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Fair Value Measurements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
Dominion's and Virginia Power's fair value measurements are made in accordance with the policies discussed in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. See Note 8 in this report for further information about their derivatives and hedge accounting activities.

Dominion's and Virginia Power's commodity derivative valuations are prepared by the ERM department. The ERM department reports directly to the Companies' CFO. The ERM department creates a daily computer-generated file containing mark-to-market valuations for the Companies' derivative transactions. Standard transactions are programmatically calculated using software. The inputs that go into the mark-to-market valuations are transactional information stored in the systems of record and market pricing information that resides in data warehouse databases. The majority of forward prices are automatically uploaded into the data warehouse databases from various third-party sources. Inputs obtained from third-party sources are evaluated for reliability considering the reputation, independence, market presence, and methodology used by the third-party. If forward prices are not available from third-party sources, then the ERM department models the forward prices based on other available market data. A team consisting of risk management and risk quantitative analysts meets each business day to assess the validity of market prices and mark-to-market valuations. During this meeting, the changes in mark-to-market valuations from period to period are examined and qualified against historical expectations. If any discrepancies are identified during this process, the mark-to-market valuations or the market pricing information is evaluated further and adjusted, if necessary.
Dominion and Virginia Power enter into certain physical and financial forwards and futures, options, and full requirements contracts, which are considered Level 3 as they have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation. The discounted cash flow method is used to value Level 3 physical and financial forwards, futures, and full requirements contracts. An option model is used to value Level 3 physical and financial options. The discounted cash flow model for forwards and futures calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, original transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate of return and credit spreads. Full requirements contracts add load shaping and usage factors in addition to the discounted cash flow model inputs. The option model calculates mark-to-market valuations using variations of the Black-Scholes option model. The inputs into the models are the forward market prices, implied price volatilities, risk-free rate of return, the option expiration dates, the option strike prices, price correlations, the original sales prices, and volumes. For Level 3 fair value measurements, the forward market prices, the implied price volatilities, price correlations, load shaping, and usage factors are considered unobservable. The unobservable inputs are developed and substantiated using historical information, available market data, third-party data, and statistical analysis. Periodically, inputs to valuation models are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third-party pricing sources.

The following table presents Dominion's quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements. Included are descriptions of the valuation techniques, the significant unobservable inputs, and the range of market price, price correlation and price volatility inputs used in the fair value measurements at June 30, 2012 for each category of transaction and commodity type. The range and weighted average are presented in dollars for market price inputs and percentages for price volatility, price correlations, load shaping, and usage factors.
 
Fair Value (millions)
 
Valuation Techniques
 
Unobservable Input
 
 
 
Range
 
Weighted Average(1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical and Financial Forwards and Futures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas(2)
$
33

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per Dth)
 
(4) 
 
(1) - 6
 
3

Electricity
72

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MWh)
 
(4) 
 
32 - 60
 
43

FTRs
3

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MWh)
 
(4) 
 
(5) - 5
 
0

Capacity
9

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MW)
 
(4) 
 
95 - 115
 
100

Liquids(3)
56

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per Gal)
 
(4) 
 
0 - 2
 
1

Physical and Financial Options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas
5

 
Option Model
 
Market Price (per Dth)
 
(4) 
 
2 - 5
 
4

 
 
 
 
 
Price Volatility
 
(5) 
 
22% - 62%
 
29
%
 
 
 
 
 
Price Correlation
 
(6) 
 
73%
 
73
%
Full Requirements Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity
32

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MWh)
 
(4) 
 
8 - 464
 
42

 
 
 
 
 
Load Shaping
 
(7) 
 
2% - 6%
 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
Usage Factor
 
(8) 
 
4% - 14%
 
9
%
Total assets
$
210

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical and Financial Forwards and Futures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Natural Gas(2)
$
20

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per Dth)
 
(4) 
 
(1) - 6
 
1

      Electricity
16

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MWh)
 
(4) 
 
23 - 73
 
42

      FTRs
3

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per MWh)
 
(4) 
 
(2) - 5
 
1

Liquids(3)
1

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Market Price (per Gal)
 
(4) 
 
2 - 3
 
2

Physical and Financial Options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Natural Gas(2)
15

 
Option Model
 
Market Price (per Dth)
 
(4) 
 
(1) - 5
 
3

 
 
 
 
 
Price Volatility
 
(5) 
 
22% - 62%
 
34
%
 
 
 
 
 
Price Correlation
 
(6) 
 
99%
 
99
%
Total liabilities
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Averages weighted by volume.
(2)
Includes basis.
(3)
Includes NGLs and oil.
(4)
Represents market prices beyond defined terms for Levels 1 & 2.
(5)
Represents volatilities unrepresented in published markets.
(6)
Represents intra-price correlations for which markets do not exist.
(7)
Converts block monthly loads to 24-hour load shapes.
(8)
Represents expected increase (decrease) in sales volumes compared to historical usage.

Sensitivity of the fair value measurements to changes in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows:
Significant Unobservable Inputs
Position
Change to Input
Impact on Fair Value Measurement
Market Price
Buy
Increase (decrease)
Gain (loss)
Market Price
Sell
Increase (decrease)
Loss (gain)
Price Volatility
Buy
Increase (decrease)
Gain (loss)
Price Volatility
Sell
Increase (decrease)
Loss (gain)
Price Correlation
Buy
Increase (decrease)
Loss (gain)
Price Correlation
Sell
Increase (decrease)
Gain (loss)
Load Factor
Sell(1)
Increase (decrease)
Loss (gain)
Usage Factor
Sell(2)
Increase (decrease)
Gain (loss)
(1)
Assumes the contract is in a gain position and load increases during peak hours.
(2)
Assumes the contract is in a gain position.

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
During March 2011, Dominion determined that it was unlikely that State Line would participate in the May 2011 PJM capacity base residual auction that would commit State Line's capacity from June 2014 through May 2015.  This determination reflected an expectation that margins for coal-fired generation will remain compressed in the 2014 and 2015 period in combination with the expectation that State Line may be impacted during the same time period by environmental regulations that would likely require significant capital expenditures. As a result, Dominion evaluated State Line for impairment since it was more likely than not that State Line would be retired before the end of its previously estimated useful life. As a result of this evaluation, Dominion recorded an impairment charge of $55 million ($39 million after-tax), which is now reflected in loss from discontinued operations in its Consolidated Statement of Income, to write down State Line's long-lived assets to their estimated fair value of less than $1 million. As management was not aware of any recent market transactions for comparable assets with sufficient transparency to develop a market approach to fair value, Dominion used the income approach (discounted cash flows) to estimate the fair value of State Line's long-lived assets in the impairment test. This was considered a Level 3 fair value measurement due to the use of significant unobservable inputs including estimates of future power and other commodity prices. State Line was retired in March 2012 and sold in the second quarter of 2012. See Note 3 for further information.

See Note 3 for non-recurring fair value measurement related to Salem Harbor.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Dominion
The following table presents Dominion’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions: 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$
26

 
$
771

 
$
210

 
$
1,007

Interest rate

 
104

 

 
104

Investments(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large cap
1,865

 

 

 
1,865

Other
55

 

 

 
55

Non-U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large cap
10

 

 

 
10

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt instruments

 
299

 

 
299

U.S. Treasury securities and agency debentures
298

 
160

 

 
458

State and municipal

 
360

 

 
360

Other

 
19

 

 
19

Cash equivalents and other

 
78

 

 
78

Restricted cash equivalents

 
70

 

 
70

       Total assets
$
2,254

 
$
1,861

 
$
210

 
$
4,325

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$
10

 
$
555

 
$
55

 
$
620

Interest rate

 
321

 

 
321

Total liabilities
$
10

 
$
876

 
$
55

 
$
941

At December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$
44

 
$
828

 
$
93

 
$
965

Interest rate

 
105

 

 
105

Investments(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large cap
1,718

 

 

 
1,718

Other
51

 

 

 
51

Non-U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large cap
10

 

 

 
10

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt instruments

 
332

 

 
332

U.S. Treasury securities and agency debentures
277

 
181

 

 
458

State and municipal

 
329

 

 
329

Other

 
23

 

 
23

Cash equivalents and other

 
60

 

 
60

Restricted cash equivalents

 
141

 

 
141

Total assets
$
2,100

 
$
1,999

 
$
93

 
$
4,192

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$
10

 
$
714

 
$
164

 
$
888

Interest rate

 
269

 

 
269

Total liabilities
$
10

 
$
983

 
$
164

 
$
1,157

(1)
Includes investments held in the nuclear decommissioning and rabbi trusts.
The following table presents the net change in Dominion's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
(61
)
 
$
(163
)
 
$
(71
)
 
$
(50
)
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
12

 
(22
)
 
(23
)
 
(8
)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
166

 
35

 
171

 
(59
)
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities
18

 
(11
)
 
29

 
(32
)
Settlements
21

 
39

 
51

 
23

Transfers out of Level 3
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
4

Ending balance
$
155

 
$
(122
)
 
$
155

 
$
(122
)
The amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date
$
33

 
$
27

 
$
33

 
$
31



The following table presents Dominion's classification of gains and losses included in earnings in the Level 3 fair value category:
 
Operating
revenue
 
Electric fuel
and other
energy-related
purchases
 
Total
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in earnings
$
32

 
$
(20
)
 
$
12

The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date
33

 

 
33

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in earnings
$
2

 
$
(24
)
 
$
(22
)
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date
27

 

 
27

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in earnings
$
23


$
(46
)
 
$
(23
)
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date
33



 
33

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
Total gains (losses) included in earnings
$

 
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date
31

 

 
31



Virginia Power
The following table presents Virginia Power’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$

 
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
5

Investments(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large cap
737

 

 

 
737

Other
24

 

 

 
24

Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt instruments

 
180

 

 
180

U.S. Treasury securities and agency debentures
116

 
71

 

 
187

State and municipal

 
148

 

 
148

Other

 
14

 

 
14

Cash equivalents and other

 
35

 

 
35

Restricted cash equivalents

 
11

 

 
11

       Total assets
$
877

 
$
460

 
$
4

 
$
1,341

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
$

 
$
8

 
$
3

 
$
11

Interest rate

 
105

 

 
105

Total liabilities
$

 
$
113

 
$
3

 
$
116

At December 31, 2011
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Assets:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Commodity
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
2

Investments(1):
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
U.S.:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Large cap
679

 

 

 
679

Other
23

 

 

 
23

Fixed income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Corporate debt instruments

 
214

 

 
214

U.S. Treasury securities and agency debentures
107

 
63

 

 
170

State and municipal

 
125

 

 
125

Other

 
16

 

 
16

Cash equivalents and other

 
40

 

 
40

Restricted cash equivalents

 
32

 

 
32

Total assets
$
809

 
$
490

 
$
2

 
$
1,301

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Commodity
$

 
$
17

 
$
30

 
$
47

Interest rate

 
100

 

 
100

Total liabilities
$

 
$
117

 
$
30

 
$
147

(1)
Includes investments held in the nuclear decommissioning and rabbi trusts.

The following table presents the net change in Virginia Power’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
(17
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
14

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
(19
)
 
(24
)
 
(46
)
 
(8
)
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities
18

 
(11
)
 
29

 
(32
)
Settlements
19

 
24

 
46

 
8

Ending balance
$
1

 
$
(18
)
 
$
1

 
$
(18
)


The gains and losses included in earnings in the Level 3 fair value category were classified in electric fuel and other energy-related purchases in Virginia Power's Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. There were no unrealized gains and losses included in earnings in the Level 3 fair value category relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Substantially all of Dominion’s and Virginia Power’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below that are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, customer and other receivables, short-term debt and accounts payable are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For Dominion’s and Virginia Power’s financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated Fair
Value
(1)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated Fair
Value
(1)
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dominion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including securities due within one year(2)
$
16,638

 
$
19,672

 
$
16,264


$
18,936

Long-term debt, VIE(3)
875

 
880

 
890

 
892

Junior subordinated notes payable to affiliates
268

 
275

 
268


268

Enhanced junior subordinated notes
1,363

 
1,457

 
1,451


1,518

Subsidiary preferred stock(4)
257

 
268

 
257


256

Virginia Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including securities due within one year(2)
$
7,302

 
$
8,919

 
$
6,862

 
$
8,281

Preferred stock(4)
257

 
268

 
257

 
256

(1)
Fair value is estimated using market prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. All fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of debt issues with short-term maturities and variable rates refinanced at current market rates is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.
(2)
Includes amounts which represent the unamortized discount and premium. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, includes the valuation of certain fair value hedges associated with Dominion’s fixed rate debt of approximately $103 million and $105 million, respectively.
(3)
Includes amounts which represent the unamortized premium.
(4)
Includes deferred issuance expenses of $2 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.