Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

14. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

FirstEnergy reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The recoverability of a long-lived asset is measured by comparing its carrying value to the sum of undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, impairment exists and a loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated fair value. The following events described in the sections below occurred during for the first six months of 2011 that indicated the carrying value of certain assets may not be recoverable.

Fremont Energy Center

On March 11, 2011, FirstEnergy and American Municipal Power, Inc., entered into an agreement for the sale of Fremont Energy Center, which includes two natural gas combined-cycle combustion turbines and a steam turbine capable of producing 544 MW of load-following capacity and 163 MW of peaking capacity. The execution of this agreement triggered a need to evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets associated with the Fremont Energy Center. The estimated fair value of the Fremont Energy Center was based on the purchase price outlined in the sale agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. The result of this evaluation indicated that the carrying cost of the Fremont Energy Center was not fully recoverable. As a result of the recoverability evaluation, FirstEnergy recorded an impairment charge of $11 million to operating income during the quarter ended March 31, 2011. On July 28, 2011, FirstEnergy closed the sale of Fremont Energy Center to American Municipal Power, Inc.

Peaking Facilities

During the first six months of 2011, FirstEnergy assessed the carrying values of certain peaking facilities that will more likely than not be sold or disposed of before the end of their useful lives. The estimated fair values were based on estimated sales prices quoted in an active market. The result of this evaluation indicated that the carrying costs of the peaking facilities were not fully recoverable. FirstEnergy recorded impairment charges of $7 million and $21 million during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, as a result of the recoverability evaluation.