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Recent Accounting Standards
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncement [Line Items]  
Recent Accounting Standards [Text Block]
Recent Accounting Standards
New Standards Issued and Adopted
Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business
This accounting standard was issued mainly to provide more consistency in how the definition of a business is applied to acquisitions or dispositions. The new guidance will generally reduce the number of transactions that will require treatment as a business combination. The definition of a business now includes consideration of whether substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired or disposed of is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this condition is met, the transaction would not qualify as a business.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; however, entities were able to adopt it for transactions that closed before the effective date but had not been reported in financial statements that had been issued or made available for issuance. PSEG adopted this standard in the third quarter 2017 with the acquisition of a solar project. This standard upon adoption had no impact on PSEG’s financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
This accounting standard clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition requirements; improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets; and provides improved disclosures.
The guidance provides a five-step model to be used for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. PSEG will elect the full retrospective method of transition. Under this method, PSEG will restate its prior period financial statements to align with the 2018 presentation.
PSEG has evaluated existing contracts and revenue streams for potential changes under the new revenue recognition standard. Included in the scope of the new standard are PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs, including the sale of default supply of electric and gas commodity, and the distribution of electricity and gas to retail residential and commercial and industrial customers, and transmission revenues. Tariff revenues comprise substantially all of PSE&G’s revenue. PSEG expects no material change in revenue recognition of PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs. PSE&G’s revenue from contracts with customers will continue to be recorded as electricity or gas is delivered to the customer. Certain reclassifications of PSE&G’s revenue streams will affect Operating Revenues and Operating Expenses due to the application of this standard.
Also included in the scope of the new standard are Power’s electricity, gas and related product sales. Certain reclassifications of Power’s revenue streams will also affect Operating Revenues and Energy Costs due to the application of this standard.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power do not anticipate any material impact to net income as a result of adoption of this new standard.
The new standard will result in more detailed disclosures of revenue compared to current guidance and changes in presentation. PSEG will disaggregate its revenues by operating segment. PSE&G will further disaggregate its revenue by product line (i.e. electric distribution, gas distribution, and transmission). Power will further disaggregate its revenues by product line (i.e. electricity, gas). Electricity revenues will be further disaggregated by region (i.e. PJM, New York ISO and ISO New England). Gas revenues will be further disaggregated by third party sales and sales to affiliates. Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers will also be disclosed including PSE&G appliance service and repair and Power solar power revenues.
PSEG will elect the invoice practical expedient, where applicable, in recording its revenue. Under the practical expedient, PSEG has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of PSEG’s performance completed to date. PSEG may recognize revenue in the amount to which it has a right to invoice. As such under this practical expedient, there are no future performance obligations to disclose. Where PSEG has entered into fixed consideration contracts, it will disclose its remaining performance obligations under these agreements.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This accounting standard will change how entities measure equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. Under the new guidance, equity investments (other than those accounted for using the equity method) will be measured at fair value through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Entities that have elected the fair value option for financial liabilities will present changes in fair value due to a change in their own credit risk through Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). For equity investments which do not have readily determinable fair values, the impairment assessment will be simplified by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairments. The new standard also changes certain disclosures.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG recorded a cumulative effect adjustment by reclassifying the unrealized gain related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018, and expects increased volatility in Net Income due to changes in fair value of its equity securities within the NDT and Rabbi Trust Funds.
Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
This accounting standard reduces the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG expects no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows as a result of adopting this new standard. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.
Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash
This accounting standard requires entities to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, either in a narrative or a tabular format. Amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included in entities’ reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method for each period presented. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG will provide a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and include a description of these amounts.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)
This accounting standard was issued to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost.
Under the new guidance, entities are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by their employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the Statement of Operations separately from the service cost component after Operating Income. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization, when applicable.
The standard requires the amendments to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other cost components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost in the Statement of Operations and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension and OPEB costs.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2018, PSEG and each of its subsidiaries began to classify the total net pension and OPEB non-service benefit costs in a separate line item in the Statement of Operations after Operating Income. PSEG will also recast those amounts for prior years in accordance with the new standard by using the practical expedient of using the previously disclosed non-service components of pension and OPEB costs. The service cost component of pension and OPEB costs will continue to be classified in O&M Expense, except for that portion capitalized, as appropriate, within Property, Plant and Equipment. As a result of adopting this new standard, PSE&G expects to reduce its charge to expense by approximately $55 million to $65 million in 2018.
Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting
This accounting standard provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and complexity when applying the stock compensation guidance to a change in the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award. Specifically, the standard provides guidance as to which changes to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, early adoption was permitted. This standard should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. PSEG adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018.
New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
Leases
This accounting standard replaces existing lease accounting guidance and requires lessees to recognize all leases with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet using a right-of-use asset approach. At lease commencement, a lessee will recognize a lease asset and corresponding lease obligation. A lessee will classify its leases as either finance leases or operating leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. A lessor will classify its leases as operating or direct financing leases, or as sales-type leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. Both the lessee and lessor models require additional disclosure of key information. The standard requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. However, existing guidance related to leveraged leases will not change.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with retrospective application to previously issued financial statements for 2018 and 2017. Early application is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
This accounting standard’s amendments more closely align hedge accounting with the companies’ risk management activities in the financial statements. The amendments expand hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components by permitting contractually specified components to designate as the hedged risk in a cash flow hedge involving the purchase or sale of non-financial assets or variable rate financial instruments. Additionally, the amendments ease the operational burden of applying hedge accounting by allowing more time to prepare hedge documentation, and allow effectiveness assessments to be performed on a qualitative basis after hedge inception.
The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard requires using a modified retrospective method upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. 
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
This accounting standard was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the standard requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the standard in an interim period, any
adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply this standard on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Additionally, in the period of adoption, an entity should provide disclosures about a change in accounting principle. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
This accounting standard would affect any entity that is required to apply the provisions of the Accounting Standards Codification topic, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income,” and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP. Specifically, this standard would allow entities to record a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.
An entity would be able to choose to apply this standard retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the new tax legislation enacted in 2017 is recognized or apply the standard in the reporting period adopted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact this standard, if adopted, could have on its consolidated financial statements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This accounting standard provides a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost. The new model requires entities to use an estimate of expected credit losses that will be recognized as an impairment allowance rather than a direct write-down of the amortized cost basis. The estimate of expected credit losses is to be based on past events, current conditions and supportable forecasts over a reasonable period. For purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, a similar model is to be used; however, the initial allowance will be added to the purchase price rather than reported as an allowance. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP; however, this standard requires those credit losses to be presented as an allowance, rather than a write-down. This new standard also requires additional disclosures of credit quality indicators for each class of financial asset disaggregated by year of origination.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, entities may adopt early beginning in the annual or interim periods after December 15, 2018. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
This accounting standard requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.
An entity should apply this standard on a prospective basis and will be required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition. The new standard is effective for impairment tests for periods beginning January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. PSEG is currently assessing the impact of this guidance upon its financial statements.
PSE&G [Member]  
New Accounting Pronouncement [Line Items]  
Recent Accounting Standards [Text Block]
Recent Accounting Standards
New Standards Issued and Adopted
Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business
This accounting standard was issued mainly to provide more consistency in how the definition of a business is applied to acquisitions or dispositions. The new guidance will generally reduce the number of transactions that will require treatment as a business combination. The definition of a business now includes consideration of whether substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired or disposed of is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this condition is met, the transaction would not qualify as a business.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; however, entities were able to adopt it for transactions that closed before the effective date but had not been reported in financial statements that had been issued or made available for issuance. PSEG adopted this standard in the third quarter 2017 with the acquisition of a solar project. This standard upon adoption had no impact on PSEG’s financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
This accounting standard clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition requirements; improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets; and provides improved disclosures.
The guidance provides a five-step model to be used for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. PSEG will elect the full retrospective method of transition. Under this method, PSEG will restate its prior period financial statements to align with the 2018 presentation.
PSEG has evaluated existing contracts and revenue streams for potential changes under the new revenue recognition standard. Included in the scope of the new standard are PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs, including the sale of default supply of electric and gas commodity, and the distribution of electricity and gas to retail residential and commercial and industrial customers, and transmission revenues. Tariff revenues comprise substantially all of PSE&G’s revenue. PSEG expects no material change in revenue recognition of PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs. PSE&G’s revenue from contracts with customers will continue to be recorded as electricity or gas is delivered to the customer. Certain reclassifications of PSE&G’s revenue streams will affect Operating Revenues and Operating Expenses due to the application of this standard.
Also included in the scope of the new standard are Power’s electricity, gas and related product sales. Certain reclassifications of Power’s revenue streams will also affect Operating Revenues and Energy Costs due to the application of this standard.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power do not anticipate any material impact to net income as a result of adoption of this new standard.
The new standard will result in more detailed disclosures of revenue compared to current guidance and changes in presentation. PSEG will disaggregate its revenues by operating segment. PSE&G will further disaggregate its revenue by product line (i.e. electric distribution, gas distribution, and transmission). Power will further disaggregate its revenues by product line (i.e. electricity, gas). Electricity revenues will be further disaggregated by region (i.e. PJM, New York ISO and ISO New England). Gas revenues will be further disaggregated by third party sales and sales to affiliates. Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers will also be disclosed including PSE&G appliance service and repair and Power solar power revenues.
PSEG will elect the invoice practical expedient, where applicable, in recording its revenue. Under the practical expedient, PSEG has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of PSEG’s performance completed to date. PSEG may recognize revenue in the amount to which it has a right to invoice. As such under this practical expedient, there are no future performance obligations to disclose. Where PSEG has entered into fixed consideration contracts, it will disclose its remaining performance obligations under these agreements.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This accounting standard will change how entities measure equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. Under the new guidance, equity investments (other than those accounted for using the equity method) will be measured at fair value through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Entities that have elected the fair value option for financial liabilities will present changes in fair value due to a change in their own credit risk through Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). For equity investments which do not have readily determinable fair values, the impairment assessment will be simplified by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairments. The new standard also changes certain disclosures.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG recorded a cumulative effect adjustment by reclassifying the unrealized gain related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018, and expects increased volatility in Net Income due to changes in fair value of its equity securities within the NDT and Rabbi Trust Funds.
Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
This accounting standard reduces the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG expects no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows as a result of adopting this new standard. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.
Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash
This accounting standard requires entities to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, either in a narrative or a tabular format. Amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included in entities’ reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method for each period presented. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG will provide a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and include a description of these amounts.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)
This accounting standard was issued to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost.
Under the new guidance, entities are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by their employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the Statement of Operations separately from the service cost component after Operating Income. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization, when applicable.
The standard requires the amendments to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other cost components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost in the Statement of Operations and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension and OPEB costs.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2018, PSEG and each of its subsidiaries began to classify the total net pension and OPEB non-service benefit costs in a separate line item in the Statement of Operations after Operating Income. PSEG will also recast those amounts for prior years in accordance with the new standard by using the practical expedient of using the previously disclosed non-service components of pension and OPEB costs. The service cost component of pension and OPEB costs will continue to be classified in O&M Expense, except for that portion capitalized, as appropriate, within Property, Plant and Equipment. As a result of adopting this new standard, PSE&G expects to reduce its charge to expense by approximately $55 million to $65 million in 2018.
Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting
This accounting standard provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and complexity when applying the stock compensation guidance to a change in the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award. Specifically, the standard provides guidance as to which changes to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, early adoption was permitted. This standard should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. PSEG adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018.
New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
Leases
This accounting standard replaces existing lease accounting guidance and requires lessees to recognize all leases with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet using a right-of-use asset approach. At lease commencement, a lessee will recognize a lease asset and corresponding lease obligation. A lessee will classify its leases as either finance leases or operating leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. A lessor will classify its leases as operating or direct financing leases, or as sales-type leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. Both the lessee and lessor models require additional disclosure of key information. The standard requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. However, existing guidance related to leveraged leases will not change.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with retrospective application to previously issued financial statements for 2018 and 2017. Early application is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
This accounting standard’s amendments more closely align hedge accounting with the companies’ risk management activities in the financial statements. The amendments expand hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components by permitting contractually specified components to designate as the hedged risk in a cash flow hedge involving the purchase or sale of non-financial assets or variable rate financial instruments. Additionally, the amendments ease the operational burden of applying hedge accounting by allowing more time to prepare hedge documentation, and allow effectiveness assessments to be performed on a qualitative basis after hedge inception.
The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard requires using a modified retrospective method upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. 
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
This accounting standard was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the standard requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the standard in an interim period, any
adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply this standard on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Additionally, in the period of adoption, an entity should provide disclosures about a change in accounting principle. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
This accounting standard would affect any entity that is required to apply the provisions of the Accounting Standards Codification topic, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income,” and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP. Specifically, this standard would allow entities to record a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.
An entity would be able to choose to apply this standard retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the new tax legislation enacted in 2017 is recognized or apply the standard in the reporting period adopted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact this standard, if adopted, could have on its consolidated financial statements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This accounting standard provides a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost. The new model requires entities to use an estimate of expected credit losses that will be recognized as an impairment allowance rather than a direct write-down of the amortized cost basis. The estimate of expected credit losses is to be based on past events, current conditions and supportable forecasts over a reasonable period. For purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, a similar model is to be used; however, the initial allowance will be added to the purchase price rather than reported as an allowance. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP; however, this standard requires those credit losses to be presented as an allowance, rather than a write-down. This new standard also requires additional disclosures of credit quality indicators for each class of financial asset disaggregated by year of origination.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, entities may adopt early beginning in the annual or interim periods after December 15, 2018. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
This accounting standard requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.
An entity should apply this standard on a prospective basis and will be required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition. The new standard is effective for impairment tests for periods beginning January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. PSEG is currently assessing the impact of this guidance upon its financial statements.
Power [Member]  
New Accounting Pronouncement [Line Items]  
Recent Accounting Standards [Text Block]
Recent Accounting Standards
New Standards Issued and Adopted
Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business
This accounting standard was issued mainly to provide more consistency in how the definition of a business is applied to acquisitions or dispositions. The new guidance will generally reduce the number of transactions that will require treatment as a business combination. The definition of a business now includes consideration of whether substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired or disposed of is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this condition is met, the transaction would not qualify as a business.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; however, entities were able to adopt it for transactions that closed before the effective date but had not been reported in financial statements that had been issued or made available for issuance. PSEG adopted this standard in the third quarter 2017 with the acquisition of a solar project. This standard upon adoption had no impact on PSEG’s financial statements.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
This accounting standard clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and removes inconsistencies in revenue recognition requirements; improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets; and provides improved disclosures.
The guidance provides a five-step model to be used for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. PSEG will elect the full retrospective method of transition. Under this method, PSEG will restate its prior period financial statements to align with the 2018 presentation.
PSEG has evaluated existing contracts and revenue streams for potential changes under the new revenue recognition standard. Included in the scope of the new standard are PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs, including the sale of default supply of electric and gas commodity, and the distribution of electricity and gas to retail residential and commercial and industrial customers, and transmission revenues. Tariff revenues comprise substantially all of PSE&G’s revenue. PSEG expects no material change in revenue recognition of PSE&G’s regulated revenue recorded under tariffs. PSE&G’s revenue from contracts with customers will continue to be recorded as electricity or gas is delivered to the customer. Certain reclassifications of PSE&G’s revenue streams will affect Operating Revenues and Operating Expenses due to the application of this standard.
Also included in the scope of the new standard are Power’s electricity, gas and related product sales. Certain reclassifications of Power’s revenue streams will also affect Operating Revenues and Energy Costs due to the application of this standard.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power do not anticipate any material impact to net income as a result of adoption of this new standard.
The new standard will result in more detailed disclosures of revenue compared to current guidance and changes in presentation. PSEG will disaggregate its revenues by operating segment. PSE&G will further disaggregate its revenue by product line (i.e. electric distribution, gas distribution, and transmission). Power will further disaggregate its revenues by product line (i.e. electricity, gas). Electricity revenues will be further disaggregated by region (i.e. PJM, New York ISO and ISO New England). Gas revenues will be further disaggregated by third party sales and sales to affiliates. Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers will also be disclosed including PSE&G appliance service and repair and Power solar power revenues.
PSEG will elect the invoice practical expedient, where applicable, in recording its revenue. Under the practical expedient, PSEG has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of PSEG’s performance completed to date. PSEG may recognize revenue in the amount to which it has a right to invoice. As such under this practical expedient, there are no future performance obligations to disclose. Where PSEG has entered into fixed consideration contracts, it will disclose its remaining performance obligations under these agreements.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This accounting standard will change how entities measure equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. Under the new guidance, equity investments (other than those accounted for using the equity method) will be measured at fair value through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Entities that have elected the fair value option for financial liabilities will present changes in fair value due to a change in their own credit risk through Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). For equity investments which do not have readily determinable fair values, the impairment assessment will be simplified by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairments. The new standard also changes certain disclosures.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG recorded a cumulative effect adjustment by reclassifying the unrealized gain related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018, and expects increased volatility in Net Income due to changes in fair value of its equity securities within the NDT and Rabbi Trust Funds.
Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
This accounting standard reduces the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG expects no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows as a result of adopting this new standard. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.
Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash
This accounting standard requires entities to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, either in a narrative or a tabular format. Amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included in entities’ reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts in the Statement of Cash Flows.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted. PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method for each period presented. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG will provide a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and include a description of these amounts.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)
This accounting standard was issued to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost.
Under the new guidance, entities are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by their employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the Statement of Operations separately from the service cost component after Operating Income. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization, when applicable.
The standard requires the amendments to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other cost components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic OPEB cost in the Statement of Operations and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension and OPEB costs.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. PSEG adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2018, PSEG and each of its subsidiaries began to classify the total net pension and OPEB non-service benefit costs in a separate line item in the Statement of Operations after Operating Income. PSEG will also recast those amounts for prior years in accordance with the new standard by using the practical expedient of using the previously disclosed non-service components of pension and OPEB costs. The service cost component of pension and OPEB costs will continue to be classified in O&M Expense, except for that portion capitalized, as appropriate, within Property, Plant and Equipment. As a result of adopting this new standard, PSE&G expects to reduce its charge to expense by approximately $55 million to $65 million in 2018.
Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting
This accounting standard provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and complexity when applying the stock compensation guidance to a change in the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award. Specifically, the standard provides guidance as to which changes to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, early adoption was permitted. This standard should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. PSEG adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018.
New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
Leases
This accounting standard replaces existing lease accounting guidance and requires lessees to recognize all leases with a term greater than 12 months on the balance sheet using a right-of-use asset approach. At lease commencement, a lessee will recognize a lease asset and corresponding lease obligation. A lessee will classify its leases as either finance leases or operating leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. A lessor will classify its leases as operating or direct financing leases, or as sales-type leases based on whether control of the underlying assets has transferred to the lessee. Both the lessee and lessor models require additional disclosure of key information. The standard requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. However, existing guidance related to leveraged leases will not change.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with retrospective application to previously issued financial statements for 2018 and 2017. Early application is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
This accounting standard’s amendments more closely align hedge accounting with the companies’ risk management activities in the financial statements. The amendments expand hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components by permitting contractually specified components to designate as the hedged risk in a cash flow hedge involving the purchase or sale of non-financial assets or variable rate financial instruments. Additionally, the amendments ease the operational burden of applying hedge accounting by allowing more time to prepare hedge documentation, and allow effectiveness assessments to be performed on a qualitative basis after hedge inception.
The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard requires using a modified retrospective method upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. 
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
This accounting standard was issued to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the standard requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.
The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the standard in an interim period, any
adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply this standard on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Additionally, in the period of adoption, an entity should provide disclosures about a change in accounting principle. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
This accounting standard would affect any entity that is required to apply the provisions of the Accounting Standards Codification topic, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income,” and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP. Specifically, this standard would allow entities to record a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate.
The standard is effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for an entity in any interim or annual period for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.
An entity would be able to choose to apply this standard retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the new tax legislation enacted in 2017 is recognized or apply the standard in the reporting period adopted. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact this standard, if adopted, could have on its consolidated financial statements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This accounting standard provides a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost. The new model requires entities to use an estimate of expected credit losses that will be recognized as an impairment allowance rather than a direct write-down of the amortized cost basis. The estimate of expected credit losses is to be based on past events, current conditions and supportable forecasts over a reasonable period. For purchased financial assets with credit deterioration, a similar model is to be used; however, the initial allowance will be added to the purchase price rather than reported as an allowance. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP; however, this standard requires those credit losses to be presented as an allowance, rather than a write-down. This new standard also requires additional disclosures of credit quality indicators for each class of financial asset disaggregated by year of origination.
The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, entities may adopt early beginning in the annual or interim periods after December 15, 2018. PSEG is currently analyzing the impact of this standard on its financial statements.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
This accounting standard requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.
An entity should apply this standard on a prospective basis and will be required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition. The new standard is effective for impairment tests for periods beginning January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. PSEG is currently assessing the impact of this guidance upon its financial statements.