Long-Term Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Long-Term Investments [Line Items]

Long-Term Investments [Text Block]

Long-Term Investments

Long-Term Investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 included the following:

	As of December 31,
	2017		2016
	Millions
PSE&G
Life Insurance and Supplemental Benefits	$	130	$	140
Solar Loans	150		159
Power
Partnerships and Corporate Joint Ventures (Equity Method Investments) (A)	87		102
Energy Holdings
Lease Investments	565		649
Total Long-Term Investments	$	932	$	1,050

(A) During the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, dividends from these investments were $18 million, $18 million and $16 million, respectively.

Leases

Energy Holdings, through several of its indirect subsidiary companies, has investments in domestic energy and real estate assets subject primarily to leveraged lease accounting. A leveraged lease is typically comprised of an investment by an equity investor and debt provided by a third-party debt investor. The debt is recourse only to the assets subject to lease and is not included on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As an equity investor, Energy Holdings’ equity investments in the leases are comprised of the total expected lease receivables over the lease terms plus the estimated residual values at the end of the lease terms, reduced for any income not yet earned on the leases. This amount is included in Long-Term Investments on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The more rapid depreciation of the leased property for tax purposes creates tax cash flow that will be repaid to the taxing authority in later periods. As such, the liability for such taxes due is recorded in Deferred Income Taxes on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the third quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings completed its annual review of estimated residual values embedded in the NRG REMA, LLC (REMA) leveraged leases. The outcome indicated that the revised residual value estimates were lower than the recorded residual values and the decline was deemed to be other than temporary due to the adverse economic conditions experienced by coal generation in PJM, as discussed in Note 3. Early Plant Retirements, negatively impacting the economic outlook of the leased assets. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $137 million was reflected in Operating Revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2016, calculated by comparing the gross investment in the leases before and after the revised residual estimates. During the fourth quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings recorded a $10 million charge for its best estimate of loss as a result of the current liquidity issues facing REMA, which was reflected in Operating Revenues and is included in Gross Investments in Leases as of December 31, 2016. For additional information, see Note 8. Financing Receivables.

During the first quarter of 2017, due to continuing liquidity issues facing REMA, economic challenges facing coal generation in PJM, and based upon an ongoing review of available alternatives as well as certain recent discussions with REMA management, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $55 million pre-tax charge for its current best estimate of loss related to the lease receivables.

In June 2017, GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn) and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. REMA was not included in the GenOn filing. Energy Holdings continues to monitor the restructuring of GenOn and its possible impacts on REMA and continues to discuss the situation with various parties relevant to this matter. During the second quarter of 2017, Energy Holdings completed its review of estimated residual values embedded in its leveraged lease portfolio of generating assets and the outcome indicated that one of the residual value estimates was lower than the recorded residual value due to a further deterioration of market conditions and changes to operating cost estimates. This decline was determined to be other than temporary. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $7 million was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2017. In addition, based on an ongoing review of (i) the liquidity challenges facing REMA and (ii) available alternatives, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $15 million pre-tax charge in the quarter ended June 30, 2017 for its current best estimate of loss related to lease receivables. Pre-tax write-downs and additional charges are reflected in Operating Revenues and are included in Gross Investment in Leases as of December 31, 2017.

In January 2018, certain subsidiaries of Energy Holdings, REMA, certain holders of the pass-through certificates and other parties entered into a Forbearance Agreement (Forbearance) relating to the Conemaugh facility. Pursuant to the Forbearance, the parties thereto agreed to temporarily forbear from exercising rights and remedies related to certain events of default related to REMA’s obligation to procure additional qualifying credit support. The Forbearance will remain effective until the earlier of (i) the later of (a) April 15, 2018 and (b) two weeks following the date on which Energy Holdings subsidiaries, REMA and/or the consenting certificate holders provide written notice to REMA of its intention to terminate the Forbearance, and (ii) the date on which any event of termination as specified in the Forbearance occurs.

PSEG cannot predict the outcome of GenOn’s restructuring process or the possible related impact on REMA. PSEG continues to monitor any changes to REMA’s and GenOn’s status and potential impacts on Energy Holdings’ lease investments. If lease rejections or foreclosures were to occur, Energy Holdings could potentially record additional pre-tax write-offs up to its gross investment in these facilities and may also be required to accelerate and pay material deferred tax liabilities to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The following table shows Energy Holdings’ gross and net lease investment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

	As of December 31,
	2017			2016
	Millions
Lease Receivables (net of Non-Recourse Debt)	$	546		$	629
Estimated Residual Value of Leased Assets	326			346
Total Investment in Rental Receivables	872			975
Unearned and Deferred Income	(307		)	(326		)
Gross Investments in Leases	565			649
Deferred Tax Liabilities	(480		)	(674		)
Net Investments in Leases	$	85		$	(25	)

In December 2017, new tax legislation was enacted, reducing the statutory U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. PSEG is subject to ASC 740, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate was enacted. The impact of the reduced tax rate is the primary reason for the decrease in Deferred Tax Liabilities. For additional information, see Note 20. Income Taxes.

The pre-tax income (loss) and income tax effects related to investments in leases, excluding gains and losses on sales and the impacts of the Tax Act, were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	Millions
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) from Leases	$	(69	)	$	(135	)	$	12
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) on Income from Leases	$	(26	)	$	(51	)	$	5

Equity Method Investments

Power had the following equity method investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

	As of December 31,
Name	2017		2016		Location	% Owned
	Millions
Power
Keystone Fuels, LLC	$	8	$	7	PA	23%
Conemaugh Fuels, LLC	8		8		PA	23%
PennEast Pipeline	—		11		PA	10%
Kalaeloa	71		76		HI	50%
Total	$	87	$	102

PSE&G [Member]

Long-Term Investments [Line Items]

Long-Term Investments [Text Block]

Long-Term Investments

Long-Term Investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 included the following:

	As of December 31,
	2017		2016
	Millions
PSE&G
Life Insurance and Supplemental Benefits	$	130	$	140
Solar Loans	150		159
Power
Partnerships and Corporate Joint Ventures (Equity Method Investments) (A)	87		102
Energy Holdings
Lease Investments	565		649
Total Long-Term Investments	$	932	$	1,050

(A) During the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, dividends from these investments were $18 million, $18 million and $16 million, respectively.

Leases

Energy Holdings, through several of its indirect subsidiary companies, has investments in domestic energy and real estate assets subject primarily to leveraged lease accounting. A leveraged lease is typically comprised of an investment by an equity investor and debt provided by a third-party debt investor. The debt is recourse only to the assets subject to lease and is not included on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As an equity investor, Energy Holdings’ equity investments in the leases are comprised of the total expected lease receivables over the lease terms plus the estimated residual values at the end of the lease terms, reduced for any income not yet earned on the leases. This amount is included in Long-Term Investments on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The more rapid depreciation of the leased property for tax purposes creates tax cash flow that will be repaid to the taxing authority in later periods. As such, the liability for such taxes due is recorded in Deferred Income Taxes on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the third quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings completed its annual review of estimated residual values embedded in the NRG REMA, LLC (REMA) leveraged leases. The outcome indicated that the revised residual value estimates were lower than the recorded residual values and the decline was deemed to be other than temporary due to the adverse economic conditions experienced by coal generation in PJM, as discussed in Note 3. Early Plant Retirements, negatively impacting the economic outlook of the leased assets. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $137 million was reflected in Operating Revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2016, calculated by comparing the gross investment in the leases before and after the revised residual estimates. During the fourth quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings recorded a $10 million charge for its best estimate of loss as a result of the current liquidity issues facing REMA, which was reflected in Operating Revenues and is included in Gross Investments in Leases as of December 31, 2016. For additional information, see Note 8. Financing Receivables.

During the first quarter of 2017, due to continuing liquidity issues facing REMA, economic challenges facing coal generation in PJM, and based upon an ongoing review of available alternatives as well as certain recent discussions with REMA management, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $55 million pre-tax charge for its current best estimate of loss related to the lease receivables.

In June 2017, GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn) and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. REMA was not included in the GenOn filing. Energy Holdings continues to monitor the restructuring of GenOn and its possible impacts on REMA and continues to discuss the situation with various parties relevant to this matter. During the second quarter of 2017, Energy Holdings completed its review of estimated residual values embedded in its leveraged lease portfolio of generating assets and the outcome indicated that one of the residual value estimates was lower than the recorded residual value due to a further deterioration of market conditions and changes to operating cost estimates. This decline was determined to be other than temporary. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $7 million was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2017. In addition, based on an ongoing review of (i) the liquidity challenges facing REMA and (ii) available alternatives, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $15 million pre-tax charge in the quarter ended June 30, 2017 for its current best estimate of loss related to lease receivables. Pre-tax write-downs and additional charges are reflected in Operating Revenues and are included in Gross Investment in Leases as of December 31, 2017.

In January 2018, certain subsidiaries of Energy Holdings, REMA, certain holders of the pass-through certificates and other parties entered into a Forbearance Agreement (Forbearance) relating to the Conemaugh facility. Pursuant to the Forbearance, the parties thereto agreed to temporarily forbear from exercising rights and remedies related to certain events of default related to REMA’s obligation to procure additional qualifying credit support. The Forbearance will remain effective until the earlier of (i) the later of (a) April 15, 2018 and (b) two weeks following the date on which Energy Holdings subsidiaries, REMA and/or the consenting certificate holders provide written notice to REMA of its intention to terminate the Forbearance, and (ii) the date on which any event of termination as specified in the Forbearance occurs.

PSEG cannot predict the outcome of GenOn’s restructuring process or the possible related impact on REMA. PSEG continues to monitor any changes to REMA’s and GenOn’s status and potential impacts on Energy Holdings’ lease investments. If lease rejections or foreclosures were to occur, Energy Holdings could potentially record additional pre-tax write-offs up to its gross investment in these facilities and may also be required to accelerate and pay material deferred tax liabilities to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The following table shows Energy Holdings’ gross and net lease investment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

	As of December 31,
	2017			2016
	Millions
Lease Receivables (net of Non-Recourse Debt)	$	546		$	629
Estimated Residual Value of Leased Assets	326			346
Total Investment in Rental Receivables	872			975
Unearned and Deferred Income	(307		)	(326		)
Gross Investments in Leases	565			649
Deferred Tax Liabilities	(480		)	(674		)
Net Investments in Leases	$	85		$	(25	)

In December 2017, new tax legislation was enacted, reducing the statutory U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. PSEG is subject to ASC 740, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate was enacted. The impact of the reduced tax rate is the primary reason for the decrease in Deferred Tax Liabilities. For additional information, see Note 20. Income Taxes.

The pre-tax income (loss) and income tax effects related to investments in leases, excluding gains and losses on sales and the impacts of the Tax Act, were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	Millions
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) from Leases	$	(69	)	$	(135	)	$	12
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) on Income from Leases	$	(26	)	$	(51	)	$	5

Equity Method Investments

Power had the following equity method investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

	As of December 31,
Name	2017		2016		Location	% Owned
	Millions
Power
Keystone Fuels, LLC	$	8	$	7	PA	23%
Conemaugh Fuels, LLC	8		8		PA	23%
PennEast Pipeline	—		11		PA	10%
Kalaeloa	71		76		HI	50%
Total	$	87	$	102

Power [Member]

Long-Term Investments [Line Items]

Long-Term Investments [Text Block]

Long-Term Investments

Long-Term Investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 included the following:

	As of December 31,
	2017		2016
	Millions
PSE&G
Life Insurance and Supplemental Benefits	$	130	$	140
Solar Loans	150		159
Power
Partnerships and Corporate Joint Ventures (Equity Method Investments) (A)	87		102
Energy Holdings
Lease Investments	565		649
Total Long-Term Investments	$	932	$	1,050

(A) During the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, dividends from these investments were $18 million, $18 million and $16 million, respectively.

Leases

Energy Holdings, through several of its indirect subsidiary companies, has investments in domestic energy and real estate assets subject primarily to leveraged lease accounting. A leveraged lease is typically comprised of an investment by an equity investor and debt provided by a third-party debt investor. The debt is recourse only to the assets subject to lease and is not included on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. As an equity investor, Energy Holdings’ equity investments in the leases are comprised of the total expected lease receivables over the lease terms plus the estimated residual values at the end of the lease terms, reduced for any income not yet earned on the leases. This amount is included in Long-Term Investments on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The more rapid depreciation of the leased property for tax purposes creates tax cash flow that will be repaid to the taxing authority in later periods. As such, the liability for such taxes due is recorded in Deferred Income Taxes on PSEG’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the third quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings completed its annual review of estimated residual values embedded in the NRG REMA, LLC (REMA) leveraged leases. The outcome indicated that the revised residual value estimates were lower than the recorded residual values and the decline was deemed to be other than temporary due to the adverse economic conditions experienced by coal generation in PJM, as discussed in Note 3. Early Plant Retirements, negatively impacting the economic outlook of the leased assets. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $137 million was reflected in Operating Revenues in the quarter ended September 30, 2016, calculated by comparing the gross investment in the leases before and after the revised residual estimates. During the fourth quarter of 2016, Energy Holdings recorded a $10 million charge for its best estimate of loss as a result of the current liquidity issues facing REMA, which was reflected in Operating Revenues and is included in Gross Investments in Leases as of December 31, 2016. For additional information, see Note 8. Financing Receivables.

During the first quarter of 2017, due to continuing liquidity issues facing REMA, economic challenges facing coal generation in PJM, and based upon an ongoing review of available alternatives as well as certain recent discussions with REMA management, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $55 million pre-tax charge for its current best estimate of loss related to the lease receivables.

In June 2017, GenOn Energy, Inc. (GenOn) and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. REMA was not included in the GenOn filing. Energy Holdings continues to monitor the restructuring of GenOn and its possible impacts on REMA and continues to discuss the situation with various parties relevant to this matter. During the second quarter of 2017, Energy Holdings completed its review of estimated residual values embedded in its leveraged lease portfolio of generating assets and the outcome indicated that one of the residual value estimates was lower than the recorded residual value due to a further deterioration of market conditions and changes to operating cost estimates. This decline was determined to be other than temporary. As a result, a pre-tax write-down of $7 million was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2017. In addition, based on an ongoing review of (i) the liquidity challenges facing REMA and (ii) available alternatives, Energy Holdings recorded an additional $15 million pre-tax charge in the quarter ended June 30, 2017 for its current best estimate of loss related to lease receivables. Pre-tax write-downs and additional charges are reflected in Operating Revenues and are included in Gross Investment in Leases as of December 31, 2017.

In January 2018, certain subsidiaries of Energy Holdings, REMA, certain holders of the pass-through certificates and other parties entered into a Forbearance Agreement (Forbearance) relating to the Conemaugh facility. Pursuant to the Forbearance, the parties thereto agreed to temporarily forbear from exercising rights and remedies related to certain events of default related to REMA’s obligation to procure additional qualifying credit support. The Forbearance will remain effective until the earlier of (i) the later of (a) April 15, 2018 and (b) two weeks following the date on which Energy Holdings subsidiaries, REMA and/or the consenting certificate holders provide written notice to REMA of its intention to terminate the Forbearance, and (ii) the date on which any event of termination as specified in the Forbearance occurs.

PSEG cannot predict the outcome of GenOn’s restructuring process or the possible related impact on REMA. PSEG continues to monitor any changes to REMA’s and GenOn’s status and potential impacts on Energy Holdings’ lease investments. If lease rejections or foreclosures were to occur, Energy Holdings could potentially record additional pre-tax write-offs up to its gross investment in these facilities and may also be required to accelerate and pay material deferred tax liabilities to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The following table shows Energy Holdings’ gross and net lease investment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

	As of December 31,
	2017			2016
	Millions
Lease Receivables (net of Non-Recourse Debt)	$	546		$	629
Estimated Residual Value of Leased Assets	326			346
Total Investment in Rental Receivables	872			975
Unearned and Deferred Income	(307		)	(326		)
Gross Investments in Leases	565			649
Deferred Tax Liabilities	(480		)	(674		)
Net Investments in Leases	$	85		$	(25	)

In December 2017, new tax legislation was enacted, reducing the statutory U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. PSEG is subject to ASC 740, which requires that the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates be recognized in the period the tax rate was enacted. The impact of the reduced tax rate is the primary reason for the decrease in Deferred Tax Liabilities. For additional information, see Note 20. Income Taxes.

The pre-tax income (loss) and income tax effects related to investments in leases, excluding gains and losses on sales and the impacts of the Tax Act, were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	Millions
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) from Leases	$	(69	)	$	(135	)	$	12
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) on Income from Leases	$	(26	)	$	(51	)	$	5

Equity Method Investments

Power had the following equity method investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

	As of December 31,
Name	2017		2016		Location	% Owned
	Millions
Power
Keystone Fuels, LLC	$	8	$	7	PA	23%
Conemaugh Fuels, LLC	8		8		PA	23%
PennEast Pipeline	—		11		PA	10%
Kalaeloa	71		76		HI	50%
Total	$	87	$	102