(16) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General Litigation and Other Matters

From time to time, PHI and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in litigation, usually relating to general liability or auto liability claims that resulted in personal injury or property damage to third parties. PHI and each of its subsidiaries are self-insured against such claims up to a certain self-insured retention amount and maintain insurance coverage against such claims at higher levels, to the extent deemed prudent by management. In addition, PHI’s contracts with its vendors generally require the vendors to name PHI and/or its subsidiaries as additional insureds for the amounts at least equal to PHI’s self-insured retention. Further, PHI’s contracts with its vendors require the vendors to indemnify PHI for various acts and activities that may give rise to claims against PHI. Loss contingency liabilities for both asserted and unasserted claims are recognized if it is probable that a loss will result from such a claim and if the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with any certainty, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on PHI’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014, PHI had recorded estimated loss contingency liabilities for general litigation totaling approximately $33 million (including amounts related to the matters specifically described below), and the portion of these estimated loss contingency liabilities in excess of the self-insured retention amount was substantially offset by estimated insurance receivables.

Pepco Substation Injury Claim

In May 2013, a worker employed by a subcontractor to erect a scaffold at a Pepco substation came into contact with an energized transformer and suffered serious injuries. In August 2013, the individual filed suit against Pepco in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering and the cost of a life care plan. On October 22, 2014, an award of approximately $21.7 million was entered in favor of the plaintiff in this matter. Pepco has recorded this liability as of December 31, 2014, which is included in the liability for general litigation referred to above. Pepco’s insurer and the contractor’s insurer have acknowledged insurance coverage for the incident, including coverage of Pepco’s self-insured retention amount. Pepco has concluded as of December 31, 2014, that realization of its insurance claims associated with this matter is probable and, accordingly, has recorded an estimated insurance receivable of the same amount as the related liability.

ACE Asbestos Claim

In September 2011, an asbestos complaint was filed in the New Jersey Superior Court, Law Division, against ACE (among other defendants) asserting claims under New Jersey’s Wrongful Death and Survival statutes. The complaint, filed by the estate of a decedent who was the wife of a former employee of ACE, alleges that the decedent’s mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos brought home by her husband on his work clothes. New Jersey courts have recognized a cause of action against a premise owner in a so-called “take home” case if it can be shown that the harm was foreseeable. In this case, the complaint seeks recovery of an unspecified amount of damages for, among other things, the decedent’s past medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering between the time of injury and death, and asserts a punitive damage claim. At December 31, 2014, ACE has concluded that a loss is probable with respect to this matter and has recorded an estimated loss contingency liability, which is included in the liability for general litigation referred to above as of December 31, 2014. However, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, ACE is unable to estimate a maximum amount of possible loss because the damages sought are indeterminate and the matter involves facts that ACE believes are distinguishable from the facts of the “take-home” cause of action recognized by the New Jersey courts.

ACE Electrical Contact Injury Claims

In October 2010, a farm combine came into and remained in contact with a primary electric line in ACE’s service territory in New Jersey. As a result, two individuals operating the combine received fatal electrical contact injuries. While attempting to rescue those two individuals, another individual sustained third-degree burns to his torso and upper extremities. In September 2012, the individual who received third-degree burns filed suit in New Jersey Superior Court, Salem County. In October 2012, additional suits were filed in the same court by or on behalf of the estates of the deceased individuals. Plaintiffs in each of the cases sought indeterminate damages and alleged that ACE was negligent in the design, construction, erection, operation and maintenance of its poles, power lines, and equipment, and that ACE failed to warn and protect the public from the foreseeable dangers of farm equipment contacting electric lines. The litigation involved a number of other defendants and the filing of numerous cross-claims. On September 23, 2014, ACE entered into a confidential settlement with each of the plaintiffs regarding this matter. On November 5, 2014, ACE received reimbursement from its insurers for the amounts of this settlement above its $2 million self-insured retention amount.

Pepco Energy Services Billing Claims

During 2012, Pepco Energy Services received letters on behalf of two school districts in Maryland, which claim that they had paid invoices in connection with electricity supply contracts that included certain allegedly unauthorized charges, totaling approximately $7 million, for which they were entitled to reimbursement. The school districts also claim additional compounded interest totaling approximately $9 million. Although no litigation involving Pepco Energy Services related to these claims has commenced, in August and September 2013, Pepco Energy Services received correspondence from the Superintendent of each of the school districts advising of the intention to render a decision regarding an unresolved dispute between the school district and Pepco Energy Services. Pepco Energy Services filed timely answers to the Superintendents challenging their authority to render decisions on the claims and also disputing the merits of the allegations regarding unauthorized charges as well as the claims of entitlement to compounded interest.

With respect to the claim of one of the school districts, in July 2014 its Superintendent determined that Pepco Energy Services should reimburse the allegedly unauthorized charges related to that district, totaling approximately $3 million, but rejected the school district’s claim for interest (representing $4 million of the $9 million of total compounded interest originally claimed by both school districts). Throughout these proceedings, the Superintendent acknowledged the availability of administrative and judicial review of the merits of any decision. Pepco Energy Services appealed the Superintendent’s determination to the district’s Board of Education. On November 19, 2014, that district’s Board of Education voted to sustain the Superintendent’s ruling and Pepco Energy Services has filed a timely notice of appeal of that ruling with the Maryland State Board of Education. The Board of Education sought to enter judgment against Pepco Energy Services in a Maryland circuit court. On December 17, 2014, Pepco Energy Services filed petitions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland seeking declaratory judgment and to vacate the Board of Education’s award, thereby challenging both the action of the Board of Education to enter judgment against Pepco Energy Services without further review and the determination of the Board of Education on the merits. The Superintendent of the other school district has not yet acted on the matter. Both Superintendents and the district Board of Education from whose determination an administrative appeal has been taken have acknowledged the availability of administrative and judicial review of the merits of any decision. As of December 31, 2014, Pepco Energy Services has concluded that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to these claims, but the amount of loss, if any, is not reasonably estimable.

Environmental Matters

PHI, through its subsidiaries, is subject to regulation by various federal, regional, state and local authorities with respect to the environmental effects of its operations, including air and water quality control, solid and hazardous waste disposal and limitations on land use. Although penalties assessed for violations of environmental laws and regulations are not recoverable from customers of PHI’s utility subsidiaries, environmental clean-up costs incurred by Pepco, DPL and ACE generally are included by each company in its respective cost of service for ratemaking purposes. The total accrued liabilities for the environmental contingencies described below of PHI and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:


			Legacy Generation
	Transmission and Distribution		Regulated		Non-Regulated		Total
	*(millions of dollars)*
Balance as of January 1	$	19	$	6	$	5	$	30
Accruals		—		—		—		—
Payments		2		—		—		2

Balance as of December 31		17		6		5		28
Less amounts in Other Current Liabilities		3		1		—		4

Amounts in Other Deferred Credits	$	14	$	5	$	5	$	24

Conectiv Energy Wholesale Power Generation Sites

In July 2010, PHI sold the wholesale power generation business of Conectiv Energy to Calpine. Under New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), the transfer of ownership triggered an obligation on the part of Conectiv Energy to remediate any environmental contamination at each of the nine Conectiv Energy generating facility sites located in New Jersey. Under the terms of the sale, Calpine has assumed responsibility for performing the ISRA-required remediation and for the payment of all related ISRA compliance costs up to $10 million. PHI is obligated to indemnify Calpine for any ISRA compliance remediation costs in excess of $10 million. According to PHI’s estimates, the costs of ISRA-required remediation activities at the nine generating facility sites located in New Jersey are in the range of approximately $7 million to $18 million. The amount accrued by PHI for the ISRA-required remediation activities at the nine generating facility sites is included in the table above in the column entitled “Legacy Generation – Non-Regulated.”

In September 2011, PHI received a request for data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding operations at the Deepwater generating facility in New Jersey (which was included in the sale to Calpine) between February 2004 and July 1, 2010, to demonstrate compliance with the Clean Air Act’s new source review permitting program. PHI responded to the data request. Under the terms of the Calpine sale, PHI is obligated to indemnify Calpine for any failure of PHI, on or prior to the closing date of the sale, to comply with environmental laws attributable to the construction of new, or modification of existing, sources of air emissions. At this time, PHI does not expect this inquiry to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Franklin Slag Pile Site

In November 2008, ACE received a general notice letter from EPA concerning the Franklin Slag Pile site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, asserting that ACE is a potentially responsible party (PRP) that may have liability for clean-up costs with respect to the site and for the costs of implementing an EPA-mandated remedy. EPA’s claims are based on ACE’s sale of boiler slag from the B.L. England generating facility, then owned by ACE, to MDC Industries, Inc. (MDC) during the period June 1978 to May 1983. EPA claims that the boiler slag ACE sold to MDC contained copper and lead, which are hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and that the sales transactions may have constituted an arrangement for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at the site, which could be a basis for liability under CERCLA. The EPA letter also states that, as of the date of the letter, EPA’s expenditures for response measures at the site have exceeded $6 million. EPA’s feasibility study for this site conducted in 2007 identified a range of alternatives for permanent remedial measures with varying cost estimates, and the estimated cost of EPA’s preferred alternative is approximately $6 million.

ACE believes that the B.L. England boiler slag sold to MDC was a valuable material with various industrial applications and, therefore, the sale was not an arrangement for the disposal or treatment of any hazardous substances as would be necessary to constitute a basis for liability under CERCLA. ACE intends to contest any claims to the contrary made by EPA. In a May 2009 decision arising under CERCLA, which did not involve ACE, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an EPA argument that the sale of a useful product constituted an arrangement for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances. While this decision supports ACE’s position, at this time ACE cannot predict how EPA will proceed with respect to the Franklin Slag Pile site, or what portion, if any, of the Franklin Slag Pile site response costs EPA would seek to recover from ACE. Costs to resolve this matter are not expected to be material and are expensed as incurred.

Peck Iron and Metal Site

EPA informed Pepco in a May 2009 letter that Pepco may be a PRP under CERCLA with respect to the cleanup of the Peck Iron and Metal site in Portsmouth, Virginia, and for costs EPA has incurred in cleaning up the site. The EPA letter states that Peck Iron and Metal purchased, processed, stored and shipped metal scrap from military bases, governmental agencies and businesses and that the Peck Iron and Metal scrap operations resulted in the improper storage and disposal of hazardous substances. EPA bases its allegation that Pepco arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances sent to the site on information provided by former Peck Iron and Metal personnel, who informed EPA that Pepco was a customer at the site. Pepco has advised EPA by letter that its records show no evidence of any sale of scrap metal by Pepco to the site. Even if EPA has such records and such sales did occur, Pepco believes that any such scrap metal sales may be entitled to the recyclable material exemption from CERCLA liability. In a Federal Register notice published in November 2009, EPA placed the Peck Iron and Metal site on the National Priorities List. The National Priorities List, among other things, serves as a guide to EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation to assess the nature and extent of the human health and environmental risks associated with a site. In September 2011, EPA initiated a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) using federal funds. Pepco cannot at this time estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss associated with this RI/FS, any remediation activities to be performed at the site or any other costs that EPA might seek to impose on Pepco.

Ward Transformer Site

In April 2009, a group of PRPs with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, North Carolina, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleging cost recovery and/or contribution claims against a number of entities, including Pepco, DPL and ACE, based on their alleged sale of transformers to Ward Transformer, with respect to past and future response costs incurred by the PRP group in performing a removal action at the site. In a March 2010 order, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The litigation is moving forward with certain “test case” defendants (not including Pepco, DPL and ACE) filing summary judgment motions regarding liability. The case has been stayed as to the remaining defendants pending rulings upon the test cases. In a January 31, 2013 order, the Federal district court granted summary judgment for the test case defendant whom plaintiffs alleged was liable based on its sale of transformers to Ward Transformer. The Federal district court’s order addresses only the liability of the test case defendant. Plaintiffs have appealed the district court’s order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. PHI has concluded that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to this matter, but is unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible losses to which it may be exposed. PHI does not believe that any of its three utility subsidiaries had extensive business transactions, if any, with the Ward Transformer site.

Benning Road Site

Contamination of Lower Anacostia River

In September 2010, PHI received a letter from EPA identifying the Benning Road location, consisting of a generation facility formerly operated by Pepco Energy Services, and a transmission and distribution service center facility operated by Pepco, as one of six land-based sites potentially contributing to contamination of the lower Anacostia River. The generation facility was deactivated in June 2012 and the plant structures are currently in the process of being demolished, but the service center remains in operation. The principal contaminants of concern are polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In December 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a consent decree entered into by Pepco and Pepco Energy Services with the District of Columbia Department of the Environment (DDOE), which requires Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to conduct a RI/FS for the Benning Road site and an approximately 10 to 15 acre portion of the adjacent Anacostia River. The RI/FS will form the basis for DDOE’s selection of a remedial action for the Benning Road site and for the Anacostia River sediment associated with the site. The consent decree does not obligate Pepco or Pepco Energy Services to pay for or perform any remediation work, but it is anticipated that DDOE will look to Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to assume responsibility for cleanup of any conditions in the river that are determined to be attributable to past activities at the Benning Road site.

The final phase of remedial investigation field work, consisting of the installation of monitoring wells and groundwater sampling and analysis, began in May 2014. In addition, as part of the remaining remedial investigation field work and in conjunction with the power plant demolition activities, Pepco and Pepco Energy Services collected soil samples adjacent to and beneath the concrete basins for the cooling towers previously dismantled and removed from the site of the generating facility. This sampling showed localized areas of soil contamination associated with the cooling tower basins, and Pepco has submitted a plan to DDOE for the removal of contaminated soil in conjunction with the demolition and removal of the concrete basins. The remedial investigation field sampling was completed in December 2014. Pepco and Pepco Energy Services will prepare RI/FS reports for review and approval by DDOE after solicitation and consideration of public comment. The next status report to the court is due on May 25, 2015.

The remediation costs accrued for this matter are included in the table above in the columns entitled “Transmission and Distribution,” “Legacy Generation – Regulated,” and “Legacy Generation – Non-Regulated.”

NPDES Permit Limit Exceedances

Pepco holds a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by EPA with a June 19, 2009 effective date, which authorizes discharges from the Benning Road facility, including the now deactivated Pepco Energy Services generating facility located at that site. The 2009 permit imposed compliance monitoring and storm water best management practices to satisfy the District of Columbia’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards for polychlorinated biphenyls, oil and grease, metals and other substances. As part of the implementation of the TMDL requirements, the permit also imposed numerical limits on certain substances in storm water discharges to the Anacostia River. Quarterly monitoring results since the issuance of the permit have shown consistent exceedances of the limits for copper and zinc, as well as occasional exceedances for iron and lead. As required by the permit, Pepco initiated a study to identify the potential sources of these substances at the site and to determine appropriate best management practices for minimizing the presence of the substances in storm water discharges from the facility. The initial study report was completed in May 2012. Pepco has completed the implementation of the first two phases of the best management practices recommended in the study report (consisting principally of installing metal absorbing filters to capture contaminants from storm water flows, removing stored equipment from areas exposed to the weather, covering and painting exposed metal pipes, and covering and cleaning dumpsters). These measures have been effective in reducing metal concentrations in stormwater discharges; however, additional measures will be required to be implemented by Pepco to reduce the concentrations to levels required by the permit.

The NPDES permit was due to expire on June 19, 2014. Pepco submitted a permit renewal application on December 17, 2013. In November 2014, EPA advised Pepco that it will not renew the permit until the Benning Road facility has come into compliance with the existing permit limits. The current permit remains in effect pending EPA’s action on the renewal application. Pepco has prepared a plan to implement the third phase of the best management practices recommended in the study report with the objective of achieving full compliance with the permit limits by the end of 2015. The plan was submitted to EPA on December 30, 2014, and Pepco has begun implementing those best practices in accordance with the plan. Pepco anticipates that EPA may request that Pepco enter into an administrative compliance agreement with respect to the implementation of these additional control measures, and may seek administrative penalties for past noncompliance with the permit limits for metals in storm water. Whether such penalties will be imposed and, if so, the amount of any such penalties, is not known or estimable at this time. At present, Pepco expects that compliance with the permit limits can be achieved through a combination of enhanced storm drain inlet controls (filters and metal absorbing booms), enhanced site housekeeping, and enhanced inspection and maintenance of storm water controls. If these measures are not adequate to achieve compliance with the permit limits, however, it is possible that a capital project to install a storm water treatment system may be required. The need for any such capital expenditures will not be known until Pepco has implemented the third phase of the best management practices.

Indian River Oil Release

In 2001, DPL entered into a consent agreement with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for remediation, site restoration, natural resource damage compensatory projects and other costs associated with environmental contamination resulting from an oil release at the Indian River generating facility, which was sold in June 2001. The amount of remediation costs accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Legacy Generation – Regulated.”

Potomac River Mineral Oil Release

In January 2011, a coupling failure on a transformer cooler pipe resulted in a release of non-toxic mineral oil at Pepco’s Potomac River substation in Alexandria, Virginia. An overflow of an underground secondary containment reservoir resulted in approximately 4,500 gallons of mineral oil flowing into the Potomac River.

In March 2014, Pepco and DDOE entered into a consent decree to resolve a threatened DDOE enforcement action, the terms of which include a combination of a civil penalty and a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) with a total cost to Pepco of $875,000. The consent decree was approved and entered by the District of Columbia Superior Court on April 4, 2014. Pepco has paid the $250,000 civil penalty imposed under the consent decree and, pursuant to the consent decree, has made a one-time donation in the amount of $25,000 to the Northeast Environmental Enforcement Training Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that funds scholarships for environmental enforcement training. The consent decree confirmed that no further actions are required by Pepco to investigate, assess or remediate impacts to the river from the mineral oil release. To implement the SEP, Pepco has entered into an agreement with Living Classrooms Foundation, Inc., a non-profit educational organization, to provide $600,000 to fund the design, installation and operation of a trash collection system at a storm water outfall that drains to the Anacostia River. The design for the trash collection system is currently under review by DDOE, and Pepco expects that this system will be constructed and placed into operation by the end of 2015, which will satisfy Pepco’s obligations under the consent decree. The next status hearing in this matter has been set for September 18, 2015.

The consent decree does not resolve potential claims under federal law for natural resource damages resulting from the oil release. Pepco has engaged in separate discussions with DDOE and the federal resource trustees regarding the settlement of a possible natural resource damages claim under federal law. The federal trustees are still evaluating the claim and the terms of a possible settlement. At this time, it is uncertain whether or when the settlement discussions may resume or if the trustees will continue to pursue the natural resource damages claim. Based on discussions to date, PHI and Pepco do not believe that the resolution of the federal natural resource damages claim will have a material adverse effect on their respective financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

As a result of the mineral oil release, Pepco implemented certain interim operational changes to the secondary containment systems at the facility which involve pumping accumulated storm water to an above-ground holding tank for off-site disposal. In December 2011, Pepco completed the installation of a treatment system designed to allow automatic discharge of accumulated storm water from the secondary containment system. Pepco currently is seeking DDOE’s and EPA’s approval to commence operation of the new system on a pilot basis to demonstrate its effectiveness in meeting both secondary containment requirements and water quality standards related to the discharge of storm water from the facility. In the meantime, Pepco is continuing to use the aboveground holding tank to manage storm water from the secondary containment system. Pepco also is evaluating other technical and regulatory options for managing storm water from the secondary containment system as alternatives to the proposed treatment system discharge currently under discussion with EPA and DDOE.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Metal Bank Site

In the first quarter of 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contacted Pepco and DPL on behalf of itself and other federal and state trustees to request that Pepco and DPL execute a tolling agreement to facilitate settlement negotiations concerning natural resource damages allegedly caused by releases of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls, at the Metal Bank Superfund Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pepco and DPL executed a tolling agreement, which has been extended to March 15, 2015, and will continue settlement discussions with the NOAA, the trustees and other PRPs.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Brandywine Fly Ash Disposal Site

In February 2013, Pepco received a letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requesting that Pepco investigate the extent of waste on a Pepco right-of-way that traverses the Brandywine fly ash disposal site in Brandywine, Prince George’s County, Maryland, owned by NRG Energy, Inc. (as successor to GenOn MD Ash Management, LLC) (NRG). In July 2013, while reserving its rights and related defenses under a 2000 agreement covering the sale of this site, Pepco indicated its willingness to investigate the extent of, and propose an appropriate closure plan to address, ash on the right-of-way. Pepco submitted a schedule for development of a closure plan to MDE on September 30, 2013 and, by letter dated October 18, 2013, MDE approved the schedule.

PHI and Pepco have determined that a loss associated with this matter for PHI and Pepco is probable and have estimated that the costs for implementation of a closure plan and cap on the site are in the range of approximately $3 million to $6 million. PHI and Pepco believe that the costs incurred in this matter will be recoverable from NRG under the 2000 sale agreement.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Notice of Violation

On February 2, 2015, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) issued a notice of violation (NOV) to DPL in connection with alleged violations of state water control laws and regulations associated with recent construction activities undertaken to replace certain transmission facilities. The NOV informs DPL of information on which VDEQ may rely to institute an administrative or judicial enforcement action, requests a meeting, and states that DPL may be asked to enter into a consent order to formalize a plan and schedule of corrective action and settle any outstanding issues regarding the matter including the assessment of civil charges. Whether any such charges will be assessed is not known or estimable at this time. PHI and DPL do not believe that the remediation costs to resolve this matter will have a material adverse effect on their respective financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

PHI’s Cross-Border Energy Lease Investments

As discussed in Note (20), “Discontinued Operations – Cross-Border Energy Lease Investments,” PHI held a portfolio of cross-border energy lease investments involving public utility assets located outside of the United States. Each of these investments was comprised of multiple leases and was structured as a sale and leaseback transaction commonly referred to by the IRS as a sale-in, lease-out, or SILO, transaction.

Since 2005, PHI’s cross-border energy lease investments have been under examination by the IRS as part of the PHI federal income tax audits. In connection with the audit of PHI’s 2001-2002 income tax returns, the IRS disallowed the depreciation and interest deductions in excess of rental income claimed by PHI for six of the eight lease investments and, in connection with the audits of PHI’s 2003-2005 and 2006-2008 income tax returns, the IRS disallowed such deductions in excess of rental income for all eight of the lease investments. In addition, the IRS has sought to recharacterize each of the leases as a loan transaction in each of the years under audit as to which PHI would be subject to original issue discount income. PHI has disagreed with the IRS’ proposed adjustments to the 2001-2008 income tax returns and has filed protests of these findings for each year with the Office of Appeals of the IRS. In November 2010, PHI entered into a settlement agreement with the IRS for the 2001 and 2002 tax years for the purpose of commencing litigation associated with this matter and subsequently filed refund claims in July 2011 for the disallowed tax deductions relating to the leases for these years. In January 2011, as part of this settlement, PHI paid $74 million of additional tax for 2001 and 2002, penalties of $1 million, and $28 million in interest associated with the disallowed deductions. Since the July 2011 refund claims were not approved by the IRS within the statutory six-month period, in January 2012 PHI filed complaints in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims seeking recovery of the tax payment, interest and penalties. The 2003-2005 and 2006-2011 income tax return audits continue to be in process with the IRS Office of Appeals and the IRS Exam Division, respectively, and are not presently a part of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims litigation.

On January 9, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an opinion in Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. & Subsidiaries v. United States (to which PHI is not a party) that disallowed tax benefits associated with Consolidated Edison’s cross-border lease transaction. While PHI believes that its tax position with regard to its cross-border energy lease investments is appropriate, after analyzing the recent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling, PHI determined in the first quarter of 2013 that its tax position with respect to the tax benefits associated with the cross-border energy leases no longer met the more-likely-than-not standard of recognition for accounting purposes. Accordingly, PHI recorded a non-cash after-tax charge of $377 million in the first quarter of 2013 (as discussed in Note (20), “Discontinued Operations – Cross-Border Energy Lease Investments”), consisting of a charge to reduce the carrying value of the cross-border energy lease investments and a charge to reflect the anticipated additional interest expense related to changes in PHI’s estimated federal and state income tax obligations for the period over which the tax benefits ultimately may be disallowed. PHI had also previously made certain business assumptions regarding foreign investment opportunities available at the end of the full lease terms. During the first quarter of 2013, management believed that its conclusions regarding these business assumptions were no longer supportable, and the tax effects of this change in conclusion were included in the charge. While the IRS could require PHI to pay a penalty of up to 20% of the amount of additional taxes due, PHI believes that it is more likely than not that no such penalty will be incurred, and therefore no amount for any potential penalty has been recorded.

In the event that the IRS were to be successful in disallowing 100% of the tax benefits associated with these lease investments and recharacterize these lease investments as loans, PHI estimated that, as of March 31, 2013, it would have been obligated to pay approximately $192 million in additional federal taxes (net of the $74 million tax payment described above) and approximately $50 million of interest on the additional federal taxes. These amounts, totaling $242 million, were estimated after consideration of certain tax benefits arising from matters unrelated to the leases that would offset the taxes and interest due, including PHI’s best estimate of the expected resolution of other uncertain and effectively settled tax positions, the carrying back and carrying forward of any existing net operating losses, and the application of certain amounts paid in advance to the IRS. In order to mitigate PHI’s ongoing interest costs associated with the $242 million estimate of additional taxes and interest, PHI made an advanced payment to the IRS of $242 million in the first quarter of 2013. This advanced payment was funded from currently available sources of liquidity and short-term borrowings. A portion of the proceeds from lease terminations (discussed in Note (20), “Discontinued Operations – Cross-Border Energy Lease Investments”) was used to repay the short-term borrowings utilized to fund the advanced payment.

In order to mitigate the cost of continued litigation related to the cross-border energy lease investments, PHI and its subsidiaries have entered into discussions with the IRS with the intention of seeking a settlement of all tax issues for open tax years 2001 through 2011, including the cross-border energy lease issue. PHI currently believes that it is possible that a settlement with the IRS may be reached in 2015. If a settlement of all tax issues or a standalone settlement on the leases is not reached, PHI may move forward with its litigation with the IRS. Further discovery in the case is stayed until March 19, 2015, pursuant to an order issued by the court on December 2, 2014.

Third Party Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

PHI and certain of its subsidiaries have various financial and performance guarantees and indemnification obligations that they have entered into in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties as discussed below.

As of December 31, 2014, PHI and its subsidiaries were parties to a variety of agreements pursuant to which they were guarantors for standby letters of credit, energy procurement obligations, and other commitments and obligations. The commitments and obligations, in millions of dollars, were as follows:


	Guarantor
	PHI		Pepco		DPL		ACE		Total
	*(millions of dollars)*
Guarantees associated with disposal of Conectiv Energy assets (a)	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	13
Guaranteed lease residual values (b)		3		5		7		5		20

Total	$	16	$	5	$	7	$	5	$	33

(a)

Represents guarantees by PHI of Conectiv Energy’s derivatives portfolio transferred in connection with the disposition of Conectiv Energy’s wholesale business. The derivative portfolio guarantee is currently $13 million and covers Conectiv Energy’s performance prior to the assignment. This guarantee will remain in effect until the end of 2015.

(b)

Represents the maximum potential obligation in the event that the fair value of certain leased equipment and fleet vehicles is zero at the end of the maximum lease term. The maximum lease term associated with these assets ranges from 3 to 8 years. The maximum potential obligation at the end of the minimum lease term would be $52 million, $10 million of which is a guarantee by PHI, $13 million by Pepco, $16 million by DPL and $13 million by ACE. The minimum lease term associated with these assets ranges from 1 to 4 years. Historically, payments under the guarantees have not been made and PHI believes the likelihood of payments being required under the guarantees is remote.

PHI and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into various indemnification agreements related to purchase and sale agreements and other types of contractual agreements with vendors and other third parties. These indemnification agreements typically cover environmental, tax, litigation and other matters, as well as breaches of representations, warranties and covenants set forth in these agreements. Typically, claims may be made by third parties under these indemnification agreements over various periods of time depending on the nature of the claim. The maximum potential exposure under these indemnification agreements can range from a specified dollar amount to an unlimited amount depending on the nature of the claim and the particular transaction. The total maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements is not estimable due to several factors, including uncertainty as to whether or when claims may be made under these indemnities.

Energy Savings Performance Contracts

Pepco Energy Services has a diverse portfolio of energy savings performance contracts that are associated with the installation of energy savings equipment or combined heat and power facilities for federal, state and local government customers. As part of the energy savings contracts, Pepco Energy Services typically guarantees that the equipment or systems it installs will generate a specified amount of energy savings on an annual basis over a multi-year period. As of December 31, 2014, the remaining notional amount of Pepco Energy Services’ energy savings guarantees over the life of the multi-year performance contracts on: (i) completed projects was $356 million with the longest guarantee having a remaining term of 23 years; and, (ii) projects under construction was $61 million with the longest guarantee having a term of 13 years after completion of construction. On an annual basis, Pepco Energy Services undertakes a measurement and verification process to determine the amount of energy savings for the year and whether there is any shortfall in the annual energy savings compared to the guaranteed amount.

As of December 31, 2014, Pepco Energy Services had a performance guarantee contract associated with the production at a combined heat and power facility that is under construction totaling $15 million in notional value over 20 years.

Pepco Energy Services recognizes a liability for the value of the estimated energy savings or production shortfalls when it is probable that the guaranteed amounts will not be achieved and the amount is reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2014, Pepco Energy Services had an accrued liability of $1 million for an energy savings contract under which construction was completed in 2012. There was no significant change in the type of contracts issued during the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

Dividends

On January 22, 2015, Pepco Holdings’ Board of Directors declared a dividend on common stock of 27 cents per share payable March 31, 2015, to stockholders of record on March 10, 2015.

Contractual Obligations

Power Purchase Contracts

As of December 31, 2014, Pepco Holdings’ contractual obligations under non-derivative power purchase contracts were $276 million in 2015, $509 million in 2016 to 2017, and $478 million in 2018 to 2019 and $1,177 million thereafter.

Lease Commitments

Rental expense for operating leases was $59 million, $54 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Total future minimum operating lease payments for Pepco Holdings as of December 31, 2014 are $45 million in 2015, $43 million in 2016, $40 million in 2017, $40 million in 2018, $28 million in 2019 and $329 million thereafter.

Commitments and Contingencies

(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General Litigation

From time to time, DPL is named as a defendant in litigation, usually relating to general liability or auto liability claims that resulted in personal injury or property damage to third parties. DPL is self-insured against such claims up to a certain self-insured retention amount and maintains insurance coverage against such claims at higher levels, to the extent deemed prudent by management. In addition, DPL’s contracts with its vendors generally require the vendors to name DPL as an additional insured for the amount at least equal to DPL’s self-insured retention. Further, DPL’s contracts with its vendors require the vendors to indemnify DPL for various acts and activities that may give rise to claims against DPL. Loss contingency liabilities for both asserted and unasserted claims are recognized if it is probable that a loss will result from such a claim and if the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with any certainty, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on DPL’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014, DPL had recorded estimated loss contingency liabilities for general litigation totaling approximately $2 million.

Environmental Matters

DPL is subject to regulation by various federal, regional, state, and local authorities with respect to the environmental effects of its operations, including air and water quality control, solid and hazardous waste disposal, and limitations on land use. Although penalties assessed for violations of environmental laws and regulations are not recoverable from DPL’s customers, environmental clean-up costs incurred by DPL generally are included in its cost of service for ratemaking purposes. The total accrued liabilities for the environmental contingencies of DPL described below at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:


	Transmission and Distribution		Legacy Generation - Regulated		Total
	*(millions of dollars)*
Balance as of January 1	$	1	$	2	$	3
Accruals		—		—		—
Payments		—		—		—

Balance as of December 31		1		2		3
Less amounts in Other Current Liabilities		1		1		2

Amounts in Other Deferred Credits	$	—	$	1	$	1

Ward Transformer Site

In April 2009, a group of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, North Carolina, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleging cost recovery and/or contribution claims against a number of entities, including DPL, based on their alleged sale of transformers to Ward Transformer, with respect to past and future response costs incurred by the PRP group in performing a removal action at the site. In a March 2010 order, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The litigation is moving forward with certain “test case” defendants (not including DPL) filing summary judgment motions regarding liability. The case has been stayed as to the remaining defendants pending rulings upon the test cases. In a January 31, 2013 order, the Federal district court granted summary judgment for the test case defendant whom plaintiffs alleged was liable based on its sale of transformers to Ward Transformer. The Federal district court’s order addresses only the liability of the test case defendant. Plaintiffs have appealed the district court’s order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. DPL has concluded that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to this matter, but is unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible losses to which it may be exposed. DPL does not believe that it had extensive business transactions, if any, with the Ward Transformer site.

Indian River Oil Release

In 2001, DPL entered into a consent agreement with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for remediation, site restoration, natural resource damage compensatory projects and other costs associated with environmental contamination resulting from an oil release at the Indian River generating facility, which was sold in June 2001. The amount of remediation costs accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Legacy Generation – Regulated.”

Metal Bank Site

In the first quarter of 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contacted DPL on behalf of itself and other federal and state trustees to request that DPL execute a tolling agreement to facilitate settlement negotiations concerning natural resource damages allegedly caused by releases of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls, at the Metal Bank Superfund Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DPL executed a tolling agreement, which has been extended to March 15, 2015, and will continue settlement discussions with the NOAA, the trustees and other PRPs.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Notice of Violation

On February 2, 2015, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) issued a notice of violation (NOV) to DPL in connection with alleged violations of state water control laws and regulations associated with recent construction activities undertaken to replace certain transmission facilities. The NOV informs DPL of information on which VDEQ may rely to institute an administrative or judicial enforcement action, requests a meeting, and states that DPL may be asked to enter into a consent order to formalize a plan and schedule of corrective action and settle any outstanding issues regarding the matter including the assessment of civil charges. Whether any such charges will be assessed is not known or estimable at this time. DPL does not believe that the remediation costs to resolve this matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Contractual Obligations

Power Purchase Contracts

As of December 31, 2014, DPL’s contractual obligations under non-derivative power purchase contracts were $64 million in 2015, $129 million in 2016 to 2017, $128 million in 2018 to 2019 and $291 million thereafter.

Lease Commitments

DPL leases an 11.9% interest in the Merrill Creek Reservoir. The lease is an operating lease and payments over the remaining lease term, which ends in 2032, are $79 million in the aggregate. DPL also has long-term leases for certain other facilities and equipment. Total future minimum operating lease payments for DPL, including the Merrill Creek Reservoir lease, as of December 31, 2014, are $13 million in 2015, $12 million in 2016, $11 million in 2017, $14 million in 2018, $5 million in 2019 and $114 million thereafter.

Rental expense for operating leases, including the Merrill Creek Reservoir lease, was $14 million, $13 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

(12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General Litigation

From time to time, Pepco is named as a defendant in litigation, usually relating to general liability or auto liability claims that resulted in personal injury or property damage to third parties. Pepco is self-insured against such claims up to a certain self-insured retention amount and maintains insurance coverage against such claims at higher levels, to the extent deemed prudent by management. In addition, Pepco’s contracts with its vendors generally require the vendors to name Pepco as an additional insured for the amount at least equal to Pepco’s self-insured retention. Further, Pepco’s contracts with its vendors require the vendors to indemnify Pepco for various acts and activities that may give rise to claims against Pepco. Loss contingency liabilities for both asserted and unasserted claims are recognized if it is probable that a loss will result from such a claim and if the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with any certainty, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on Pepco’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014, Pepco had recorded estimated loss contingency liabilities for general litigation totaling approximately $25 million (including amounts related to the matter specifically described below), and the portion of these estimated loss contingency liabilities in excess of the self-insured retention amount was substantially offset by estimated insurance receivables.

Pepco Substation Injury Claim

In May 2013, a worker employed by a subcontractor to erect a scaffold at a Pepco substation came into contact with an energized transformer and suffered serious injuries. In August 2013, the individual filed suit against Pepco in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering and the cost of a life care plan. On October 22, 2014, an award of approximately $21.7 million was entered in favor of the plaintiff in this matter. Pepco has recorded this liability as of December 31, 2014, which is included in the liability for general litigation referred to above. Pepco’s insurer and the contractor’s insurer have acknowledged insurance coverage for the incident, including coverage of Pepco’s self-insured retention amount. Pepco has concluded as of December 31, 2014, that realization of its insurance claims associated with this matter is probable and, accordingly, has recorded an estimated insurance receivable of the same amount as the related liability.

Environmental Matters

Pepco is subject to regulation by various federal, regional, state and local authorities with respect to the environmental effects of its operations, including air and water quality control, solid and hazardous waste disposal and limitations on land use. Although penalties assessed for violations of environmental laws and regulations are not recoverable from customers of Pepco, environmental clean-up costs incurred by Pepco generally are included in its cost of service for ratemaking purposes. The total accrued liabilities for the environmental contingencies of Pepco described below at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:


	Transmission and Distribution		Legacy Generation - Regulated		Total
	*(millions of dollars)*
Balance as of January 1	$	18	$	3	$	21
Accruals		—		—		—
Payments		2		—		2

Balance as of December 31		16		3		19
Less amounts in Other Current Liabilities		2		—		2

Amounts in Other Deferred Credits	$	14	$	3	$	17

Peck Iron and Metal Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed Pepco in a May 2009 letter that Pepco may be a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) with respect to the cleanup of the Peck Iron and Metal site in Portsmouth, Virginia, and for costs EPA has incurred in cleaning up the site. The EPA letter states that Peck Iron and Metal purchased, processed, stored and shipped metal scrap from military bases, governmental agencies and businesses and that the Peck Iron and Metal scrap operations resulted in the improper storage and disposal of hazardous substances. EPA bases its allegation that Pepco arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances sent to the site on information provided by former Peck Iron and Metal personnel, who informed EPA that Pepco was a customer at the site. Pepco has advised EPA by letter that its records show no evidence of any sale of scrap metal by Pepco to the site. Even if EPA has such records and such sales did occur, Pepco believes that any such scrap metal sales may be entitled to the recyclable material exemption from CERCLA liability. In a Federal Register notice published in November 2009, EPA placed the Peck Iron and Metal site on the National Priorities List. The National Priorities List, among other things, serves as a guide to EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation to assess the nature and extent of the human health and environmental risks associated with a site. In September 2011, EPA initiated a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) using federal funds. Pepco cannot at this time estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss associated with this RI/FS, any remediation activities to be performed at the site or any other costs that EPA might seek to impose on Pepco.

Ward Transformer Site

In April 2009, a group of PRPs with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, North Carolina, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleging cost recovery and/or contribution claims against a number of entities, including Pepco, based on their alleged sale of transformers to Ward Transformer, with respect to past and future response costs incurred by the PRP group in performing a removal action at the site. In a March 2010 order, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The litigation is moving forward with certain “test case” defendants (not including Pepco) filing summary judgment motions regarding liability. The case has been stayed as to the remaining defendants pending rulings upon the test cases. In a January 31, 2013 order, the Federal district court granted summary judgment for the test case defendant whom plaintiffs alleged was liable based on its sale of transformers to Ward Transformer. The Federal district court’s order addresses only the liability of the test case defendant. Plaintiffs have appealed the district court’s order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Pepco has concluded that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to this matter, but is unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible losses to which it may be exposed. Pepco does not believe that it had extensive business transactions, if any, with the Ward Transformer site.

Benning Road Site

Contamination of Lower Anacosita River

In September 2010, PHI received a letter from EPA identifying the Benning Road location, consisting of a generation facility formerly operated by Pepco’s affiliate, Pepco Energy Services, Inc. (Pepco Energy Services), and a transmission and distribution service center facility operated by Pepco, as one of six land-based sites potentially contributing to contamination of the lower Anacostia River. The generation facility was deactivated in June 2012 and the plant structures are currently in the process of being demolished, but the service center remains in operation. The principal contaminants of concern are polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In December 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a consent decree entered into by Pepco and Pepco Energy Services with the District of Columbia Department of the Environment (DDOE), which requires Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to conduct a RI/FS for the Benning Road site and an approximately 10 to 15 acre portion of the adjacent Anacostia River. The RI/FS will form the basis for DDOE’s selection of a remedial action for the Benning Road site and for the Anacostia River sediment associated with the site. The consent decree does not obligate Pepco or Pepco Energy Services to pay for or perform any remediation work, but it is anticipated that DDOE will look to Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to assume responsibility for cleanup of any conditions in the river that are determined to be attributable to past activities at the Benning Road site.

The final phase of remedial investigation field work, consisting of the installation of monitoring wells and groundwater sampling and analysis, began in May 2014. In addition, as part of the remaining remedial investigation field work and in conjunction with the power plant demolition activities, Pepco and Pepco Energy Services collected soil samples adjacent to and beneath the concrete basins for the cooling towers previously dismantled and removed from the site of the generating facility. This sampling showed localized areas of soil contamination associated with the cooling tower basins, and Pepco has submitted a plan to DDOE for the removal of contaminated soil in conjunction with the demolition and removal of the concrete basins. The remedial investigation field sampling was completed in December 2014. Pepco and Pepco Energy Services will prepare RI/FS reports for review and approval by DDOE after solicitation and consideration of public comment. The next status report to the court is due on May 25, 2015.

The remediation costs accrued for this matter are included in the table above in the columns entitled “Transmission and Distribution” and “Legacy Generation – Regulated.”

NPDES Permit Limit Exceedances

Pepco holds a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by EPA with a June 19, 2009 effective date, which authorizes discharges from the Benning Road facility, including the now deactivated Pepco Energy Services generating facility located at that site. The 2009 permit imposed compliance monitoring and storm water best management practices to satisfy the District of Columbia’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards for polychlorinated biphenyls, oil and grease, metals and other substances. As part of the implementation of the TMDL requirements, the permit also imposed numerical limits on certain substances in storm water discharges to the Anacostia River. Quarterly monitoring results since the issuance of the permit have shown consistent exceedances of the limits for copper and zinc, as well as occasional exceedances for iron and lead. As required by the permit, Pepco initiated a study to identify the potential sources of these substances at the site and to determine appropriate best management practices for minimizing the presence of the substances in storm water discharges from the facility. The initial study report was completed in May 2012. Pepco has completed the implementation of the first two phases of the best management practices recommended in the study report (consisting principally of installing metal absorbing filters to capture contaminants from storm water flows, removing stored equipment from areas exposed to the weather, covering and painting exposed metal pipes, and covering and cleaning dumpsters). These measures have been effective in reducing metal concentrations in stormwater discharges; however, additional measures will be required to be implemented by Pepco to reduce the concentrations to levels required by the permit.

The NPDES permit was due to expire on June 19, 2014. Pepco submitted a permit renewal application on December 17, 2013. In November 2014, EPA advised Pepco that it will not renew the permit until the Benning Road facility has come into compliance with the existing permit limits. The current permit remains in effect pending EPA’s action on the renewal application. Pepco has prepared a plan to implement the third phase of the best management practices recommended in the study report with the objective of achieving full compliance with the permit limits by the end of 2015. The plan was submitted to EPA on December 30, 2014, and Pepco has begun implementing those best practices in accordance with the plan. Pepco anticipates that EPA may request that Pepco enter into an administrative compliance agreement with respect to the implementation of these additional control measures, and may seek administrative penalties for past noncompliance with the permit limits for metals in storm water. Whether such penalties will be imposed and, if so, the amount of any such penalties, is not known or estimable at this time. At present, Pepco expects that compliance with the permit limits can be achieved through a combination of enhanced storm drain inlet controls (filters and metal absorbing booms), enhanced site housekeeping, and enhanced inspection and maintenance of storm water controls. If these measures are not adequate to achieve compliance with the permit limits, however, it is possible that a capital project to install a storm water treatment system may be required. The need for any such capital expenditures will not be known until Pepco has implemented the third phase of the best management practices.

Potomac River Mineral Oil Release

In January 2011, a coupling failure on a transformer cooler pipe resulted in a release of non-toxic mineral oil at Pepco’s Potomac River substation in Alexandria, Virginia. An overflow of an underground secondary containment reservoir resulted in approximately 4,500 gallons of mineral oil flowing into the Potomac River.

In March 2014, Pepco and DDOE entered into a consent decree to resolve a threatened DDOE enforcement action, the terms of which include a combination of a civil penalty and a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) with a total cost to Pepco of $875,000. The consent decree was approved and entered by the District of Columbia Superior Court on April 4, 2014. Pepco has paid the $250,000 civil penalty imposed under the consent decree and, pursuant to the consent decree, has made a one-time donation in the amount of $25,000 to the Northeast Environmental Enforcement Training Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that funds scholarships for environmental enforcement training. The consent decree confirmed that no further actions are required by Pepco to investigate, assess or remediate impacts to the river from the mineral oil release. To implement the SEP, Pepco has entered into an agreement with Living Classrooms Foundation, Inc., a non-profit educational organization, to provide $600,000 to fund the design, installation and operation of a trash collection system at a storm water outfall that drains to the Anacostia River. The design for the trash collection system is currently under review by DDOE, and Pepco expects that this system will be constructed and placed into operation by the end of 2015, which will satisfy Pepco’s obligations under the consent decree. The next status hearing in this matter has been set for September 18, 2015.

The consent decree does not resolve potential claims under federal law for natural resource damages resulting from the oil release. Pepco has engaged in separate discussions with DDOE and the federal resource trustees regarding the settlement of a possible natural resource damages claim under federal law. The federal trustees are still evaluating the claim and the terms of a possible settlement. At this time, it is uncertain whether or when the settlement discussions may resume or if the trustees will continue to pursue the natural resource damages claim. Based on discussions to date, Pepco does not believe that the resolution of the federal natural resource damages claim will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

As a result of the mineral oil release, Pepco implemented certain interim operational changes to the secondary containment systems at the facility which involve pumping accumulated storm water to an above-ground holding tank for off-site disposal. In December 2011, Pepco completed the installation of a treatment system designed to allow automatic discharge of accumulated storm water from the secondary containment system. Pepco currently is seeking DDOE’s and EPA’s approval to commence operation of the new system on a pilot basis to demonstrate its effectiveness in meeting both secondary containment requirements and water quality standards related to the discharge of storm water from the facility. In the meantime, Pepco is continuing to use the aboveground holding tank to manage storm water from the secondary containment system. Pepco also is evaluating other technical and regulatory options for managing storm water from the secondary containment system as alternatives to the proposed treatment system discharge currently under discussion with EPA and DDOE.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Metal Bank Site

In the first quarter of 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contacted Pepco on behalf of itself and other federal and state trustees to request that Pepco execute a tolling agreement to facilitate settlement negotiations concerning natural resource damages allegedly caused by releases of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls, at the Metal Bank Superfund Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pepco executed a tolling agreement, which has been extended to March 15, 2015, and will continue settlement discussions with the NOAA, the trustees and other PRPs.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Brandywine Fly Ash Disposal Site

In February 2013, Pepco received a letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requesting that Pepco investigate the extent of waste on a Pepco right-of-way that traverses the Brandywine fly ash disposal site in Brandywine, Prince George’s County, Maryland, owned by NRG Energy, Inc. (as successor to GenOn MD Ash Management, LLC) (NRG). In July 2013, while reserving its rights and related defenses under a 2000 agreement covering the sale of this site, Pepco indicated its willingness to investigate the extent of, and propose an appropriate closure plan to address, ash on the right-of-way. Pepco submitted a schedule for development of a closure plan to MDE on September 30, 2013 and, by letter dated October 18, 2013, MDE approved the schedule.

Pepco has determined that a loss associated with this matter is probable and have estimated that the costs for implementation of a closure plan and cap on the site are in the range of approximately $3 million to $6 million. Pepco believes that the costs incurred in this matter will be recoverable from NRG under the 2000 sale agreement.

The amount accrued for this matter is included in the table above in the column entitled “Transmission and Distribution.”

Contractual Obligations

Power Purchase Contracts

As of December 31, 2014, Pepco had no contractual obligations under non-derivative power purchase contracts.

Lease Commitments

Rental expense for operating leases was $8 million, $7 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Total future minimum operating lease payments for Pepco as of December 31, 2014 are $7 million in 2015, $6 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, $4 million in 2018, $3 million in 2019 and $22 million thereafter.

Commitments and Contingencies

(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General Litigation

From time to time, ACE is named as a defendant in litigation, usually relating to general liability or auto liability claims that resulted in personal injury or property damage to third parties. ACE is self-insured against such claims up to a certain self-insured retention amount and maintains insurance coverage against such claims at higher levels, to the extent deemed prudent by management. In addition, ACE’s contracts with its vendors generally require the vendors to name ACE as an additional insured for the amount at least equal to ACE’s self-insured retention. Further, ACE’s contracts with its vendors require the vendors to indemnify ACE for various acts and activities that may give rise to claims against ACE. Loss contingency liabilities for both asserted and unasserted claims are recognized if it is probable that a loss will result from such a claim and if the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with any certainty, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on ACE’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014, ACE had recorded estimated loss contingency liabilities for general litigation totaling approximately $6 million (including amounts related to the matters specifically described below), and the portion of these estimated loss contingency liabilities in excess of the self-insured retention amount was substantially offset by estimated insurance receivables.

Asbestos Claim

In September 2011, an asbestos complaint was filed in the New Jersey Superior Court, Law Division, against ACE (among other defendants) asserting claims under New Jersey’s Wrongful Death and Survival statutes. The complaint, filed by the estate of a decedent who was the wife of a former employee of ACE, alleges that the decedent’s mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos brought home by her husband on his work clothes. New Jersey courts have recognized a cause of action against a premise owner in a so-called “take home” case if it can be shown that the harm was foreseeable. In this case, the complaint seeks recovery of an unspecified amount of damages for, among other things, the decedent’s past medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering between the time of injury and death, and asserts a punitive damage claim. At December 31, 2014, ACE has concluded that a loss is probable with respect to this matter and has recorded an estimated loss contingency liability, which is included in the liability for general litigation referred to above as of December 31, 2014. However, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, ACE is unable to estimate a maximum amount of possible loss because the damages sought are indeterminate and the matter involves facts that ACE believes are distinguishable from the facts of the “take-home” cause of action recognized by the New Jersey courts.

Electrical Contact Injury Claims

In October 2010, a farm combine came into and remained in contact with a primary electric line in ACE’s service territory in New Jersey. As a result, two individuals operating the combine received fatal electrical contact injuries. While attempting to rescue those two individuals, another individual sustained third-degree burns to his torso and upper extremities. In September 2012, the individual who received third-degree burns filed suit in New Jersey Superior Court, Salem County. In October 2012, additional suits were filed in the same court by or on behalf of the estates of the deceased individuals. Plaintiffs in each of the cases sought indeterminate damages and alleged that ACE was negligent in the design, construction, erection, operation and maintenance of its poles, power lines, and equipment, and that ACE failed to warn and protect the public from the foreseeable dangers of farm equipment contacting electric lines. The litigation involved a number of other defendants and the filing of numerous cross-claims. On September 23, 2014, ACE entered into a confidential settlement with each of the plaintiffs regarding this matter. On November 5, 2014, ACE received reimbursement from its insurers for the amounts of this settlement above its $2 million self-insured retention amount.

Environmental Matters

ACE is subject to regulation by various federal, regional, state and local authorities with respect to the environmental effects of its operations, including air and water quality control, solid and hazardous waste disposal and limitations on land use. Although penalties assessed for violations of environmental laws and regulations are not recoverable from customers of ACE, environmental clean-up costs incurred by ACE generally are included in its cost of service for ratemaking purposes. The total accrued liabilities for the environmental contingencies of ACE described below at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:


	Legacy Generation - Regulated
	*(millions of dollars)*
Balance as of January 1	$	1
Accruals		—
Payments		—

Balance as of December 31		1
Less amounts in Other Current Liabilities		—

Amounts in Other Deferred Credits	$	1

Franklin Slag Pile Site

In November 2008, ACE received a general notice letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the Franklin Slag Pile site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, asserting that ACE is a potentially responsible party (PRP) that may have liability for clean-up costs with respect to the site and for the costs of implementing an EPA-mandated remedy. EPA’s claims are based on ACE’s sale of boiler slag from the B.L. England generating facility, then owned by ACE, to MDC Industries, Inc. (MDC) during the period June 1978 to May 1983. EPA claims that the boiler slag ACE sold to MDC contained copper and lead, which are hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and that the sales transactions may have constituted an arrangement for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at the site, which could be a basis for liability under CERCLA. The EPA letter also states that, as of the date of the letter, EPA’s expenditures for response measures at the site have exceeded $6 million. EPA’s feasibility study for this site conducted in 2007 identified a range of alternatives for permanent remedial measures with varying cost estimates, and the estimated cost of EPA’s preferred alternative is approximately $6 million.

ACE believes that the B.L. England boiler slag sold to MDC was a valuable material with various industrial applications and, therefore, the sale was not an arrangement for the disposal or treatment of any hazardous substances as would be necessary to constitute a basis for liability under CERCLA. ACE intends to contest any claims to the contrary made by EPA. In a May 2009 decision arising under CERCLA, which did not involve ACE, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an EPA argument that the sale of a useful product constituted an arrangement for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances. While this decision supports ACE’s position, at this time ACE cannot predict how EPA will proceed with respect to the Franklin Slag Pile site, or what portion, if any, of the Franklin Slag Pile site response costs EPA would seek to recover from ACE. Costs to resolve this matter are not expected to be material and are expensed as incurred.

Ward Transformer Site

In April 2009, a group of PRPs with respect to the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, North Carolina, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleging cost recovery and/or contribution claims against a number of entities, including ACE, based on their alleged sale of transformers to Ward Transformer, with respect to past and future response costs incurred by the PRP group in performing a removal action at the site. In a March 2010 order, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The litigation is moving forward with certain “test case” defendants (not including ACE) filing summary judgment motions regarding liability. The case has been stayed as to the remaining defendants pending rulings upon the test cases. In a January 31, 2013 order, the Federal district court granted summary judgment for the test case defendant whom plaintiffs alleged was liable based on its sale of transformers to Ward Transformer. The Federal district court’s order addresses only the liability of the test case defendant. Plaintiffs have appealed the district court’s order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. ACE has concluded that a loss is reasonably possible with respect to this matter, but is unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible losses to which it may be exposed. ACE does not believe that it had extensive business transactions, if any, with the Ward Transformer site.

Contractual Obligations

Power Purchase Contracts

As of December 31, 2014, ACE’s contractual obligations under non-derivative power purchase contracts were $210 million in 2015, $381 million in 2016 to 2017, $349 million in 2018 to 2019 and $886 million thereafter.

Lease Commitments

ACE leases certain types of property and equipment for use in its operations. Rental expense for operating leases was $12 million, $12 million and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Total future minimum operating lease payments for ACE as of December 31, 2014 are $6 million in 2015, $6 million 2016, $5 million in 2017, $4 million in 2018, $4 million in 2019 and $30 million thereafter.