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Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative financial instruments are used to manage exposure to commodity price risk. These risks are managed in part by entering into forward commodity transactions, including options, swaps and futures. To mitigate credit risk from counterparties in the event of nonperformance, master netting agreements are used whenever possible and counterparties may be required to pledge collateral depending on the creditworthiness of each counterparty and the risk associated with the transaction.
Commodity Price Risk
Commodity price risk represents the potential impact that can be caused by a change in the market value of a particular commodity. SCE's electricity price exposure arises from energy purchased from and sold to wholesale markets as a result of differences between SCE's load requirements and the amount of energy delivered from its generating facilities and power purchase agreements. SCE's natural gas price exposure arises from natural gas purchased for the Mountainview power plant and peaker plants, QF contracts where pricing is based on a monthly natural gas index and power purchase agreements in which SCE has agreed to provide the natural gas needed for generation, referred to as tolling arrangements.
Credit and Default Risk
Credit and default risk represents the potential impact that can be caused if a counterparty were to default on its contractual obligations and SCE would be exposed to spot markets for buying replacement power or selling excess power. In addition, SCE would be exposed to the risk of non-payment of accounts receivable, primarily related to the sales of excess power and realized gains on derivative instruments.
Certain power contracts contain master netting agreements or similar agreements, which generally allows counterparties subject to the agreement to setoff amounts when certain criteria are met, such as in the event of default. The objective of netting is to reduce credit exposure. Additionally, to reduce SCE's risk exposures counterparties may be required to pledge collateral depending on the credit worthiness of each counterparty and the risk associated with the transaction.
Certain power contracts contain a provision that requires SCE to maintain an investment grade rating from each of the major credit rating agencies, referred to as a credit-risk-related contingent feature. If SCE's credit rating were to fall below investment grade, SCE may be required to pay the derivative liability or post additional collateral. The net fair value of all derivative liabilities with these credit-risk-related contingent features was $49 million and $6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for which SCE has posted no collateral to its counterparties for the respective periods. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on December 31, 2013, SCE would be required to post collateral in the amount of $5 million, excluding the impact of unpaid closed positions as their settlement is not impacted by the credit-risk-related contingent features.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
SCE presents its derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis on its consolidated balance sheets when subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements. Derivative positions are offset against margin and cash collateral deposits. In addition, SCE has provided collateral in the form of letters of credit. Collateral requirements can vary depending upon the level of unsecured credit extended by counterparties, changes in market prices relative to contractual commitments and other factors. The following table summarizes the gross and net fair values of SCE's commodity derivative instruments:
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
(in millions)
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
 
Subtotal
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
 
Subtotal
 
Net
Liability
Commodity derivative contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts recognized
 
$
141

 
$
251

 
$
392

 
$
178

 
$
1,045

 
$
1,223

 
$
831

Gross amounts offset in consolidated balance sheets
 
(19
)
 
—

 
(19
)
 
(19
)
 
—

 
(19
)
 
—

Cash collateral posted1
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7
)
 
(3
)
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
Net amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
$
122

 
$
251

 
$
373

 
$
152

 
$
1,042

 
$
1,194

 
$
821

 
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
(in millions)
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
 
Subtotal
 
Short-Term
 
Long-Term
 
Subtotal
 
Net
Liability
Commodity derivative contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts recognized
 
$
151

 
$
91

 
$
242

 
$
186

 
$
954

 
$
1,140

 
$
898

Gross amounts offset in consolidated balance sheets
 
(22
)
 
(6
)
 
(28
)
 
(22
)
 
(6
)
 
(28
)
 
—

Cash collateral posted1
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(38
)
 
(9
)
 
(47
)
 
(47
)
Net amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets
 
$
129

 
$
85

 
$
214

 
$
126

 
$
939

 
$
1,065

 
$
851

1 
In addition, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, SCE had posted $19 million and $8 million, respectively, of collateral that is not offset against derivative liabilities and is reflected in "Other current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.
Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments
SCE recognizes realized gains and losses on derivative instruments as purchased power expense and expects that such gains or losses will be part of the purchase power costs recovered from customers. As a result, realized gains and losses do not affect earnings, but may temporarily affect cash flows. Due to expected future recovery from customers, unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets and liabilities and therefore also do not affect earnings. The results of derivative activities and related regulatory offsets are recorded in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
The following table summarizes the components of SCE's economic hedging activity:
 
 
Years ended December 31,
(in millions)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Realized losses
 
$
(56
)
 
$
(227
)
 
$
(165
)
Unrealized gains (losses)
 
93

 
125

 
(768
)

Notional Volumes of Derivative Instruments
The following table summarizes the notional volumes of derivatives used for SCE hedging activities:
 
 
Economic Hedges
 
Unit of
December 31,
Commodity
Measure
2013
 
2012
Electricity options, swaps and forwards
GWh
6,274

 
15,884
Natural gas options, swaps and forwards
Bcf
12

 
100
Congestion revenue rights
GWh
149,234

 
149,774
Tolling arrangements
GWh
87,991

 
101,485