Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

PSCo is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories.

In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution, including a possible eventual loss. For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on PSCo’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.

Comanche Unit 3 Litigation — In 2021, CORE filed a lawsuit in Denver County District Court, alleging PSCo breached ownership agreement terms by failing to operate Comanche Unit 3 in accordance with prudent utility practices. In January 2022, the Court granted PSCo’s motion to dismiss CORE’s claims for unjust enrichment, declaratory judgment and damages for replacement power costs. In April 2022, CORE filed a supplement to include the January 2022 outage and damages related to this event. Also in 2022, CORE sent notice of withdrawal from the ownership agreement based on the same alleged breaches. In February 2023, CORE disclosed its expert witness, who estimated damages incurred of $270 million. Also in February 2023, the court granted PSCo’s motion precluding CORE from seeking damages related to its withdrawal as part of the lawsuit. PSCo continues to believe CORE's claims are without merit and disputes CORE’s right to withdraw.

Rate Matters

PSCo is involved in various regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Until resolution, typically in the form of a rate order, uncertainties may exist regarding the ultimate rate treatment for certain activities and transactions. Amounts have been recognized for probable and reasonably estimable losses that may result. Unless otherwise disclosed, any reasonably possible range of loss in excess of any recognized amount is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Environmental

MGP, Landfill and Disposal Sites

PSCo is investigating, remediating or performing post-closure actions at two MGP, landfill or other disposal sites across its service territory, excluding sites that are being addressed under current coal ash regulations.

PSCo has recognized its best estimate of costs/liabilities from final resolution of these issues, however, the outcome and timing are unknown. In addition, there may be insurance recovery and/or recovery from other potentially responsible parties, offsetting a portion of costs incurred.

Environmental Requirements — Water and Waste

Coal Ash Regulation — PSCo’s operations are subject to federal and state regulations that impose requirements for handling, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste. Under the CCR Rule, utilities are required to complete groundwater sampling around their applicable landfills and surface impoundments as well as perform corrective actions where offsite groundwater has been impacted.

As of March 31, 2023, PSCo has five regulated ash units in operation.

PSCo has executed an agreement with a third party that will excavate and process ash for beneficial use (at two sites) at a cost of approximately $45 million. An estimated liability has been recorded and amounts are expected to be fully recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.

Investigation and feasibility studies for additional corrective action related to offsite groundwater are ongoing (at three sites). While the results are uncertain, additional costs are estimated to be at least $30 million. A liability has been recorded for the portion of these actions that are estimable/probable, and are expected to be fully recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.

Leases

PSCo evaluates contracts that may contain leases, including PPAs and arrangements for the use of office space and other facilities, vehicles and equipment. A contract contains a lease if it conveys the exclusive right to control the use of a specific asset.

Components of lease expense:

	Three Months Ended March 31.
(Millions of Dollars)	2023		2022
Operating leases
PPA capacity payments	$	22	$	25
Other operating leases (a)	5		6
Total operating lease expense (b)	$	27	$	31
Finance leases
Amortization of ROU assets	$	1	$	1
Interest expense on lease liability	4		4
Total finance lease expense	$	5	$	5

(a)Includes immaterial short-term lease expense for 2023 and 2022.

(b)PPA capacity payments are included in electric fuel and purchased power on the consolidated statements of income. Expense for other operating leases is included in O&M expense and electric fuel and purchased power.

Commitments under operating and finance leases as of March 31, 2023:

(Millions of Dollars)	PPA Operating Leases		Other Operating Lease		Total Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Total minimum obligation	$	437	$	72	$	509	$	432
Interest component of obligation	(46)		(8)		(54)		(316)
Present value of minimum obligation	$	391	$	64	455		116
Less current portion					(90)		(3)
Noncurrent operating and finance lease liabilities					$	365	$	113

Variable Interest Entities 

Under certain PPAs, PSCo purchases power from IPPs for which PSCo is required to reimburse fuel costs, or to participate in tolling arrangements under which PSCo procures the natural gas required to produce the energy that they purchase. These specific PPAs create a variable interest in the IPP.

PSCo had approximately 1,509 MW and 1,442 MW of capacity under long-term PPAs at March 31, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2022 with entities that have been determined to be variable interest entities. PSCo concluded that these entities are not required to be consolidated in its financial statements because it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. The PPAs have expiration dates through 2032.