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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

The following accounting policy disclosures represent updates to Note 1 in each Registrant's 2012 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with those disclosures.

 

Accounts Receivable (PPL, PPL Energy Supply and PPL Electric)

 

In accordance with a PUC-approved purchase of accounts receivable program, PPL Electric purchases certain accounts receivable from alternative suppliers (including PPL EnergyPlus) at a discount, which reflects a provision for uncollectible accounts. The alternative suppliers have no continuing involvement or interest in the purchased accounts receivable. The purchased accounts receivable are initially recorded at fair value using a market approach based on the purchase price paid and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, PPL Electric purchased $220 million and $479 million of accounts receivable from unaffiliated third parties and $70 million and $147 million from PPL EnergyPlus. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, PPL Electric purchased $184 million and $422 million of accounts receivable from unaffiliated third parties and $74 million and $156 million from PPL EnergyPlus.

 

Depreciation (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

The KPSC approved new lower depreciation rates for LG&E and KU as part of the rate-case settlement agreement reached in

November 2012. The new rates became effective January 1, 2013 and will result in lower depreciation of approximately $19 million ($9 million for LG&E and $10 million for KU) in 2013, exclusive of net additions to PP&E since the rate case.

New Accounting Guidance Adopted (PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU)

 

Improving Disclosures about Offsetting Balance Sheet Items

 

Effective January 1, 2013, the Registrants retrospectively adopted accounting guidance issued to enhance disclosures about derivative instruments that either (1) offset on the balance sheet or (2) are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset on the balance sheet.

 

The adoption of this guidance resulted in enhanced disclosures but did not have a significant impact on the Registrants. See Note 14 for the new disclosures.

 

Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment

 

Effective January 1, 2013, the Registrants prospectively adopted accounting guidance that allows an entity to elect the option to first make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of an impairment of an indefinite-lived intangible asset. If, based on this assessment, the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test does not need to be performed. If the entity concludes otherwise, a quantitative impairment test must be performed by determining the fair value of the asset and comparing it with the carrying value. The entity would record an impairment charge, if necessary.

 

The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Registrants.

 

Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of AOCI

 

Effective January 1, 2013, the Registrants prospectively adopted accounting guidance issued to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of AOCI. The Registrants are required to provide information about the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by their respective statement of income line item, if the item is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety. For items not reclassified to net income in their entirety, the Registrants are required to reference other disclosures that provide greater detail about these reclassifications.

 

The adoption of this guidance resulted in enhanced disclosures but did not have a significant impact on the Registrants. See Note 18 for the new disclosures.