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Commitments and Contingencies (All Registrants)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies (All Registrants) Commitments and Contingencies (All Registrants)
The following is an update to the current status of commitments and contingencies set forth in Note 22 of the Exelon 2018 Form 10-K. See Note 5Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions of the Exelon 2018 Form 10-K for additional information on the PHI Merger commitments.
Commitments
PHI Merger Commitments (Exelon, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE). Approval of the PHI Merger in Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and the District of Columbia was conditioned upon Exelon and PHI agreeing to certain commitments. The following amounts represent total commitment costs that have been recorded since the acquisition date and the total remaining obligations for Exelon, PHI, Pepco, DPL and ACE as of September 30, 2019:
Description
Exelon
 
PHI
 
Pepco
 
DPL
 
ACE
Total commitments
$
513

 
$
320

 
$
120

 
$
89

 
$
111

Remaining commitments(a)
112

 
82

 
67

 
9

 
6


_________
(a)
Remaining commitments extend through 2026 and include rate credits, energy efficiency programs. and delivery system modernization.
In addition, Exelon is committed to develop or to assist in the commercial development of approximately 37 MWs of new solar generation in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Delaware at an estimated cost of approximately $127 million, which will generate future earnings at Exelon and Generation. Investment costs, which are expected to be primarily capital in nature, are recognized as incurred and recorded in Exelon's and Generation's financial statements. As of September 30, 2019, 27 MWs of new generation were developed and Exelon and Generation have incurred costs of $107 million. Exelon has also committed to purchase 100 MWs of wind energy in PJM. DPL has committed to conducting three RFPs to procure up to a total of 120 MWs of wind RECs for the purpose of meeting Delaware's renewable portfolio standards. DPL has conducted two of the three wind REC RFPs. The first 40 MW wind REC tranche was conducted in 2017 and did not result in a purchase agreement. The second 40 MW wind REC tranche was conducted in 2018 and resulted in a proposed REC purchase agreement that was approved by the DPSC in March 2019. The third and final 40 MW wind REC tranche will be conducted in 2022.
Commercial Commitments (All Registrants). The Registrants’ commercial commitments as of September 30, 2019, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events were as follows:
 
 
 
Expiration within
 
Total
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024 and beyond
Exelon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
1,718

 
$
1,192

 
$
515

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
991

 
315

 
638

 
38

 

 

 

Financing trust guarantees
378

 

 

 

 

 

 
378

Guaranteed lease residual values(b)
26

 

 
2

 
3

 
4

 
3

 
15

Total commercial commitments
$
3,113

 
$
1,507

 
$
1,155

 
$
52

 
$
4


$
3

 
$
393

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Generation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
1,686

 
$
1,179

 
$
496

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
790

 
298

 
492

 

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments
$
2,476

 
$
1,477

 
$
988

 
$
11

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ComEd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
7

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
50

 
5

 
43

 
2

 

 

 

Financing trust guarantees
200

 

 

 

 

 

 
200

Total commercial commitments
$
257

 
$
9

 
$
46

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PECO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surety bonds(a)
$
9

 
$
1

 
$
8

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Financing trust guarantees
178

 

 

 

 

 

 
178

Total commercial commitments
$
187

 
$
1

 
$
8

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
8

 
$
2

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
17

 
2

 
15

 

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments
$
25

 
$
4

 
$
21

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PHI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
11

 
$
1

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
24

 
5

 
19

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed lease residual values(b)
26

 

 
2

 
3

 
4

 
3

 
15

Total commercial commitments
$
61

 
$
6

 
$
31

 
$
3

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pepco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
10

 
$

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
17

 
2

 
15

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed lease residual values(b)
9

 

 

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
6

Total commercial commitments
$
36

 
$
2

 
$
25

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DPL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
1

 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Surety bonds(a)
4

 
2

 
2

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed lease residual values(b)
11

 

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
6

Total commercial commitments
$
16

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surety bonds(a)
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Guaranteed lease residual values(b)
7

 

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
3

Total commercial commitments
$
10

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
3

_________
(a)
Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.
(b)
Represents the maximum potential obligation in the event that the fair value of certain leased equipment and fleet vehicles is zero at the end of the maximum lease term. The lease term associated with these assets ranges from 1 to 8 years. The maximum potential obligation at the end of the minimum lease term would be $68 million guaranteed by Exelon and PHI, of which $22 million, $29 million and $17 million is guaranteed by Pepco, DPL and ACE, respectively. Historically, payments under the guarantees have not been made and PHI believes the likelihood of payments being required under the guarantees is remote.
Environmental Remediation Matters
General (All Registrants). The Registrants’ operations have in the past, and may in the future, require substantial expenditures to comply with environmental laws. Additionally, under Federal and state environmental laws, the Registrants are generally liable for the costs of remediating environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by them and of property contaminated by hazardous substances generated by them. The Registrants own or lease a number of real estate parcels, including parcels on which their operations or the operations of others may have resulted in contamination by substances that are considered hazardous under environmental laws. In addition, the Registrants are currently involved in a number of proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been deposited and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future. Unless otherwise disclosed, the Registrants cannot reasonably estimate whether they will incur significant liabilities for additional investigation and remediation costs at these or additional sites identified by the Registrants, environmental agencies or others, or whether such costs will be recoverable from third parties, including customers. Additional costs could have a material, unfavorable impact in the Registrants' financial statements.
MGP Sites (Exelon, ComEd, PECO, BGE, PHI and DPL). ComEd, PECO, BGE and DPL have identified sites where former MGP or gas purification activities have or may have resulted in actual site contamination. For almost all of these sites, there are additional PRPs that may share responsibility for the ultimate remediation of each location.
ComEd has identified 21 sites that are currently under some degree of active study and/or remediation. ComEd expects the majority of the remediation at these sites to continue through at least 2025.
PECO has 8 sites that are currently under some degree of active study and/or remediation. PECO expects the majority of the remediation at these sites to continue through at least 2022.
BGE has 4 sites that currently require some level of remediation and/or ongoing activity. BGE expects the majority of the remediation at these sites to continue through at least 2021.
DPL has 1 site that is currently under study and the required cost at the site is not expected to be material.
The historical nature of the MGP and gas purification sites and the fact that many of the sites have been buried and built over, impacts the ability to determine a precise estimate of the ultimate costs prior to initial sampling and determination of the exact scope and method of remedial activity. Management determines its best estimate of remediation costs using all available information at the time of each study, including probabilistic and deterministic modeling for ComEd and PECO, and the remediation standards currently required by the applicable state environmental agency. Prior to completion of any significant clean up, each site remediation plan is approved by the appropriate state environmental agency.
ComEd, pursuant to an ICC order, and PECO, pursuant to settlements of natural gas distribution rate cases with the PAPUC, are currently recovering environmental remediation costs of former MGP facility sites through customer rates. While BGE and DPL do not have riders for MGP clean-up costs, they have historically received recovery of actual clean-up costs in distribution rates.
As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Registrants had accrued the following undiscounted amounts for environmental liabilities in Other current liabilities and Other deferred credits and other liabilities within their respective Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Total environmental
investigation and
remediation liabilities
 
Portion of total related to
MGP investigation and
remediation
 
Total environmental
investigation and
remediation liabilities
 
Portion of total related to
MGP investigation and
remediation
Exelon
$
507


$
346

 
$
496


$
356

Generation
107

 

 
108

 

ComEd
328

 
327

 
329

 
327

PECO
20

 
18

 
27

 
25

BGE
3

 
1

 
5

 
4

PHI
49



 
27



Pepco
47

 

 
25

 

DPL
1

 

 
1

 

ACE
1

 

 
1

 

Cotter Corporation (Exelon and Generation). The EPA has advised Cotter Corporation (Cotter), a former ComEd subsidiary, that it is potentially liable in connection with radiological contamination at a site known as the West Lake Landfill in Missouri. In 2000, ComEd sold Cotter to an unaffiliated third-party. As part of the sale, ComEd agreed to indemnify Cotter for any liability arising in connection with the West Lake Landfill. In connection with Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring, this responsibility to indemnify Cotter was transferred to Generation. Including Cotter, there are three PRPs participating in the West Lake Landfill remediation proceeding. Investigation by Generation has identified a number of other parties who also may be PRPs and could be liable to contribute to the final remedy. Further investigation is ongoing.
In September 2018 the EPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment for the selection of the final remedy. The ROD modified the EPA’s previously proposed plan for partial excavation of the radiological materials by reducing the depths of the excavation. The ROD also allows for variation in depths of excavation depending on radiological concentrations. The EPA and the PRPs have entered into a Consent Agreement to perform the Remedial Design, which is expected to be completed in the 2020 - 2021 time frame. In March 2019 the PRPs received Special Notice Letters from the EPA to perform the Remedial Action work. The EPA has established a deadline of October 2019 for the PRPs to provide a good faith offer to conduct, or finance, the Remedial Action work. This schedule can be extended by the EPA pending completion of the Remedial Design. The estimated cost of the remedy, taking into account the current EPA technical requirements and the total costs expected to be incurred by the PRPs in fully executing the remedy, is approximately $280 million, including cost escalation on an undiscounted basis, which would be allocated among the final group of PRPs. Generation has determined that a loss associated with the EPA’s partial excavation and enhanced landfill cover remedy is probable and has recorded a liability included in the table above, that reflects management’s best estimate of Cotter’s allocable share of the ultimate cost. Given the joint and several nature of this liability, the magnitude of Generation’s ultimate liability will depend on the actual costs incurred to implement the required remediation remedy as well as on the nature and terms of any cost-sharing arrangements with the final group of PRPs. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate cost and Generation’s associated allocable share could differ significantly once these uncertainties are resolved, which could have a material impact on Exelon's and Generation's future financial statements.
One of the other PRPs has indicated it will be making a contribution claim against Cotter for costs that it has incurred to prevent the subsurface fire from spreading to those areas of the West Lake Landfill where radiological materials are believed to have been disposed. At this time, Exelon and Generation do not possess sufficient information to assess this claim and therefore are unable to estimate a range of loss, if any. As such, no liability has been recorded for the potential contribution claim. It is reasonably possible, however, that resolution of this matter could have a material, unfavorable impact on Exelon’s and Generation's financial statements.
In January 2018, the PRPs were advised by the EPA that it will begin an additional investigation and evaluation of groundwater conditions at the West Lake Landfill. In September 2018, the PRPs agreed to an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for the performance by the PRPs of the groundwater RI/FS. The
purpose of this RI/FS is to define the nature and extent of any groundwater contamination from the West Lake Landfill site and evaluate remedial alternatives. Generation estimates the undiscounted cost for the groundwater RI/FS to be approximately $20 million. Generation determined a loss associated with the RI/FS is probable and has recorded a liability included in the table above that reflects management’s best estimate of Cotter’s allocable share of the cost among the PRPs. At this time Generation cannot predict the likelihood or the extent to which, if any, remediation activities may be required and therefore cannot estimate a reasonably possible range of loss for response costs beyond those associated with the RI/FS component. It is reasonably possible, however, that resolution of this matter could have a material, unfavorable impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s future financial statements.
In August 2011, Cotter was notified by the DOJ that Cotter is considered a PRP with respect to the government’s clean-up costs for contamination attributable to low level radioactive residues at a former storage and reprocessing facility named Latty Avenue near St. Louis, Missouri. The Latty Avenue site is included in ComEd’s indemnification responsibilities discussed above as part of the sale of Cotter. The radioactive residues had been generated initially in connection with the processing of uranium ores as part of the U.S. Government’s Manhattan Project. Cotter purchased the residues in 1969 for initial processing at the Latty Avenue facility for the subsequent extraction of uranium and metals. In 1976, the NRC found that the Latty Avenue site had radiation levels exceeding NRC criteria for decontamination of land areas. Latty Avenue was investigated and remediated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to funding under FUSRAP. The DOJ has not yet formally advised the PRPs of the amount that it is seeking, but it is believed to be approximately $90 million from all PRPs. Pursuant to a series of annual agreements since 2011, the DOJ and the PRPs have tolled the statute of limitations until February 2020 so that settlement discussions could proceed. Generation has determined that a loss associated with this matter is probable under its indemnification agreement with Cotter and has recorded an estimated liability, which is included in the table above.
Benning Road Site (Exelon, Generation, PHI and Pepco). In September 2010, PHI received a letter from EPA identifying the Benning Road site as one of six land-based sites potentially contributing to contamination of the lower Anacostia River. A portion of the site was formerly the location of a Pepco Energy Services electric generating facility, which was deactivated in June 2012. The remaining portion of the site consists of a Pepco transmission and distribution service center that remains in operation. In December 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a Consent Decree entered into by Pepco and Pepco Energy Services with the DOEE, which requires Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to conduct a Remediation Investigation (RI)/ Feasibility Study (FS) for the Benning Road site and an approximately 10 to 15-acre portion of the adjacent Anacostia River.
Since 2013, Pepco and Pepco Energy Services (now Generation, pursuant to Exelon's 2016 acquisition of PHI) have been performing RI work and have submitted multiple draft RI reports to the DOEE. Once the RI work is completed, Pepco and Generation will issue a draft “final” RI report for review and comment by DOEE and the public. Pepco and Generation will then proceed to develop a FS to evaluate possible remedial alternatives for submission to DOEE. The Court has established a schedule for completion of the RI and FS, and approval by the DOEE, by September 16, 2021.
DOEE will then prepare a Proposed Plan and issue a Record of Decision identifying any further response actions determined to be necessary, after considering public comment on the Proposed Plan. PHI, Pepco and Generation have determined that a loss associated with this matter is probable and have accrued an estimated liability, which is included in the table above.
Anacostia River Tidal Reach (Exelon, PHI and Pepco). Contemporaneous with the Benning Road site RI/FS being performed by Pepco and Generation, DOEE and the National Park Service have been conducting a separate RI/FS focused on the entire tidal reach of the Anacostia River extending from just north of the Maryland-District of Columbia boundary line to the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. The river-wide RI incorporated the results of the river sampling performed by Pepco and Pepco Energy Services as part of the Benning RI/FS, as well as similar sampling efforts conducted by owners of other sites adjacent to this segment of the river and supplemental river sampling conducted by DOEE’s contractor. DOEE asked Pepco, along with parties responsible for other sites along the river, to participate in a "Consultative Working Group" to provide input into the process for future remedial actions and to ensure proper coordination with the other river cleanup efforts currently underway, including cleanup of the river segment adjacent to the Benning Road site resulting from the Benning Road site RI/FS. In addition, the District of Columbia Council directed DOEE to form an official advisory committee made up of members of federal, state and local environmental regulators, community and environmental groups and various academic and technical experts to provide guidance and support to DOEE as the project progressed. This group, called the Anacostia Leadership Council, has met regularly since it was formed. Pepco has participated in the Consultative Working
Group. In April 2018, DOEE released a draft RI report for public review and comment. Pepco submitted written comments to the draft RI and participated in a public hearing. The District of Columbia Council has set a deadline of December 31, 2019 for completion of the Record of Decision. An appropriate liability for Pepco’s share of investigation costs has been accrued and is included in the table above.
Pepco has determined that it is probable that costs for remediation will be incurred and recorded a liability in the third quarter 2019 for management’s best estimate of its share based on DOEE’s stated position following a series of meetings attended by representatives from the Anacostia Leadership Council and the Consultative Working Group. A draft FS, which Pepco believes will include the process to identify potential short-term remedies and actions based on the technical findings in the RI report and their estimated costs to the extent possible, is being prepared by DOEE and is expected later in the fourth quarter of 2019. DOEE and likely the National Park Service will continue to oversee ongoing remediation efforts and potential longer-term remedies for the Anacostia River. Pepco has concluded that incremental exposure remains reasonably possible, however management cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss beyond the amounts recorded, which are included in the table above.
In addition to the activities associated with the remedial process outlined above, there is a complementary statutory program that requires an assessment to determine if any natural resources have been damaged as a result of the contamination that is being remediated, and, if so, that a plan be developed by the federal, state and local Natural Resource Damage Trustees, who are defined by CERCLA as the responsible parties for the restoration or compensation for any loss of those resources from the environmental contaminants at the site. If natural resources cannot be restored, then compensation for the injury can be sought from the responsible parties. The assessment of Natural Resource Damages (NRD) typically takes place following cleanup because cleanups sometimes also effectively restore habitat. During the second quarter of 2018, Pepco became aware that the Trustees are in the beginning stages of this process that often takes many years beyond the remedial decision to complete. Pepco has concluded that a loss associated with the eventual NRD assessment is reasonably possible. Due to the very early stage of the assessment process it cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss.
Litigation and Regulatory Matters
Asbestos Personal Injury Claims (Exelon and Generation). Generation maintains a reserve for claims associated with asbestos-related personal injury actions in certain facilities that are currently owned by Generation or were previously owned by ComEd and PECO. The estimated liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis and exclude the estimated legal costs associated with handling these matters, which could be material.
At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Exelon and Generation had recorded estimated liabilities of approximately $83 million and $79 million, respectively, in total for asbestos-related bodily injury claims. As of September 30, 2019, approximately $25 million of this amount related to 257 open claims presented to Generation, while the remaining $58 million is for estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims anticipated to arise through 2055, based on actuarial assumptions and analyses, which are updated on an annual basis. On a quarterly basis, Generation monitors actual experience against the number of forecasted claims to be received and expected claim payments and evaluates whether adjustments to the estimated liabilities are necessary.
It is reasonably possible that additional exposure to estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims in excess of the amount accrued could have a material, unfavorable impact on Exelon’s and Generation’s financial statements.
City of Everett Tax Increment Financing Agreement (Exelon and Generation). On April 10, 2017, the City of Everett petitioned the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) to revoke the 1999 tax increment financing agreement (TIF Agreement) relating to Mystic Units 8 and 9 on the grounds that the total investment in Mystic Units 8 and 9 materially deviates from the investment set forth in the TIF Agreement. On October 31, 2017, a three-member panel of the EACC conducted an administrative hearing on the City’s petition. On November 30, 2017, the hearing panel issued a tentative decision denying the City’s petition, finding that there was no material misrepresentation that would justify revocation of the TIF Agreement. On December 13, 2017, the tentative decision was adopted by the full EACC. On January 12, 2018, the City filed a complaint in Massachusetts Superior Court requesting, among other things, that the court set aside the EACC’s decision, grant the City’s request to decertify the Project and the TIF Agreement, and award the City damages for alleged underpaid taxes over the period of the TIF Agreement. Generation vigorously contested the City’s claims before the EACC and will continue to do so in the Massachusetts Superior Court proceeding. Generation continues to believe that the City’s claim lacks merit. Accordingly, Generation has not recorded a liability for payment resulting from such a revocation, nor can Generation estimate a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, associated with any such revocation. Further,
it is reasonably possible that property taxes assessed in future periods, including those following the expiration of the current TIF Agreement in 2020, could be material to Generation’s financial statements.
Subpoenas (Exelon and ComEd). Exelon and ComEd received a grand jury subpoena in the second quarter of 2019 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois requiring production of information concerning their lobbying activities in the State of Illinois. On October 4, 2019, Exelon and ComEd received a second grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois requiring production of records of any communications with certain individuals and entities. On October 22, 2019, the SEC notified Exelon and ComEd that it has also opened an investigation into their lobbying activities. Exelon and ComEd have cooperated fully and intend to continue to cooperate fully and expeditiously with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the SEC. Exelon and ComEd cannot predict the outcome of the subpoenas or the SEC investigation.
General (All Registrants). The Registrants are involved in various other litigation matters that are being defended and handled in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. The Registrants maintain accruals for such losses that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss, particularly where (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.