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Asset Retirement Obligations
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
15. Asset Retirement Obligations

(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

The changes in the carrying amounts of AROs were as follows.
 
PPL
 
LKE
 
LG&E
 
KU
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
488

 
$
433

 
$
145

 
$
288

Accretion
16

 
15

 
5

 
10

Effect of foreign exchange rates
2

 

 

 

Changes in estimated timing or cost
(70
)
 
(63
)
 
(12
)
 
(51
)
Obligations settled
(30
)
 
(30
)
 
(20
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
406

 
$
355

 
$
118

 
$
237


 
PPL's, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's ARO liabilities are primarily related to CCR closure costs. See Note 9 for information on the final CCR rule. For LKE, LG&E and KU, all ARO accretion and depreciation expenses are reclassified as a regulatory asset. ARO regulatory assets associated with approved ECR projects for CCRs are amortized to expense over a period of 10 to 25 years based on retirement expenditures made related to the obligation. For other AROs, at the time of retirement, the related ARO regulatory asset is offset against the associated cost of removal regulatory liability, PP&E and ARO liability.

LKE recorded decreases of $66 million ($56 million at KU and $10 million at LG&E) to the existing AROs during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the closure of CCR impoundments. These revisions are the result of changes in closure plans related to expected costs and timing of closures. Further changes to AROs, capital plans or operating costs may be required as estimates of future cash flows are refined based on closure developments and regulatory or legal proceedings.
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member]  
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
15. Asset Retirement Obligations

(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

The changes in the carrying amounts of AROs were as follows.
 
PPL
 
LKE
 
LG&E
 
KU
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
488

 
$
433

 
$
145

 
$
288

Accretion
16

 
15

 
5

 
10

Effect of foreign exchange rates
2

 

 

 

Changes in estimated timing or cost
(70
)
 
(63
)
 
(12
)
 
(51
)
Obligations settled
(30
)
 
(30
)
 
(20
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
406

 
$
355

 
$
118

 
$
237


 
PPL's, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's ARO liabilities are primarily related to CCR closure costs. See Note 9 for information on the final CCR rule. For LKE, LG&E and KU, all ARO accretion and depreciation expenses are reclassified as a regulatory asset. ARO regulatory assets associated with approved ECR projects for CCRs are amortized to expense over a period of 10 to 25 years based on retirement expenditures made related to the obligation. For other AROs, at the time of retirement, the related ARO regulatory asset is offset against the associated cost of removal regulatory liability, PP&E and ARO liability.

LKE recorded decreases of $66 million ($56 million at KU and $10 million at LG&E) to the existing AROs during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the closure of CCR impoundments. These revisions are the result of changes in closure plans related to expected costs and timing of closures. Further changes to AROs, capital plans or operating costs may be required as estimates of future cash flows are refined based on closure developments and regulatory or legal proceedings.
Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member]  
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
15. Asset Retirement Obligations

(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

The changes in the carrying amounts of AROs were as follows.
 
PPL
 
LKE
 
LG&E
 
KU
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
488

 
$
433

 
$
145

 
$
288

Accretion
16

 
15

 
5

 
10

Effect of foreign exchange rates
2

 

 

 

Changes in estimated timing or cost
(70
)
 
(63
)
 
(12
)
 
(51
)
Obligations settled
(30
)
 
(30
)
 
(20
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
406

 
$
355

 
$
118

 
$
237


 
PPL's, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's ARO liabilities are primarily related to CCR closure costs. See Note 9 for information on the final CCR rule. For LKE, LG&E and KU, all ARO accretion and depreciation expenses are reclassified as a regulatory asset. ARO regulatory assets associated with approved ECR projects for CCRs are amortized to expense over a period of 10 to 25 years based on retirement expenditures made related to the obligation. For other AROs, at the time of retirement, the related ARO regulatory asset is offset against the associated cost of removal regulatory liability, PP&E and ARO liability.

LKE recorded decreases of $66 million ($56 million at KU and $10 million at LG&E) to the existing AROs during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the closure of CCR impoundments. These revisions are the result of changes in closure plans related to expected costs and timing of closures. Further changes to AROs, capital plans or operating costs may be required as estimates of future cash flows are refined based on closure developments and regulatory or legal proceedings.
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member]  
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
15. Asset Retirement Obligations

(PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU)

The changes in the carrying amounts of AROs were as follows.
 
PPL
 
LKE
 
LG&E
 
KU
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
488

 
$
433

 
$
145

 
$
288

Accretion
16

 
15

 
5

 
10

Effect of foreign exchange rates
2

 

 

 

Changes in estimated timing or cost
(70
)
 
(63
)
 
(12
)
 
(51
)
Obligations settled
(30
)
 
(30
)
 
(20
)
 
(10
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
406

 
$
355

 
$
118

 
$
237


 
PPL's, LKE's, LG&E's and KU's ARO liabilities are primarily related to CCR closure costs. See Note 9 for information on the final CCR rule. For LKE, LG&E and KU, all ARO accretion and depreciation expenses are reclassified as a regulatory asset. ARO regulatory assets associated with approved ECR projects for CCRs are amortized to expense over a period of 10 to 25 years based on retirement expenditures made related to the obligation. For other AROs, at the time of retirement, the related ARO regulatory asset is offset against the associated cost of removal regulatory liability, PP&E and ARO liability.

LKE recorded decreases of $66 million ($56 million at KU and $10 million at LG&E) to the existing AROs during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the closure of CCR impoundments. These revisions are the result of changes in closure plans related to expected costs and timing of closures. Further changes to AROs, capital plans or operating costs may be required as estimates of future cash flows are refined based on closure developments and regulatory or legal proceedings.