XML 86 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.3
Regulatory Matters
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Regulated Operations [Abstract]  
Regulatory Matters REGULATORY MATTERS
RATE-RELATED INFORMATION
The NCUC, PSCSC, FPSC, IURC, PUCO, TPUC and KPSC approve rates for retail electric and natural gas services within their states. The FERC approves rates for electric sales to wholesale customers served under cost-based rates (excluding Ohio and Indiana), as well as sales of transmission service. The FERC also regulates certification and siting of new interstate natural gas pipeline projects.
Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress
Nuclear Station Subsequent License Renewal
On June 7, 2021, Duke Energy Carolinas filed a subsequent license renewal (SLR) application for the Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to renew ONS’s operating license for an additional 20 years. The SLR would extend operations of the facility from 60 to 80 years. The current licenses for units 1 and 2 expire in 2033 and the license for unit 3 expires in 2034. By a Federal Register Notice dated July 28, 2021, the NRC provided a 60-day comment period for persons whose interest may be affected by the issuance of a subsequent renewed license for ONS to file a request for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene. On September 27, 2021, Beyond Nuclear and Sierra Club (Petitioners) filed a Hearing Request and Petition to Intervene (Hearing Request) and a Petition for Waiver. The Hearing Request proposed three contentions and claimed that Duke Energy Carolinas did not satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, or the NRC’s NEPA-implementing regulations. Following Duke Energy Carolinas' answer and the Petitioners' reply, on February 11, 2022, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) issued its decision on the Hearing Request and found that the Petitioners failed to establish that the proposed contentions are litigable. The ASLB also denied the Petitioners' Petition for Waiver and terminated the proceeding.
On February 24, 2022, the NRC issued a decision in the SLR appeal related to Florida Power and Light's Turkey Point nuclear generating station in Florida. The NRC ruled that the NRC’s license renewal Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) does not apply to SLR because the GEIS does not address SLR. The decision overturned a 2020 NRC decision that found the GEIS applies to SLR. Although Turkey Point is not owned or operated by a Duke Energy Registrant, the NRC’s order applies to all SLR applicants, including ONS. The NRC order also indicated no subsequent renewed licenses will be issued until the NRC staff has completed an adequate NEPA review for each application. On April 5, 2022, the NRC approved a 24-month rulemaking plan that will enable the NRC staff to complete an adequate NEPA review. Although an SLR applicant may wait until the rulemaking is completed, the NRC also noted that an applicant may submit a supplement to its environmental report providing information on environmental impacts during the SLR period prior to the rulemaking being completed. On November 7, 2022, Duke Energy Carolinas submitted a supplement to its environmental report addressing environmental impacts during the SLR period. On September 14, 2023, the NRC posted on its website that the issuance of the GEIS will now be issued in August 2024 instead of May 2024 due to the volume and technical complexity of the comments received.
On December 19, 2022, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register that the NRC will conduct a limited scoping process to gather additional information necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental impacts at ONS during the SLR period. The NRC received comments from the EPA and the Petitioners and these comments identify 18 potential impacts that should be considered by the NRC in the EIS, which include, but are not limited to, climate change and flooding, environmental justice, severe accidents, and external events. The NRC has notified Duke Energy Carolinas that the draft EIS will now be issued in January 2024.
On December 19, 2022, the NRC issued the Safety Evaluation Report (SER) for the safety portion of the SLR application. The NRC determined Duke Energy Carolinas met the requirements of the applicable regulations and identified actions that have been taken or will be taken to manage the effects of aging and address time-limited analyses. Duke Energy Carolinas and the NRC met with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) on February 2, 2023, to discuss issues regarding the SER and SLR application. On February 25, 2023, the ACRS issued a report to the NRC on the safety aspects of the ONS SLR application, which concluded that the established programs and commitments made by Duke Energy Carolinas to manage age-related degradation provide confidence that ONS can be operated in accordance with its current licensing basis for the subsequent period of extended operation without undue risk to the health and safety of the public and the SLR application for ONS should be approved.
Although the NRC’s GEIS applicability decision will delay completion of the SLR proceeding, Duke Energy Carolinas does not believe it changes the probability that the ONS subsequent renewed licenses will ultimately be issued, although Duke Energy Carolinas cannot guarantee the outcome of the license application process.
Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress intend to seek renewal of operating licenses and 20-year license extensions for all of their nuclear stations. New depreciation rates were implemented for all of the nuclear facilities during the second quarter of 2021. Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress cannot predict the outcome of these additional relicensing proceedings.
Duke Energy Carolinas
2023 North Carolina Rate Case
On January 19, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed a PBR application with the NCUC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. The PBR Application included an MYRP to recover projected capital investments during the three-year MYRP period. In addition to the MYRP, the PBR Application included an Earnings Sharing Mechanism, Residential Decoupling Mechanism and Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMS) as required by HB 951. The application as originally filed requested an overall retail revenue increase of $501 million in Year 1, $172 million in Year 2 and $150 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $823 million, or 15.7%, by early 2026. The rate increase is driven primarily by major transmission and distribution investments since the last rate case and projected in the MYRP, as well as investments in energy storage and solar assets included in the MYRP consistent with the Carolinas Carbon Plan (Carbon Plan). The Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission (Public Staff) and intervenor testimony was filed on July 19, 2023, and Duke Energy Carolinas' rebuttal testimony was filed on August 4, 2023.
On August 22, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed with the NCUC a partial settlement with the Public Staff in connection with its PBR application. The partial settlement includes, among other things, agreement on a substantial portion of the North Carolina retail rate base for the historic base case of approximately $19.5 billion and all of the capital projects and related costs to be included in the three-year MYRP, including $4.6 billion (North Carolina retail allocation) projected to go in service over the MYRP period. Additionally, the partial settlement includes agreement, with certain adjustments, on depreciation rates, the recovery of grid improvement plan costs and PIMs, Tracking Metrics and the Residential Decoupling Mechanism under the PBR application. On August 28, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed with the NCUC a second partial settlement with the Public Staff resolving additional issues, including the future treatment of nuclear production tax credits related to the Inflation Reduction Act, through a stand-alone rider that will provide the benefits to customers beginning January 1, 2025. As a result of the partial settlements, Duke Energy Carolinas recognized pretax charges of $59 million within Impairment of assets and other charges, which primarily related to certain COVID-19 deferred costs, and $8 million within Operations, maintenance and other, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. These partial settlements are subject to the review and approval of the NCUC.
Remaining items litigated at the evidentiary hearing, which occurred August 28 to September 5, 2023, include ROE, capital structure, and recovery of the remaining COVID-19 deferred costs. Duke Energy Carolinas implemented interim rates, subject to refund, on September 1, 2023, and has requested permanent rates be effective by January 1, 2024. On October 13, 2023, the Public Staff filed supplemental testimony, and on October 23, 2023, the NCUC ordered the hearing to reconvene on October 30, 2023. Duke Energy Carolinas expects a decision on its application in this case in the fourth quarter of this year. Duke Energy Carolinas cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Duke Energy Progress
2022 North Carolina Rate Case
On October 6, 2022, Duke Energy Progress filed a PBR application with the NCUC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. The rate request before the NCUC included an MYRP to recover projected capital investments during the three-year MYRP period. In addition to the MYRP, the PBR Application included an Earnings Sharing Mechanism, Residential Decoupling Mechanism and PIMs as required by HB 951. The overall retail revenue increase as originally filed would have been $326 million in Year 1, $151 million in Year 2 and $138 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $615 million, by late 2025. The rate increase is driven primarily by major transmission and distribution investments since the last rate case and as projected in the MYRP, as well as investments in energy storage and solar assets included in the MYRP consistent with the Carbon Plan.
On April 26, 2023, Duke Energy Progress filed with the NCUC a partial settlement with Public Staff, which included agreement on many aspects of Duke Energy Progress' three-year MYRP proposal. In May 2023, the Carolina Industrial Group for Fair Utility Rates II (CIGFUR) joined this partial settlement and Public Staff and CIGFUR filed a separate settlement reaching agreement on PIMs, Tracking Metrics and the Residential Decoupling Mechanism under the PBR application.
On August 18, 2023, the NCUC issued an order approving Duke Energy Progress' PBR Application, as modified by the partial settlements and the order, approving of an overall retail revenue increase of $233 million in Year 1, $126 million in Year 2 and $135 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $494 million. Key aspects of the order include the approval of North Carolina retail rate base for the historic base case of approximately $12.2 billion and capital projects and related costs to be included in the three-year MYRP, including $3.5 billion (North Carolina retail allocation) projected to go in service over the MYRP period. The order established an ROE of 9.8% based upon a capital structure of 53% equity and 47% debt and approved, with certain adjustments, depreciation rates and the recovery of grid improvement plan costs and certain deferred COVID-related costs. Additionally, the Residential Decoupling Mechanism and PIMs were approved as requested under the PBR Application and revised by the partial settlements. As a result of the order, Duke Energy Progress recognized pretax charges of $28 million within Impairment of assets and other charges, which primarily related to certain COVID-19 deferred costs, and $8 million within Operations, maintenance and other, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Duke Energy Progress implemented interim rates, subject to refund, on June 1, 2023, and implemented revised Year 1 rates and the residential decoupling on October 1, 2023.
On October 17, 2023, CIGFUR and Haywood Electric Membership Corporation each filed a Notice of Appeal and Exceptions to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Both parties are appealing certain matters that do not impact the overall revenue requirement in the rate case. Specifically, they are appealing the class subsidy reduction percentage, and CIGFUR is also appealing the Customer Assistance Program and the fuel cost allocation methodology. CIGFUR also filed with the NCUC a Motion for Reconsideration and Motion for Stay with respect to those issues during the pendency of the appeal. Duke Energy Progress cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
2023 South Carolina Storm Securitization
On May 31, 2023, Duke Energy Progress filed a petition with the PSCSC requesting authorization for the financing of Duke Energy Progress' storm recovery costs in the amount of approximately $171 million, through securitization, due to storm recovery activities required as a result of the following storms: Pax, Ulysses, Matthew, Florence, Michael, Dorian, Izzy and Jasper. On September 8, 2023, Duke Energy Progress filed a comprehensive settlement agreement with all parties on all cost recovery issues raised in the storm securitization proceeding.
The evidentiary hearing occurred in early September 2023. On September 20, 2023, the PSCSC approved the comprehensive settlement agreement and on October 13, 2023, the PSCSC issued its financing order. Duke Energy Progress will proceed with structuring, marketing and pricing the storm recovery bonds and then seek PSCSC authorization to issue the bonds in the first half of 2024. Duke Energy Progress cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
2022 South Carolina Rate Case
On September 1, 2022, Duke Energy Progress filed an application with the PSCSC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. On January 12, 2023, Duke Energy Progress and the ORS, as well as other consumer, environmental, and industrial intervening parties, filed a comprehensive Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement resolving all issues in the base rate proceeding. The major components of the stipulation include:
A $52 million annual customer rate increase prior to the reduction from the accelerated return to customers of federal unprotected Property, Plant and Equipment related EDIT. After extending the remaining EDIT giveback to customers to 33 months, the net annual retail rate increase is approximately $36 million.
ROE of 9.6% based on a capital structure of 52.43% equity and 47.57% debt.
Continuation of deferral treatment of coal ash basin closure costs. Supports an amortization period for remaining coal ash closure costs in this rate case of seven years. Duke Energy Progress agreed not to seek recovery of approximately $50 million of deferred coal ash expenditures related to retired sites in this rate case (South Carolina retail allocation).
Acceptance of the 2021 Depreciation Study as proposed in this case, as adjusted for certain recommendations from ORS and includes accelerated retirement dates for certain coal units as originally proposed.
Establishment of a storm reserve to help offset the costs of major storms.
The PSCSC held a hearing on January 17, 2023, to consider evidence supporting the stipulation and unanimously voted to approve the comprehensive agreement on February 9, 2023. A final written order was issued on March 8, 2023.
Duke Energy Florida
2021 Settlement Agreement
On January 14, 2021, Duke Energy Florida filed a Settlement Agreement (the “2021 Settlement”) with the FPSC. The parties to the 2021 Settlement include Duke Energy Florida, the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, White Springs Agricultural Chemicals, Inc. d/b/a PCS Phosphate and NUCOR Steel Florida, Inc. (collectively, the “Parties”).
Pursuant to the 2021 Settlement, the Parties agreed to a base rate stay-out provision that expires year-end 2024; however, Duke Energy Florida is allowed an increase to its base rates of an incremental $67 million in 2022, $49 million in 2023 and $79 million in 2024, subject to adjustment in the event of tax reform during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Parties also agreed to an ROE band of 8.85% to 10.85% with a midpoint of 9.85% based on a capital structure of 53% equity and 47% debt. The ROE band can be increased by 25 basis points if the average 30-year U.S. Treasury rate increases 50 basis points or more over a six-month period in which case the midpoint ROE would rise from 9.85% to 10.10%. On July 25, 2022, this provision was triggered. Duke Energy Florida filed a petition with the FPSC on August 12, 2022, to increase the ROE effective August 2022 with a base rate increase effective January 1, 2023. The FPSC approved this request on October 4, 2022. The 2021 Settlement Agreement also provided that Duke Energy Florida will be able to retain $173 million of the expected Department of Energy (DOE) award from its lawsuit to recover spent nuclear fuel to mitigate customer rates over the term of the 2021 Settlement. Duke Energy Florida is permitted to recognize the $173 million into earnings through the approved settlement period. Duke Energy Florida settled the DOE lawsuit and received payment of approximately $180 million on June 15, 2022, of which the retail portion was approximately $154 million. The 2021 Settlement authorizes Duke Energy Florida to collect the difference between $173 million and the $154 million retail portion of the amount received through the capacity cost recovery clause. As of September 30, 2023, Duke Energy Florida has recognized $94 million into earnings. The remaining $79 million is expected to be recognized over the remainder of 2023 and 2024, while also remaining within the approved return on equity band.
The 2021 Settlement also contained a provision to recover or flow back the effects of tax law changes. As a result of the IRA enacted on August 16, 2022, Duke Energy Florida is eligible for Production Tax Credits (PTCs) associated with solar facilities placed in service beginning in January 2022. Duke Energy Florida filed a petition with the FPSC on October 17, 2022, to reduce base rates effective January 1, 2023, by $56 million to flow back the expected 2023 PTCs and to flow back the expected 2022 PTCs via an adjustment to the capacity cost recovery clause. On December 14, 2022, the FPSC issued an order approving Duke Energy Florida's petition.
In addition to these terms, the 2021 Settlement contained provisions related to the accelerated depreciation of Crystal River Units 4-5, the approval of approximately $1 billion in future investments in new cost-effective solar power, the implementation of a new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Program and the deferral and recovery of costs in connection with the implementation of Duke Energy Florida’s Vision Florida program, which explores various emerging non-carbon emitting generation technology, distributed technologies and resiliency projects, among other things. The 2021 Settlement also resolved remaining unrecovered storm costs for Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Dorian.
The FPSC approved the 2021 Settlement on May 4, 2021, issuing an order on June 4, 2021. Revised customer rates became effective January 1, 2022, with subsequent base rate increases effective January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
Clean Energy Connection
On July 1, 2020, Duke Energy Florida petitioned the FPSC for approval of a voluntary solar program. The program consists of 10 new solar generating facilities with combined capacity of approximately 750 MW. The program allows participants to support cost-effective solar development in Florida by paying a subscription fee based on per kilowatt subscriptions and receiving a credit on their bill based on the actual generation associated with their portion of the solar portfolio. The estimated cost of the 10 new solar generation facilities is approximately $1 billion and the projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. This investment will be included in base rates offset by the revenue from the subscription fees and the credits will be included for recovery in the fuel cost recovery clause. The FPSC approved the program in January 2021.
On February 24, 2021, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) filed a notice of appeal of the FPSC’s order approving the Clean Energy Connection to the Supreme Court of Florida. The Supreme Court of Florida heard oral arguments in the appeal on February 9, 2022. On May 27, 2022, the Supreme Court of Florida issued an order remanding the case to the FPSC so that the FPSC can amend its order to better address some of the arguments raised by LULAC. On September 23, 2022, the FPSC issued a revised order and submitted it on September 26, 2022, to the Supreme Court of Florida. The Supreme Court of Florida requested that the parties file supplemental briefs regarding the revised order, which were filed February 6, 2023. LULAC has filed a request for Oral Argument on the issues discussed in the supplemental briefs, but the Court has yet to rule on that request. The FPSC approval order remains in effect pending the outcome of the appeal. Duke Energy Florida cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Storm Protection Plan
On April 11, 2022, Duke Energy Florida filed a Storm Protection Plan for approval with the FPSC. The plan, which covers investments for the 2023-2032 time frame, reflects approximately $7 billion of capital investment in transmission and distribution meant to strengthen its infrastructure, reduce outage times associated with extreme weather events, reduce restoration costs and improve overall service reliability. The evidentiary hearing began on August 2, 2022. On October 4, 2022, the FPSC voted to approve Duke Energy Florida’s plan with one modification to remove the transmission loop radially fed program, representing a reduction of approximately $80 million over the 10-year period starting in 2025. On December 9, 2022, the OPC filed a notice of appeal of this order to the Florida Supreme Court. The OPC's initial brief was filed on April 18, 2023. Duke Energy Florida filed its brief on July 17, 2023. The OPC's reply brief was filed on October 16, 2023. The OPC has filed a request for oral argument, but the Florida Supreme Court has yet to rule on that request. Duke Energy Florida cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Hurricanes Ian and Idalia
On September 28, 2022, much of Duke Energy Florida’s service territory was impacted by Hurricane Ian, which caused significant damage resulting in more than 1.1 million outages. Duke Energy Florida's September 30, 2023, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets includes an estimate of approximately $357 million in regulatory assets related to deferred Hurricane Ian storm costs consistent with the FPSC's storm rule. After depleting any existing storm reserves, which were approximately $107 million before Hurricane Ian, Duke Energy Florida is permitted to petition the FPSC for recovery of additional incremental operation and maintenance costs resulting from the storm and to replenish the retail customer storm reserve to approximately $132 million. Duke Energy Florida filed its petition for cost recovery of various storms, including Hurricane Ian, and replenishment of the storm reserve on January 23, 2023, seeking recovery of $442 million, for recovery over 12 months beginning with the first billing cycle in April 2023. On March 7, 2023, the FPSC approved this request for interim recovery, subject to refund, and ordered Duke Energy Florida to file documentation of the total actual storm costs, once known. Duke Energy Florida filed documentation evidencing its total actual storm costs of $431 million on September 29, 2023.
On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall on Florida’s gulf coast, causing damage and impacting more than 200,000 customers across Duke Energy Florida's service territory. Duke Energy Florida's September 30, 2023, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets includes an estimate of approximately $96 million in regulatory assets related to deferred Hurricane Idalia storm costs consistent with the FPSC's storm rule. On October 16, 2023, Duke Energy Florida requested to combine the $92 million retail portion of the deferred estimated Hurricane Idalia costs with $74 million of costs projected to be collected after December 31, 2023, under the existing approved storm cost recovery and storm surcharge. This $74 million of costs relates primarily to the approved ongoing replenishment of the storm reserves. Duke Energy Florida is seeking recovery of the total $166 million over 12 months beginning with its first billing cycle in January 2024, replacing the previously approved storm cost recovery and storm surcharge. Duke Energy Florida cannot predict the outcome of these matters
Duke Energy Ohio
Duke Energy Ohio Electric Base Rate Case
Duke Energy Ohio filed with the PUCO an electric distribution base rate case application on October 1, 2021, with supporting testimony filed on October 15, 2021, requesting an increase in electric distribution base rates of approximately $55 million and an ROE of 10.3%. On September 19, 2022, Duke Energy Ohio filed a Stipulation and Recommendation with the PUCO, which includes an increase in overall electric distribution base rates of approximately $23 million and an ROE of 9.5%. The stipulation is among all but one party to the proceeding. The PUCO issued an order on December 14, 2022, approving the Stipulation without material modification. Rates went into effect on January 3, 2023. The OCC filed an application for rehearing on January 13, 2023, arguing the Stipulation was unreasonable, discriminatory, and denied OCC due process. On February 8, 2023, the PUCO granted the OCC's application for rehearing for further consideration. Duke Energy Ohio cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery
In response to changes in Ohio law that eliminated Ohio's energy efficiency mandates, the PUCO issued an order on February 26, 2020, directing utilities to wind down their demand-side management programs by September 30, 2020, and to terminate the programs by December 31, 2020. Duke Energy Ohio took the following actions:
On March 27, 2020, Duke Energy Ohio filed an application for rehearing seeking clarification on the final true up and reconciliation process after 2020. On November 18, 2020, the PUCO issued an order replacing the cost cap previously imposed upon Duke Energy Ohio with a cap on shared savings recovery. On December 18, 2020, Duke Energy Ohio filed an additional application for rehearing challenging, among other things, the imposition of the cap on shared savings. On January 13, 2021, the application for rehearing was granted for further consideration.
On October 9, 2020, Duke Energy Ohio filed an application to implement a voluntary energy efficiency program portfolio to commence on January 1, 2021. The application proposed a mechanism for recovery of program costs and a benefit associated with avoided transmission and distribution costs.
On November 18, 2020, the PUCO issued an order directing all utilities to set their energy efficiency riders to zero effective January 1, 2021, and to file a separate application for final reconciliation of all energy efficiency costs prior to December 31, 2020. Effective January 1, 2021, Duke Energy Ohio suspended its energy efficiency programs.
On June 14, 2021, the PUCO requested each utility to file by July 15, 2021, a proposal to reestablish low-income programs through December 31, 2021. Duke Energy Ohio filed its application on July 14, 2021.
On February 23, 2022, the PUCO issued its Fifth Entry on Rehearing that 1) affirmed its reduction in Duke Energy Ohio's shared savings cap; 2) denied rehearing/clarification regarding lost distribution revenues and shared savings recovery for periods after December 31, 2020; and 3) directed Duke Energy Ohio to submit an updated application with exhibits. On March 25, 2022, Duke Energy Ohio filed its Amended Application consistent with the PUCO's order.
On March 17, 2023, the Staff of the PUCO submitted its Staff Review and Recommendation. This Staff Report, like prior such reports, recommends certain disallowances related to incentives.
On March 27, 2023, the PUCO established a procedural schedule. Intervention/comments were filed on April 26, 2023, and Duke Energy Ohio filed reply comments on May 11, 2023.
On August 9, 2023, the PUCO issued its decision approving the Company’s request for recovery and final true up of energy efficiency program costs, lost distribution revenues and performance incentives from calendar years 2018 through 2020, resulting in $14 million of Regulated electric revenue on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and resolving all outstanding issues in these proceedings. Rates were revised effective September 1, 2023.
Duke Energy Ohio Natural Gas Base Rate Case
Duke Energy Ohio filed with the PUCO a natural gas base rate case application on June 30, 2022, with supporting testimony filed on July 14, 2022, requesting an increase in natural gas base rates of approximately $49 million and an ROE of 10.3%. This is an approximate 5.6% average increase in the customer's total bill across all customer classes. The drivers for this case are capital invested since Duke Energy Ohio's last natural gas base rate case in 2012. Duke Energy Ohio is also seeking to adjust the caps on its CEP rider. The report of the Staff of the PUCO was issued on December 21, 2022, recommending an increase in natural gas base rates of $24 million to $36 million, with an equity ratio of 52.32% and an ROE range of 9.03% to 10.04%. On April 28, 2023, Duke Energy Ohio filed a stipulation with all parties to the case except the OCC. In the stipulation, the parties agreed to approximately $32 million in revenue increases with an equity ratio of 52.32% and an ROE of 9.6%, and adjustments to the CEP Rider caps. The stipulation was opposed by the OCC at an evidentiary hearing that concluded on May 24, 2023. Initial briefs were filed June 16, 2023, and reply briefs were filed on July 14, 2023. On November 1, 2023, PUCO issued an order approving the stipulation as filed. New rates went into effect November 1, 2023. Duke Energy Ohio cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Duke Energy Kentucky Electric Base Rate Case
On December 1, 2022, Duke Energy Kentucky filed a rate case with the KPSC requesting an annualized increase in electric base rates of approximately $75 million and an ROE of 10.35%. This is an overall increase in rates of approximately 17.8%. The request for rate increase is driven by capital investments to strengthen the electricity generation and delivery systems along with adjusted depreciation rates for the East Bend and Woodsdale Combustion Turbine (CT) generation stations. Duke Energy Kentucky is also requesting approval for new programs for the benefit of customers and tariff updates, including a voluntary community-based renewable subscription program and two electric vehicle charging programs. Intervenor testimony was filed March 10, 2023, and rebuttal testimony was filed April 14, 2023. The Kentucky Attorney General recommended an increase of $31 million and an ROE of 9.55%. An evidentiary hearing concluded on May 11, 2023, with simultaneous briefs filed June 9, 2023, and replies filed on June 19, 2023. The KPSC issued an order on October 12, 2023, including a $48 million increase in base revenues, an ROE of 9.75% for electric base rates and 9.65% for electric riders and an equity ratio of 52.145%. The Company's request to align the depreciation rates of East Bend with a 2035 retirement date was denied and the KPSC ordered depreciation rates with a 2041 retirement date for the unit. The KPSC did approve the request to align the depreciation rates of Woodsdale CT with a 2040 retirement date and denied the voluntary community-based renewable subscription program and the two electric vehicle charging programs. On November 1, 2023, Duke Energy Kentucky filed for rehearing requesting certain matters be reconsidered by the KPSC. Duke Energy Kentucky cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Duke Energy Indiana
2019 Indiana Rate Case
On July 2, 2019, Duke Energy Indiana filed a general rate case with the IURC for a rate increase for retail customers of approximately $395 million. The rebuttal case, filed on December 4, 2019, updated the requested revenue requirement to result in a 15.6%, or $396 million, average retail rate increase, including the impacts of the utility receipts tax. On June 29, 2020, the IURC issued an order in the rate case approving a revenue increase of $146 million before certain adjustments and ratemaking refinements. The order approved Duke Energy Indiana’s requested forecasted rate base of $10.2 billion as of December 31, 2020, including the Edwardsport Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Plant. The IURC reduced Duke Energy Indiana’s request by slightly more than $200 million, when accounting for the utility receipts tax and other adjustments. Approximately 50% of the reduction was due to a prospective change in depreciation and use of regulatory asset for the end-of-life inventory at retired generating plants, approximately 20% was due to the approved ROE of 9.7% versus the requested ROE of 10.4% and approximately 20% was related to miscellaneous earnings neutral adjustments. Step one rates were estimated to be approximately 75% of the total and became effective on July 30, 2020. Step two rates estimated to be the remaining 25% of the total rate increase were approved on July 28, 2021, and implemented in August 2021.
Several groups appealed the IURC order to the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the IURC decision on May 13, 2021. However, upon appeal by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) and the Duke Industrial Group on March 10, 2022, the Indiana Supreme Court found that the IURC erred in allowing Duke Energy Indiana to recover coal ash costs incurred before the IURC’s rate case order in June 2020. The Indiana Supreme Court found that allowing Duke Energy Indiana to recover coal ash costs incurred between rate cases that exceeded the amount built into base rates violated the prohibition against retroactive ratemaking. The IURC’s order has been remanded to the IURC for additional proceedings consistent with the Indiana Supreme Court’s opinion. As a result of the court's opinion, Duke Energy Indiana recognized pretax charges of approximately $211 million to Impairment of assets and other charges and $46 million to Operating revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Duke Energy Indiana filed a request for rehearing with the Supreme Court on April 11, 2022, which the court denied on May 26, 2022. Duke Energy Indiana filed its testimony in the remand proceeding on August 18, 2022. On February 3, 2023, Duke Energy Indiana filed a settlement agreement reached with the OUCC and Duke Industrial Group, which includes an agreed amount of approximately $70 million of refunds to be paid to customers. The IURC approved this settlement agreement in its entirety on April 12, 2023. In June of 2023, Duke Energy Indiana commenced refunding the approximate $70 million to customers in accordance with the settlement agreement.
Indiana Coal Ash Recovery Cases
In Duke Energy Indiana’s 2019 rate case, the IURC also opened a subdocket for post-2018 coal ash related expenditures. Duke Energy Indiana filed testimony on April 15, 2020, in the coal ash subdocket requesting recovery for the post-2018 coal ash basin closure costs for plans that have been approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) as well as continuing deferral, with carrying costs, on the balance. An evidentiary hearing was held on September 14, 2020. Briefing was completed by mid-September 2021. On November 3, 2021, the IURC issued an order allowing recovery for post-2018 coal ash basin closure costs for the plans that have been approved by IDEM, as well as continuing deferral, with carrying costs, on the balance. The OUCC and the Duke Industrial Group appealed. The Indiana Court of Appeals issued its opinion on February 21, 2023, reversing the IURC's order to the extent that it allowed Duke Energy Indiana to recover federally mandated costs incurred prior to the IURC's November 3, 2021, order. In addition, the court found that any costs incurred pre-petition to determine federally mandated compliance options were not specifically authorized by the statute and should also be disallowed. As a result of the Court's opinion, Duke Energy Indiana recognized a pretax charge of approximately $175 million to Impairment of assets and other charges for the year ended December 31, 2022. Duke Energy Indiana filed its proposal to remove from rates certain costs incurred prior to the IURC's November 3, 2021, order date. On September 20, 2023, the commission approved the Company's proposal to remove the costs from its rates and assessed simple interest of the refunds of 4.71%, beginning from when the costs were initially recovered from customers. Duke Energy Indiana also filed a new petition under the amended version of the federal mandate statute for additional post-2018 coal ash closure costs for the remaining basins not included in the 2020 Indiana Coal Ash Recovery Case. An evidentiary hearing has been scheduled for January 25, 2024. Duke Energy Indiana cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
TDSIC 2.0
On November 23, 2021, Duke Energy Indiana filed for approval of the Transmission, Distribution, Storage Improvement Charge 2.0 investment plan for 2023-2028 (TDSIC 2.0). On June 15, 2022, the IURC approved, without modification, TDSIC 2.0, which includes approximately $2 billion in transmission and distribution investments selected to improve customer reliability, harden and improve resiliency of the grid, enable expansion of renewable and distributed energy projects and encourage economic development. In addition, the IURC set up a subdocket to consider the targeted economic development project, which the IURC approved on March 2, 2022. On July 15, 2022, the OUCC filed a notice of appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals in Duke Energy Indiana’s TDSIC 2.0 proceeding. An appellant brief was filed on October 28, 2022, and Duke Energy Indiana filed its responsive brief on December 28, 2022. The Indiana Court of Appeals issued its opinion on March 9, 2023, affirming the IURC’s order in its entirety. The Duke Industrial Group filed a petition to transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court. The Indiana Supreme Court granted transfer and held an oral argument on September 28, 2023. Duke Energy Indiana cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Piedmont
Tennessee Annual Review Mechanism
On October 10, 2022, the TPUC approved Piedmont’s petition to adopt an ARM as allowed by Tennessee law. Under the ARM, Piedmont will adjust rates annually to achieve its allowed 9.80% ROE over the upcoming year and to true up any variance between its allowed ROE and actual ROE from the prior calendar year. The initial year subject to the true up is 2022, and Piedmont filed the initial rate adjustments request on May 19, 2023, for a total increase of approximately $42 million and for rates to become effective October 1, 2023. On September 11, 2023, the TPUC approved a settlement between Piedmont and the Consumer Advocate Division of the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, which provided for recovery of the Historic Base Period Reconciliation cost of service of $11 million through rider rates and an increase in Piedmont's base rates of $29 million for the Annual Base Rate Reset component of the ARM. These amounts result in a total increase of $40 million with adjusted rates effective October 1, 2023.