Recent Accounting Standards (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

New Accounting Standards

New Standards Issued and Adopted

Revenue from Contracts With Customers—Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, updated by ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12, 2016-20, 2017-13, 2017-14

This accounting standard, and related updates, were adopted on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective transition method. There was no effect on net income as a result of adoption. However, certain retrospective adjustments were recorded in accordance with the new standard. At PSE&G, retrospective adjustments increased Operating Revenues by $14 million, Energy Costs by $9 million, and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Expense by $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At Power, retrospective adjustments reduced Operating Revenues and Energy Costs by $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For disclosure requirements under this standard, including Nature of Goods and Services, Disaggregation of Revenues, and Remaining Performance Obligations under Fixed Consideration Contracts, see Note 3. Revenues.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—ASU 2016-01

Power maintains an external master trust fund to provide for the costs of decommissioning upon termination of operations of its nuclear facilities. In addition, PSEG maintains a grantor trust which was established to meet the obligations related to its non-qualified pension plans and deferred compensation plans, commonly referred to as a “Rabbi Trust.”

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. Under the new guidance, equity investments in Power’s Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) and PSEG’s Rabbi Trust Funds are now measured at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses recognized through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The debt securities in these trusts continue to be classified as available-for-sale with the unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Realized gains and losses on both equity and available-for-sale debt security investments are recorded in earnings and are included with the unrealized gains and losses on equity securities in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. Other-than-temporary impairments on NDT and Rabbi Trust securities are also included in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. A cumulative effect adjustment was made to reclassify the net unrealized gains related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018. See Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax and Note 8. Trust Investments for further discussion.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—ASU 2016-15

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.

PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method and had no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows for each period presented.

Statement of Cash Flows:  Restricted Cash—ASU 2016-18

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG has provided a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and has included a description of these amounts in Note 1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies. The effect of adoption on the March 31, 2017 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was immaterial.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)—ASU 2017-07

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. 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. As a result of adopting this standard, PSE&G reduced its charge to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 by approximately $14 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were recast to show retrospective adjustments of the non-service cost component of net benefit credits (costs) of $(2) million and $2 million at PSE&G and Power, respectively, from O&M Expense to a new line item after Operating Income entitled Non-Operating Pension and OPEB Credits (Costs). See Note 9. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB).

Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting—ASU 2017-09

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. The standard will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. PSEG does not expect a material impact from adoption of this new standard.

New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Leases—ASU 2016-02

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.

ASU 2018-01 permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to exclude evaluation of land easements that exist or expired before the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not previously accounted for as leases.

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 consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities—ASU 2017-12

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 be designated 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 allowing 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—ASU 2017-08

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—ASU 2018-02

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—ASU 2016-13

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—ASU 2017-04

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 And G [Member]

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

New Accounting Standards

New Standards Issued and Adopted

Revenue from Contracts With Customers—Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, updated by ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12, 2016-20, 2017-13, 2017-14

This accounting standard, and related updates, were adopted on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective transition method. There was no effect on net income as a result of adoption. However, certain retrospective adjustments were recorded in accordance with the new standard. At PSE&G, retrospective adjustments increased Operating Revenues by $14 million, Energy Costs by $9 million, and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Expense by $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At Power, retrospective adjustments reduced Operating Revenues and Energy Costs by $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For disclosure requirements under this standard, including Nature of Goods and Services, Disaggregation of Revenues, and Remaining Performance Obligations under Fixed Consideration Contracts, see Note 3. Revenues.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—ASU 2016-01

Power maintains an external master trust fund to provide for the costs of decommissioning upon termination of operations of its nuclear facilities. In addition, PSEG maintains a grantor trust which was established to meet the obligations related to its non-qualified pension plans and deferred compensation plans, commonly referred to as a “Rabbi Trust.”

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. Under the new guidance, equity investments in Power’s Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) and PSEG’s Rabbi Trust Funds are now measured at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses recognized through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The debt securities in these trusts continue to be classified as available-for-sale with the unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Realized gains and losses on both equity and available-for-sale debt security investments are recorded in earnings and are included with the unrealized gains and losses on equity securities in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. Other-than-temporary impairments on NDT and Rabbi Trust securities are also included in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. A cumulative effect adjustment was made to reclassify the net unrealized gains related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018. See Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax and Note 8. Trust Investments for further discussion.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—ASU 2016-15

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.

PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method and had no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows for each period presented.

Statement of Cash Flows:  Restricted Cash—ASU 2016-18

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG has provided a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and has included a description of these amounts in Note 1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies. The effect of adoption on the March 31, 2017 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was immaterial.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)—ASU 2017-07

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. 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. As a result of adopting this standard, PSE&G reduced its charge to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 by approximately $14 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were recast to show retrospective adjustments of the non-service cost component of net benefit credits (costs) of $(2) million and $2 million at PSE&G and Power, respectively, from O&M Expense to a new line item after Operating Income entitled Non-Operating Pension and OPEB Credits (Costs). See Note 9. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB).

Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting—ASU 2017-09

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. The standard will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. PSEG does not expect a material impact from adoption of this new standard.

New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Leases—ASU 2016-02

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.

ASU 2018-01 permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to exclude evaluation of land easements that exist or expired before the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not previously accounted for as leases.

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 consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities—ASU 2017-12

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 be designated 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 allowing 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—ASU 2017-08

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—ASU 2018-02

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—ASU 2016-13

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—ASU 2017-04

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 Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

New Accounting Standards

New Standards Issued and Adopted

Revenue from Contracts With Customers—Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, updated by ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12, 2016-20, 2017-13, 2017-14

This accounting standard, and related updates, were adopted on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective transition method. There was no effect on net income as a result of adoption. However, certain retrospective adjustments were recorded in accordance with the new standard. At PSE&G, retrospective adjustments increased Operating Revenues by $14 million, Energy Costs by $9 million, and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Expense by $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. At Power, retrospective adjustments reduced Operating Revenues and Energy Costs by $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For disclosure requirements under this standard, including Nature of Goods and Services, Disaggregation of Revenues, and Remaining Performance Obligations under Fixed Consideration Contracts, see Note 3. Revenues.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—ASU 2016-01

Power maintains an external master trust fund to provide for the costs of decommissioning upon termination of operations of its nuclear facilities. In addition, PSEG maintains a grantor trust which was established to meet the obligations related to its non-qualified pension plans and deferred compensation plans, commonly referred to as a “Rabbi Trust.”

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. Under the new guidance, equity investments in Power’s Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) and PSEG’s Rabbi Trust Funds are now measured at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses recognized through Net Income instead of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The debt securities in these trusts continue to be classified as available-for-sale with the unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Realized gains and losses on both equity and available-for-sale debt security investments are recorded in earnings and are included with the unrealized gains and losses on equity securities in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. Other-than-temporary impairments on NDT and Rabbi Trust securities are also included in Net Gains (Losses) on Trust Investments. A cumulative effect adjustment was made to reclassify the net unrealized gains related to equity investments of $342 million ($176 million, net of tax) from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings on January 1, 2018. See Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax and Note 8. Trust Investments for further discussion.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—ASU 2016-15

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.

PSEG adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method and had no changes in its presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows for each period presented.

Statement of Cash Flows:  Restricted Cash—ASU 2016-18

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. PSEG will continue the current balance sheet classification of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. PSEG has provided a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and has included a description of these amounts in Note 1. Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies. The effect of adoption on the March 31, 2017 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was immaterial.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (OPEB)—ASU 2017-07

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. 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. As a result of adopting this standard, PSE&G reduced its charge to expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 by approximately $14 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were recast to show retrospective adjustments of the non-service cost component of net benefit credits (costs) of $(2) million and $2 million at PSE&G and Power, respectively, from O&M Expense to a new line item after Operating Income entitled Non-Operating Pension and OPEB Credits (Costs). See Note 9. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (OPEB).

Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting—ASU 2017-09

This accounting standard was adopted on January 1, 2018. The standard will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after January 1, 2018. PSEG does not expect a material impact from adoption of this new standard.

New Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Leases—ASU 2016-02

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.

ASU 2018-01 permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to exclude evaluation of land easements that exist or expired before the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not previously accounted for as leases.

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 consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities—ASU 2017-12

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 be designated 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 allowing 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—ASU 2017-08

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—ASU 2018-02

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—ASU 2016-13

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—ASU 2017-04

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.