XML 65 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables) [Abstract]  
Fair values of the decommissioning trust assets
The fair values of the decommissioning trust assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(In millions)
FirstEnergy
 
$
2,112

 
$
1,973

FES
 
1,223

 
1,146

OE
 
137

 
127

TE
 
83

 
76

JCP&L
 
193

 
182

Met-Ed
 
310

 
289

Penelec
 
166

 
153
Changes to the asset retirement obligations
The following table summarizes the changes to the ARO balances during 2011 and 2010.
ARO Reconciliation
 
FirstEnergy(3)
 
FES
 
OE
 
CEI
 
TE
 
JCP&L
 
Met-Ed
 
Penelec
 
 
(In millions)
Balance, January 1, 2010
 
$
1,425

 
$
921

 
$
86

 
$
2

 
$
32

 
$
102

 
$
180

 
$
92

Liabilities settled
 
(11
)
 
—

 
(10
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Accretion
 
93

 
59

 
5

 
—

 
2

 
6

 
13

 
6

Revisions in estimated cash flows(1)
 
(100
)
 
(88
)
 
(7
)
 
—

 
(5
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance, December 31, 2010
 
1,407

 
892

 
74

 
2

 
29

 
108

 
193

 
98

Liabilities assumed from Allegheny merger
 
60

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Liabilities settled(2)
 
(15
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Accretion
 
97

 
59

 
5

 
1

 
2

 
7

 
13

 
7

Revisions in estimated cash flows(4)
 
(52
)
 
(46
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance, December 31, 2011
 
$
1,497

 
$
904

 
$
71

 
$
3

 
$
31

 
$
115

 
$
206

 
$
105

(1) 
During the second quarter of 2010, studies were completed to reassess the estimated cost of decommissioning the Beaver Valley nuclear generating facilities. The cost studies resulted in a revision to the estimated cash flows associated with the ARO liabilities and reduced the discounted liabilities as shown.
(2) 
Includes approximately $10 million in reduced ARO liabilities for FirstEnergy as a result of deconsolidation of the Signal Peak joint venture (See Note 8, Variable Interest Entities).
(3) 
The 2011 changes include activity relating to Allegheny, which merged with FE in February 2011.
(4) 
During 2011, studies were completed to reassess the estimated cost of decommissioning the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear generating facilities. The cost studies resulted in revisions to the estimated cash flows associated with the ARO liabilities and reduced the discounted liabilities as shown. These revisions had no significant impact on accretion of the obligations during 2011, as compared to 2010.