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Acquisitions and Dispositions
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations, Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]  
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Dominion
Acquisition of Dominion Questar
In September 2016, Dominion completed the Dominion Questar Combination and Dominion Questar became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Dominion. Dominion Questar, a Rockies-based integrated natural gas company, included Questar Gas, Wexpro Company and Questar Pipeline at closing. Questar Gas has regulated gas distribution operations in Utah, southwestern Wyoming and southeastern Idaho. Wexpro Company develops and produces natural gas from reserves that are supplied to Questar Gas under a cost-of-service framework. Questar Pipeline provides FERC-regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage services in Utah, Wyoming and western Colorado. The Dominion Questar Combination provides Dominion with pipeline infrastructure that provides a principal source of gas supply to Western states. Dominion Questar’s regulated businesses also provide further balance between Dominion’s electric and gas operations.

In accordance with the terms of the Dominion Questar Combination, at closing, each share of issued and outstanding Dominion Questar common stock was converted into the right to receive $25.00 per share in cash. The total consideration was $4.4 billion based on 175.5 million shares of Dominion Questar outstanding at closing.

Dominion financed the Dominion Questar Combination through the: (1) August 2016 issuance of $1.4 billion of 2016 Equity Units, (2) August 2016 issuance of $1.3 billion of senior notes, (3) September 2016 borrowing of $1.2 billion under a term loan agreement and (4) $500 million of the proceeds from the April 2016 issuance of common stock. See Notes 17 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companies' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for more information.

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companies' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for more information on the Dominion Questar Combination including purchase price allocation, regulatory matters, results of operations, and the contribution of Questar Pipeline to Dominion Midstream.

Pro Forma Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the consolidated results of operations of Dominion assuming the Dominion Questar Combination had taken place on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been achieved or the future consolidated results of operations of the combined company.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016(1)
(millions, except EPS)
 
Operating Revenue
$
3,377

Net income attributable to Dominion
613

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic
$
1.03

Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted
$
1.03

(1)
Amounts include adjustments for non-recurring costs directly related to the Dominion Questar Combination.


Wholly-Owned Merchant Solar Projects
In January 2017, Dominion entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity interests of a solar project in North Carolina from Cypress Creek Renewables, LLC for $154 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2017, prior to the project commencing commercial operations, which is expected by the end of the third quarter of 2017. The project is expected to cost $160 million once constructed, including the initial acquisition cost, and to generate approximately 79 MW.

In September 2016, Dominion entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity interests of a solar project in Virginia from Community Energy Solar, LLC. In February 2017, Dominion closed on the acquisition for $29 million, all of which was allocated to property, plant and equipment. The project is expected to cost approximately $205 million once constructed, including the initial acquisition cost. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations during the fourth quarter of 2017 and to generate approximately 100 MW.

In August 2016, Dominion entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity interests of two solar projects in California from Solar Frontier Americas Holding LLC. In March 2017, Dominion closed on the acquisition of one of the solar projects for $77 million, all of which was allocated to property, plant and equipment. The project is expected to cost approximately $80 million once constructed, including the initial acquisition cost. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations during the second quarter of 2017 and to generate approximately 30 MW. In April 2017, Dominion discontinued efforts on the acquisition of the additional 20 MW solar project from Solar Frontier Americas Holding LLC.

Sale of Interest in Merchant Solar Projects
In September 2015, Dominion signed an agreement to sell a noncontrolling interest (consisting of 33% of the equity interests) in all of its then currently wholly-owned merchant solar projects, 24 solar projects totaling approximately 425 MW, to SunEdison. In December 2015, the sale of interest in 15 of the solar projects closed for $184 million with the sale of interest in the remaining projects completed in January 2016 for $117 million. Upon closing, SunEdison sold its interest in these projects to Terra Nova Renewable Partners. Terra Nova Renewable Partners has a future option to buy all or a portion of Dominion’s remaining 67% ownership in the projects upon the occurrence of certain events, none of which had occurred as of March 31, 2017 nor are expected to occur in the remainder of 2017.

Virginia Power
Assignment of Tower Rental Portfolio
Virginia Power rents space on certain of its electric transmission towers to various wireless carriers for communications antennas and other equipment. In March 2017, Virginia Power sold its rental portfolio to Vertical Bridge Towers II, LLC for $91 million in cash. The proceeds are subject to Virginia Power's FERC-regulated tariff, under which it is required to return half of the proceeds to customers. Virginia Power recognized $7 million in other income in March 2017 with the remaining $39 million to be recognized ratably through 2023.

Dominion Gas
Assignment of Shale Development Rights
In November 2014, Dominion Gas closed on an agreement with a natural gas producer to convey over time approximately 24,000 acres of Marcellus Shale development rights underneath one of its natural gas storage fields. In connection with that agreement, in January 2016, Dominion Gas conveyed approximately 2,000 acres of Marcellus Shale development rights and received proceeds of $5 million and an overriding royalty interest in gas produced from the acreage. This transaction resulted in a $5 million ($3 million after-tax) gain, included in other operations and maintenance expense in Dominion Gas' Consolidated Statements of Income.