Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Acquisitions Development And Divestitures [Abstract]
Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures	8. Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures (PPL, PPL Energy Supply, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU) The Registrants from time to time evaluate opportunities for potential acquisitions, divestitures and development projects. Development projects are reexamined based on market conditions and other factors to determine whether to proceed with the projects, sell, cancel or expand them, execute tolling agreements or pursue other options. Any resulting transactions may impact future financial results. See Note 9 for information on PPL Energy Supply's 2011 distribution of its membership interest in PPL Global to its parent, PPL Energy Funding, which was presented as discontinued operations by PPL Energy Supply, and the sales of businesses in 2011 and prior years that were presented as discontinued operations by PPL, PPL Energy Supply and LKE. See Note 10 for information on PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's 2012 Ironwood Acquisition and PPL's 2011 acquisition of WPD Midlands and 2010 acquisition of LKE. (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) Acquisition Terminated Bluegrass CTs Acquisition In September 2011, LG&E and KU entered into an asset purchase agreement with Bluegrass Generation for the purchase of the Bluegrass CTs, aggregating approximately 495 MW, plus limited associated contractual arrangements required for operation of the units, for a purchase price of $110 million, pending receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. In May 2012, the KPSC issued an order approving the request to purchase the Bluegrass CTs. In November 2011, LG&E and KU filed an application with the FERC under the Federal Power Act requesting approval to purchase the Bluegrass CTs. In May 2012, the FERC issued an order conditionally authorizing the acquisition of the Bluegrass CTs, subject to approval by the FERC of satisfactory mitigation measures to address market-power concerns. After a review of potentially available mitigation options, LG&E and KU determined that the options were not commercially justifiable. In June 2012, LG&E and KU terminated the asset purchase agreement for the Bluegrass CTs in accordance with its terms and made applicable filings with the KPSC and FERC. Development Cane Run Unit 7 Construction In September 2011, LG&E and KU filed a CPCN with the KPSC requesting approval to build Cane Run Unit 7. In May 2012, the KPSC issued an order approving the request. LG&E will own a 22% undivided interest, and KU will own a 78% undivided interest in the new generating unit. A formal request for recovery of the costs associated with the construction was not included in the CPCN filing with the KPSC but is expected to be included in future rate proceedings. LG&E and KU commenced preliminary construction activities in the third quarter of 2012 and project construction is expected to be completed by May 2015. The project, which includes building a natural gas supply pipeline and related transmission projects, has an estimated cost of approximately $600 million. In conjunction with this construction and to meet new, more stringent EPA regulations with a 2015 compliance date, LG&E and KU anticipate retiring five older coal-fired electric generating units at the Cane Run and Green River plants, which have a combined summer capacity rating of 726 MW. In addition, KU retired the remaining 71 MW unit at the Tyrone plant in February 2013. Future Capacity Needs In addition to the construction of a combined cycle gas unit at the Cane Run station, LG&E and KU continue to assess future capacity needs. As a part of the assessment, LG&E and KU issued an RFP in September 2012 for up to 700 MW of capacity beginning as early as 2015. (PPL and PPL Energy Supply) Hydroelectric Expansion Projects In 2009, in light of the availability of tax incentives and potential federal loan guarantees for renewable projects contained in the Economic Stimulus Package, PPL Energy Supply filed an application with the FERC to expand capacity at its Holtwood hydroelectric plant, which the FERC approved. The project's expected cost is $443 million. Construction continues on the project, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2013. At December 31, 2012, expected remaining expenditures are $84 million. In 2009, PPL Montana received FERC approval for its request to redevelop the Rainbow hydroelectric facility at Great Falls, Montana. The project's expected cost is $209 million. Commercial operations is scheduled to begin in 2013. At December 31, 2012, expected remaining expenditures were insignificant. PPL Energy Supply believes that it is qualified for either investment tax credits or Treasury grants for the projects at the Holtwood and Rainbow facilities. PPL Energy Supply has recognized investment tax credits and continues to evaluate whether to seek Treasury grants in lieu of the credits. During 2012, 2011 and 2010, PPL Energy Supply recorded deferred investment tax credits of $40 million, $52 million and $52 million. PPL Energy Supply anticipates recognizing an additional $23 million in investment tax credits for tax year 2013. These credits reduce PPL Energy Supply's tax liability and will be amortized over the life of the related assets. Bell Bend COLA In 2008, a PPL Energy Supply subsidiary, PPL Bell Bend, LLC (PPL Bell Bend) submitted a COLA to the NRC for the proposed Bell Bend nuclear generating unit (Bell Bend) to be built adjacent to the Susquehanna plant. Also in 2008, the COLA was formally docketed and accepted for review by the NRC. PPL Bell Bend continues to respond to questions from the NRC regarding technical and site specific information provided in the initial COLA and subsequent amendments. PPL Bell Bend does not expect to complete the COLA review process with the NRC prior to 2015. In 2008, PPL Bell Bend submitted Parts I and II of an application for a federal loan guarantee for Bell Bend to the DOE. The DOE is expected in the first half of 2013 to finalize the first nuclear loan guarantee for a project in Georgia. Eight of the ten applicants that submitted Part II applications remain active in the DOE program; however, the DOE has stated that the $18.5 billion currently appropriated to support new nuclear projects would not likely be enough for more than three projects. PPL Bell Bend submits quarterly application updates for Bell Bend to the DOE to remain active in the loan guarantee application process. PPL Bell Bend has made no decision to proceed with construction of Bell Bend and expects that such decision will not be made for several years given the anticipated lengthy NRC license approval process. Additionally, PPL Bell Bend does not expect to proceed with construction absent favorable economics, a joint arrangement with other interested parties and a federal loan guarantee or other acceptable financing. PPL Bell Bend is currently authorized to spend up to $205 million through 2015 on the COLA and other permitting costs necessary for construction, which is expected to be sufficient to fund the project through receipt of the license. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, $154 million and $131 million of costs, which includes capitalized interest, associated with the licensing application were capitalized and are included on the Balance Sheets in noncurrent "Other intangibles." PPL Bell Bend believes that the estimated fair value of the COLA currently exceeds the costs expected to be capitalized for the licensing application. Regional Transmission Line Expansion Plan (PPL and PPL Electric) Susquehanna-Roseland In 2007, PJM directed the construction of a new 150-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line between the Susquehanna substation in Pennsylvania and the Roseland substation in New Jersey that it identified as essential to long-term reliability of the Mid-Atlantic electricity grid. PJM determined that the line was needed to prevent potential overloads that could occur on several existing transmission lines in the interconnected PJM system. PJM directed PPL Electric to construct the portion of the Susquehanna-Roseland line in Pennsylvania and Public Service Electric & Gas Company to construct the portion of the line in New Jersey. On October 1, 2012, the National Park Service (NPS) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the proposed Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line affirming the route chosen by PPL Electric and Public Service Electric & Gas Company as the preferred alternative under the NPS's National Environmental Policy Act review. On October 15, 2012, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by various environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, challenging the ROD and seeking to prohibit its implementation, and on December 6, 2012, the groups filed a petition for injunctive relief seeking to prohibit all construction activities until the court issues a final decision on the complaint. PPL Electric has intervened in the lawsuit. The chosen route had previously been approved by the PUC and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. On December 13, 2012, PPL Electric received federal construction and right of way permits to build on National Park Service lands. Construction activities have begun on portions of the 101-mile route in Pennsylvania. The line is expected to be completed before the peak summer demand period of 2015. At December 31, 2012, PPL Electric's estimated share of the project cost was $560 million. PPL and PPL Electric cannot predict the ultimate outcome or timing of any legal challenges to the project or what additional actions, if any, PJM might take in the event of a further delay to the scheduled in-service date for the new line. Northeast/Pocono In October 2012, the FERC issued an order in response to PPL Electric's December 2011 request for ratemaking incentives for the Northeast/Pocono Reliability project (a new 58-mile 230 kV transmission line, three new substations and upgrades to adjacent facilities). The incentives were specifically tailored to address the risks and challenges PPL Electric will face in building the project. The FERC granted the incentive for inclusion of all prudently incurred construction work in progress (CWIP) costs in rate base and denied the request for a 100 basis point adder to the return on equity incentive. The order required a follow-up compliance filing from PPL Electric to ensure proper accounting treatment of AFUDC and CWIP for the project, which PPL Electric will submit with the FERC in March 2013. PPL Electric expects the project to be completed in 2017. At December 31, 2012, PPL Electric estimates the total project costs to be approximately $200 million with approximately $190 million qualifying for the CWIP incentive.

Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquisitions Development And Divestitures [Abstract]

Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures

8. Acquisitions, Development and Divestitures

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

The Registrants from time to time evaluate opportunities for potential acquisitions, divestitures and development projects. Development projects are reexamined based on market conditions and other factors to determine whether to proceed with the projects, sell, cancel or expand them, execute tolling agreements or pursue other options. Any resulting transactions may impact future financial results. See Note 9 for information on PPL Energy Supply's 2011 distribution of its membership interest in PPL Global to its parent, PPL Energy Funding, which was presented as discontinued operations by PPL Energy Supply, and the sales of businesses in 2011 and prior years that were presented as discontinued operations by PPL, PPL Energy Supply and LKE. See Note 10 for information on PPL's and PPL Energy Supply's 2012 Ironwood Acquisition and PPL's 2011 acquisition of WPD Midlands and 2010 acquisition of LKE.

(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

Acquisition

Terminated Bluegrass CTs Acquisition

In September 2011, LG&E and KU entered into an asset purchase agreement with Bluegrass Generation for the purchase of the Bluegrass CTs, aggregating approximately 495 MW, plus limited associated contractual arrangements required for operation of the units, for a purchase price of $110 million, pending receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. In May 2012, the KPSC issued an order approving the request to purchase the Bluegrass CTs. In November 2011, LG&E and KU filed an application with the FERC under the Federal Power Act requesting approval to purchase the Bluegrass CTs. In May 2012, the FERC issued an order conditionally authorizing the acquisition of the Bluegrass CTs, subject to approval by the FERC of satisfactory mitigation measures to address market-power concerns. After a review of potentially available mitigation options, LG&E and KU determined that the options were not commercially justifiable. In June 2012, LG&E and KU terminated the asset purchase agreement for the Bluegrass CTs in accordance with its terms and made applicable filings with the KPSC and FERC.

Development

Cane Run Unit 7 Construction

In September 2011, LG&E and KU filed a CPCN with the KPSC requesting approval to build Cane Run Unit 7. In May 2012, the KPSC issued an order approving the request. LG&E will own a 22% undivided interest, and KU will own a 78% undivided interest in the new generating unit. A formal request for recovery of the costs associated with the construction was not included in the CPCN filing with the KPSC but is expected to be included in future rate proceedings. LG&E and KU commenced preliminary construction activities in the third quarter of 2012 and project construction is expected to be completed by May 2015. The project, which includes building a natural gas supply pipeline and related transmission projects, has an estimated cost of approximately $600 million.

In conjunction with this construction and to meet new, more stringent EPA regulations with a 2015 compliance date, LG&E and KU anticipate retiring five older coal-fired electric generating units at the Cane Run and Green River plants, which have a combined summer capacity rating of 726 MW. In addition, KU retired the remaining 71 MW unit at the Tyrone plant in February 2013.

Future Capacity Needs

In addition to the construction of a combined cycle gas unit at the Cane Run station, LG&E and KU continue to assess future capacity needs. As a part of the assessment, LG&E and KU issued an RFP in September 2012 for up to 700 MW of capacity beginning as early as 2015.

(PPL and PPL Energy Supply)

Hydroelectric Expansion Projects

In 2009, in light of the availability of tax incentives and potential federal loan guarantees for renewable projects contained in the Economic Stimulus Package, PPL Energy Supply filed an application with the FERC to expand capacity at its Holtwood hydroelectric plant, which the FERC approved. The project's expected cost is $443 million. Construction continues on the project, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in 2013. At December 31, 2012, expected remaining expenditures are $84 million.

In 2009, PPL Montana received FERC approval for its request to redevelop the Rainbow hydroelectric facility at Great Falls, Montana. The project's expected cost is $209 million. Commercial operations is scheduled to begin in 2013. At December 31, 2012, expected remaining expenditures were insignificant.

PPL Energy Supply believes that it is qualified for either investment tax credits or Treasury grants for the projects at the Holtwood and Rainbow facilities. PPL Energy Supply has recognized investment tax credits and continues to evaluate whether to seek Treasury grants in lieu of the credits. During 2012, 2011 and 2010, PPL Energy Supply recorded deferred investment tax credits of $40 million, $52 million and $52 million. PPL Energy Supply anticipates recognizing an additional $23 million in investment tax credits for tax year 2013. These credits reduce PPL Energy Supply's tax liability and will be amortized over the life of the related assets.

Bell Bend COLA

In 2008, a PPL Energy Supply subsidiary, PPL Bell Bend, LLC (PPL Bell Bend) submitted a COLA to the NRC for the proposed Bell Bend nuclear generating unit (Bell Bend) to be built adjacent to the Susquehanna plant. Also in 2008, the COLA was formally docketed and accepted for review by the NRC. PPL Bell Bend continues to respond to questions from the NRC regarding technical and site specific information provided in the initial COLA and subsequent amendments. PPL Bell Bend does not expect to complete the COLA review process with the NRC prior to 2015.

In 2008, PPL Bell Bend submitted Parts I and II of an application for a federal loan guarantee for Bell Bend to the DOE. The DOE is expected in the first half of 2013 to finalize the first nuclear loan guarantee for a project in Georgia. Eight of the ten applicants that submitted Part II applications remain active in the DOE program; however, the DOE has stated that the $18.5 billion currently appropriated to support new nuclear projects would not likely be enough for more than three projects. PPL Bell Bend submits quarterly application updates for Bell Bend to the DOE to remain active in the loan guarantee application process.

PPL Bell Bend has made no decision to proceed with construction of Bell Bend and expects that such decision will not be made for several years given the anticipated lengthy NRC license approval process. Additionally, PPL Bell Bend does not expect to proceed with construction absent favorable economics, a joint arrangement with other interested parties and a federal loan guarantee or other acceptable financing. PPL Bell Bend is currently authorized to spend up to $205 million through 2015 on the COLA and other permitting costs necessary for construction, which is expected to be sufficient to fund the project through receipt of the license. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, $154 million and $131 million of costs, which includes capitalized interest, associated with the licensing application were capitalized and are included on the Balance Sheets in noncurrent "Other intangibles." PPL Bell Bend believes that the estimated fair value of the COLA currently exceeds the costs expected to be capitalized for the licensing application.

Regional Transmission Line Expansion Plan (PPL and PPL Electric)

Susquehanna-Roseland

In 2007, PJM directed the construction of a new 150-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line between the Susquehanna substation in Pennsylvania and the Roseland substation in New Jersey that it identified as essential to long-term reliability of the Mid-Atlantic electricity grid. PJM determined that the line was needed to prevent potential overloads that could occur on several existing transmission lines in the interconnected PJM system. PJM directed PPL Electric to construct the portion of the Susquehanna-Roseland line in Pennsylvania and Public Service Electric & Gas Company to construct the portion of the line in New Jersey.

On October 1, 2012, the National Park Service (NPS) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the proposed Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line affirming the route chosen by PPL Electric and Public Service Electric & Gas Company as the preferred alternative under the NPS's National Environmental Policy Act review. On October 15, 2012, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by various environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, challenging the ROD and seeking to prohibit its implementation, and on December 6, 2012, the groups filed a petition for injunctive relief seeking to prohibit all construction activities until the court issues a final decision on the complaint. PPL Electric has intervened in the lawsuit. The chosen route had previously been approved by the PUC and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

On December 13, 2012, PPL Electric received federal construction and right of way permits to build on National Park Service lands.

Construction activities have begun on portions of the 101-mile route in Pennsylvania. The line is expected to be completed before the peak summer demand period of 2015. At December 31, 2012, PPL Electric's estimated share of the project cost was $560 million.

PPL and PPL Electric cannot predict the ultimate outcome or timing of any legal challenges to the project or what additional actions, if any, PJM might take in the event of a further delay to the scheduled in-service date for the new line.

Northeast/Pocono

In October 2012, the FERC issued an order in response to PPL Electric's December 2011 request for ratemaking incentives for the Northeast/Pocono Reliability project (a new 58-mile 230 kV transmission line, three new substations and upgrades to adjacent facilities). The incentives were specifically tailored to address the risks and challenges PPL Electric will face in building the project. The FERC granted the incentive for inclusion of all prudently incurred construction work in progress (CWIP) costs in rate base and denied the request for a 100 basis point adder to the return on equity incentive. The order required a follow-up compliance filing from PPL Electric to ensure proper accounting treatment of AFUDC and CWIP for the project, which PPL Electric will submit with the FERC in March 2013. PPL Electric expects the project to be completed in 2017. At December 31, 2012, PPL Electric estimates the total project costs to be approximately $200 million with approximately $190 million qualifying for the CWIP incentive.