Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

We are a power generation company engaged in the ownership and operation of primarily natural gas-fired and geothermal power plants in North America. We have a significant presence in major competitive wholesale power markets in California (included in our West segment), Texas (included in our Texas segment) and the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions (included in our East segment) of the U.S. We sell power, steam, capacity, renewable energy credits and ancillary services to our customers, which include utilities, independent electric system operators, industrial and agricultural companies, retail power providers, municipalities and other governmental entities, power marketers as well as retail commercial, industrial, governmental and residential customers. We purchase primarily natural gas and some fuel oil as fuel for our power plants and engage in related natural gas transportation and storage transactions. We also purchase power for sale to our retail customers and purchase electric transmission rights to deliver power to our customers. Additionally, consistent with our Risk Management Policy, we enter into natural gas, power, environmental product, fuel oil and other physical and financial commodity contracts to hedge certain business risks and optimize our portfolio of power plants.

Basis of Interim Presentation — The accompanying unaudited, interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Calpine Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and consolidated subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information required to be set forth therein. Certain information and note disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in our 2015 Form 10-K. The results for interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year primarily due to acquisitions and disposals of assets, seasonal fluctuations in our revenues and expenses, timing of major maintenance expense, variations resulting from the application of the method to calculate the provision for income tax for interim periods, volatility of commodity prices and mark-to-market gains and losses from commodity and interest rate derivative contracts.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures included in our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We have cash and cash equivalents held in non-corporate accounts relating to certain project finance facilities and lease agreements that require us to establish and maintain segregated cash accounts. These accounts have been pledged as security in favor of the lenders under such project finance facilities, and the use of certain cash balances on deposit in such accounts is limited, at least temporarily, to the operations of the respective projects.

Restricted Cash — Certain of our debt agreements, lease agreements or other operating agreements require us to establish and maintain segregated cash accounts, the use of which is restricted, making these cash funds unavailable for general use. These amounts are held by depository banks in order to comply with the contractual provisions requiring reserves for payments such as for debt service, rent and major maintenance or with applicable regulatory requirements. Funds that can be used to satisfy obligations due during the next 12 months are classified as current restricted cash, with the remainder classified as non-current restricted cash. Restricted cash is generally invested in accounts earning market rates; therefore, the carrying value approximates fair value. Such cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and Statements of Cash Flows.

The table below represents the components of our restricted cash as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in millions):



	September 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Current		Non-Current		Total		Current		Non-Current		Total
Debt service	$	39	$	7	$	46	$	28	$	8	$	36
Construction/major maintenance	34		4		38		50		2		52
Security/project/insurance	134		2		136		136		—		136
Other	3		2		5		2		2		4
Total	$	210	$	15	$	225	$	216	$	12	$	228

Business Interruption Proceeds — We record business interruption insurance proceeds when they are realizable and recorded approximately $9 million and $17 million of business interruption proceeds in operating revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. We did not record any business interruption proceeds during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net — At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the components of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation as follows (in millions):



	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		Depreciable Lives
Buildings, machinery and equipment	$	16,478	$	16,294	3 – 46 Years
Geothermal properties	1,376		1,319		13 – 58 Years
Other	228		208		3 – 46 Years
	18,082		17,821
Less: Accumulated depreciation	5,719		5,377
	12,363		12,444
Land	119		120
Construction in progress	587		448
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	13,069	$	13,012

Capitalized Interest — The total amount of interest capitalized was $5 million and $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and $14 million and $12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Impairment Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets (Including Intangibles and Investments)

We evaluate our long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, equity method investments and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Equipment assigned to each power plant is not evaluated for impairment separately; instead, we evaluate our operating power plants and related equipment as a whole unit. When we believe an impairment condition may have occurred, we are required to estimate the undiscounted future cash flows associated with a long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities for long-lived assets that are expected to be held and used. We use a fundamental long-term view of the power market which is based on long-term production volumes, price curves and operating costs together with the regulatory and environmental requirements within each individual market to prepare our multi-year forecast. Since we manage and market our power sales as a portfolio rather than at the individual power plant level or customer level within each designated market, pool or segment, we group our power plants based upon the corresponding market for valuation purposes. If we determine that the undiscounted cash flows from an asset or group of assets to be held and used are less than the associated carrying amount, or if we have classified an asset as held for sale, we must estimate fair value to determine the amount of any impairment loss. All construction and development projects are reviewed for impairment whenever there is an indication of potential reduction in fair value. If it is determined that a construction or development project is no longer probable of completion and the capitalized costs will not be recovered through future operations, the carrying value of the project will be written down to its fair value.

In order to estimate future cash flows, we consider historical cash flows, existing contracts, capacity prices and PPAs, changes in the market environment and other factors that may affect future cash flows. To the extent applicable, the assumptions we use are consistent with forecasts that we are otherwise required to make (for example, in preparing our earnings forecasts). The use of this method involves inherent uncertainty. We use our best estimates in making these evaluations and consider various factors, including forward price curves for power and fuel costs and forecasted operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates, and the effect of such variations could be material.

When we determine that our assets meet the assets held-for-sale criteria, they are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less the cost to sell. We are also required to evaluate our equity method investments to determine whether or not they are impaired when the value is considered an “other than a temporary” decline in value.

Generally, fair value will be determined using valuation techniques such as the present value of expected future cash flows. We will also discount the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset using a single interest rate representative of the risk involved with such an investment including contract terms, tenor and credit risk of counterparties. We may also consider prices of similar assets, consult with brokers, or employ other valuation techniques. We use our best estimates in making these evaluations and consider various factors, including forward price curves for power and fuel costs and forecasted operating costs. However, actual future market prices and project costs could vary from the assumptions used in our estimates, and the effect of such variations could be material.

We did not record any material impairments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

New Accounting Standards and Disclosure Requirements

Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The comprehensive new revenue recognition standard will supersede all existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption with early adoption being prohibited. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 for public entities by one year, such that the standard will become effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard permits entities to adopt early, but only as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-08 “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” which clarifies implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In May 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” which addresses assessing the collectability of a contract, the presentation of sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers, non-cash consideration and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. We are currently assessing the potential effect the revenue recognition standard may have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Consolidation — In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, “Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” The standard amends the consolidation model used in determining whether a reporting entity should consolidate the financial results of certain of its partially- and wholly-owned subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are voting interest entities or VIEs, (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate the financial results of a limited partnership, (iii) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships and (iv) provide an exception for certain types of entities. This standard became effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 in the first quarter of 2016 which did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Debt Issuance Costs — In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The standard requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, which is consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements” which allows an entity to present debt issuance costs associated with a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The standards became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. We retrospectively adopted Accounting Standard Updates 2015-03 and 2015-15 in the first quarter of 2016 which resulted in a $152 million reclassification of debt issuance costs from other assets to debt, net of current portion on our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015.

Cloud Computing Arrangements — In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-05, “Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” The standard provides guidance regarding whether a cloud computing arrangement represents a software license or a service contract. The standard became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods. We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2015-05 in the first quarter of 2016 which did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Inventory — In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” The standard changes the inventory valuation method from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost or net realizable value for inventory valued under the first-in, first-out or average cost methods. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods and requires prospective adoption with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of adopting this standard.

Leases — In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases.” The comprehensive new lease standard will supersede all existing lease guidance. The standard requires that a lessee should recognize a right-to-use asset and a lease liability for substantially all operating leases based on the present value of the minimum rental payments. Entities may make an accounting policy election to not recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. For lessors, the accounting for leases remains substantially unchanged. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding leases. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period and requires modified retrospective adoption with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effect this standard may have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation — In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The standard applies to several aspects of accounting for stock-based compensation including the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies and their related presentation in the statement of cash flows as well as accounting for forfeitures. The standard also requires that shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of restricted stock awarded to employees be presented as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods and allows for prospective, retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, depending on the area covered in the standard, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 in the third quarter of 2016. The cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit for all excess tax benefits not previously recognized as of the beginning of the year is substantially offset by a corresponding change in the valuation allowance. The implementation of Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Statement of Cash Flows — In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The standard addresses several matters of diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows including the presentation of debt extinguishment costs and distributions received from equity method investments. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods and allows for retrospective adoption with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of adopting this standard.