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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility measure their cash equivalents, trust assets, and price risk management instruments at fair value.  A three-tier fair value hierarchy is established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activities.

The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for PG&E Corporation and the Utility are summarized below. Assets held in rabbi trusts are held by PG&E Corporation and not the Utility.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
September 30, 2018
(in millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting (1)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
$
377

 

 

 

 
$
377

Nuclear decommissioning trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
14

 

 

 

 
14

Global equity securities
1,970

 

 

 

 
1,970

Fixed-income securities
738

 
631

 

 

 
1,369

Assets measured at NAV

 

 

 

 
19

Total nuclear decommissioning trusts (2)
2,722

 
631

 

 

 
3,372

Price risk management instruments (Note 7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity
1

 
5

 
110

 
2

 
118

Gas

 
6

 

 
1

 
7

Total price risk management instruments
1

 
11

 
110

 
3

 
125

Rabbi trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-income securities

 
75

 

 

 
75

Life insurance contracts

 
68

 

 

 
68

Total rabbi trusts

 
143

 

 

 
143

Long-term disability trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
8

 

 

 

 
8

Assets measured at NAV

 

 

 

 
112

Total long-term disability trust
8

 

 

 

 
120

TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,108

 
$
785

 
$
110

 
$
3

 
$
4,137

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Price risk management instruments (Note 7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity
$
5

 
$
12

 
$
86

 
$
(17
)
 
$
86

Gas

 
3

 

 
(1
)
 
2

TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
5

 
$
15

 
$
86

 
$
(18
)
 
$
88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements and margin cash collateral.
(2) Represents amount before deducting $455 million, primarily related to deferred taxes on appreciation of investment value.

 
Fair Value Measurements
 
December 31, 2017
(in millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting (1)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
$
385

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
385

Nuclear decommissioning trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
23

 

 

 

 
23

Global equity securities
1,967

 

 

 

 
1,967

Fixed-income securities
733

 
562

 

 

 
1,295

Assets measured at NAV

 

 

 

 
18

Total nuclear decommissioning trusts (2)
2,723

 
562

 

 

 
3,303

Price risk management instruments (Note 7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity

 
3

 
129

 
6

 
138

Gas

 
1

 

 

 
1

Total price risk management instruments

 
4

 
129

 
6

 
139

Rabbi trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-income securities

 
72

 

 

 
72

Life insurance contracts

 
71

 

 

 
71

Total rabbi trusts

 
143

 

 

 
143

Long-term disability trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
8

 

 

 

 
8

Assets measured at NAV

 

 

 

 
167

Total long-term disability trust
8

 

 

 

 
175

TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,116

 
$
709

 
$
129

 
$
6

 
$
4,145

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Price risk management instruments (Note 7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electricity
$
10

 
$
15

 
$
87

 
$
(25
)
 
$
87

Gas

 
1

 

 

 
1

TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
10

 
$
16

 
$
87

 
$
(25
)
 
$
88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements and margin cash collateral.
(2) Represents amount before deducting $440 million, primarily related to deferred taxes on appreciation of investment value.

Valuation Techniques

The following describes the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the assets and liabilities shown in the tables above.  There are no restrictions on the terms and conditions upon which the investments may be redeemed.  Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are recognized as of the end of the reporting period.  There were no material transfers between any levels for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Trust Assets

Assets Measured at Fair Value

In general, investments held in the trusts are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and market volatility risks. Nuclear decommissioning trust assets and other trust assets are composed primarily of equity and fixed-income securities and also include short-term investments that are money market funds valued at Level 1.

Global equity securities primarily include investments in common stock that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 1.

Fixed-income securities are primarily composed of U.S. government and agency securities, municipal securities, and other fixed-income securities, including corporate debt securities.  U.S. government and agency securities primarily consist of U.S. Treasury securities that are classified as Level 1 because the fair value is determined by observable market prices in active markets.  A market approach is generally used to estimate the fair value of fixed-income securities classified as Level 2 using evaluated pricing data such as broker quotes, for similar securities adjusted for observable differences.  Significant inputs used in the valuation model generally include benchmark yield curves and issuer spreads.  The external credit ratings, coupon rate, and maturity of each security are considered in the valuation model, as applicable.

Assets Measured at NAV Using Practical Expedient

Investments in the nuclear decommissioning trusts and the long-term disability trust that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy tables above.  The fair value amounts are included in the tables above in order to reconcile to the amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These investments include commingled funds that are composed of equity securities traded publicly on exchanges as well as fixed-income securities that are composed primarily of U.S. government securities and asset-backed securities. 

Price Risk Management Instruments

Price risk management instruments include physical and financial derivative contracts, such as power purchase agreements, forwards, futures, swaps, options, and CRRs that are traded either on an exchange or over-the-counter. 

Power purchase agreements, forwards, and swaps are valued using a discounted cash flow model.  Exchange-traded futures that are valued using observable market forward prices for the underlying commodity are classified as Level 1.  Over-the-counter forwards and swaps that are identical to exchange-traded futures, or are valued using forward prices from broker quotes that are corroborated with market data are classified as Level 2.  Exchange-traded options are valued using observable market data and market-corroborated data and are classified as Level 2. 

Long-dated power purchase agreements that are valued using significant unobservable data are classified as Level 3.  These Level 3 contracts are valued using either estimated basis adjustments from liquid trading points or techniques, including extrapolation from observable prices, when a contract term extends beyond a period for which market data is available.  Market and credit risk management utilizes models to derive pricing inputs for the valuation of the Utility’s Level 3 instruments using pricing inputs from brokers and historical data.

The Utility holds CRRs to hedge the financial risk of CAISO-imposed congestion charges in the day-ahead market.  Limited market data is available in the CAISO auction and between auction dates; therefore, the Utility utilizes historical prices to forecast forward prices.  CRRs are classified as Level 3.

Level 3 Measurements and Sensitivity Analysis

The Utility’s market and credit risk management function, which reports to PG&E Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for determining the fair value of the Utility’s price risk management derivatives.  The Utility’s finance and risk management functions collaborate to determine the appropriate fair value methodologies and classification for each derivative.  Inputs used and the fair value of Level 3 instruments are reviewed period-over-period and compared with market conditions to determine reasonableness.

Significant increases or decreases in any of those inputs would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value, respectively.  All reasonable costs related to Level 3 instruments are expected to be recoverable through customer rates; therefore, there is no impact to net income resulting from changes in the fair value of these instruments.  (See Note 7 above.)
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range (1)
Congestion revenue rights
 
$
110

 
$
44

 
Market approach
 
CRR auction prices
 
$ (18.61) - 32.26
Power purchase agreements
 
$

 
$
42

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward prices
 
$ 19.81 - 38.80
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1) Represents price per megawatt-hour.

 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (1)
Congestion revenue rights
 
$
129

 
$
24

 
Market approach
 
CRR auction prices
 
$ (16.03) - 11.99
Power purchase agreements
 
$

 
$
63

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward prices
 
$ 18.81 - 38.80
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Represents price per megawatt-hour.

Level 3 Reconciliation

The following tables present the reconciliation for Level 3 price risk management instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
 
Price Risk Management Instruments
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
Asset (liability) balance as of July 1
$
34

 
$
48

Net realized and unrealized gains:
 
 
 
Included in regulatory assets and liabilities or balancing accounts (1)
(10
)
 

Asset (liability) balance as of September 30
$
24

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
(1) The costs related to price risk management activities are fully passed through to customers in rates.  Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses are deferred in regulatory liabilities and assets and net income is not impacted.
 
Price Risk Management Instruments
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
Asset (liability) balance as of January 1
$
42

 
$
55

Net realized and unrealized gains:
 
 
 
Included in regulatory assets and liabilities or balancing accounts (1)
(18
)
 
(7
)
Asset (liability) balance as of September 30
$
24

 
$
48

 
 
 
 

(1) The costs related to price risk management activities are fully passed through to customers in rates.  Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses are deferred in regulatory liabilities and assets and net income is not impacted.

Financial Instruments

PG&E Corporation and the Utility use the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value for financial instruments: the fair values of cash, net accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, customer deposits, and the Utility’s variable rate pollution control bond loan agreements approximate their carrying values at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as they are short-term in nature or have interest rates that reset daily. 

The carrying amount and fair value of PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s debt instruments were as follows (the table below excludes financial instruments with carrying values that approximate their fair values):
 
At September 30, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
(in millions)
Carrying Amount
 
Level 2 Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Level 2 Fair Value
PG&E Corporation(1)
$
350

 
$
350

 
$
350

 
$
350

Utility
17,491

 
16,413

 
17,090

 
19,128

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) On April 26, 2018, PG&E Corporation early redeemed its outstanding $350 million principal amount of 2.40% Senior Note. Also, in April 2018, PG&E Corporation entered into a $350 million floating rate unsecured term loan. For more information, see Note 4.

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Investments

The following table provides a summary of equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities:
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2018
Amortized
Cost
 
Total
Unrealized
Gains
 
Total
Unrealized
Losses
 
Total Fair
Value
Nuclear decommissioning trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
$
14

 
$

 
$

 
$
14

Global equity securities
478

 
1,513

 
(2
)
 
1,989

Fixed-income securities
1,369

 
28

 
(28
)
 
1,369

Total (1)
$
1,861

 
$
1,541

 
$
(30
)
 
$
3,372

As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nuclear decommissioning trusts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
$
23

 
$

 
$

 
$
23

Global equity securities
524

 
1,463

 
(2
)
 
1,985

Fixed-income securities
1,252

 
51

 
(8
)
 
1,295

Total (1)
$
1,799

 
$
1,514

 
$
(10
)
 
$
3,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Represents amounts before deducting $455 million and $440 million for the periods ended September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, primarily related to deferred taxes on appreciation of investment value.

The fair value of fixed-income securities by contractual maturity is as follows:
 
As of
(in millions)
September 30, 2018
Less than 1 year
$
69

1–5 years
401

5–10 years
386

More than 10 years
513

Total maturities of fixed-income securities
$
1,369


The following table provides a summary of activity for fixed income and equity securities:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Proceeds from sales and maturities of nuclear decommissioning trust investments
$
319

 
$
249

 
$
1,121

 
$
1,043

Gross realized gains on securities
3

 
8

 
51

 
50

Gross realized losses on securities
(5
)
 

 
(14
)
 
(8
)