COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES

The disclosures in this note apply to all Registrants unless indicated otherwise.

The Registrants are subject to certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the Registrants business activities are subject to extensive governmental regulation related to public health and the environment. The ultimate outcome of such pending or potential litigation against the Registrants cannot be predicted. Management accrues contingent liabilities only when management concludes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When management determines that it is not probable, but rather reasonably possible that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, management discloses such contingencies and the possible loss or range of loss if such estimate can be made. Any estimated range is based on currently available information and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Any estimated range of possible loss may not represent the maximum possible loss exposure. Circumstances change over time and actual results may vary significantly from estimates.

For current proceedings not specifically discussed below, management does not anticipate that the liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings would have a material effect on the financial statements. The Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies note within the 2017 Annual Report should be read in conjunction with this report.

GUARANTEES

Liabilities for guarantees are recorded in accordance with the accounting guidance for “Guarantees.” There is no collateral held in relation to any guarantees. In the event any guarantee is drawn, there is no recourse to third parties unless specified below.

Letters of Credit (Applies to AEP, AEP Texas and OPCo)

Standby letters of credit are entered into with third parties. These letters of credit are issued in the ordinary course of business and cover items such as natural gas and electricity risk management contracts, construction contracts, insurance programs, security deposits and debt service reserves.

AEP has a $3 billion revolving credit facility due in June 2021, under which up to $1.2 billion may be issued as letters of credit on behalf of subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2018, no letters of credit were issued under the $3 billion revolving credit facility.

An uncommitted facility gives the issuer of the facility the right to accept or decline each request made under the facility. AEP issues letters of credit on behalf of subsidiaries under four uncommitted facilities totaling $305 million. The Registrants’ maximum future payments for letters of credit issued under the uncommitted facilities as of June 30, 2018 were as follows:



Company	Amount		Maturity
	(in millions)
AEP	$	80.3	August 2018 to June 2019
AEP Texas	2.8		January 2019
OPCo	0.6		September 2018

AEP has $45 million of variable rate Pollution Control Bonds supported by $46 million of bilateral letters of credit maturing in July 2019.

Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations (Applies to AEP and SWEPCo)

As part of the process to receive a renewal of a Texas Railroad Commission permit for lignite mining, SWEPCo provides guarantees of mine reclamation of $140 million. Since SWEPCo uses self-bonding, the guarantee provides for SWEPCo to commit to use its resources to complete the reclamation in the event the work is not completed by Sabine. This guarantee ends upon depletion of reserves and completion of final reclamation. It is estimated the reserves will be depleted in 2036 with final reclamation completed by 2046 at an estimated cost of $78 million. Actual reclamation costs could vary due to period inflation and any changes to actual mine reclamation. As of June 30, 2018, SWEPCo has collected $73 million through a rider for final mine closure and reclamation costs, of which $78 million is recorded in Asset Retirement Obligations, offset by $5 million that is recorded in Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets on SWEPCo’s balance sheet.

Sabine charges SWEPCo, its only customer, all of its costs. SWEPCo passes these costs to customers through its fuel clause.

Guarantees of Equity Method Investees (Applies to AEP)

In December 2016, AEP issued a performance guarantee for a 50% owned joint venture which is accounted for as an equity method investment. If the joint venture were to default on payments or performance, AEP would be required to make payments on behalf of the joint venture. As of June 30, 2018, the maximum potential amount of future payments associated with this guarantee was $75 million, which expires in December 2019.

Indemnifications and Other Guarantees

Contracts

The Registrants enter into certain types of contracts which require indemnifications. Typically these contracts include, but are not limited to, sale agreements, lease agreements, purchase agreements and financing agreements. Generally, these agreements may include, but are not limited to, indemnifications around certain tax, contractual and environmental matters. With respect to sale agreements, exposure generally does not exceed the sale price. As of June 30, 2018, there were no material liabilities recorded for any indemnifications.

AEPSC conducts power purchase and sale activity on behalf of APCo, I&M, KPCo and WPCo, who are jointly and severally liable for activity conducted on their behalf. AEPSC also conducts power purchase and sale activity on behalf of PSO and SWEPCo, who are jointly and severally liable for activity conducted on their behalf.

Master Lease Agreements (Applies to all Registrants except AEPTCo)

The Registrants lease certain equipment under master lease agreements. Under the lease agreements, the lessor is guaranteed a residual value up to a stated percentage of either the unamortized balance or the equipment cost at the end of the lease term. If the actual fair value of the leased equipment is below the guaranteed residual value at the end of the lease term, the Registrants are committed to pay the difference between the actual fair value and the residual value guarantee. Historically, at the end of the lease term the fair value has been in excess of the unamortized balance. As of June 30, 2018, the maximum potential loss by Registrants for these lease agreements assuming the fair value of the equipment is zero at the end of the lease term is as follows:



Company	Maximum Potential Loss
	(in millions)
AEP	$	45.0
AEP Texas	10.9
APCo	8.8
I&M	3.2
OPCo	6.6
PSO	3.8
SWEPCo	3.9

Railcar Lease (Applies to AEP, I&M and SWEPCo)

In June 2003, AEP Transportation LLC (AEP Transportation), a subsidiary of AEP, entered into an agreement with BTM Capital Corporation, as lessor, to lease 875 coal-transporting aluminum railcars. The lease is accounted for as an operating lease. In January 2008, AEP Transportation assigned the remaining 848 railcars under the original lease agreement to I&M (390 railcars) and SWEPCo (458 railcars). The assignments are accounted for as operating leases for I&M and SWEPCo. The initial lease term was five years with three consecutive five-year renewal periods for a maximum lease term of twenty years. I&M and SWEPCo have exercised all renewal options for the maximum lease term. The future minimum lease obligations were $7 million and $7 million for I&M and SWEPCo, respectively, for the remaining railcars as of June 30, 2018.

Under the remaining five-year lease agreement, the lessor is guaranteed that the sale proceeds under a return-and-sale option will equal at least a lessee obligation amount specified in the lease, which is equal to 77% of the projected fair value of the equipment. I&M and SWEPCo have assumed the guarantee under the return-and-sale option. The maximum potential losses related to the guarantee were $5 million and $5 million for I&M and SWEPCo, respectively, as of June 30, 2018, assuming the fair value of the equipment is zero at the end of the current five-year lease term. However, management believes that the fair value would produce a sufficient sales price to avoid any loss.

AEPRO Boat and Barge Leases (Applies to AEP)

In October 2015, AEP signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its commercial barge transportation subsidiary, AEPRO, to a nonaffiliated party. The sale closed in November 2015. Certain of the boat and barge leases acquired by the nonaffiliated party are subject to an AEP guarantee in favor of the lessor, ensuring future payments under such leases with maturities up to 2027. As of June 30, 2018, the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the guaranteed leases was $47 million. In certain instances, AEP has no recourse against the nonaffiliated party if required to pay a lessor under a guarantee, but AEP would have access to sell the leased assets in order to recover payments made by AEP under the guarantee. As of June 30, 2018, AEP’s boat and barge lease guarantee liability was $6 million, of which $1 million was recorded in Other Current Liabilities and $5 million was recorded in Deferred Credits and Other Noncurrent Liabilities on AEP’s balance sheet.

In January 2018, S&P Global Inc. downgraded the ratings of the nonaffiliated party and set their outlook to negative. In April 2018, Moody’s Investors Service Inc. also downgraded their ratings and set their outlook to negative. It is reasonably possible that enforcement of AEP’s liability for future payments under these leases could be exercised, which could reduce future net income and cash flows and impact financial condition.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCIES (Applies to all Registrants except AEPTCo)

The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund) and State Remediation

By-products from the generation of electricity include materials such as ash, slag, sludge, low-level radioactive waste and SNF. Coal combustion by-products, which constitute the overwhelming percentage of these materials, are typically treated and deposited in captive disposal facilities or are beneficially utilized. In addition, the generation plants and transmission and distribution facilities have used asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and other hazardous and nonhazardous materials. The Registrants currently incur costs to dispose of these substances safely. For remediation processes not specifically discussed, management does not anticipate that the liabilities, if any, arising from such remediation processes would have a material effect on the financial statements.

NUCLEAR CONTINGENCIES (Applies to AEP and I&M)

I&M owns and operates the two-unit 2,278 MW Cook Plant under licenses granted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I&M has a significant future financial commitment to dispose of SNF and to safely decommission and decontaminate the plant. The licenses to operate the two nuclear units at the Cook Plant expire in 2034 and 2037. The operation of a nuclear facility also involves special risks, potential liabilities and specific regulatory and safety requirements. By agreement, I&M is partially liable, together with all other electric utility companies that own nuclear generation units, for a nuclear power plant incident at any nuclear plant in the U.S. Should a nuclear incident occur at any nuclear power plant in the U.S., the resultant liability could be substantial.

Westinghouse Electric Company Bankruptcy Filing

In March 2017, Westinghouse filed a petition to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Westinghouse and I&M have a number of significant ongoing contracts relating to reactor services, nuclear fuel fabrication and ongoing engineering projects. The most significant of these relate to Cook Plant fuel fabrication. As part of the reorganization, the bankruptcy court approved Westinghouse’s sale of its nuclear business to Brookfield WEC Holdings (Brookfield), a nonaffiliated third party. Pursuant to the sale, Brookfield will assume all of I&M’s contracts with Westinghouse. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals by the IURC and the MPSC and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCIES

Rockport Plant Litigation (Applies to AEP and I&M)

In July 2013, the Wilmington Trust Company filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against AEGCo and I&M alleging that it would be unlawfully burdened by the terms of the modified NSR consent decree after the Rockport Plant, Unit 2 lease expiration in December 2022. The terms of the consent decree allow the installation of environmental emission control equipment, repowering or retirement of the unit. The plaintiffs seek a judgment declaring that the defendants breached the lease, must satisfy obligations related to installation of emission control equipment and indemnify the plaintiffs. The New York court granted a motion to transfer this case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

AEGCo and I&M sought and were granted dismissal of certain of the plaintiffs’ claims, including claims for compensatory damages, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and indemnification of costs. The court permitted plaintiffs to move forward with their claim that AEGCo and I&M failed to exercise prudent utility practices in the maintenance and operation of Rockport Plant, Unit 2. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the surviving claims with prejudice, and the court issued a final judgment. The plaintiffs subsequently filed an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on whether the trial court erred in dismissing plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

In April 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion reversing the district court’s decisions in part. In June 2017, on rehearing, the court of appeals issued an amended opinion reversing the district court’s dismissal of certain of plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract, vacating the denial of the plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment and remanding the case to the district court for further proceedings. The amended opinion and judgment affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the owners’ breach of good faith and fair dealing claim as duplicative of the breach of contract claims and removed the instruction to the district court in the original opinion to enter summary judgment in favor of the owners.

In July 2017, AEP filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in the original NSR litigation, seeking to modify the consent decree to eliminate the obligation to install certain future controls at Rockport Plant, Unit 2 if AEP does not acquire ownership of that Unit, and to modify the consent decree in other respects to preserve the environmental benefits of the consent decree. Responsive and supplemental filings have been made by all parties. The motion is fully briefed and remains pending before the court. In November 2017, the district court granted the owners’ unopposed motion to stay the lease litigation to afford time for resolution of AEP’s motion to modify the consent decree.

Management will continue to defend against the claims. Given that the district court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims seeking compensatory relief as premature, and that plaintiffs have yet to present a methodology for determining or any analysis supporting any alleged damages, management is unable to determine a range of potential losses that are reasonably possible of occurring.

Gavin Landfill Litigation (Applies to AEP and OPCo)

In August 2014, a complaint was filed in the Mason County, West Virginia Circuit Court against AEP, AEPSC, OPCo and an individual supervisor alleging wrongful death and personal injury/illness claims arising out of purported exposure to coal combustion by-product waste at the Gavin Plant landfill. As a result of OPCo transferring its generation assets to AGR, the outcome of this complaint became the responsibility of AGR. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 77 plaintiffs, consisting of 39 current and former contractors of the landfill and 38 family members of those contractors. Twelve of the family members pursued personal injury/illness claims (non-working direct claims) and the remainder pursued loss of consortium claims. The plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages, as well as medical monitoring. In September 2014, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, contending the case should be filed in Ohio. In August 2015, the court denied the motion. Defendants appealed that decision to the West Virginia Supreme Court. In February 2016, a decision was issued by the court denying the appeal and remanding the case to the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel (WVMLP), rather than back to the Mason County, West Virginia Circuit Court. Defendants subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the twelve non-working direct claims under Ohio law. The WVMLP denied the motion and defendants again appealed to the West Virginia Supreme Court. In June 2017, the West Virginia Supreme Court reversed the WVMLP decision and dismissed the claims of the twelve non-working direct claim plaintiffs. A settlement was reached with all of the plaintiffs and was approved by the WVMLP in June 2018. The settlement did not have a material impact on net income, cash flows or financial condition.