.9

 

 

 
57.9

State and Local Government
 

 
22.2

 

 

 
22.2

Subtotal Fixed Income Securities
 

 
811.2

 

 

 
811.2

Equity Securities – Domestic (b)
 
1,126.9

 

 

 

 
1,126.9

Total Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts
 
1,287.4

 
811.2

 

 
7.8

 
2,106.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,287.5

 
$
828.2

 
$
6.3

 
$
(3.3
)
 
$
2,118.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities – Nonaffiliated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$
0.1

 
$
17.5

 
$
2.0

 
$
(11.7
)
 
$
7.9



177




OPCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding (a)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
27.2

 
$
27.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 

 
0.4

 

 
(0.2
)
 
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$

 
$
0.4

 
$

 
$
27.0

 
$
27.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$

 
$
119.0

 
$

 
$
119.0


OPCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Cash for Securitized Funding (a)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
27.7

 
$
27.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 

 

 
16.0

 
3.2

 
19.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$

 
$

 
$
16.0

 
$
30.9

 
$
46.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
0.8

 
$
0.1

 
$
2.7

 
$
3.6



178




PSO

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.7

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.8


PSO

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$

 
$
0.7

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
0.2


179




SWEPCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (a)
 
$
8.7

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.6

 
$
10.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 

 
0.3

 
0.8

 
(0.2
)
 
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
8.7

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.8

 
$
1.4

 
$
11.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.1

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
0.3


SWEPCo

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2015
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other
 
Total
Assets:
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (a)
 
$
3.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
1.6

 
$
5.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 

 

 
0.9

 
(0.1
)
 
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
3.6

 
$

 
$
0.9

 
$
1.5

 
$
6.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management Commodity Contracts (c) (g)
 
$

 
$
5.5

 
$
0.1

 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
5.2


(a)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent cash deposits in bank accounts with financial institutions or with third parties. Level 1 and Level 2 amounts primarily represent investments in money market funds.
(b)
Amounts represent publicly traded equity securities and equity-based mutual funds.
(c)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent counterparty netting of risk management and hedging contracts and associated cash collateral under the accounting guidance for “Derivatives and Hedging.”
(d)
The December 31, 2016 maturity of the net fair value of risk management contracts prior to cash collateral, assets/(liabilities), is as follows: Level 1 matures $(2) million in 2018-2020; Level 2 matures $20 million in 2017, $4 million in periods 2018-2020, $3 million in periods 2021-2022 and $1 million in periods 2023-2032; Level 3 matures $17 million in 2017, $28 million in periods 2018-2020, $11 million in periods 2021-2022 and $(31) million in periods 2023-2032. Risk management commodity contracts are substantially comprised of power contracts.
(e)
Amounts in “Other” column primarily represent accrued interest receivables from financial institutions.  Level 1 amounts primarily represent investments in money market funds.
(f)
The December 31, 2015 maturity of the net fair value of risk management contracts prior to cash collateral, assets/(liabilities), is as follows:  Level 1 matures $(9) million in 2016 and $(4) million in periods 2017-2019;  Level 2 matures $2 million in 2016, $18 million in periods 2017-2019 and $4 million in periods 2020-2021;  Level 3 matures $28 million in 2016, $29 million in periods 2017-2019, $19 million in periods 2020-2021 and $76 million in periods 2022-2032.  Risk management commodity contracts are substantially comprised of power contracts.
(g)
Substantially comprised of power contracts for the Registrant Subsidiaries.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

180




The following tables set forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of net trading derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo (a)
 
I&M (a)
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
146.9

 
$
11.7

 
$
4.3

 
$
15.9

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.8

Realized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) (b) (c)
 
42.8

 
25.6

 
7.1

 
(3.0
)
 
(1.0
)
 
7.7

Unrealized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) Relating to Assets Still Held at the Reporting Date (b)
 
26.1

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income
 
(23.0
)
 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 
(71.4
)
 
(37.5
)
 
(11.1
)
 
6.2

 
0.4

 
(8.4
)
Transfers into Level 3 (d) (e)
 
13.3

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (e)
 
(2.6
)
 
0.1

 
0.1

 

 

 

Changes in Fair Value Allocated to Regulated Jurisdictions (f)
 
(129.6
)
 
1.5

 
2.4

 
(138.1
)
 
0.7

 
0.6

Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
2.5

 
$
1.4

 
$
2.8

 
$
(119.0
)
 
$
0.7

 
$
0.7

Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
AEP
 
APCo (a)
 
I&M (a)
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
$
150.8

 
$
15.8

 
$
14.7

 
$
48.4

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.5
)
Realized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) (b) (c)
 
13.5

 
2.1

 
0.2

 
0.5

 
(0.2
)
 
9.2

Unrealized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) Relating to Assets Still Held at the Reporting Date (b)
 
53.7

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income
 
(4.9
)
 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 
(63.0
)
 
(17.2
)
 
(14.2
)
 
(6.7
)
 
0.6

 
(8.7
)
Transfers into Level 3 (d) (e)
 
28.7

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (e)
 
(18.9
)
 
1.2

 
0.8

 

 

 

Changes in Fair Value Allocated to Regulated Jurisdictions (f)
 
(13.0
)
 
9.8

 
2.8

 
(26.3
)
 
0.5

 
0.8

Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
146.9

 
$
11.7

 
$
4.3

 
$
15.9

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.8


181




Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
$
117.9

 
$
10.6

 
$
7.2

 
$
2.9

 
$

 
$

Realized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) (b) (c)
 
90.0

 
29.7

 
18.6

 
30.8

 

 

Unrealized Gain (Loss) Included in Net Income (or Changes in Net Assets) Relating to Assets Still Held at the Reporting Date (b)
 
0.7

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income
 
5.7

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 
(108.7
)
 
(32.6
)
 
(20.6
)
 
(33.7
)
 

 

Transfers into Level 3 (d) (e)
 
(7.6
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(2.5
)
 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3 (e)
 
(21.5
)
 

 

 

 

 

Changes in Fair Value Allocated to Regulated Jurisdictions (f)
 
74.3

 
11.7

 
12.0

 
48.4

 
(0.3
)
 
(0.5
)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
$
150.8

 
$
15.8

 
$
14.7

 
$
48.4

 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.5
)

(a)
Includes both affiliated and nonaffiliated transactions.
(b)
Included in revenues on the statements of income.
(c)
Represents the change in fair value between the beginning of the reporting period and the settlement of the risk management commodity contract.
(d)
Represents existing assets or liabilities that were previously categorized as Level 2.
(e)
Transfers are recognized based on their value at the beginning of the reporting period that the transfer occurred.
(f)
Relates to the net gains (losses) of those contracts that are not reflected on the statements of income.  These net gains (losses) are recorded as regulatory assets/liabilities.

The following tables quantify the significant unobservable inputs used in developing the fair value of Level 3 positions:

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
183.8

 
$
187.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price (a)
 
$
6.51

 
$
86.59

 
$
39.40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty Credit Risk (b)
 
35

 
824

 
391

FTRs
10.1

 
4.3

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price (a)
 
(7.99
)
 
8.91

 
0.86

Total
$
193.9

 
$
191.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


182




Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
212.3

 
$
70.3

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price (a)
 
$
9.69

 
$
165.36

 
$
36.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty Credit Risk (c)
 
670
FTRs
8.4

 
3.5

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price (a)
 
(6.99
)
 
10.34

 
1.10

Total
$
220.7

 
$
73.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
0.4

 
$
0.4

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
19.68

 
$
48.55

 
$
36.34

FTRs
3.5

 
2.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
(0.23
)
 
8.91

 
2.37

Total
$
3.9

 
$
2.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
7.9

 
$
0.2

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
12.61

 
$
47.24

 
$
32.38

FTRs
4.3

 
0.3

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
(6.96
)
 
8.43

 
1.34

Total
$
12.2

 
$
0.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


183




Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
0.3

 
$
0.2

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
19.68

 
$
48.55

 
$
36.34

FTRs
2.7

 

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
(7.90
)
 
8.91

 
1.32

Total
$
3.0

 
$
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
6.0

 
$
0.2

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
12.61

 
$
47.24

 
$
32.38

FTRs
0.3

 
1.8

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
(6.96
)
 
8.43

 
1.34

Total
$
6.3

 
$
2.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$

 
$
119.0

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price  (a)
 
$
30.14

 
$
71.85

 
$
47.45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty Credit Risk (b)
 
47

 
340

 
272

Total
$

 
$
119.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Contracts
$
16.0

 
$
0.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
41.61

 
$
165.36

 
$
86.84



184




Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FTRs
$
0.7

 
$

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
(7.99
)
 
$
1.03

 
$
(0.36
)

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FTRs
$
0.7

 
$
0.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
(6.96
)
 
$
8.43

 
$
1.34


Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2016
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FTRs
$
0.8

 
$
0.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
(7.99
)
 
$
1.03

 
$
(0.36
)

Significant Unobservable Inputs
December 31, 2015
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant
 
Input/Range
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Technique
 
Input (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
Average
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FTRs
$
0.9

 
$
0.1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Forward Market Price
 
$
(6.96
)
 
$
8.43

 
$
1.34


(a)
Represents market prices in dollars per MWh.
(b)
Represents prices of credit default swaps used to calculate counterparty credit risk, reported in basis points.
(c)
Represents average price of credit default swaps used to calculate counterparty credit risk, reported in basis points.


185




The following table provides sensitivity of fair value measurements to increases (decreases) in significant unobservable inputs related to Energy Contracts and FTRs for the Registrants as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:

Sensitivity of Fair Value Measurements
Significant Unobservable Input
 
Position
 
Change in Input
 
Impact on Fair Value
Measurement
Forward Market Price
 
Buy
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Higher (Lower)
Forward Market Price
 
Sell
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Lower (Higher)
Counterparty Credit Risk
 
Loss
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Higher (Lower)
Counterparty Credit Risk
 
Gain
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Lower (Higher)

186




12.   INCOME TAXES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Income Tax Expense (Credit)

The details of the Registrants’ income tax expense (credit) before discontinued operations as reported are as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Federal:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$
(30.7
)
 
$
64.1

 
$
(44.8
)
 
$
178.8

 
$
(28.0
)
 
$
(96.7
)
Deferred
 
(28.8
)
 
125.8

 
104.9

 
(40.8
)
 
77.2

 
172.6

Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
17.6

 
(0.1
)
 
3.8

 

 
(1.4
)
 
(1.2
)
Total Federal
 
(41.9
)
 
189.8

 
63.9

 
138.0

 
47.8

 
74.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and Local:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
(10.5
)
 
4.4

 
3.4

 
4.2

 
(1.9
)
 
(12.6
)
Deferred
 
(21.2
)
 
4.9

 
0.2

 
1.6

 
5.3

 
(10.0
)
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 
3.2

 

Total State and Local
 
(31.8
)
 
9.3

 
3.6

 
5.8

 
6.6

 
(22.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Credit) Before Discontinued Operations
 
$
(73.7
)
 
$
199.1

 
$
67.5

 
$
143.8

 
$
54.4

 
$
52.1


AEP
Years Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Federal:
 
 
 
Current
$
107.3

 
$
22.8

Deferred
774.8

 
800.1

Total Federal
882.1

 
822.9

 
 
 
 
State and Local:
 
 
 
Current
14.5

 
22.8

Deferred
23.0

 
56.9

Total State and Local
37.5

 
79.7

 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense Before Discontinued Operations
$
919.6

 
$
902.6

Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Income Tax Expense (Credit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$
(32.9
)
 
$
5.2

 
$
89.0

 
$
(6.4
)
 
$
44.3

Deferred
 
227.5

 
94.2

 
37.6

 
58.3

 
41.9

Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
(0.3
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(1.4
)
Income Tax Expense
 
$
194.3

 
$
96.1

 
$
126.5

 
$
51.3

 
$
84.8

Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Income Tax Expense (Credit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$
10.9

 
$
14.3

 
$
58.1

 
$
(24.2
)
 
$
(171.6
)
Deferred
 
144.7

 
70.2

 
74.4

 
74.7

 
239.4

Deferred Investment Tax Credits
 
(0.7
)
 
(4.9
)
 
(0.3
)
 
0.1

 
(1.4
)
Income Tax Expense
 
$
154.9

 
$
79.6

 
$
132.2

 
$
50.6

 
$
66.4


187




The following is a reconciliation for each Registrant of the difference between the amounts of federal income taxes computed by multiplying book income before income taxes by the federal statutory tax rate and the amount of income taxes reported:
AEP
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
618.0
 
 
$
2,052.3
 
 
$
1,638.0
 
Discontinued Operations (Net of Income Tax of $0, $6.2 and $39 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, Respectively)
2.5
 
 
(283.7
)
 
(47.5
)
Income Tax Expense (Credit) Before Discontinued Operations
(73.7
)
 
919.6
 
 
902.6
 
Pretax Income
$
546.8
 
 
$
2,688.2
 
 
$
2,493.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
191.4
 
 
$
940.9
 
 
$
872.6
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
41.7
 
 
53.6
 
 
54.0
 
Investment Tax Credits, Net
(12.3
)
 
(11.6
)
 
(12.8
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
(20.7
)
 
24.4
 
 
54.3
 
Removal Costs
(39.8
)
 
(28.8
)
 
(23.9
)
AFUDC
(44.8
)
 
(51.6
)
 
(41.8
)
Valuation Allowance
(128.3
)
 
17.2
 
 
(2.5
)
U.K. Windfall Tax
(12.9
)
 
 
 
 
Tax Adjustments
(43.9
)
 
(20.1
)
 
(10.1
)
Other
(4.1
)
 
(4.4
)
 
12.8
 
Income Tax Expense (Credit) Before Discontinued Operations
$
(73.7
)
 
$
919.6
 
 
$
902.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
(13.5
)
%

 
34.2

%

 
36.2

%

APCo
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
369.1
 
 
$
340.6
 
 
$
215.4
 
Income Tax Expense
199.1
 
 
194.3
 
 
154.9
 
Pretax Income
$
568.2
 
 
$
534.9
 
 
$
370.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
198.9
 
 
$
187.2
 
 
$
129.6
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
19.3
 
 
19.8
 
 
23.5
 
Investment Tax Credits, Net
(0.1
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.6
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
6.0
 
 
7.2
 
 
6.5
 
Removal Costs
(12.0
)
 
(9.9
)
 
(6.8
)
AFUDC
(6.1
)
 
(7.0
)
 
(3.8
)
Valuation Allowance
(1.7
)
 
1.7
 
 
(2.5
)
Other
(5.2
)
 
(4.4
)
 
9.0
 
Income Tax Expense
$
199.1
 
 
$
194.3
 
 
$
154.9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
35.0

%

 
36.3

%

 
41.8

%


188




I&M
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
239.9
 
 
$
204.8
 
 
$
155.6
 
Income Tax Expense
67.5
 
 
96.1
 
 
79.6
 
Pretax Income
$
307.4
 
 
$
300.9
 
 
$
235.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
107.6
 
 
$
105.3
 
 
$
82.3
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
6.7
 
 
9.5
 
 
12.9
 
Investment Tax Credits, Net
(4.7
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(4.9
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
2.4
 
 
5.8
 
 
7.7
 
Removal Costs
(21.3
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(11.3
)
AFUDC
(7.3
)
 
(6.2
)
 
(10.0
)
Tax Adjustments
(14.2
)
 
(4.2
)
 
1.2
 
Other
(1.7
)
 
1.8
 
 
1.7
 
Income Tax Expense
$
67.5
 
 
$
96.1
 
 
$
79.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
22.0

%

 
31.9

%

 
33.8

%

OPCo
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
282.2
 
 
$
232.7
 
 
$
216.4
 
Income Tax Expense
143.8
 
 
126.5
 
 
132.2
 
Pretax Income
$
426.0
 
 
$
359.2
 
 
$
348.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
149.1
 
 
$
125.7
 
 
$
122.0
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
7.1
 
 
8.2
 
 
6.7
 
Investment Tax Credits, Net
 
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
3.8
 
 
0.7
 
 
8.8
 
Other
(16.2
)
 
(8.0
)
 
(5.1
)
Income Tax Expense
$
143.8
 
 
$
126.5
 
 
$
132.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
33.8

%

 
35.2

%

 
37.9

%

PSO
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
100.0
 
 
$
92.5
 
 
$
86.9
 
Income Tax Expense
54.4
 
 
51.3
 
 
50.6
 
Pretax Income
$
154.4
 
 
$
143.8
 
 
$
137.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
54.0
 
 
$
50.3
 
 
$
48.1
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
0.8
 
 
0.5
 
 
0.2
 
Investment Tax Credits, Net
(1.4
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(0.8
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
4.2
 
 
5.1
 
 
4.8
 
AFUDC
(2.2
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(1.1
)
Other
(1.0
)
 
0.3
 
 
(0.6
)
Income Tax Expense
$
54.4
 
 
$
51.3
 
 
$
50.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
35.2

%

 
35.7

%

 
36.8

%


189




SWEPCo
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
169.7
 
 
$
196.0
 
 
$
144.6
 
Income Tax Expense
52.1
 
 
84.8
 
 
66.4
 
Pretax Income
$
221.8
 
 
$
280.8
 
 
$
211.0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes on Pretax Income at Statutory Rate (35%)
$
77.6
 
 
$
98.3
 
 
$
73.8
 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting from the Following Items:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
3.2
 
 
3.1
 
 
2.9
 
Depletion
(5.5
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(4.1
)
Investment Tax Credits, Net
(1.2
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.4
)
State and Local Income Taxes, Net
(14.7
)
 
4.8
 
 
3.1
 
AFUDC
(3.9
)
 
(9.2
)
 
(4.2
)
Other
(3.4
)
 
(5.3
)
 
(3.7
)
Income Tax Expense
$
52.1
 
 
$
84.8
 
 
$
66.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
23.5

%

 
30.2

%

 
31.5

%


Net Deferred Tax Liability

The following tables show elements of the net deferred tax liability and significant temporary differences for each Registrant:
AEP
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
2,753.0

 
$
2,503.9

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(14,637.4
)
 
(14,237.1
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(11,884.4
)
 
$
(11,733.2
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(8,758.1
)
 
$
(8,533.3
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(292.2
)
 
(263.5
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(976.6
)
 
(872.0
)
Securitized Assets
(535.6
)
 
(633.2
)
Regulatory Assets
(896.9
)
 
(873.6
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
88.7

 
72.2

Accrued Nuclear Decommissioning
(666.8
)
 
(614.6
)
Net Operating Loss Carryforward
101.2

 
39.6

Tax Credit Carryforward
45.1

 
85.0

Valuation Allowance
(1.8
)
 
(130.0
)
All Other, Net
8.6

 
(9.8
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(11,884.4
)
 
$
(11,733.2
)

190




APCo
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
413.5

 
$
412.9

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(3,085.8
)
 
(2,939.9
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(2,672.3
)
 
$
(2,527.0
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(2,031.9
)
 
$
(1,866.0
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(73.1
)
 
(68.2
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(319.3
)
 
(308.7
)
Regulatory Assets
(159.9
)
 
(169.1
)
Securitized Assets
(106.9
)
 
(114.8
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
4.5

 
1.5

Tax Credit Carryforward
11.7

 
19.2

All Other, Net
2.6

 
(20.9
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(2,672.3
)
 
$
(2,527.0
)
I&M
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
912.9

 
$
837.4

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(2,440.3
)
 
(2,198.9
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,527.4
)
 
$
(1,361.5
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(579.4
)
 
$
(521.6
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(50.4
)
 
(42.7
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(158.7
)
 
(124.8
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
8.8

 
9.0

Accrued Nuclear Decommissioning
(666.8
)
 
(614.6
)
Regulatory Assets
(81.0
)
 
(70.2
)
Net Operating Loss Carryforward
7.1

 

All Other, Net
(7.0
)
 
3.4

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,527.4
)
 
$
(1,361.5
)
OPCo
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
232.4

 
$
162.4

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(1,578.5
)
 
(1,545.6
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,346.1
)
 
$
(1,383.2
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(1,090.8
)
 
$
(1,022.8
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(43.6
)
 
(44.6
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(34.6
)
 
(34.4
)
Regulatory Assets
(174.1
)
 
(220.0
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
(1.6
)
 
(2.3
)
Deferred Fuel and Purchased Power
(117.6
)
 
(117.4
)
All Other, Net
116.2

 
58.3

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,346.1
)
 
$
(1,383.2
)

191




PSO
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
153.8

 
$
141.2

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(1,212.6
)
 
(1,113.0
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,058.8
)
 
$
(971.8
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(927.3
)
 
$
(861.9
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(3.2
)
 
(2.2
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(128.5
)
 
(117.0
)
Regulatory Assets
(67.6
)
 
(54.3
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
(1.8
)
 
(2.3
)
Deferred Federal Income Taxes on Deferred State Income Taxes
50.6

 
46.6

Net Operating Loss Carryforward
16.5

 
7.1

Tax Credit Carryforward

 
0.6

All Other, Net
2.5

 
11.6

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,058.8
)
 
$
(971.8
)
SWEPCo
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
$
230.5

 
$
194.7

Deferred Tax Liabilities
(1,837.4
)
 
(1,594.5
)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,606.9
)
 
$
(1,399.8
)
 
 
 
 
Property Related Temporary Differences
$
(1,445.2
)
 
$
(1,275.1
)
Amounts Due from Customers for Future Federal Income Taxes
(48.2
)
 
(47.8
)
Deferred State Income Taxes
(175.1
)
 
(132.3
)
Regulatory Assets
(40.7
)
 
(26.1
)
Deferred Income Taxes on Other Comprehensive Loss
5.1

 
5.0

Impairment Loss - Turk Plant
20.3

 
20.7

Net Operating Loss Carryforward
40.3

 
19.7

Tax Credit Carryforward
0.1

 
0.7

All Other, Net
36.5

 
35.4

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities
$
(1,606.9
)
 
$
(1,399.8
)

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

AEP and subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The consolidated net operating loss of the AEP System is allocated to each company in the consolidated group with taxable losses. The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the allocation of the consolidated AEP System net operating loss and the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Valuation Allowance

AEP assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income of the appropriate tax character will be generated to realize the benefits of existing deferred tax assets. When the evaluation of the evidence indicates that AEP will not be able to realize the benefits of existing deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce existing deferred tax assets to the net realizable amount. Objective negative evidence evaluated includes whether AEP has a history of recognizing income of the character which can be offset by loss carryforwards. Other objective negative evidence evaluated is the impact recently enacted federal tax legislation will have on future taxable income and on AEP’s ability to benefit from the carryforward of charitable contribution deductions.

192




On the basis of this evaluation, AEP recorded a valuation allowance of $17 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to the expected expiration of charitable contribution carryforward deductions and realized capital losses. In the fourth quarter of 2015 AEP also reversed a valuation allowance originally recorded in the third quarter of 2015 of $156 million attributable to the unrealized capital loss associated with the excess tax basis of the stock over the book value of AEP’s investment in the operations of AEPRO. With the sale of AEPRO in the fourth quarter of 2015, AEP recorded a valuation allowance of $48 million attributable to realized capital losses from the sale. As of December 31, 2015 there was a valuation allowance of $130 million recorded against AEP’s deferred tax asset balance.

AEP recorded changes in the valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2016 related to the reversal of a $56 million unrealized capital loss where AEP effectively settled a 2011 audit issue with the IRS. AEP also recorded changes in the third quarter of 2016 by reducing the capital loss valuation allowance by $66 million to reflect the impact of the reclassification of certain assets held for sale and the filing of the 2015 federal income tax return. The sale of these assets held for sale are expected to result in a gain, the character of which will allow AEP to recognize the capital loss and allowed AEP to reverse substantially all of the remaining capital loss valuation allowance previously recorded. During the fourth quarter of 2016, AEP reversed $6 million of the valuation allowance associated with charitable contributions that expired at the end of the year. As of December 31, 2016 there was a valuation allowance of $2 million recorded against AEP’s deferred tax asset balance related to an unrealized capital loss carryforward.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

AEP and subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011.  The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. AEP and subsidiaries received a Revenue Agents Report in April 2016, completing the 2011 through 2013 audit cycle indicating an agreed upon audit. The 2011 through 2013 audit was submitted to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation for approval. The Joint Committee referred the audit back to the IRS exam team for further consideration. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrants accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact net income.

AEP and subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine their tax returns. AEP and subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact net income. The Registrants are no longer subject to state, local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.


193




Net Income Tax Operating Loss Carryforward

In 2016, AEP, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo recognized federal net income tax operating losses of $143 million, $20 million, $17 million and $37 million, respectively, which were driven primarily by bonus depreciation. As of December 31, 2016, AEP, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo had $50 million, $7 million, $6 million and $13 million, respectively, of unrealized federal net operating loss carryforward tax benefits. Management anticipates future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the remaining net income tax operating loss tax benefits before the federal carryforward expires after 2036. AEP, PSO and SWEPCo also have state net income tax operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2016 as indicated in the table below:
Company
 
State
 
State Net Income
Tax Operating
Loss
Carryforward
 
Year of
Expiration
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
AEP
 
Arkansas
 
$
16.7

 
2021
AEP
 
Kentucky
 
89.7

 
2036
AEP
 
Louisiana
 
509.1

 
2036
AEP
 
Missouri
 
6.3

 
2036
AEP
 
Oklahoma
 
529.9

 
2036
PSO
 
Oklahoma
 
273.2

 
2036
SWEPCo
 
Arkansas
 
16.2

 
2021
SWEPCo
 
Louisiana
 
508.3

 
2036
SWEPCo
 
Oklahoma
 
4.2

 
2036

Management anticipates future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the remaining state net income tax operating loss tax benefits before the state carryforward expires for each state.

As of December 31, 2013, AEP had $121 million of uncertain tax positions netted against the federal net income tax operating loss carryforward tax benefits. Due to the utilization of the net operating loss carryforward in 2014, $69 million is presented as a non-current uncertain tax position. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, AEP had $17 million and $59 million, respectively, of uncertain tax positions netted against deferred tax liabilities.


194




Tax Credit Carryforward

Federal and state net income tax operating losses sustained in 2012, 2011 and 2009 along with lower federal and state taxable income in 2010 resulted in unused federal and state income tax credits.  As of December 31, 2016, the Registrants have federal tax credit carryforwards and AEP and PSO have state tax credit carryforwards as indicated in the table below.  If these credits are not utilized, federal general business tax credits will expire in the years 2032 through 2036.
Company
 
Total Federal
Tax Credit
Carryforward
 
Federal Tax
Credit
Carryforward
Subject to
Expiration
 
Total State
Tax Credit
Carryforward
 
State Tax
Credit
Carryforward
Subject to
Expiration
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
53.6

 
$
34.3

 
$
26.6

 
$
26.6

APCo
 
11.7

 
4.5

 

 

I&M
 
9.0

 
8.5

 

 

OPCo
 
8.6

 

 

 

PSO
 

 

 
26.6

 
26.6

SWEPCo
 
0.1

 

 

 


The Registrants anticipate future federal taxable income will be sufficient to realize the tax benefits of the federal tax credits before they expire unused.  In November 2014, APCo received an order from the Virginia SCC for its 2014 Virginia Biennial Base Rate Case (see Note 4). As a result of the final determination pertaining to the ability to realize future tax benefits for certain state net income tax operating loss and credit carryforwards, management determined that APCo is subject to the Virginia Minimum Tax on electric suppliers and the Virginia State Income Tax is no longer applicable. As a result, management derecognized the related state income tax benefits, which had been subject to valuation allowances.

Uncertain Tax Positions

In May 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the U.K. Windfall Tax imposed upon U.K. electric companies privatized between 1984 and 1996 is a creditable tax for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  AEP filed protective claims asserting the creditability of the tax, dependent upon the outcome of the case.  As a result of the favorable U.S. Supreme Court decision, AEP recognized a tax benefit of $80 million, plus $43 million of pretax interest income in the second quarter of 2013.  In the first quarter of 2017, AEP received the tax refund related to the U.K. Windfall Tax, including interest through the date of the refund.

The Registrants recognize interest accruals related to uncertain tax positions in interest income or expense as applicable and penalties in Other Operation expense in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Income Taxes.”

195




The following tables show amounts reported for interest expense, interest income and reversal of prior period interest expense:
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Interest Expense
 
$
2.7

 
$

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.2

 
$

 
$

Interest Income
 
9.9

 
0.1

 

 

 
0.3

 

Reversal of Prior Period Interest Expense
 
3.3

 

 

 

 
0.7

 
1.4


Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Interest Expense
 
$
2.7

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.2

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.4

Interest Income
 
0.8

 

 

 

 

 

Reversal of Prior Period Interest Expense
 

 

 

 

 

 


Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Interest Expense
 
$
2.9

 
$

 
$

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.2

Interest Income
 
1.2

 

 

 

 

 

Reversal of Prior Period Interest Expense
 
2.0

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.2


The following table shows balances for amounts accrued for the receipt of interest and the payment of interest and penalties:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Payment of
 
 
 
Payment of
 
 
Receipt of
 
Interest and
 
Receipt of
 
Interest and
Company
 
Interest
 
Penalties
 
Interest
 
Penalties
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
2.9

 
$
5.8

 
$
44.7

 
$
7.2

APCo
 

 
0.1

 

 

I&M
 

 
0.9

 

 
0.6

OPCo
 

 
1.7

 

 
0.6

PSO
 
0.6

 

 

 
0.4

SWEPCo
 
0.1

 

 

 
1.4


196




The reconciliations of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2016
$
187.0

 
$
0.3

 
$
2.4

 
$
6.9

 
$
1.3

 
$
9.3

Increase – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
86.0

 

 
1.8

 

 
0.1

 
1.3

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
(161.2
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.4
)
 

 
(1.3
)
 
(9.3
)
Increase – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Settlements with Taxing Authorities
(13.0
)
 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Lapse of the Applicable Statute of Limitations

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
98.8

 
$

 
$
3.8

 
$
6.9

 
$
0.1

 
$
1.3

 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2015
$
182.0

 
$

 
$
2.3

 
$
6.9

 
$
1.3

 
$
7.5

Increase – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
5.4

 
0.3

 
0.1

 

 

 
1.8

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
(0.4
)
 

 

 

 

 

Increase – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Settlements with Taxing Authorities

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Lapse of the Applicable Statute of Limitations

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
187.0

 
$
0.3

 
$
2.4

 
$
6.9

 
$
1.3

 
$
9.3

 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2014
$
175.2

 
$
1.2

 
$
3.2

 
$
2.1

 
$
2.2

 
$
7.6

Increase – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
18.2

 

 
1.4

 
6.4

 

 
1.6

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During a Prior Period
(1.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(0.8
)
Increase – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Tax Positions Taken During the Current Year

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease – Settlements with Taxing Authorities
(0.6
)
 

 
(0.7
)
 

 

 

Decrease – Lapse of the Applicable Statute of Limitations
(9.3
)
 
(1.2
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(0.9
)
 
(0.9
)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$
182.0

 
$

 
$
2.3

 
$
6.9

 
$
1.3

 
$
7.5


197




Management believes that there will be no significant net increase or decrease in unrecognized benefits within 12 months of the reporting date.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate for each Registrant was as follows:
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
15.8

 
$
100.2

 
$
97.2

APCo
 

 
0.2

 

I&M
 
2.5

 
1.6

 
1.6

OPCo
 
4.4

 
4.5

 
4.5

PSO
 
0.1

 
0.9

 
0.9

SWEPCo
 
0.8

 
6.0

 
4.9


Federal Tax Legislation

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (the 2014 Act) was enacted in December 2014. Included in the 2014 Act was a one-year extension of the 50% bonus depreciation. The 2014 Act also retroactively extended the life of research and development, employment and several energy tax credits, which expired at the end of 2013. The enacted provisions did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income or financial condition but did have a favorable impact on cash flows in 2015.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH) included an extension of the 50% bonus depreciation for three years through 2017, phasing down to 40% in 2018 and 30% in 2019. PATH also provided for the extension of research and development, employment and several energy tax credits for 2015. PATH also includes provisions to extend the wind energy production tax credit through 2016 with a three-year phase-out (2017-2019), and to extend the 30% temporary solar investment tax credit for three years through 2019 and with a two-year phase-out (2020-2021). PATH also provided for a permanent extension of the Research and Development tax credit. The enacted provisions did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income or financial condition but will have a favorable impact on future cash flows.

Federal Tax Regulations

In 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department issued final and re-proposed regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property, effective for the tax years beginning in 2014.  In addition, the IRS issued Revenue Procedures under the Industry Issue Resolutions program that provides specific guidance for the implementation of the regulations for the electric utility industry.  These final regulations did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income, cash flows or financial condition.

State Tax Legislation

Legislation was passed by the state of Indiana in May 2011 enacting a phased reduction in corporate income tax rate from 8.5% to 6.5%.  The 8.5% Indiana corporate income tax rate will be reduced 0.5% each year beginning after June 30, 2012, with the final reduction occurring in years beginning after June 30, 2015. Additional legislation was passed by the state of Indiana reducing the corporate income tax rate from 6.5% in 2016 to 4.9% beginning after June 30, 2016 with the final reduction occurring in years beginning after June 30, 2021. The legislation did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income, cash flows or financial condition.

During the third quarter of 2013, it was determined that the state of West Virginia had achieved certain minimum levels of shortfall reserve funds.  As a result, the West Virginia corporate income tax rate was reduced from 7% to 6.5% in 2014.  The legislation did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income, cash flows or financial condition.

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015, permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrants’ net income, cash flows, or financial condition.

198




In March 2016, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts issued clarifying guidance regarding the treatment of transmission and distribution expenses included in the computation of taxable income for purposes of calculating the Texas income/franchise tax. The guidance clarified which specific transmission and distribution expenses are included in the computation of the cost of goods sold deduction. This guidance resulted in a net favorable adjustment to net income of $21 million, $2 million and $9 million in 2016 for AEP, PSO and SWEPCo, respectively.

In March 2016, Louisiana enacted several tax bills impacting income taxes, franchise taxes and sales taxes. The income tax provisions limit the use of Louisiana net operating losses and the sales tax provisions increase the sales tax rate and suspend or eliminate certain exemptions. The legislation is not expected to materially impact the Registrants’ net income, cash flows or financial condition.

199




13.   LEASES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Leases of property, plant and equipment are for remaining periods up to 15 years and require payments of related property taxes, maintenance and operating costs.  The majority of the leases have purchase or renewal options and will be renewed or replaced by other leases.

Lease rentals for both operating and capital leases are generally charged to Other Operation and Maintenance expense in accordance with rate-making treatment for regulated operations.  Additionally, for regulated operations with capital leases, a capital lease asset and offsetting liability are recorded at the present value of the remaining lease payments for each reporting period.  Capital leases for nonregulated property are accounted for as if the assets were owned and financed.  The components of rental costs are as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Net Lease Expense on Operating Leases
 
$
224.9

 
$
16.6

 
$
90.5

 
$
7.1

 
$
5.0

 
$
6.7

Amortization of Capital Leases
 
93.7

 
6.4

 
35.6

 
4.2

 
3.7

 
13.6

Interest on Capital Leases
 
18.9

 
3.5

 
3.7

 
0.5

 
0.6

 
5.1

Total Lease Rental Costs
 
$
337.5

 
$
26.5

 
$
129.8

 
$
11.8

 
$
9.3

 
$
25.4

Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Net Lease Expense on Operating Leases
 
$
292.6

 
$
16.4

 
$
88.3

 
$
7.6

 
$
5.4

 
$
6.7

Amortization of Capital Leases
 
108.5

 
5.6

 
40.7

 
3.9

 
3.5

 
13.7

Interest on Capital Leases
 
25.1

 
0.8

 
3.3

 
0.6

 
0.7

 
6.2

Total Lease Rental Costs
 
$
426.2

(a)
$
22.8

 
$
132.3

 
$
12.1

 
$
9.6

 
$
26.6

Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Net Lease Expense on Operating Leases
 
$
303.9

 
$
18.3

 
$
93.4

 
$
6.6

 
$
3.2

 
$
5.5

Amortization of Capital Leases
 
109.4

 
5.5

 
44.4

 
5.7

 
4.2

 
14.9

Interest on Capital Leases
 
26.1

 
1.0

 
2.8

 
1.2

 
0.7

 
7.4

Total Lease Rental Costs
 
$
439.4

(a)
$
24.8

 
$
140.6

 
$
13.5

 
$
8.1

 
$
27.8


(a)
Amounts include lease expenses related to AEPRO that have been classified as Other Operation Expense from Discontinued Operations on the statements of income in the amounts of $89 million and $96 million for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7 for additional information.


200




The following tables show the property, plant and equipment under capital leases and related obligations recorded on the Registrants’ balance sheets.  Unless shown as a separate line on the balance sheets due to materiality, current capital lease obligations are included in Other Current Liabilities and long-term capital lease obligations are included in Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the Registrants’ balance sheets.
December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Property, Plant and Equipment Under Capital Leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
$
146.3

 
$
45.0

 
$
26.4

 
$

 
$
10.0

 
$
34.5

Other Property, Plant and Equipment
 
373.1

 
18.1

 
43.7

 
23.9

 
19.4

 
122.1

Total Property, Plant and Equipment
 
519.4

 
63.1

 
70.1

 
23.9

 
29.4

 
156.6

Accumulated Amortization
 
226.4

 
18.1

 
25.4

 
11.6

 
15.6

 
86.5

Net Property, Plant and Equipment Under Capital Leases
 
$
293.0

 
$
45.0

 
$
44.7

 
$
12.3

 
$
13.8

 
$
70.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations Under Capital Leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Liability
 
$
242.1

 
$
38.2

 
$
35.3

 
$
8.1

 
$
9.8

 
$
65.5

Liability Due Within One Year
 
63.4

 
6.8

 
9.4

 
4.2

 
4.1

 
11.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Obligations Under Capital Leases
 
$
305.5

 
$
45.0

 
$
44.7

 
$
12.3

 
$
13.9

 
$
77.3

December 31, 2015
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Property, Plant and Equipment Under Capital Leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
$
128.2

 
$
43.4

 
$
14.5

 
$

 
$
9.6

 
$
34.5

Other Property, Plant and Equipment
 
439.3

 
17.6

 
68.2

 
23.4

 
18.6

 
165.1

Total Property, Plant and Equipment
 
567.5

 
61.0

 
82.7

 
23.4

 
28.2

 
199.6

Accumulated Amortization
 
214.1

 
15.6

 
19.7

 
10.2

 
13.6

 
91.3

Net Property, Plant and Equipment Under Capital Leases
 
$
353.4

 
$
45.4

 
$
63.0

 
$
13.2

 
$
14.6

 
$
108.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations Under Capital Leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncurrent Liability
 
$
247.3

 
$
39.1

 
$
30.2

 
$
9.3

 
$
10.9

 
$
75.6

Liability Due Within One Year
 
96.2

 
6.3

 
32.8

 
3.9

 
3.7

 
21.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Obligations Under Capital Leases
 
$
343.5

 
$
45.4

 
$
63.0

 
$
13.2

 
$
14.6

 
$
97.5



201




Future minimum lease payments consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016:
Capital Leases
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
81.3

 
$
10.3

 
$
15.2

 
$
4.7

 
$
4.7

 
$
14.7

2018
 
65.0

 
9.3

 
9.5

 
3.8

 
3.4

 
13.7

2019
 
48.7

 
7.3

 
5.8

 
1.5

 
2.1

 
12.2

2020
 
39.3

 
6.5

 
5.3

 
1.1

 
1.5

 
10.4

2021
 
32.8

 
6.2

 
5.0

 
0.9

 
1.1

 
9.6

Later Years
 
118.7

 
23.7

 
27.6

 
1.5

 
2.6

 
33.1

Total Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
385.8

 
63.3

 
68.4

 
13.5

 
15.4

 
93.7

Less Estimated Interest Element
 
80.3

 
18.3

 
23.7

 
1.2

 
1.5

 
16.4

Estimated Present Value of Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
$
305.5

 
$
45.0

 
$
44.7

 
$
12.3

 
$
13.9

 
$
77.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncancelable Operating Leases
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
238.2

 
$
16.2

 
$
91.8

 
$
9.3

 
$
4.4

 
$
6.1

2018
 
229.5

 
14.9

 
90.6

 
7.9

 
3.9

 
5.7

2019
 
221.0

 
13.5

 
89.5

 
6.4

 
3.4

 
5.4

2020
 
212.7

 
12.9

 
86.0

 
5.4

 
2.9

 
5.1

2021
 
197.6

 
10.5

 
81.6

 
4.5

 
1.9

 
4.6

Later Years
 
282.2

 
29.0

 
94.6

 
18.3

 
4.6

 
15.0

Total Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
$
1,381.2

 
$
97.0

 
$
534.1

 
$
51.8

 
$
21.1

 
$
41.9


Master Lease Agreements

The Registrants lease certain equipment under master lease agreements.  Under the lease agreements, the lessor is guaranteed a residual value up to a stated percentage of either the unamortized balance or the equipment cost at the end of the lease term.  If the actual fair value of the leased equipment is below the guaranteed residual value at the end of the lease term, the Registrants are committed to pay the difference between the actual fair value and the residual value guarantee.  Historically, at the end of the lease term the fair value has been in excess of the unamortized balance.  As of December 31, 2016, the maximum potential loss by the Registrants for these lease agreements assuming the fair value of the equipment is zero at the end of the lease term is as follows:
Company
 
Maximum
Potential Loss
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
36.7

APCo
 
5.4

I&M
 
3.4

OPCo
 
5.8

PSO
 
3.0

SWEPCo
 
3.5



202




Rockport Lease (Applies to AEP and I&M)

AEGCo and I&M entered into a sale-and-leaseback transaction in 1989 with Wilmington Trust Company (Owner Trustee), an unrelated, unconsolidated trustee for Rockport Plant, Unit 2 (the Plant).  The Owner Trustee was capitalized with equity from six owner participants with no relationship to AEP or any of its subsidiaries and debt from a syndicate of banks and securities in a private placement to certain institutional investors.

The gain from the sale was deferred and is being amortized over the term of the lease, which expires in 2022.  The Owner Trustee owns the Plant and leases it equally to AEGCo and I&M.  The lease is accounted for as an operating lease with the payment obligations included in the future minimum lease payments schedule earlier in this note.  The lease term is for 33 years with potential renewal options.  At the end of the lease term, AEGCo and I&M have the option to renew the lease or the Owner Trustee can sell the Plant.  AEP, AEGCo and I&M have no ownership interest in the Owner Trustee and do not guarantee its debt.  The future minimum lease payments for this sale-and-leaseback transaction as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:
Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
AEP (a)
 
I&M
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
147.8

 
$
73.9

2018
 
147.8

 
73.9

2019
 
147.8

 
73.9

2020
 
147.8

 
73.9

2021
 
147.8

 
73.9

Later Years
 
147.2

 
73.6

Total Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
$
886.2

 
$
443.1


(a)    AEP’s future minimum lease payments includes equal shares from AEGCo and I&M.

Railcar Lease (Applies to AEP, I&M and SWEPCo)

In June 2003, AEP Transportation LLC (AEP Transportation), a subsidiary of AEP, entered into an agreement with BTM Capital Corporation, as lessor, to lease 875 coal-transporting aluminum railcars.  The lease is accounted for as an operating lease.  In January 2008, AEP Transportation assigned the remaining 848 railcars under the original lease agreement to I&M (390 railcars) and SWEPCo (458 railcars).  The assignment is accounted for as operating leases for I&M and SWEPCo.  The initial lease term was five years with three consecutive five-year renewal periods for a maximum lease term of twenty years.  I&M and SWEPCo intend to renew these leases for the full lease term of twenty years via the renewal options.  The future minimum lease obligations are $9 million and $10 million for I&M and SWEPCo, respectively, for the remaining railcars as of December 31, 2016.  These obligations are included in the future minimum lease payments schedule earlier in this note.

Under the lease agreement, the lessor is guaranteed that the sale proceeds under a return-and-sale option will equal at least a lessee obligation amount specified in the lease, which declines from 83% of the projected fair value of the equipment under the current five-year lease term to 77% at the end of the 20-year term.  I&M and SWEPCo have assumed the guarantee under the return-and-sale option.  The maximum potential losses related to the guarantee are $8 million and $10 million for I&M and SWEPCo, respectively, as of December 31, 2016, assuming the fair value of the equipment is zero at the end of the current five-year lease term.  However, management believes that the fair value would produce a sufficient sales price to avoid any loss.


203




AEPRO Boat and Barge Leases (Applies to AEP)

In October 2015, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEPRO, to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in November 2015. See “AEPRO (Corporate and Other)” section of Note 7. Certain of the boat and barge leases acquired by the nonaffiliated party are subject to an AEP guarantee in favor of the lessor, ensuring future payments under such leases with maturities up to 2026. As of December 31, 2016, the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the guaranteed leases was $85 million. In certain instances, AEP has no recourse against the nonaffiliated party if required to pay a lessor under a guarantee, but AEP would have access to sell the leased assets in order to recover payments made by AEP under the guarantee. As of December 31, 2016, AEP’s boat and barge lease guarantee liability was $13 million, of which $2 million was recorded in Other Current Liabilities and $11 million was recorded in Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on AEP’s balance sheets.

Sabine Dragline Lease (Applies to AEP and SWEPCo)

During 2009, Sabine entered into capital lease arrangements with a nonaffiliated company to finance the purchase of two electric draglines to be used for Sabine’s mining operations totaling $47 million.  The amounts included in the lease represented the aggregate fair value of the existing equipment and a sale-and-leaseback transaction for additional dragline rebuild costs required to keep the dragline operational.  During 2016, the lease term came to an end and the lease obligation was paid in full. As of December 31, 2015, these capital lease assets were included in Other Property, Plant and Equipment on the balance sheets. The short-term and long-term capital lease obligations were included in Other Current Liabilities and Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on AEP’s balance sheets and in Obligations Under Capital Leases on SWEPCo’s balance sheets.

I&M Nuclear Fuel Lease (Applies to AEP and I&M)

In November 2013, I&M entered into a sale-and-leaseback transaction with IMP 11-2013, a nonaffiliated Ohio trust, to lease nuclear fuel for I&M’s Cook Plant.  In November 2013, I&M sold a portion of its unamortized nuclear fuel inventory to the trust for $110 million.  The lease has a variable rate based on one month LIBOR and is accounted for as a capital lease with lease terms up to 54 months.  The future payment obligations of $8 million are included in I&M’s future minimum lease payments schedule earlier in this note.  The net capital lease asset is included in Other Property, Plant and Equipment on the balance sheets.  The short-term capital lease obligations are included in Other Current Liabilities on AEP’s balance sheets and in Obligations Under Capital Leases on I&M’s balance sheets.  The long-term capital lease obligations are included in Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the balance sheets.  The future minimum lease payments for the sale-and-leaseback transaction as of December 31, 2016 are as follows, based on estimated fuel burn:
Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
I&M
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
5.8

2018
 
2.4

Total Future Minimum Lease Payments
 
$
8.2


204




14.   FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Common Stock (Applies to AEP)

Listed below is a reconciliation of common stock share activity:
Shares of AEP Common Stock
 
Issued
 
Held in
Treasury
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
508,113,964

 
20,336,592

Issued
 
1,625,195

 

Balance, December 31, 2014
 
509,739,159

 
20,336,592

Issued
 
1,650,014

 

Balance, December 31, 2015
 
511,389,173

 
20,336,592

Issued
 
659,347

 

Balance, December 31, 2016
 
512,048,520

 
20,336,592



205




Long-term Debt

The following table details long-term debt outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate as of
 
Interest Rate Ranges as of
 
Outstanding as of
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
Company
 
Maturity
 
2016
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2016-2046
 
4.90%
 
1.65%-8.13%
 
1.65%-8.13%
 
$
14,761.0

(e)
$
13,629.1

Pollution Control Bonds (a)
 
2016-2042 (b)
 
2.97%
 
0.69%-6.30%
 
0.01%-6.30%
 
1,725.1

 
1,784.8

Notes Payable – Nonaffiliated (c)
 
2016-2032
 
2.45%
 
1.456%-6.37%
 
0.925%-6.60%
 
326.9

 
264.7

Securitization Bonds
 
2016-2031
 
3.66%
 
0.88%-5.31%
 
0.88%-6.25%
 
1,705.0

 
2,024.0

Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation (d)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
266.3

 
265.6

Other Long-term Debt
 
2016-2059
 
2.08%
 
1.15%-13.718%
 
1.15%-13.718%
 
1,606.9

 
1,604.5

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
20,391.2

(e)
$
19,572.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2017-2045
 
5.39%
 
3.40%-7.00%
 
3.40%-7.00%
 
$
2,972.4

 
$
2,970.4

Pollution Control Bonds (a)
 
2016-2042 (b)
 
1.96%
 
0.69%-5.38%
 
0.01%-5.375%
 
615.8

 
616.5

Securitization Bonds
 
2024-2031
 
2.91%
 
2.008%-3.772%
 
2.008%-3.772%
 
318.9

 
341.5

Other Long-term Debt
 
2019-2026
 
2.27%
 
2.06%-13.718%
 
13.718%
 
126.8

 
2.3

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
4,033.9

 
$
3,930.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2019-2046
 
5.49%
 
3.20%-7.00%
 
3.20%-7.00%
 
$
1,512.8

 
$
1,117.0

Pollution Control Bonds (a)
 
2016-2025 (b)
 
2.04%
 
0.74%-4.625%
 
0.01%-4.625%
 
225.4

 
225.1

Notes Payable – Nonaffiliated (c)
 
2016-2021
 
1.63%
 
1.456%-1.81%
 
0.925%-2.12%
 
251.4

 
175.5

Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation (d)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
266.3

 
265.6

Other Long-term Debt
 
2018-2025
 
2.43%
 
2.15%-6.00%
 
1.81%-6.00%
 
215.5

 
216.8

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,471.4

 
$
2,000.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2016-2035
 
5.98%
 
5.375%-6.60%
 
5.375%-6.60%
 
$
1,590.2

 
$
1,938.9

Pollution Control Bonds
 
2038
 
5.80%
 
5.80%
 
5.80%
 
32.3

 
32.2

Securitization Bonds
 
2018-2020
 
1.75%
 
0.958%-2.049%
 
0.958%-2.049%
 
140.2

 
185.3

Other Long-term Debt
 
2028
 
1.15%
 
1.15%
 
1.15%
 
1.2

 
1.3

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,763.9

 
$
2,157.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2016-2046
 
4.80%
 
3.05%-6.625%
 
3.17%-6.625%
 
$
1,143.2

 
$
1,142.7

Pollution Control Bonds (a)
 
2020
 
4.45%
 
4.45%
 
4.45%
 
12.6

 
12.6

Other Long-term Debt
 
2016-2027
 
1.96%
 
1.92%-3.00%
 
1.587%-3.00%
 
130.2

 
130.8

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,286.0

 
$
1,286.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
2017-2045
 
4.86%
 
2.75%-6.45%
 
3.55%-6.45%
 
$
2,359.2

 
$
1,961.0

Pollution Control Bonds (a)
 
2018-2019
 
3.62%
 
1.60%-4.95%
 
1.60%-4.95%
 
134.9

 
134.5

Notes Payable – Nonaffiliated (c)
 
2024-2032
 
5.17%
 
4.58%-6.37%
 
4.58%-6.37%
 
75.3

 
78.6

Other Long-term Debt
 
2017-2023
 
2.48%
 
2.346%-4.28%
 
1.82%
 
109.7

 
99.4

Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,679.1

 
$
2,273.5


(a)
For certain series of pollution control bonds, interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment.  Certain series may be purchased on demand at periodic interest adjustment dates.  Letters of credit from banks and insurance policies support certain series.
(b)
Certain pollution control bonds are subject to redemption earlier than the maturity date.  Consequently, these bonds have been classified for maturity purposes as Long-term Debt Due Within One Year - Nonaffiliated on the balance sheets.
(c)
Notes payable represent outstanding promissory notes issued under term loan agreements and credit agreements with a number of banks and other financial institutions. At expiration, all notes then issued and outstanding are due and payable. Interest rates are both fixed and variable. Variable rates generally relate to specified short-term interest rates.
(d)
Spent nuclear fuel obligation consists of a liability along with accrued interest for disposal of spent nuclear fuel (see “SNF Disposal” section of Note 6).
(e)
Amounts include debt related to the Lawrenceburg Plant that has been classified as Liabilities Held for Sale on the balance sheet. See “Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

206




Long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016 is payable as follows:
 
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
3,013.4

(a)
$
503.1

 
$
209.3

 
$
46.4

 
$
0.5

 
$
353.7

2018
 
1,987.0

 
194.0

 
369.3

 
397.0

 
0.5

 
385.4

2019
 
2,287.1

 
235.5

 
518.8

 
48.0

 
375.4

 
457.2

2020
 
486.4

 
140.3

 
10.5

 
0.1

 
13.2

 
3.7

2021
 
1,308.4

 
393.0

 
3.9

 
500.1

 
250.5

 
3.7

After 2021
 
11,437.3

 
2,602.0

 
1,373.7

 
783.0

 
653.0

 
1,491.9

Principal Amount
 
20,519.6

(a)
4,067.9

 
2,485.5

 
1,774.6

 
1,293.1

 
2,695.6

Unamortized Discount, Net and Debt Issuance Costs
 
(128.4
)
(a)
(34.0
)
 
(14.1
)
 
(10.7
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(16.5
)
Total Long-term Debt Outstanding
 
$
20,391.2

(a)
$
4,033.9

 
$
2,471.4

 
$
1,763.9

 
$
1,286.0

 
$
2,679.1


(a)
Amounts include debt related to the Lawrenceburg Plant that has been classified as Liabilities Held for Sale on the balance sheet. See “Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.

In January and February 2017, I&M retired $20 million and $7 million, respectively, of Notes Payable related to DCC Fuel.

In January 2017, APCo retired $104 million of variable rate Pollution Control Bonds due in 2017.

In January 2017, OPCo retired $22 million of Securitization Bonds.

In January 2017, SWEPCo retired $250 million of 5.55% Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2017.

In January 2017, AEP Texas retired $90 million of Securitization Bonds.

In January 2017, AGR retired $500 million of variable rate Other Long-term Debt due in 2017.

In February 2017, APCo retired $12 million of Securitization Bonds.

In February 2017, SWEPCo retired $2 million of Other Long-term Debt.

As of December 31, 2016, trustees held, on behalf of AEP, $614 million of their reacquired Pollution Control Bonds. Of this total, $40 million and $345 million related to I&M and OPCo, respectively.

Dividend Restrictions

Utility Subsidiaries’ Restrictions

Parent depends on its utility subsidiaries to pay dividends to shareholders. AEP utility subsidiaries pay dividends to Parent provided funds are legally available. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements may impose certain restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to transfer funds to Parent in the form of dividends.  
All of the dividends declared by AEP’s utility subsidiaries that provide transmission or local distribution services are subject to a Federal Power Act restriction that prohibits the payment of dividends out of capital accounts without regulatory approval; payment of dividends is allowed out of retained earnings only. Additionally, the Federal Power Act creates a reserve on earnings attributable to hydroelectric generation plants. Because of their ownership of such plants, this reserve applies to AGR, APCo and I&M.
Certain AEP subsidiaries also have credit agreements that contain covenants that limit their debt to capitalization ratio to 67.5%. The payment of cash dividends indirectly results in an increase in the percentage of debt to total capitalization of the AEP subsidiary distributing the dividend. The method for calculating outstanding debt and capitalization is contractually defined in the credit agreements.

207




The most restrictive dividend limitation for certain AEP subsidiaries is through the Federal Power Act restriction, while for other AEP subsidiaries the most restrictive dividend limitation is through the credit agreements. As of December 31, 2016, the maximum amount of restricted net assets of AEP’s subsidiaries that may not be distributed to the Parent in the form of a loan, advance or dividend was $10.9 billion.

As of December 31, 2016, the Federal Power Act restriction does not limit the ability of the AEP subsidiaries to pay dividends out of retained earnings. However, the credit agreement covenant restrictions can limit the ability of the AEP subsidiaries to pay dividends out of retained earnings. As of December 31, 2016, the amount of any such restrictions was as follows:
 
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
Other AEP Subsidiaries
 
AEP
 
 
(in millions)
Restricted Retained Earnings
 
$

 
$
288.5

 
$

 
$
127.5

 
$
528.9

 
$
590.0

 
$
1,534.9


Parent Restrictions (Applies to AEP)

The holders of AEP’s common stock are entitled to receive the dividends declared by the Board of Directors provided funds are legally available for such dividends.  Parent’s income primarily derives from common stock equity in the earnings of its utility subsidiaries.

Pursuant to the leverage restrictions in credit agreements, AEP must maintain a percentage of debt to total capitalization at a level that does not exceed 67.5%.  The payment of cash dividends indirectly results in an increase in the percentage of debt to total capitalization of the company distributing the dividend.  The method for calculating outstanding debt and capitalization is contractually defined in the credit agreements.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP had $6.4 billion of available retained earnings to pay dividends to common shareholders. AEP paid $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $1 billion of dividends to common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Lines of Credit and Short-term Debt (Applies to AEP)

AEP uses its commercial paper program to meet the short-term borrowing needs of its subsidiaries.  The program is used to fund both a Utility Money Pool, which funds the utility subsidiaries, and a Nonutility Money Pool, which funds certain of the nonutility subsidiaries.  In addition, the program also funds, as direct borrowers, the short-term debt requirements of other subsidiaries that are not participants in either money pool for regulatory or operational reasons.  As of December 31, 2016, AEP had credit facilities totaling $3.5 billion to support its commercial paper program.  The maximum amount of commercial paper outstanding during 2016 was $1.5 billion and the weighted average interest rate of commercial paper outstanding during 2016 was 0.80%.  AEP’s outstanding short-term debt was as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Type of Debt
 
Outstanding
Amount
 
Interest
Rate (a)
 
Outstanding
Amount
 
Interest
Rate (a)
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
Securitized Debt for Receivables (b)
 
$
673.0

 
0.70
%
 
$
675.0

 
0.30
%
Commercial Paper
 
1,040.0

 
1.02
%
 
125.0

 
0.81
%
Total Short-term Debt
 
$
1,713.0

 
 
 
$
800.0

 
 

(a)
Weighted average rate.
(b)
Amount of securitized debt for receivables as accounted for under the “Transfers and Servicing” accounting guidance.


208




Corporate Borrowing Program – AEP System (Applies to Registrant Subsidiaries)

The AEP System uses a corporate borrowing program to meet the short-term borrowing needs of AEP’s subsidiaries.  The corporate borrowing program includes a Utility Money Pool, which funds AEP’s utility subsidiaries, and a Nonutility Money Pool, which funds certain AEP nonutility subsidiaries.  The AEP System Utility Money Pool operates in accordance with the terms and conditions of the AEP System Utility Money Pool agreement filed with the FERC.   The amounts of outstanding loans to (borrowings from) the Utility Money Pool as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are included in Advances to Affiliates and Advances from Affiliates, respectively, on each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ balance sheets.  The Utility Money Pool participants’ money pool activity and their corresponding authorized borrowing limits are described in the following tables:

Year Ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
Maximum
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Net Loans to
 
 
 
 
Borrowings
 
Maximum
 
Borrowings
 
Average
 
(Borrowings from)
 
Authorized
 
 
from the
 
Loans to the
 
from the
 
Loans to the
 
the Utility Money
 
Short-term
 
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Pool as of
 
Borrowing
Company
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
December 31, 2016
 
Limit
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
286.9

 
$
25.7

 
$
148.0

 
$
24.8

 
$
(55.5
)
 
$
600.0

I&M
 
369.1

 
97.6

 
129.9

 
19.5

 
(202.7
)
 
500.0

OPCo
 
227.9

 
379.2

 
116.6

 
182.4

 
24.2

 
400.0

PSO
 
52.0

 
205.4

 
12.9

 
48.1

 
(52.0
)
 
300.0

SWEPCo
 
249.4

 
313.3

 
171.8

 
267.7

 
167.8

 
350.0


Year Ended December 31, 2015:
 
 
Maximum
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Net Loans to
 
 
 
 
Borrowings
 
Maximum
 
Borrowings
 
Average
 
(Borrowings from)
 
Authorized
 
 
from the
 
Loans to the
 
from the
 
Loans to the
 
the Utility Money
 
Short-term
 
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Utility
 
Pool as of
 
Borrowing
Company
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
December 31, 2015
 
Limit
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
211.2

 
$
694.8

 
$
82.0

 
$
79.0

 
$
(155.4
)
 
$
600.0

I&M
 
297.3

 
13.5

 
152.6

 
13.5

 
(282.6
)
 
500.0

OPCo
 

 
367.5

 

 
266.6

 
331.1

 
400.0

PSO
 
165.9

 
152.5

 
113.1

 
86.8

 
80.6

 
300.0

SWEPCo
 
112.5

 
299.9

 
48.1

 
103.4

 
(58.3
)
 
350.0


The activity in the above tables does not include short-term lending activity of SWEPCo’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mutual Energy SWEPCo, LLC, which is a participant in the Nonutility Money Pool. The amounts of outstanding loans to the Nonutility Money Pool as of December 31, 2016 are included in Advances to Affiliates on SWEPCo’s balance sheets. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Mutual Energy SWEPCo, LLC had the following activity in the Nonutility Money Pool:
Maximum
 
Average
 
Loans
Loans
 
Loans
 
to the
to the
 
to the
 
Nonutility
Nonutility
 
Nonutility
 
Money Pool as of
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
December 31, 2016
(in millions)
$
2.0

 
$
2.0

 
$
2.0



209




The maximum and minimum interest rates for funds either borrowed from or loaned to the Utility Money Pool were as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Maximum Interest Rate
1.02
%
 
0.87
%
 
0.59
%
Minimum Interest Rate
0.69
%
 
0.37
%
 
0.24
%

The average interest rates for funds borrowed from and loaned to the Utility Money Pool are summarized for all Registrant Subsidiaries in the following table:
 
 
Average Interest Rate
 for Funds Borrowed
from the Utility Money Pool for
Years Ended December 31,
 
Average Interest Rate
 for Funds Loaned
to the Utility Money Pool for
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
APCo
 
0.80
%
 
0.53
%
 
0.29
%
 
0.82
%
 
0.47
%
 
0.29
%
I&M
 
0.80
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.31
%
 
0.80
%
 
0.48
%
 
0.30
%
OPCo
 
0.85
%
 
%
 
0.27
%
 
0.74
%
 
0.48
%
 
0.34
%
PSO
 
0.96
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.29
%
 
0.83
%
 
0.48
%
 
%
SWEPCo
 
0.79
%
 
0.53
%
 
0.29
%
 
0.90
%
 
0.48
%
 
0.32
%

Maximum, minimum and average interest rates for funds loaned to the Nonutility Money Pool are summarized for Mutual Energy SWEPCo, LLC in the following table:
 
 
Maximum
 
Minimum
 
Average
 
 
Interest Rate
 
Interest Rate
 
Interest Rate
 
 
for Funds
 
for Funds
 
for Funds
 
 
Loaned to
 
Loaned to
 
Loaned to
Year Ended
 
the Nonutility
 
the Nonutility
 
the Nonutility
December 31,
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
 
Money Pool
2016
 
1.02
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.82
%

Interest expense related to short-term borrowing activities with the Utility Money Pool is included in Interest Expense on each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ statements of income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries incurred interest expense for all short-term borrowing activities as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
1.2

 
$
0.2

 
$

I&M
 
0.9

 
0.8

 
0.1

OPCo
 
0.4

 

 

PSO
 

 
0.1

 
0.3

SWEPCo
 
1.0

 
0.1

 
0.2



210




Interest income related to short-term lending activities with the Utility Money Pool is included in Interest Income on each of the Registrant Subsidiaries’ statements of income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries earned interest income for all short-term lending activities as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
0.2

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.3

I&M
 
0.2

 
0.1

 
0.1

OPCo
 
0.9

 
1.3

 
0.2

PSO
 
0.4

 
0.4

 

SWEPCo
 
0.6

 
0.4

 


Interest expense and interest income related to the Nonutility Money Pool are included in Interest Expense and Interest Income, respectively, on SWEPCo’s statements of income.  For amounts borrowed from and advanced to the Nonutility Money Pool, SWEPCo incurred $16 thousand of interest income for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Credit Facilities

For a discussion of credit facilities, see “Letters of Credit” section of Note 6.

Securitized Accounts Receivables – AEP Credit (Applies to AEP)

AEP Credit has a receivables securitization agreement with bank conduits.  Under the securitization agreement, AEP Credit receives financing from the bank conduits for the interest in the receivables AEP Credit acquires from affiliated utility subsidiaries.  These securitized transactions allow AEP Credit to repay its outstanding debt obligations, continue to purchase the operating companies’ receivables and accelerate AEP Credit’s cash collections.

AEP Credit’s receivables securitization agreement provides a commitment of $750 million from bank conduits to purchase receivables.  The agreement was increased in June 2014 from $700 million and expires in June 2018.

Accounts receivable information for AEP Credit is as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(dollars in millions)
Effective Interest Rates on Securitization of Accounts Receivable
0.70
%
 
0.30
%
 
0.22
%
Net Uncollectible Accounts Receivable Written Off
$
23.7

 
$
34.1

 
$
40.1

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
Accounts Receivable Retained Interest and Pledged as Collateral Less Uncollectible Accounts
 
$
945.0

 
$
924.8

Short-term  Securitized Debt of Receivables
 
673.0

 
675.0

Delinquent Securitized Accounts Receivable
 
42.7

 
48.3

Bad Debt Reserves Related to Securitization
 
27.7

 
17.5

Unbilled Receivables Related to Securitization
 
322.1

 
357.8


AEP Credit’s delinquent customer accounts receivable represent accounts greater than 30 days past due.


211




Securitized Accounts Receivables – AEP Credit (Applies to Registrant Subsidiaries)

Under this sale of receivables arrangement, the Registrant Subsidiaries sell, without recourse, certain of their customer accounts receivable and accrued unbilled revenue balances to AEP Credit and are charged a fee based on AEP Credit’s financing costs, administrative costs and uncollectible accounts experience for each Registrant Subsidiary’s receivables.  APCo does not have regulatory authority to sell its West Virginia accounts receivable.  The costs of customer accounts receivable sold are reported in Other Operation expense on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ statements of income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries manage and service their customer accounts receivable, which are sold to AEP Credit. AEP Credit securitizes the eligible receivables for the operating companies and retains the remainder.

The amount of accounts receivable and accrued unbilled revenues under the sale of receivables agreement for each Registrant Subsidiary was as follows:
 
 
December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
142.0

 
$
135.4

I&M
 
136.7

 
134.8

OPCo
 
388.3

 
351.4

PSO
 
110.4

 
116.1

SWEPCo
 
130.9

 
151.8


The fees paid by the Registrant Subsidiaries to AEP Credit for customer accounts receivable sold were:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
6.7

 
$
7.6

 
$
8.9

I&M
 
7.1

 
8.4

 
7.9

OPCo
 
28.9

 
30.7

 
28.8

PSO
 
6.2

 
5.8

 
5.9

SWEPCo
 
6.9

 
7.0

 
6.8


The Registrant Subsidiaries’ proceeds on the sale of receivables to AEP Credit were:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
1,412.5

 
$
1,453.8

 
$
1,519.3

I&M
 
1,596.2

 
1,553.0

 
1,488.6

OPCo
 
2,633.0

 
2,569.4

 
2,647.6

PSO
 
1,269.3

 
1,326.1

 
1,321.1

SWEPCo
 
1,531.7

 
1,597.8

 
1,655.8


212




15.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The disclosures in this note apply to AEP only. The impact of AEP’s share-based compensation plans is insignificant to the financial statements of the Registrant Subsidiaries.

AEP’s long-term incentive plan available for eligible employees and directors, the Amended and Restated American Electric Power System Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”), was replaced prospectively for new grants by the American Electric Power System 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2015 LTIP”) effective in April 2015. The 2015 LTIP provides for a maximum of 10 million common shares to be available for grant to eligible employees and directors. As of December 31, 2016, 9,822,644 shares remained available for issuance under the 2015 LTIP plan. No new awards may be granted under the Prior Plan. To the extent the issuance of a share that is subject to an outstanding award under the Prior Plan, the issuance of that share will take place under the Prior Plan. The 2015 LTIP awards may be stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance share units, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. If a share is issued pursuant to a stock option or a stock appreciation right, it will reduce the aggregate amount authorized under the 2015 LTIP by 0.286 of a share. If a share is issued for any other award that settles in AEP stock, it will reduce the aggregate amount authorized under the 2015 LTIP by one share. Cash settled awards do not reduce the aggregate amount authorized under the 2015 LTIP. The following sections provide further information regarding each type of stock-based compensation award granted by the Human Resources Committee of AEP’s Board of Directors (HR Committee).

Performance Units

AEP’s performance units are paid out in cash rather than AEP shares and do not reduce the aggregate share authorization. AEP’s performance units have a fair value upon vesting equal to the average closing market price of AEP common stock for the last 20 trading days of the performance period.  The number of performance units held at the end of the three year performance period is multiplied by the performance score to determine the actual number of performance units realized.  The performance score can range from 0% to 200% and is determined at the end of the performance period based on performance measures, which include both performance and market conditions, established for each grant at the beginning of the performance period by the HR Committee.  Certain employees must satisfy stock ownership requirements. If those employees have not met their stock ownership requirements, a portion or all of their performance units are mandatorily deferred as AEP career shares to the extent needed to meet their stock ownership requirement.  AEP career shares are a form of non-qualified deferred compensation that has a value equivalent to shares of AEP common stock.  AEP career shares are paid in cash after the participant’s termination of employment.  Amounts equivalent to cash dividends on both performance units and AEP career shares accrue as additional units.  Management records compensation cost for performance units over a three-year vesting period.  The liability for both the performance units and AEP career shares, recorded in Employee Benefits and Pension Obligations on the balance sheets, is adjusted for changes in value. 

The HR Committee awarded performance units and reinvested dividends on outstanding performance units and AEP career shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Performance Units
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Awarded Units (in thousands)
 
597.4

 
575.0

 
16.9

Weighted Average Unit Fair Value at Grant Date
 
$
62.77

 
$
59.19

 
$
49.73

Vesting Period (in years)
 
3

 
3

 
3

Performance Units and AEP Career Shares
(Reinvested Dividends Portion)
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Awarded Units (in thousands)
 
89.2

 
103.6

 
98.9

Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date
 
$
63.83

 
$
54.35

 
$
53.35

Vesting Period (in years)
 
(a)

 
(a)

 
(a)


(a)
The vesting period for the reinvested dividends on performance units is equal to the remaining life of the related performance units.  Dividends on AEP career shares vest immediately when the dividend is awarded but are not paid in cash until after the participant’s AEP employment ends.

213




Performance scores and final awards are determined and certified by the HR Committee in accordance with the pre-established performance measures within approximately a month after the end of the performance period. The performance scores for all performance periods were dependent on two equally-weighted performance measures: (a) three-year total shareholder return measured relative to the Standard and Poor’s 500 Electric Utilities Index and (b) three-year cumulative earnings per share measured relative to a target approved by AEP’s Board of Directors.

The certified performance scores and units earned for the three-year periods ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Performance Units
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Certified Performance Score
 
163.9
%
 
176.3
%
 
147.8
%
Performance Units Earned
 
1,111,966

 
1,202,107

 
889,697

Performance Units Mandatorily Deferred as AEP Career Shares
 
9,963

 
41,707

 
40,831

Performance Units Voluntarily Deferred into the Incentive Compensation Deferral Program
 
51,684

 
54,074

 
39,526

Performance Units to be Paid in Cash
 
1,050,319

 
1,106,326

 
809,340


The cash payouts for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Performance Units and AEP Career Shares
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Cash Payouts for Performance Units
 
$
62.7

 
$
48.1

 
$
29.3

Cash Payouts for AEP Career Share Distributions
 
9.1

 
3.0

 
4.3


Restricted Stock Units

The HR Committee grants restricted stock units (RSUs), which generally vest, subject to the participant’s continued employment, over at least three years in approximately equal annual increments.  The RSUs accrue dividends as additional RSUs. The additional RSUs granted as dividends vest on the same date as the underlying RSUs. RSUs are converted into a share of AEP common stock upon vesting, except for AEP’s officers subject to the disclosure requirements set forth in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, who are paid in cash.  In 2014, there were no RSUs granted to Section 16 officers due to a change that deferred granting these and other awards until February 2015. For RSUs paid in shares, compensation cost is measured at fair value on the grant date and recorded over the vesting period.  Fair value is determined by multiplying the number of RSUs granted by the grant date market closing price.  For RSUs paid in cash, compensation cost is recorded over the vesting period and adjusted for changes in fair value until vested.  The fair value at vesting is determined by multiplying the number of RSUs vested by the 20-day average closing price of AEP common stock.  The maximum contractual term of outstanding RSUs is approximately 40 months from the grant date.

In 2010, the HR Committee granted a total of 165,520 RSUs to four Chief Executive Officer succession candidates as a retention incentive for these candidates.  These grants vested in three approximately equal installments in August 2013, August 2014 and August 2015.  

The HR Committee awarded RSUs, including additional units awarded as dividends, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Restricted Stock Units
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Awarded Units (in thousands)
 
242.0

 
397.5

 
64.1

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
$
62.88

 
$
58.56

 
$
50.36



214




The total fair value and total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Restricted Stock Units
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Fair Value of Restricted Stock Units Vested
 
$
16.4

 
$
18.3

 
$
18.7

Intrinsic Value of Restricted Stock Units Vested (a)
 
21.0

 
24.2

 
24.9


(a)
Intrinsic value is calculated as market price at exercise date.

A summary of the status of AEP’s nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:
Nonvested Restricted Stock Units
 
Shares/Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Nonvested as of January 1, 2016
 
721.3

 
$
52.48

Granted
 
242.0

 
62.88

Vested
 
(326.7
)
 
50.07

Forfeited
 
(33.0
)
 
55.81

Nonvested as of December 31, 2016
 
603.6

 
57.54


The total aggregate intrinsic value of nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2016 was $38 million and the weighted average remaining contractual life was 1.7 years.

Other Stock-Based Plans

AEP also has a Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors providing each non-employee director with AEP stock units as a substantial portion of their quarterly compensation for their services as a director.  The number of stock units provided is based on the closing price of AEP common stock on the last trading day of the quarter for which the stock units were earned.  Amounts equivalent to cash dividends on the stock units accrue as additional AEP stock units.  The stock units granted to Non-Employee Directors are fully vested upon grant date.  Stock units are paid in cash upon termination of board service or up to 10 years later if the participant so elects.  Cash payments for stock units are calculated based on the average closing price of AEP common stock for the last 20 trading days prior to the distribution date. After five years of service on the Board of Directors, non-employee directors receive contributions to an AEP stock fund awarded under the Stock Unit Accumulation Plan. Such amounts may be exchanged into other market-based investments that are similar to the investment options available to employees that participate in AEP’s Incentive Compensation Deferral Plan.

Management records compensation cost for stock units when the units are awarded and adjusts the liability for changes in value based on the current 20-day average closing price of AEP common stock on the valuation date.

The cash payouts for stock unit distributions for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $0 million, $1 million and $5 million, respectively.

The Board of Directors awarded stock units, including units awarded for dividends, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Stock Unit Accumulation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Awarded Units (in thousands)
 
19.1

 
24.9

 
25.4

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
$
64.96

 
$
55.46

 
$
54.08


215




Share-based Compensation Plans

Compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements, the actual tax benefit realized from the tax deductions for compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements recognized in income and total compensation cost capitalized in relation to the cost of an asset for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Share-based Compensation Plans
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements (a)
 
$
66.5

 
$
63.8

 
$
85.4

Actual Tax Benefit Realized
 
23.3

 
22.3

 
29.9

Total Compensation Cost Capitalized
 
20.8

 
20.3

 
23.1


(a)
Compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements is included in Other Operation and Maintenance expenses on the statements of income.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were no significant modifications affecting any of AEP’s share-based payment arrangements.

As of December 31, 2016, there was $62 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2015 LTIP and Prior Plan. Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based arrangements will change as the fair value of performance units and AEP career shares is adjusted each period and as forfeitures for all award types are realized.  AEP’s unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.37 years.

AEP’s practice prior to August 2016 was to use authorized but unissued shares to fulfill share commitments for stock option exercises and RSU vesting.  In August 2016, AEP began also using shares purchased on the open market to fulfill such share commitments. AEP is permitted to use treasury shares, shares acquired in the open market specifically for distribution under the 2015 LTIP and Prior Plan or any combination thereof for this purpose. Management anticipates using a combination of open market purchases and treasury shares for this purpose going forward. The number of new shares issued to fulfill vesting RSUs is generally reduced to offset AEP’s tax withholding obligation.

216




16.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrant Subsidiaries unless indicated otherwise.

For other related party transactions, also see “AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement” section of Note 12 in addition to “Utility Money Pool – AEP System” and “Sale of Receivables – AEP Credit” sections of Note 14.

Interconnection Agreement

In accordance with management’s December 2010 announcement and October 2012 filing with the FERC, the Interconnection Agreement was terminated effective January 1, 2014.  The AEP System Interim Allowance Agreement which provided for, among other things, the transfer of SO2 emission allowances associated with transactions under the Interconnection Agreement was also terminated.

APCo, I&M, KPCo, OPCo and AEPSC were parties to the Interconnection Agreement which defined the sharing of costs and benefits associated with the respective generation plants.  This sharing was based upon each AEP utility subsidiary’s MLR and was calculated monthly on the basis of each AEP utility subsidiary’s maximum peak demand in relation to the sum of the maximum peak demands of all four AEP utility subsidiaries during the preceding 12 months.

Effective January 1, 2014, the FERC approved the following agreements.

A Power Coordination Agreement (PCA) among APCo, I&M and KPCo with AEPSC as the agent to coordinate the participants’ respective power supply resources.  Effective May 2015, the PCA was revised and approved by the FERC to include WPCo. Under the PCA, APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo are individually responsible for planning their respective capacity obligations. Further, the Restated and Amended PCA allows, but does not obligate, APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo to participate collectively under a common fixed resource requirement capacity plan in PJM and to participate in specified collective off-system sales and purchase activities.
A Bridge Agreement among AGR, APCo, I&M, KPCo and OPCo with AEPSC as agent.  The Bridge Agreement is an interim arrangement to: (a) address the treatment of purchases and sales made by AEPSC on behalf of member companies that extend beyond termination of the Interconnection Agreement and (b) address how member companies would fulfill their existing obligations under the PJM Reliability Assurance Agreement through the 2014/2015 PJM planning year.  Under the Bridge Agreement, AGR committed to use its capacity to help meet the PJM capacity obligations of member companies through the PJM planning year that ended May 31, 2015.
A Power Supply Agreement (PSA) between AGR and OPCo that provided for AGR to supply capacity for OPCo’s switched (at $188.88/MW day) and non-switched retail load for the period January 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015 and to supply the energy needs of OPCo’s non-switched retail load that was not acquired through auctions in 2014.

AEPSC conducts power, capacity, coal, natural gas, interest rate and, to a lesser extent, heating oil, gasoline and other risk management activities on behalf of APCo, I&M, KPCo, PSO, SWEPCo and WPCo. Effective January 1, 2014 and revised in May 2015, power and natural gas risk management activities for APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo are allocated based on the four member companies’ respective equity positions, while power and natural gas risk management activities for PSO and SWEPCo are allocated based on the Operating Agreement. Effective January 1, 2014 and with the transfer of OPCo’s generation assets to AGR, AEPSC conducts only gasoline, diesel fuel, energy procurement and risk management activities on OPCo’s behalf.


217




Operating Agreement (Applies to PSO and SWEPCo)

PSO, SWEPCo and AEPSC are parties to the Operating Agreement which was approved by the FERC.  The Operating Agreement requires PSO and SWEPCo to maintain adequate annual planning reserve margins and requires that capacity in excess of the required margins be made available for sale to other operating companies as capacity commitments. In January 2014, the FERC approved a modification of the Operating Agreement to address changes resulting from an anticipated March 2014 SPP power market change. Subsequently and in March 2014, SPP changed from an energy imbalance service market to a fully integrated power market. In alignment with the new SPP integrated power market and according to the modified Operating Agreement, PSO and SWEPCo operate as standalone entities and offer their respective generation into the SPP power market. SPP then economically dispatches resources. By offering their resources separately, PSO and SWEPCo no longer purchase or sell energy to each other to serve their respective internal load or off-system sales.

System Integration Agreement (SIA) (Applies to APCo, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo)

Under the SIA, AEPSC allocates physical and financial revenues and expenses from transactions with neighboring utilities, power marketers and other power and natural gas risk management activities based upon the location of such activity. Margins resulting from trading and marketing activities originating in PJM and MISO generally accrue to the benefit of APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo, while trading and marketing activities originating in SPP generally accrue to the benefit of PSO and SWEPCo.  Margins resulting from other transactions are allocated among APCo, I&M, KPCo, PSO, SWEPCo and WPCo based upon the equity positions of these companies.

Affiliated Revenues and Purchases

The following tables show the revenues derived from sales under the Interconnection Agreement, direct sales to affiliates, net transmission agreement sales and other revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Related Party Revenues
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Sales to East Affiliates
 
$
126.0

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Direct Sales to West Affiliates
 

 

 

 

 
3.7

Auction Sales to OPCo (a)
 
9.2

 
12.0

 

 

 

Direct Sales to AEPEP
 

 

 

 

 
(0.2
)
Transmission Agreement and Transmission Coordination Agreement Sales
 
1.3

 
12.2

 
(2.0
)
 
(1.7
)
 
19.4

Other Revenues
 
5.6

 
2.0

 
19.3

 
4.3

 
1.6

Total Affiliated Revenues
 
$
142.1

 
$
26.2

 
$
17.3

 
$
2.6

 
$
24.5

Related Party Revenues
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Sales to East Affiliates
 
$
132.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Auction Sales to OPCo (a)
 
10.6

 
17.1

 

 

 

Direct Sales to AEPEP
 

 

 
29.7

 

 
(0.2
)
Transmission Agreement and Transmission Coordination Agreement Sales
 
0.7

 
8.4

 
35.5

 
0.2

 
15.2

Other Revenues
 
4.4

 
1.9

 
18.9

 
4.4

 
1.6

Total Affiliated Revenues
 
$
147.8

 
$
27.4

 
$
84.1

 
$
4.6

 
$
16.6


218




Related Party Revenues
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales under Interconnection Agreement (b)
 
$
0.2

 
$
0.5

 
$
1.1

 
$

 
$

Direct Sales to East Affiliates
 
141.7

 

 

 
3.8

 
10.1

Direct Sales to West Affiliates
 
0.6

 
0.4

 

 

 
0.3

Direct Sales to AEPEP
 

 

 
44.1

 

 

Transmission Agreement and Transmission Coordination Agreement Sales
 
(1.6
)
 
1.7

 
104.1

 

 
14.1

Other Revenues
 
3.6

 
1.6

 
15.9

 
3.3

 
1.8

Total Affiliated Revenues
 
$
144.5

 
$
4.2

 
$
165.2

 
$
7.1

 
$
26.3


(a)    Refer to the Ohio Auctions section below for further information regarding these amounts.
(b)    Includes December 2013 true-up activity subsequent to agreement termination.

The following tables show the purchased power expenses incurred for purchases under the Interconnection Agreement and from affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
Related Party Purchases
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Purchases from West Affiliates
 

 

 

 
3.7

 

Auction Purchases from AEPEP (a)
 

 

 
110.1

 

 

Auction Purchases from AEP Energy (a)
 

 

 
7.7

 

 

Auction Purchases from AEPSC (a)
 

 

 
24.1

 

 

Direct Purchases from AEGCo
 

 
228.6

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Purchases
 
$

 
$
228.6

 
$
141.9

 
$
3.7

 
$

Related Party Purchases
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Purchases from AGR(c)
 
$

 
$

 
$
269.2

 
$

 
$

Auction Purchases from AEPEP (a)
 

 

 
225.2

 

 

Auction Purchases from AEPSC (a)
 

 

 
32.7

 

 

Direct Purchases from AEGCo
 

 
232.1

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Purchases
 
$

 
$
232.1

 
$
527.1

 
$

 
$

Related Party Purchases
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases under Interconnection Agreement (b)
 
$
4.7

 
$
1.6

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$

Direct Purchases from East Affiliates
 

 

 

 
1.0

 

Direct Purchases from West Affiliates
 

 

 

 
10.0

 
3.8

Direct Purchases from AGR(c)
 

 

 
1,305.2

 

 

Direct Purchases from AEPEP
 

 

 
44.4

 

 

Direct Purchases from AEGCo
 

 
268.4

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Purchases
 
$
4.7

 
$
270.0

 
$
1,349.7

 
$
11.0

 
$
3.8


(a)    Refer to the Ohio Auctions section below for further information regarding this amount.
(b)    Includes December 2013 true-up activity subsequent to agreement termination.
(c)
Amounts exclude $31 million and $157 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are now presented as Generation Deferrals on the Statement of Income.

219




The above summarized related party revenues and expenses are reported in Sales to AEP Affiliates and Purchased Electricity from AEP Affiliates, respectively, on the Registrant Subsidiaries’ statements of income.  Since the Registrant Subsidiaries are included in AEP’s consolidated results, the above summarized related party transactions are eliminated in total in AEP’s consolidated revenues and expenses.

System Transmission Integration Agreement (STIA)

AEP’s STIA provided for the integration and coordination of the planning, operation and maintenance of transmission facilities. Since the FERC approved the cancellation of the STIA effective June 1, 2014, the coordinated planning, operation and maintenance of transmission facilities are the responsibility of the RTOs and the STIA is no longer necessary. Similar to the SIA, the STIA functioned as an umbrella agreement in addition to the Transmission Agreement (TA) and the Transmission Coordination Agreement (TCA). The TA and TCA are both still active. The STIA contained two service schedules that governed:

The allocation of transmission costs and revenues.
The allocation of third-party transmission costs and revenues and AEP System dispatch costs.

APCo, I&M, KGPCo, KPCo, OPCo and WPCo are parties to the TA, effective November 2010, which defines how transmission costs through PJM OATT are allocated among the AEP East Companies, KGPCo and WPCo on a 12-month average coincident peak basis.

The following table shows the net charges recorded by the Registrant Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 related to the TA:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
103.2

 
$
92.7

 
$
84.7

I&M
 
53.0

 
38.0

 
39.7

OPCo
 
143.6

 
81.0

 
17.0


The charges shown above are recorded in Other Operation expenses on the statements of income.

PSO, SWEPCo and AEPSC are parties to the TCA, dated January 1, 1997, by and among PSO, SWEPCo and AEPSC, in connection with the operation of the transmission assets of the two AEP utility subsidiaries.  The TCA has been approved by the FERC and establishes a coordinating committee, which is charged with overseeing the coordinated planning of the transmission facilities of the parties to the agreement.  This includes the performance of transmission planning studies, the interaction of such companies with independent system operators (ISO) and other regional bodies interested in transmission planning and compliance with the terms of the OATT filed with the FERC and the rules of the FERC relating to such a tariff.

Under the TCA, the parties to the agreement delegated to AEPSC the responsibility of monitoring the reliability of their transmission systems and administering the OATT on their behalf.  The allocations have been governed by the FERC-approved OATT for the SPP.

The following table shows the net (revenues) expenses allocated among parties to the TCA pursuant to the SPP OATT protocols as described above for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
PSO
 
$
19.6

 
$
15.0

 
$
14.1

SWEPCo
 
(19.6
)
 
(15.0
)
 
(14.1
)

The net (revenues) expenses shown above are recorded in Sales to AEP Affiliates on SWEPCo’s statements of income and Other Operation expenses on PSO’s statements of income.

220




Ohio Auctions (Applies to APCo, I&M and OPCo)

In connection with OPCo’s June 2012 - May 2015 ESP, the PUCO ordered OPCo to conduct energy and capacity auctions for its entire SSO load for delivery beginning in June 2015. AEP Energy, AEPEP, APCo, KPCo, I&M and WPCo participate in the auction process and have been awarded tranches of OPCo’s SSO load. Refer to the Affiliated Revenues and Purchases section above for amounts related to these transactions. See Note 10 - Derivatives and Hedging for further information.

Unit Power Agreements (UPA) (Applies to I&M)

UPA between AEGCo and I&M

A UPA between AEGCo and I&M (the I&M Power Agreement) provides for the sale by AEGCo to I&M of all the power (and the energy associated therewith) available to AEGCo at the Rockport Plant unless it is sold to another utility.  Subsequently, I&M assigns 30% of the power to KPCo.  See the “UPA between AEGCo and KPCo” section below.  I&M is obligated, whether or not power is available from AEGCo, to pay as a demand charge for the right to receive such power (and as an energy charge for any associated energy taken by I&M) net of amounts received by AEGCo from any other sources, sufficient to enable AEGCo to pay all its operating and other expenses, including a rate of return on the common equity of AEGCo as approved by the FERC.  The I&M Power Agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of the lease term of Unit 2 of the Rockport Plant unless extended in specified circumstances.

UPA between AEGCo and KPCo

Pursuant to an assignment between I&M and KPCo and a UPA between KPCo and AEGCo, AEGCo sells KPCo 30% of the power (and the energy associated therewith) available to AEGCo from both units of the Rockport Plant.  KPCo pays to AEGCo in consideration for the right to receive such power the same amounts which I&M would have paid AEGCo under the terms of the I&M Power Agreement for such entitlement.  The KPCo UPA ends in December 2022.

Cook Coal Terminal (Applies to I&M, PSO and SWEPCo)

Cook Coal Terminal, which is owned by AEGCo, performs coal transloading and storage services at cost for I&M.  The coal transloading expenses in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
I&M
 
$
12.8

 
$
15.8

 
$
16.2


I&M recorded the cost of transloading services in Fuel on the balance sheet.

Cook Coal Terminal also performs railcar maintenance services at cost for I&M, PSO and SWEPCo.  The railcar maintenance revenues in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
I&M
 
$
1.7

 
$
2.0

 
$
2.5

PSO
 
0.6

 
0.2

 
0.3

SWEPCo
 
3.3

 
2.8

 
3.3


I&M, PSO and SWEPCo recorded the cost of the railcar maintenance services in Fuel on the balance sheets.


221




I&M Barging, Urea Transloading and Other Services (Applies to APCo and I&M)

I&M provides barging, urea transloading and other transportation services to affiliates.  Urea is a chemical used to control NOx emissions at certain generation plants in the AEP System.  I&M recorded revenues from barging, transloading and other services in Other Revenues – Affiliated on the statements of income.  The affiliated companies recorded these costs paid to I&M as fuel expenses or other operation expenses.  The amounts of affiliated expenses were:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEGCo
 
$
14.8

 
$
16.1

 
$
22.7

AGR
 
0.3

 
4.9

 
5.2

APCo
 
36.9

 
37.7

 
36.1

KPCo
 
5.3

 
4.6

 
5.0

WPCo
 
4.8

 

 

AEP River Operations LLC – (Nonutility Subsidiary of AEP)
 

 
15.5

 
25.3


Services Provided by AEP River Operations LLC (Applies to I&M)

AEP River Operations LLC provided services for barge towing, chartering and general and administrative expenses to I&M.  The costs are recorded by I&M as Other Operation expenses.  In October 2015, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell AEP River Operations LLC to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in November 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, I&M recorded expenses of $19 million and $24 million, respectively, for these activities.

Central Machine Shop

APCo operates a facility which repairs and rebuilds specialized components for the generation plants across the AEP System.  APCo defers the cost of performing these services on the balance sheet and then transfers the cost to the affiliate for reimbursement.  The AEP subsidiaries recorded these billings as capital or maintenance expenses depending on the nature of the services received.  These billings are recoverable from customers.  The following table provides the amounts billed by APCo to the following affiliates:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEGCo
 
$

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

AGR
 
2.0

 
2.7

 
2.8

I&M
 
2.9

 
2.5

 
1.7

KPCo
 
1.5

 
1.3

 
1.2

PSO
 
0.5

 
0.2

 
0.3

SWEPCo
 
0.9

 
0.8

 
0.1



222




Affiliate Railcar Agreement (Applies to APCo, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo)

Certain AEP subsidiaries have an agreement providing for the use of each other’s leased or owned railcars when available.  The agreement specifies that the company using the railcar will be billed, at cost, by the company furnishing the railcar.  The AEP subsidiaries recorded these costs or reimbursements as costs or reduction of costs, respectively, in Fuel on the balance sheets and such costs are recoverable from customers.  The following tables show the net effect of the railcar agreement on the balance sheets:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Billing Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Billed Company
 
I&M
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
APCo
 
$

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.3

I&M
 

 
0.3

 
0.8

PSO
 
0.3

 

 
0.2

SWEPCo
 
0.9

 
0.3

 

 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Billing Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Billed Company
 
I&M
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
APCo
 
$

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.3

I&M
 

 
0.4

 
1.2

PSO
 
0.6

 

 
0.6

SWEPCo
 
1.8

 
0.6

 


OVEC (Applies to APCo, I&M and OPCo)

AEP and several nonaffiliated utility companies jointly own OVEC.  As of December 31, 2016, the ownership and investment in OVEC were as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2016
Company
 
Ownership
 
Investment
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Parent
 
39.17
%
 
$
4.0

OPCo
 
4.30
%
 
0.4

Total
 
43.47
%
 
$
4.4


OVEC’s owners, along with APCo and I&M, are members to an intercompany power agreement.  Participants of this agreement are entitled to receive and obligated to pay for all OVEC generating capacity, approximately 2,400 MWs, in proportion to their respective power participation ratios.  The aggregate power participation ratio of certain AEP utility subsidiaries, including APCo, I&M and OPCo, is 43.47%.  The proceeds from the sale of power by OVEC are designed to be sufficient for OVEC to meet its operating expenses and fixed costs, including outstanding indebtedness, and provide a return on capital.  The intercompany power agreement ends in June 2040.

AEP and other nonaffiliated owners authorized environmental investments related to their ownership interests. OVEC financed capital expenditures in connection with the engineering and construction of FGD projects and the associated waste disposal landfills at its two generation plants.  These environmental projects were funded through debt issuances. As of December 31, 2016, OVEC’s outstanding indebtedness is approximately $1.5 billion. The Registrants’ are responsible for their 43.47% share of OVEC’s outstanding debt. Principal and interest payments related to OVEC’s outstanding indebtedness are disclosed in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Commitments.” See the “Commitments” section of Note 6.

223




Purchased Power from OVEC

The amounts of power purchased by the Registrant Subsidiaries from OVEC for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
88.0

 
$
87.2

 
$
96.9

I&M
 
44.0

 
43.7

 
48.5

OPCo
 
111.7

 
110.8

 
123.1


The amounts above are included in Purchased Electricity for Resale on the statements of income.

Sales and Purchases of Property

Certain AEP subsidiaries had affiliated sales and purchases of electric property individually amounting to $100 thousand or more, sales and purchases of meters and transformers, and sales and purchases of transmission property.  There were no gains or losses recorded on the transactions.  The following tables show the sales and purchases, recorded at net book value, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

Sales
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
4.5

 
$
9.4

 
$
3.0

I&M
 
5.2

 
3.0

 
1.3

OPCo
 
1.9

 
2.4

 
0.5

PSO
 
7.5

 
7.1

 
0.5

SWEPCo
 
1.0

 
0.8

 
1.2


Purchases
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
1.5

 
$
8.6

 
$
0.9

I&M
 
2.7

 
8.1

 
1.4

OPCo
 
1.7

 
2.1

 
1.9

PSO
 
3.2

 
0.6

 
2.1

SWEPCo
 
6.5

 
7.4

 
4.0


The amounts above are recorded in Property, Plant and Equipment on the balance sheets.

Intercompany Billings

The Registrant Subsidiaries and other AEP subsidiaries perform certain utility services for each other when necessary or practical.  The costs of these services are billed on a direct-charge basis, whenever possible, or on reasonable basis of proration for services that benefit multiple companies.  The billings for services are made at cost and include no compensation for the use of equity capital.

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17.   VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

The accounting guidance for “Variable Interest Entities” is a consolidation model that considers if a company has a variable interest in a VIE.  A VIE is a legal entity that possesses any of the following conditions: the entity’s equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, equity owners are unable to direct the activities that most significantly impact the legal entity’s economic performance (or they possess disproportionate voting rights in relation to the economic interest in the legal entity), or the equity owners lack the obligation to absorb the legal entity’s expected losses or the right to receive the legal entity’s expected residual returns. Entities are required to consolidate a VIE when it is determined that they have a controlling financial interest in a VIE and therefore, are the primary beneficiary of that VIE, as defined by the accounting guidance for “Variable Interest Entities”. In determining whether AEP is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, management considers whether AEP has the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and is obligated to absorb losses or receive the expected residual returns that are significant to the VIE. Management believes that significant assumptions and judgments were applied consistently. 

AEP is the primary beneficiary of Sabine, DCC Fuel, Transition Funding, Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding, Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding, AEP Credit, a protected cell of EIS, Transource Energy and AEP Renewables. In addition, AEP has not provided material financial or other support to any of these entities that was not previously contractually required. AEP holds a significant variable interest in DHLC and Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC West Virginia Series (West Virginia Series).

Consolidated Variable Interests Entities

Sabine is a mining operator providing mining services to SWEPCo.  SWEPCo has no equity investment in Sabine but is Sabine’s only customer.  SWEPCo guarantees the debt obligations and lease obligations of Sabine.  Under the terms of the note agreements, substantially all assets are pledged and all rights under the lignite mining agreement are assigned to SWEPCo.  The creditors of Sabine have no recourse to any AEP entity other than SWEPCo.  Under the provisions of the mining agreement, SWEPCo is required to pay, as a part of the cost of lignite delivered, an amount equal to mining costs plus a management fee.  In addition, SWEPCo determines how much coal will be mined each year.  Based on these facts, management concluded that SWEPCo is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate Sabine.  SWEPCo’s total billings from Sabine for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $162 million, $152 million and $151 million, respectively.  See the tables below for the classification of Sabine’s assets and liabilities on SWEPCo’s balance sheets.

I&M has nuclear fuel lease agreements with DCC Fuel, which was formed for the purpose of acquiring, owning and leasing nuclear fuel to I&M.  DCC Fuel purchased the nuclear fuel from I&M with funds received from the issuance of notes to financial institutions.  Each DCC Fuel entity is a single-lessee leasing arrangement with only one asset and is capitalized with all debt.  Each is a separate legal entity from I&M, the assets of which are not available to satisfy the debts of I&M.  Payments on the leases for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $101 million, $115 million and $109 million, respectively.  The leases were recorded as capital leases on I&M’s balance sheet as title to the nuclear fuel transfers to I&M at the end of the respective lease terms, which do not exceed 54 months.  Based on I&M’s control of DCC Fuel, management concluded that I&M is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate DCC Fuel.  The capital leases are eliminated upon consolidation. See the tables below for the classification of DCC Fuel’s assets and liabilities on I&M’s balance sheets.

Transition Funding was formed for the sole purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to Texas Restructuring Legislation. Management has concluded that AEP Texas is the primary beneficiary of Transition Funding because AEP Texas has the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and AEP Texas’ equity interest could potentially be significant. Therefore, AEP Texas is required to consolidate Transition Funding. The securitized bonds totaled $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in Long-term Debt Due Within One Year - Nonaffiliated and Long-term Debt - Nonaffiliated on the balance sheets. Transition

225




Funding has securitized transition assets of $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are presented separately on the face of the balance sheets. The securitized transition assets represent the right to impose and collect Texas true-up costs from customers receiving electric transmission or distribution service from AEP Texas under recovery mechanisms approved by the PUCT. The securitization bonds are payable only from and secured by the securitized transition assets. The bondholders have no recourse to AEP Texas or any other AEP entity. AEP Texas acts as the servicer for Transition Funding’s securitized transition assets and remits all related amounts collected from customers to Transition Funding for interest and principal payments on the securitization bonds and related costs. See the tables below for the classification of Transition Funding’s assets and liabilities on the balance sheets.

Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding was formed for the sole purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to phase-in recovery property.  Management has concluded that OPCo is the primary beneficiary of Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding because OPCo has the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and OPCo’s equity interest could potentially be significant.  Therefore, OPCo is required to consolidate Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding.  The securitized bonds totaled $140 million and $185 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in Long-term Debt Due Within One Year - Nonaffiliated and Long-term Debt - Nonaffiliated on the balance sheets. Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding has securitized assets of $62 million and $86 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are presented separately on the face of the balance sheets. The phase-in recovery property represents the right to impose and collect Ohio deferred distribution charges from customers receiving electric transmission and distribution service from OPCo under a recovery mechanism approved by the PUCO. In August 2013, securitization bonds were issued.  The securitization bonds are payable only from and secured by the securitized assets.  The bondholders have no recourse to OPCo or any other AEP entity.  OPCo acts as the servicer for Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding’s securitized assets and remits all related amounts collected from customers to Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding for interest and principal payments on the securitization bonds and related costs. See the tables below for the classification of Ohio Phase-in-Recovery Funding’s assets and liabilities on OPCo’s balance sheets.
 
Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding was formed for the sole purpose of issuing and servicing securitization bonds related to APCo’s under-recovered ENEC deferral balance.  Management has concluded that APCo is the primary beneficiary of Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding because APCo has the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and APCo’s equity interest could potentially be significant.  Therefore, APCo is required to consolidate Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding.  The securitized bonds totaled $319 million and $342 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in Long-term Debt Due Within One Year - Nonaffiliated and Long-term Debt - Nonaffiliated on the balance sheets.  Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding has securitized assets of $305 million and $328 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which are presented separately on the face of the balance sheets. The phase-in recovery property represents the right to impose and collect West Virginia deferred generation charges from customers receiving electric transmission, distribution and generation service from APCo under a recovery mechanism approved by the WVPSC.  In November 2013, securitization bonds were issued.  The securitization bonds are payable only from and secured by the securitized assets.  The bondholders have no recourse to APCo or any other AEP entity.  APCo acts as the servicer for Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding’s securitized assets and remits all related amounts collected from customers to Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding for interest and principal payments on the securitization bonds and related costs. See the tables below for the classification of Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding’s assets and liabilities on APCo’s balance sheets.

AEP Credit is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. AEP Credit purchases, without recourse, accounts receivable from certain utility subsidiaries of AEP to reduce working capital requirements. AEP provides a minimum of 5% equity and up to 20% of AEP Credit’s short-term borrowing needs in excess of third party financings. Any third party financing of AEP Credit only has recourse to the receivables securitized for such financing. Based on AEP’s control of AEP Credit, management concluded that AEP is the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate AEP Credit. See the tables below for the classification of AEP Credit’s assets and liabilities on the balance sheets. See “Sale of Receivables - AEP Credit” section of Note 14.

226




AEP’s subsidiaries participate in one protected cell of EIS for approximately eight lines of insurance. EIS has multiple protected cells. Neither AEP nor its subsidiaries have an equity investment in EIS. The AEP System is essentially this EIS cell’s only participant, but allows certain third parties access to this insurance. AEP’s subsidiaries and any allowed third parties share in the insurance coverage, premiums and risk of loss from claims. Based on AEP’s control and the structure of the protected cell of EIS, management concluded that AEP is the primary beneficiary of the protected cell and is required to consolidate the protected cell of EIS. The insurance premium expense to the protected cell for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $28 million, $29 million and $32 million, respectively. See the tables below for the classification of the protected cell’s assets and liabilities on the balance sheets.  The amount reported as equity is the protected cell’s policy holders’ surplus.

Transource Energy was formed for the purpose of investing in utilities which develop, acquire, construct, own and operate transmission facilities in accordance with FERC-approved rates. AEP has equity and voting ownership of 86.5% with the other owner having 13.5% interest. Management has concluded that Transource Energy is a VIE and that AEP is the primary beneficiary because AEP has the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and AEP’s equity interest could potentially be significant. Therefore, AEP is required to consolidate Transource Energy. In January 2014, Transource Missouri (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transource Energy) acquired transmission assets from the non-controlling owner and issued debt and received a capital contribution to fund the acquisition. The majority of Transource Energy’s activity resulted from the asset acquisition, construction projects, debt issuance and capital contribution. AEP has provided capital contributions to Transource Energy of $45 million and $47 million, in 2016 and 2015, respectively. AEP and the other owner of Transource Energy are required to ensure a specific equity level in Transource Missouri upon completion of projects or if a project is abandoned by the RTO. See the tables below for the classification of Transource Energy’s assets and liabilities on the balance sheets.

AEP Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Supply, was formed to provide utility scale wind and solar projects whose power output is sold via long-term power purchase agreements to other utilities, cities and corporations. In the third and fourth quarters of 2016, AEP Renewables acquired Pavant Solar III, LLC and Boulder Solar II, LLC, respectively. AEP Renewables has not received a capital contribution to date from their parent company, but has participated in the AEP corporate borrowing program to fund the aforementioned projects. Management has concluded that AEP Renewables is a VIE and that Energy Supply is the primary beneficiary because Energy Supply has the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and Energy Supply’s equity interest could potentially be significant. See the tables below for the classification of AEP Renewables’ assets and liabilities on the balance sheets.


227




The balances below represent the assets and liabilities of the VIEs that are consolidated. These balances include intercompany transactions that are eliminated upon consolidation.
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
Registrant Subsidiaries
 
 
SWEPCo
Sabine
 
I&M
DCC Fuel
 
OPCo
Ohio
Phase-in-
Recovery Funding
 
APCo
Appalachian
Consumer
Rate
Relief Funding
 
 
(in millions)
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
60.2

 
$
135.5

 
$
30.3

 
$
20.2

 
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
112.0

 
233.9

 

 

 
Other Noncurrent Assets
89.8

 
116.2

 
117.1

(a)
309.0

(b)
Total Assets
$
262.0

 
$
485.6

 
$
147.4

 
$
329.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
$
26.3

 
$
131.3

 
$
47.5

 
$
27.3

 
Noncurrent Liabilities
235.3

 
354.3

 
98.6

 
300.6

 
Equity
0.4

 

 
1.3

 
1.3

 
Total Liabilities and Equity
$
262.0

 
$
485.6

 
$
147.4

 
$
329.2

 

(a)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $55 million.
(b)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $3.7 million.
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
Other Consolidated VIEs
 
AEP Credit
 
AEP Texas Transition Funding
 
Protected
Cell
of EIS
 
Transource Energy
 
AEP Renewables
 
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
945.7

 
$
184.8

 
$
170.6

 
$
16.3

 
$

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

 
313.0

 
130.4

Other Noncurrent Assets
10.3

 
1,149.4

(a)
1.1

 
5.4

 
9.0

Total Assets
$
956.0

 
$
1,334.2

 
$
171.7

 
$
334.7

 
$
139.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
$
877.4

 
$
251.9

 
$
31.8

 
$
31.7

 
$
126.7

Noncurrent Liabilities
0.6

 
1,064.2

 
97.3

 
134.4

 
11.3

Equity
78.0

 
18.1

 
42.6

 
168.6

 
1.4

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
956.0

 
$
1,334.2

 
$
171.7

 
$
334.7

 
$
139.4


(a)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $61.1 million.

228




AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Registrant Subsidiaries
 
 
SWEPCo
Sabine
 
I&M
DCC Fuel
 
OPCo
Ohio
Phase-in-
Recovery Funding
 
APCo
Appalachian
Consumer
Rate
Relief Funding
 
 
(in millions)
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
61.7

 
$
91.1

 
$
31.2

 
$
18.5

 
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
147.0

 
159.9

 

 

 
Other Noncurrent Assets
61.8

 
84.6

 
162.0

(a)
332.0

(b)
Total Assets
$
270.5

 
$
335.6

 
$
193.2

 
$
350.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
$
47.7

 
$
84.8

 
$
47.3

 
$
27.1

 
Noncurrent Liabilities
222.3

 
250.8

 
144.6

 
321.5

 
Equity
0.5

 

 
1.3

 
1.9

 
Total Liabilities and Equity
$
270.5

 
$
335.6

 
$
193.2

 
$
350.5

 

(a)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $76.1 million.
(b)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $4 million.
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Consolidated VIEs
 
AEP Credit
 
AEP Texas Transition Funding
 
Protected
Cell
of EIS
 
Transource Energy
 
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
925.7

 
$
234.1

 
$
165.3

 
$
10.8

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

 
227.2

Other Noncurrent Assets
6.4

 
1,365.7

(a)
1.9

 
5.5

Total Assets
$
932.1

 
$
1,599.8

 
$
167.2

 
$
243.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
$
855.1

 
$
291.7

 
$
41.8

 
$
36.6

Noncurrent Liabilities
0.3

 
1,290.0

 
83.9

 
113.0

Equity
76.7

 
18.1

 
41.5

 
93.9

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
932.1

 
$
1,599.8

 
$
167.2

 
$
243.5


(a)
Includes an intercompany item eliminated in consolidation of $68.2 million.


229




Non-Consolidated Significant Variable Interests

DHLC is a mining operator which sells 50% of the lignite produced to SWEPCo and 50% to CLECO.  SWEPCo and CLECO share the executive board seats and voting rights equally.  Each entity guarantees 50% of DHLC’s debt.  SWEPCo and CLECO equally approve DHLC’s annual budget.  The creditors of DHLC have no recourse to any AEP entity other than SWEPCo.  As SWEPCo is the sole equity owner of DHLC, it receives 100% of the management fee.  SWEPCo’s total billings from DHLC for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $65 million, $93 million and $56 million, respectively.  SWEPCo is not required to consolidate DHLC as it is not the primary beneficiary, although SWEPCo holds a significant variable interest in DHLC.  SWEPCo’s equity investment in DHLC is included in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on SWEPCo’s balance sheets.

SWEPCo’s investment in DHLC was:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
(in millions)
Capital Contribution from SWEPCo
$
7.6

 
$
7.6

 
$
7.6

 
$
7.6

Retained Earnings
15.7

 
15.7

 
7.7

 
7.7

SWEPCo’s Guarantee of Debt

 
91.3

 

 
82.9

Total Investment in DHLC
$
23.3

 
$
114.6

 
$
15.3

 
$
98.2


AEP and FirstEnergy Corp. (FirstEnergy) have a joint venture in Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC (PATH). PATH is a series limited liability company and was created to construct, through its operating companies, a high-voltage transmission line project in the PJM region.  PATH consists of the “West Virginia Series (PATH-WV),” owned equally by subsidiaries of FirstEnergy and AEP, and the “Allegheny Series” which is 100% owned by a subsidiary of FirstEnergy.  Provisions exist within the PATH-WV agreement that make it a VIE.  AEP has no interest or control in the “Allegheny Series”.  AEP is not required to consolidate PATH-WV as AEP is not the primary beneficiary, although AEP holds a significant variable interest in PATH-WV.  AEP’s equity investment in PATH-WV is included in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheets.  AEP and FirstEnergy share the returns and losses equally in PATH-WV.  AEP’s subsidiaries and FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries provide services to the PATH companies through service agreements.  The entities recover costs through regulated rates.

In August 2012, the PJM board cancelled the PATH Project, the transmission project that PATH was intended to develop and removed it from the 2012 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan. In September 2012, the PATH Project companies submitted an application to the FERC requesting authority to recover prudently-incurred costs associated with the PATH Project. In November 2012, the FERC issued an order accepting the PATH Project’s abandonment cost recovery application, subject to settlement procedures and hearing. The parties to the case were unable to reach a settlement agreement and in March 2014, settlement judge procedures were terminated. Hearings at the FERC were held in March and April 2015. In April 2015, PATH filed a stipulation agreement with the FERC that agreed to a 50% debt and 50% equity capital structure and a 4.7% cost of long-term debt for the entire amortization period. In September 2015, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued an advisory Initial Decision. Additional briefing was submitted during the fourth quarter of 2015. In January 2017, the FERC issued its order on Initial Decision, adopting in part and rejecting in part the ALJ’s recommendations. The FERC order included (a) a finding that the PATH Project’s abandonment costs were prudently incurred, (b) a finding that the disposition of certain assets was prudent, (c) guidance regarding the future disposition of assets, (d) a reduction of PATH WV’s authorized return on equity (ROE) to 8.11% prospectively only after the date of the order, (e) an adjustment of the amortization period to end December 2017, and (f) a credit for certain amounts that were deemed to be not includable in PATH-WV’s formula rates.


230




In February 2017, the PATH Companies filed a request for rehearing of two adverse rulings in the January 2017 FERC order. The request seeks the FERC to reverse its reduction of the PATH Companies 10.4% ROE for the period after January 19, 2017 and to allow the recovery of certain education and outreach costs disallowed by the order as being required to be recorded in accounts not recoverable under the PATH Companies’ formula rates. The PATH Companies may appeal an adverse order by the FERC once it issues an order on the merits of the PATH Companies’ request for rehearing. In February 2017, the Edison Electric Institute (“EEI”) also filed a request for rehearing recommending reversal of the January 2017 FERC ordered ROE reduction and cost disallowance. The requests for rehearing by the PATH Companies and EEI are currently pending before the FERC. The requests for rehearing do not impact either the timing of the compliance filing required by the order, to be filed in March 2017, or the recovery of costs by the PATH Companies under their formula rates. Depending on the resolution of these proceedings and annual true-ups under their formula rate, the PATH Companies may be required to refund amounts recovered under their formula rates. Management believes its financial statements adequately provide for the outcome of these proceedings.

AEP’s investment in PATH-WV was:
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum Exposure
 
(in millions)
Capital Contribution from Parent
$
18.8

 
$
18.8

 
$
18.8

 
$
18.8

Retained Earnings
(2.3
)
 
(2.3
)
 
2.2

 
2.2

Total Investment in PATH-WV
$
16.5

 
$
16.5

 
$
21.0

 
$
21.0


As of December 31, 2016, AEP’s $16.5 million investment in PATH-WV was included in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheet.  If AEP cannot ultimately recover the investment related to PATH-WV, it could reduce future net income and cash flows.

AEPSC provides certain managerial and professional services to AEP’s subsidiaries.  Parent is the sole equity owner of AEPSC.  AEP management controls the activities of AEPSC.  The costs of the services are based on a direct charge or on a prorated basis and billed to the AEP subsidiary companies at AEPSC’s cost.  AEP subsidiaries have not provided financial or other support outside of the reimbursement of costs for services rendered.  AEPSC finances its operations through cost reimbursement from other AEP subsidiaries.  There are no other terms or arrangements between AEPSC and any of the AEP subsidiaries that could require additional financial support from an AEP subsidiary or expose them to losses outside of the normal course of business.  AEPSC and its billings are subject to regulation by the FERC.  AEP subsidiaries are exposed to losses to the extent they cannot recover the costs of AEPSC through their normal business operations.  AEP subsidiaries are considered to have a significant interest in AEPSC due to their activity in AEPSC’s cost reimbursement structure.  However, AEP subsidiaries do not have control over AEPSC.  AEPSC is consolidated by AEP.  In the event AEPSC would require financing or other support outside the cost reimbursement billings, this financing would be provided by AEP.

Total AEPSC billings to the Registrant Subsidiaries were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
244.2

 
$
227.5

 
$
216.5

I&M
 
147.7

 
139.5

 
133.2

OPCo
 
181.1

 
177.8

 
169.0

PSO
 
111.0

 
107.3

 
101.4

SWEPCo
 
147.0

 
141.4

 
140.3



231




The carrying amount and classification of variable interest in AEPSC’s accounts payable are as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Company
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
As Reported on
the Balance Sheet
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
 
(in millions)
APCo
 
$
36.7

 
$
36.7

 
$
25.8

 
$
25.8

I&M
 
24.2

 
24.2

 
16.6

 
16.6

OPCo
 
28.1

 
28.1

 
23.3

 
23.3

PSO
 
16.0

 
16.0

 
12.6

 
12.6

SWEPCo
 
21.8

 
21.8

 
16.4

 
16.4


AEGCo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, is consolidated by AEP.  AEGCo owns a 50% ownership interest in Rockport Plant, Unit 1, leases a 50% interest in Rockport Plant, Unit 2 and owned 100% of the Lawrenceburg Generating Station, which was sold in January 2017. AEGCo sells all the output from the Rockport Plant to I&M and KPCo.  AEGCo has a Unit Power Agreement associated with the Lawrenceburg Generating Station which was assigned by OPCo to AGR effective January 1, 2014.  AEP has agreed to provide AEGCo with the funds necessary to satisfy all of the debt obligations of AEGCo.  I&M is considered to have a significant interest in AEGCo due to these transactions.  I&M is exposed to losses to the extent it cannot recover the costs of AEGCo through its normal business operations.  In the event AEGCo would require financing or other support outside the billings to I&M and KPCo, this financing would be provided by AEP. Total billings to I&M from AEGCo for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $229 million, $232 million and $268 million. The carrying amount of I&M’s liabilities associated with AEGCo as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $22 million and $17 million, respectively. Management estimates the maximum exposure of loss to be equal to the amount of such liability. For additional information regarding AEGCo’s lease, see “Rockport Lease” section of Note 13. The assets and liabilities of AEGCo’s Lawrenceburg Plant have been recorded as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Held for Sale, respectively, on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. See “Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale” section of Note 7 for additional information.


232




18.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

Property, Plant and Equipment is shown functionally on the face of the Registrants’ balance sheets. The following tables include the Registrants’ total plant balances as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
December 31, 2016
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
 
Regulated Property, Plant and Equipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
$
19,703.9

(b)
$
6,332.8

 
$
4,056.1

 
$

 
$
1,559.3

 
$
4,607.6

(b)
Transmission
 
16,658.6

 
2,796.9

 
1,472.8

 
2,319.2

 
832.8

 
1,584.2

 
Distribution
 
18,898.2

 
3,569.1

 
1,899.3

 
4,457.2

 
2,322.4

 
2,020.6

 
Other
 
2,902.0

 
345.1

 
507.7

 
433.4

 
227.3

 
399.3

 
CWIP
 
3,072.2

(b)
390.3

 
654.2

 
221.5

 
148.2

 
113.7

(b)
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
 
16,101.5

 
3,631.5

 
2,989.9

 
2,115.1

 
1,272.7

 
2,411.5

 
Total Regulated Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
45,133.4

 
9,802.7

 
5,600.2

 
5,316.2

 
3,817.3

 
6,313.9

 
Nonregulated Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
505.9

 
23.1

 
27.3

 
9.4

 
5.9

 
115.6

 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
$
45,639.3

(a)
$
9,825.8

 
$
5,627.5

 
$
5,325.6

 
$
3,823.2

 
$
6,429.5

 
December 31, 2015
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
 
Regulated Property, Plant and Equipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
$
19,082.8

(b)
$
6,200.8

 
$
3,841.7

 
$

 
$
1,302.6

 
$
3,943.5

(b)
Transmission
 
14,219.0

 
2,408.1

 
1,406.9

 
2,235.6

 
815.4

 
1,387.8

 
Distribution
 
18,046.9

 
3,402.5

 
1,790.8

 
4,287.7

 
2,206.7

 
1,957.3

 
Other
 
3,066.7

 
310.1

 
511.6

 
397.8

 
400.5

 
582.2

 
CWIP
 
3,774.4

(b)
475.1

 
519.8

 
171.9

 
315.3

 
744.7

(b)
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
 
16,076.9

 
3,395.5

 
2,908.3

 
2,047.9

 
1,352.5

 
2,445.0

 
Total Regulated Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
42,112.9

 
9,401.1

 
5,162.5

 
5,045.1

 
3,688.0

 
6,170.5

 
Nonregulated Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
4,020.3

 
23.3

 
41.0

 
9.6

 
5.2

 
150.6

 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment - Net
 
$
46,133.2

 
$
9,424.4

 
$
5,203.5

 
$
5,054.7

 
$
3,693.2

 
$
6,321.1

 

(a)
Amount excludes $1.8 billion of Property, Plant and Equipment - Net classified as Assets Held for Sale on the balance sheet. See “Gavin, Waterford, Darby and Lawrenceburg Plants (Generation & Marketing Segment)” section of Note 7 for additional information.
(b)
AEP and SWEPCo’s regulated generation and regulated CWIP include amounts related to SWEPCo’s Arkansas jurisdictional share of the Turk Plant.



233




Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

The Registrants provide for depreciation of Property, Plant and Equipment, excluding coal-mining properties, on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of property, generally using composite rates by functional class.  The following tables provide total regulated annual composite depreciation rates and depreciable lives for the Registrants:
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
Generation
 
2.1%
-
4.0%
 
35
-
132
 
0.4%
-
3.1%
 
35
-
132
 
1.7%
-
3.5%
 
31
-
132
Transmission
 
1.5%
-
2.7%
 
15
-
100
 
1.4%
-
2.7%
 
15
-
81
 
1.4%
-
2.7%
 
15
-
87
Distribution
 
2.6%
-
3.7%
 
7
-
156
 
2.5%
-
3.7%
 
7
-
75
 
2.4%
-
3.7%
 
7
-
75
Other
 
3.1%
-
8.6%
 
5
-
84
 
2.9%
-
11.8%
 
5
-
75
 
2.1%
-
8.6%
 
5
-
75

APCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
Generation
 
3.1%
 
35
-
121
 
3.1%
 
35
-
121
 
3.1%
 
40
-
121
Transmission
 
1.5%
 
15
-
68
 
1.6%
 
15
-
68
 
1.7%
 
15
-
87
Distribution
 
3.7%
 
10
-
57
 
3.6%
 
10
-
57
 
3.5%
 
13
-
57
Other
 
6.0%
 
5
-
55
 
8.3%
 
5
-
55
 
6.9%
 
24
-
55

I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
Generation
 
2.4%
 
59
-
132
 
2.5%
 
59
-
132
 
2.0%
 
59
-
132
Transmission
 
1.7%
 
50
-
75
 
1.7%
 
50
-
75
 
1.7%
 
50
-
75
Distribution
 
2.8%
 
10
-
70
 
2.8%
 
10
-
70
 
2.8%
 
15
-
70
Other
 
8.6%
 
5
-
45
 
11.8%
 
5
-
45
 
6.1%
 
14
-
45

OPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
Transmission
 
2.3%
 
39
-
60
 
2.3%
 
39
-
60
 
2.3%
 
39
-
60
Distribution
 
2.8%
 
7
-
57
 
2.8%
 
7
-
57
 
2.7%
 
7
-
57
Other
 
5.9%
 
5
-
50
 
7.2%
 
5
-
50
 
7.0%
 
7
-
50

PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
Generation
 
2.4%
 
35
-
85
 
1.7%
 
35
-
70
 
1.7%
 
35
-
70
Transmission
 
2.2%
 
45
-
100
 
1.9%
 
40
-
75
 
1.9%
 
40
-
75
Distribution
 
2.7%
 
27
-
156
 
2.5%
 
7
-
65
 
2.4%
 
30
-
65
Other
 
6.4%
 
5
-
84
 
4.6%
 
5
-
40
 
4.1%
 
5
-
40


234




SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
(in years)
Generation
 
2.1%
 
40
-
70
 
2.2%
 
40
-
70
 
2.2%
 
40
-
70
Transmission
 
2.2%
 
50
-
70
 
2.3%
 
50
-
70
 
2.2%
 
50
-
70
Distribution
 
2.6%
 
25
-
65
 
2.6%
 
25
-
65
 
2.7%
 
25
-
65
Other
 
6.8%
 
5
-
51
 
5.5%
 
5
-
51
 
4.8%
 
7
-
51

The following table includes the nonregulated annual composite depreciation rate ranges and nonregulated depreciable life ranges for AEP. Depreciation rate ranges and depreciable life ranges are not meaningful for nonregulated property of APCo, I&M, OPCo and PSO for 2016, 2015 and 2014.
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Functional Class of Property
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
Annual Composite
Depreciation Rate Ranges
 
Depreciable
Life Ranges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in years)
 
Generation
 
2.8%
-
17.2%
 
40
-
66
 
2.5%
-
3.4%
 
35
-
66
 
2.6%
-
3.4%
 
35
-
66
 
Transmission
 
2.3%
 
43
-
55
 
2.3%
 
43
-
55
 
2.3%
 
43
-
55
 
Distribution
 
1.3%
 
40
 
50
 
—%
 
0
-
0
 
—%
 
0
-
0
 
Other
 
9.1%
 
5
-
50
(a)
2.7%
 
5
-
50
(a)
17.1%
 
25
-
50
(a)

(a)
SWEPCo’s nonregulated property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over a range of 3 to 20 years.

SWEPCo provides for depreciation, depletion and amortization of coal-mining assets over each asset’s estimated useful life or the estimated life of each mine, whichever is shorter, using the straight-line method for mining structures and equipment.  SWEPCo uses either the straight-line method or the units-of-production method to amortize mine development costs and deplete coal rights based on estimated recoverable tonnages.  SWEPCo includes these costs in fuel expense.

For regulated operations, the composite depreciation rate generally includes a component for non-asset retirement obligation (non-ARO) removal costs, which is credited to Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization on the balance sheets.  Actual removal costs incurred are charged to Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization.  Any excess of accrued non-ARO removal costs over actual removal costs incurred is reclassified from Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization and reflected as a regulatory liability.  For nonregulated operations, non-ARO removal costs are expensed as incurred. 

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

The Registrants record ARO in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” for 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.  I&M records ARO for the decommissioning of the Cook Plant.  The Registrants 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 Registrants plan to use their facilities indefinitely.  The retirement obligation would only be recognized if and when the Registrants abandon or cease the use of specific easements, which is not expected.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, I&M’s ARO liability for nuclear decommissioning of the Cook Plant was $1.24 billion and $1.18 billion, respectively.  These liabilities are reflected in Asset Retirement Obligations on I&M’s balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of I&M’s assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling decommissioning liabilities totaled $1.95 billion and $1.80 billion, respectively.  These assets are included in Spent Nuclear Fuel and Decommissioning Trusts on I&M’s balance sheets.


235




The Registrants recorded an increase in 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 2016 and 2015 aggregate carrying amounts of ARO by Registrant:
Company
 
ARO as of December 31, 2015
 
Accretion
Expense
 
Liabilities
Incurred
 
Liabilities
Settled
 
Revisions in
Cash Flow
Estimates
 
ARO as of December 31, 2016
 
 
(in millions)
AEP (c)(d)(e)(f)
 
$
1,916.3

 
$
91.3

 
$
0.8

 
$
(139.9
)
(g)
$
66.4

 
$
1,934.9

APCo (c)(f)
 
140.2

 
7.6

 

 
(35.3
)
 
14.6

 
127.1

I&M (c)(d)(f)
 
1,253.8

 
55.6

 

 
(62.6
)
(g)
11.3

 
1,258.1

OPCo (f)
 
1.4

 
0.1

 
0.2

 

 

 
1.7

PSO (c)(f)
 
47.8

 
3.0

 
0.1

 
(1.0
)
 
3.5

 
53.4

SWEPCo (c)(e)(f)
 
125.4

 
7.0

 
0.2

 
(8.3
)
 
32.2

 
156.5

Company
 
ARO as of December 31, 2014
 
Accretion
Expense
 
Liabilities
Incurred
 
Liabilities
Settled
 
Revisions in
Cash Flow
Estimates
 
ARO as of December 31, 2015
 
 
(in millions)
AEP (c)(d)(e)(f)
 
$
2,019.6

 
$
101.4

 
$
58.0

 
$
(147.2
)
(a)
$
(115.5
)
(b)
$
1,916.3

APCo (c)(f)
 
148.4

 
8.3

 

 
(34.0
)
 
17.5

 
140.2

I&M (c)(d)(f)
 
1,342.5

 
64.3

 

 
(5.7
)
 
(147.3
)
 
1,253.8

OPCo (f)
 
1.4

 

 

 

 

 
1.4

PSO (c)(f)
 
38.1

 
2.6

 
5.6

 
(0.4
)
 
1.9

 
47.8

SWEPCo (c)(e)(f)
 
94.4

 
5.9

 
17.1

 
(5.0
)
 
13.0

 
125.4


(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 7.
(b)
Amount includes a $20 million reduction in the ARO liability due to the execution of a joint use agreement with a third party.
(c)
Includes ARO related to ash disposal facilities.
(d)
Includes ARO related to nuclear decommissioning costs for the Cook Plant of $1.24 billion and $1.18 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(e)
Includes ARO related to Sabine and DHLC.
(f)
Includes ARO related to asbestos removal.
(g)
Amount includes settlement of liabilities of $61 million associated with the sale of the Tanners Creek Plant site. See the “Tanners Creek” section of Note 7.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and Interest Capitalization

The Registrants’ amounts of Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction are summarized in the following table:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
113.2

 
$
131.9

 
$
102.9

APCo
 
11.7

 
13.8

 
7.1

I&M
 
15.3

 
11.6

 
18.9

OPCo
 
6.0

 
8.8

 
6.9

PSO
 
6.2

 
8.8

 
3.1

SWEPCo
 
11.0

 
26.4

 
11.9



236




The Registrants’ amounts of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction, including capitalized interest, are summarized in the following table:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
Company
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
$
51.7

 
$
61.3

 
$
44.5

APCo
 
6.3

 
6.9

 
3.8

I&M
 
7.2

 
5.0

 
8.0

OPCo
 
3.3

 
4.8

 
4.4

PSO
 
3.4

 
5.0

 
1.8

SWEPCo
 
6.9

 
14.8

 
6.9


Jointly-owned Electric Facilities (Applies to AEP, I&M, PSO and SWEPCo)

The Registrants have electric facilities that are jointly-owned with affiliated and non-affiliated companies.  Using its own financing, each participating company is obligated to pay its share of the costs of these jointly-owned facilities in the same proportion as its ownership interest.  Each Registrant’s proportionate share of the operating costs associated with these facilities is included in its statements of income and the investments and accumulated depreciation are reflected in its balance sheets under Property, Plant and Equipment as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
Registrant’s Share as of December 31, 2016
 
Fuel
Type
 
Percent of
Ownership
 
Utility Plant
in Service
 
Construction
Work in
Progress
 
Accumulated
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conesville Generating Station, Unit 4 (a) (k)
Coal
 
43.5
%
 
$
0.1

 
$
1.3

 
$

J.M. Stuart Generating Station (b)
Coal
 
26.0
%
 

 
0.8

 

Wm. H. Zimmer Generating Station (c) (k)
Coal
 
25.4
%
 

 
0.3

 

Dolet Hills Generating Station, Unit 1 (i)
Lignite
 
40.2
%
 
334.8

 
5.0

 
207.5

Flint Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
362.4

 
3.7

 
73.5

Pirkey Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Lignite
 
85.9
%
 
586.4

 
5.7

 
399.5

Oklaunion Generating Station, Unit 1 (h)
Coal
 
70.3
%
 
454.8

 
1.3

 
246.0

Turk Generating Plant (j)
Coal
 
73.3
%
 
1,657.3

 
0.2

 
138.5

Transmission
NA
 
(d)

 
62.4

 
0.5

 
45.1

Total
 
 
 
 
$
3,458.2

 
$
18.8

 
$
1,110.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rockport Generating Plant (e)(f)(g)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
$
936.1

 
$
125.8

 
$
535.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oklaunion Generating Station, Unit 1 (h)
Coal
 
15.6
%
 
$
105.2

 
$
0.5

 
$
59.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dolet Hills Generating Station, Unit 1 (i)
Lignite
 
40.2
%
 
$
334.8

 
$
5.0

 
$
207.5

Flint Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
362.4

 
3.7

 
73.5

Pirkey Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Lignite
 
85.9
%
 
586.4

 
5.7

 
399.5

Turk Generating Plant (j)
Coal
 
73.3
%
 
1,657.3

 
0.2

 
138.5

Total
 
 
 
 
$
2,940.9

 
$
14.6

 
$
819.0



237




 
 
 
 
 
Registrant’s Share as of December 31, 2015
 
Fuel
Type
 
Percent of
Ownership
 
Utility Plant
in Service
 
Construction
Work in
Progress
 
Accumulated
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
AEP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conesville Generating Station, Unit 4 (a) (k)
Coal
 
43.5
%
 
$
337.4

 
$
2.4

 
$
76.1

J.M. Stuart Generating Station (b)
Coal
 
26.0
%
 
565.5

 
12.9

 
221.8

Wm. H. Zimmer Generating Station (c) (k)
Coal
 
25.4
%
 
815.5

 
6.4

 
421.7

Dolet Hills Generating Station, Unit 1 (i)
Lignite
 
40.2
%
 
332.4

 
3.9

 
205.9

Flint Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
131.4

 
195.0

 
70.0

Pirkey Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Lignite
 
85.9
%
 
572.1

 
5.9

 
389.1

Oklaunion Generating Station, Unit 1 (h)
Coal
 
70.3
%
 
445.5

 
7.2

 
236.2

Turk Generating Plant (j)
Coal
 
73.33
%
 
1,649.0

 
5.5

 
104.1

Transmission
NA
 
(d)

 
68.5

 
0.4

 
48.1

Total
 
 
 
 
$
4,917.3

 
$
239.6

 
$
1,773.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I&M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rockport Generating Plant (e)(f)(g)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
$
926.7

 
$
58.5

 
$
512.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PSO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oklaunion Generating Station, Unit 1 (h)
Coal
 
15.6
%
 
$
103.0

 
$
1.8

 
$
58.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWEPCo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dolet Hills Generating Station, Unit 1 (i)
Lignite
 
40.2
%
 
$
332.4

 
$
3.9

 
$
205.9

Flint Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Coal
 
50.0
%
 
131.4

 
195.0

 
70.0

Pirkey Generating Station, Unit 1 (j)
Lignite
 
85.9
%
 
572.1

 
5.9

 
389.1

Turk Generating Plant (j)
Coal
 
73.33
%
 
1,649.0

 
5.5

 
104.1

Total
 
 
 
 
$
2,684.9

 
$
210.3

 
$
769.1


(a)
Operated by AGR. See the “Impairments” section of Note 7.
(b)
Operated by Dayton Power & Light Company, a non-affiliated company. See the “Impairments” section of Note 7.
(c)
Operated by Dynegy Corporation, a non-affiliated company. See the “Impairments” section of Note 7.
(d)
Varying percentages of ownership.
(e)
Operated by I&M.
(f)
Amounts include I&M’s 50% ownership of both Unit 1 and capital additions for Unit 2. Unit 2 is subject to an operating lease with a non-affiliated company. See the “Rockport Lease” section of Note 13.
(g)
AEGCo owns 50% of Unit 1 with I&M and 50% of capital additions for Unit 2.
(h)
Operated by PSO, which owns 15.6%. Also jointly-owned (54.7%) by AEP Texas and various non-affiliated companies. See the “Impairments” section of Note 7.
(i)
Operated by CLECO, a non-affiliated company.
(j)
Operated by SWEPCo.
(k)
In February 2017, AEP signed an agreement to purchase Dynegy Corporation’s ownership share of Conesville Generating Station, Unit 4.  Simultaneously, AEP signed an agreement with Dynegy Corporation to sell AEP’s ownership share of the Wm. H. Zimmer Generating Station.  The transactions are expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, subject to FERC approval and are not expected to have a material impact on net income, cash flows and financial condition.
NA
Not applicable.

238




19.   UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

In management’s opinion, the unaudited quarterly information reflects all normal and recurring accruals and adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for interim periods.  Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s operations because of various factors.  The unaudited quarterly financial information for each Registrant is as follows:
Quarterly Periods Ended:
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
4,044.9

 
$
820.0

 
$
532.7

 
$
763.6

 
$
274.3

 
$
379.0

Operating Income
 
892.9

 
244.4

 
115.8

 
134.0

 
35.8

 
51.4

Income from Continuing Operations
 
503.1

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
503.1

 
126.3

 
74.7

 
70.2

 
15.7

 
24.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
3,892.9

 
$
673.5

 
$
522.4

 
$
730.8

 
$
300.2

 
$
427.0

Operating Income
 
866.2

 
158.3

 
94.8

 
138.6

 
59.0

 
85.9

Income from Continuing Operations
 
506.4

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
(2.5
)
(a)

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
503.9

 
73.4

 
51.3

 
74.6

 
28.9

 
44.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
4,652.2

 
$
778.2

 
$
597.6

 
$
871.3

 
$
401.7

 
$
539.7

Operating Income (Loss)
 
(1,127.9
)
(b)
204.4

 
131.4

 
171.6

 
98.4

 
147.4

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
 
(764.2
)
(b)

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)
 
(764.2
)
(b)
104.1

 
75.4

 
99.9

 
52.8

 
84.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
3,790.1

 
$
729.5

 
$
514.9

 
$
588.2

 
$
273.6

 
$
402.3

Operating Income
 
575.9

 
136.2

 
39.6

 
64.3

 
5.5

 
36.4

Income from Continuing Operations
 
375.2

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
375.2

 
65.3

 
38.5

 
37.5

 
2.6

 
16.5


239




Quarterly Periods Ended:
 
AEP
 
APCo
 
I&M
 
OPCo
 
PSO
 
SWEPCo
 
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
4,580.4

 
$
899.0

 
$
586.3

 
$
918.4

 
$
306.8

 
$
431.7

Operating Income
 
1,102.8

 
273.5

 
124.4

 
122.9

 
34.9

 
92.3

Income from Continuing Operations
 
620.2

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
10.5

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
630.7

 
141.8

 
72.7

 
65.4

 
13.7

 
46.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
3,826.7

 
$
682.0

 
$
544.3

 
$
705.8

 
$
319.5

 
$
438.1

Operating Income
 
804.1

 
145.7

 
91.4

 
96.5

 
55.5

 
110.1

Income from Continuing Operations
 
431.4

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
431.3

 
59.0

 
50.6

 
47.7

 
27.1

 
59.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
4,431.4

 
$
727.5

 
$
568.3

 
$
782.3

 
$
420.3

 
$
532.5

Operating Income
 
960.2

 
157.9

 
103.4

 
140.9

 
84.5

 
141.2

Income from Continuing Operations
 
511.8

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
7.8

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
519.6

 
74.6

 
56.6

 
71.6

 
44.7

 
82.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 
$
3,614.7

 
$
655.0

 
$
487.3

 
$
692.2

 
$
292.6

 
$
378.6

Operating Income
 
466.4

 
133.7

 
50.7

 
100.5

 
18.3

 
25.6

Income from Continuing Operations
 
205.2

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
265.5

(c)

 

 

 

 

Net Income
 
470.7

 
65.2

 
24.9

 
48.0

 
7.0

 
7.7


(a)
Includes final accounting adjustment for sale of AEPRO (see Note 7).
(b)
Includes impairments for Merchant Generating Assets (see Note 7).
(c)
Includes sale of AEPRO (see Note 7).

240




AEP

The unaudited quarterly financial information relating to Common Shareholders is as follows:
 
2016 Quarterly Periods Ended
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
Earnings (Loss) Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
$
501.2

 
$
502.1

 
$
(765.8
)
(a)
$
373.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Continuing Operations (b)
1.02

 
1.03

 
(1.56
)
(a)
0.76

 
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Discontinued Operations (c)

 
(0.01
)
 

 

 
Total Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders (b)
1.02

 
1.02

 
(1.56
)
(a)
0.76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Continuing Operations (b)
1.02

 
1.03

 
(1.56
)
(a)
0.76

 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Discontinued Operations (c)

 
(0.01
)
 

 

 
Total Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders (b)
1.02

 
1.02

 
(1.56
)
(a)
0.76

 
 
2015 Quarterly Periods Ended
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
Earnings Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders
$
629.2

 
$
430.0

 
$
518.3

 
$
469.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Continuing Operations (b)
1.27

 
0.88

 
1.04

 
0.41

 
Basic Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Discontinued Operations (d)
0.02

 

 
0.02

 
0.54

 
Total Basic Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders (b)
1.29

 
0.88

 
1.06

 
0.95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Continuing Operations (b)
1.27

 
0.88

 
1.04

 
0.41

 
Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders from Discontinued Operations (d)
0.02

 

 
0.02

 
0.54

 
Total Diluted Earnings per Share Attributable to AEP Common Shareholders (b)
1.29

 
0.88

 
1.06

 
0.95

 

(a)
Relates to impairments for Merchant Generating Assets (see Note 7).
(b)
Quarterly Earnings per Share amounts are intended to be stand-alone calculations and are not always additive to full-year amount due to rounding.
(c)
Relates to final accounting adjustment for sale of AEPRO (see Note 7).
(d)
Relates to sale of AEPRO (see Note 7).


241




20.   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The disclosures in this note apply to AEP only.

Goodwill

The changes in AEP’s carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 by operating segment are as follows:
 
 
Corporate and Other
 
Generation
and
Marketing
 
AEP Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
$
75.9

 
$
15.4

 
$
91.3

Impairment Losses
 

 

 

Goodwill Written Off Related to Sale of AEPRO
 
(38.8
)
 

 
(38.8
)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
37.1

 
15.4

 
52.5

Impairment Losses
 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
37.1

 
$
15.4

 
$
52.5


In the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, annual impairment tests were performed.  The fair values of the reporting units with goodwill were estimated using cash flow projections and other market value indicators.  There were no goodwill impairment losses.  AEP does not have any accumulated impairment on existing goodwill.

Other Intangible Assets

Acquired intangible assets subject to amortization were $2 million as of December 31, 2015, net of accumulated amortization and are included in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on the balance sheet.  The amortization life, gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major asset class are as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Amortization
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
(in years)
 
(in millions)
Acquired Customer Contracts
5
 
$
58.3

 
$
58.3

 
$
58.3

 
$
56.5


Amortization of intangible assets was $2 million, $3 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Intangible assets were fully amortized as of December 31, 2016.

242




CORPORATE AND SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Corporate Headquarters
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215-2373
614-716-1000
AEP is incorporated in the State of New York.

Stock Exchange Listing - The Company’s common stock is traded principally on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AEP.

Internet Home Page - Information about AEP, including financial documents, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, news releases, investor presentations, shareholder information and customer service information, is available on the Company’s home page on the Internet at www.AEP.com/investors.

Inquiries Regarding Your Stock Holdings - Registered shareholders (shares that you own, in your name) should contact the Company’s transfer agent, listed below, if you have questions about your account, address changes, stock transfer, lost certificates, direct deposits, dividend checks and other administrative matters. You should have your Social Security number or account number ready; the transfer agent will not speak to third parties about an account without the shareholder’s approval or appropriate documents.

Transfer Agent & Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
For overnight deliveries:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021-1011
Telephone Response Group:1-800-328-6955
Internet address: www.computershare.com/investor
Hearing Impaired #: TDD: 1-800-952-9245

Beneficial Holders - (Stock held in a bank or brokerage account) - When you purchase stock and it is held for you by your broker, it is listed with the Company in the broker’s name, and this is sometimes referred to as “street name” or a “beneficial owner.” AEP does not know the identity of individual shareholders who hold their shares in this manner; we simply know that a broker holds a certain number of shares which may be for any number of customers. If you hold your stock in street name, you receive all dividend payments, annual reports and proxy materials through your broker. Therefore, questions about your account should be directed to your broker.

Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan - A Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan is available to all investors. It is an economical and convenient method of purchasing shares of AEP common stock, through initial cash investments, cash dividends and/or additional optional cash purchases. You may obtain the Plan prospectus and enrollment authorization form by contacting the transfer agent or by visiting www.AEP.com/investors/buyandmanagestock.

Financial Community Inquiries - Institutional investors or securities analysts who have questions about the Company should direct inquiries to Bette Jo Rozsa, 614-716-2840, bjrozsa@AEP.com; Individual shareholders should contact Kathleen Kozero, 614-716-2819, klkozero@AEP.com.

Number of Shareholders - As of February 28, 2017, there were approximately 66,000 registered shareholders and approximately 638,000 shareholders holding stock in street name through a bank or broker. There were 491,712,071 shares outstanding as of February 28, 2017.

Form 10-K - Upon request, we will provide without charge a copy of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. A copy can be obtained via mail with a written request to AEP Investor Relations, by telephone at 1-800-237-2667 or electronically at klkozero@AEP.com.


243




Executive Leadership Team
Name
 
Age
 
Office
Nicholas K. Akins
 
56
 
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Lisa M. Barton
 
51
 
Executive Vice President - Transmission
Paul Chodak, III
 
53
 
Executive Vice President - Utilities
David M. Feinberg
 
47
 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Lana L. Hillebrand
 
56
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Mark C. McCullough
 
57
 
Executive Vice President - Generation
Charles R. Patton
 
57
 
Executive Vice President - External Affairs
Robert P. Powers
 
63
 
Vice Chairman
Brian X. Tierney
 
49
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Charles E. Zebula
 
56
 
Executive Vice President - Energy Supply


244
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