SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Plant to be Retired

SCE&G expects to retire three units that are or were coal-fired by 2020, subject to future developments in environmental regulations, among other matters. The net carrying value of these units is identified as Plant to be Retired, Net in the consolidated financial statements. SCE&G plans to request recovery of and a return on the net carrying value of these units in future rate proceedings in connection with their retirement, and expects that such deferred amounts will be recovered through rates. In the meantime, these units remain in rate base, and SCE&G depreciates them using composite straight-line rates approved by the SCPSC. The net carrying value of three previously retired units is recorded in regulatory assets within unrecovered plant (see Note 2).

Earnings Per Share

The Company computes basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  The Company computes diluted earnings per share using this same formula after giving effect to securities considered to be dilutive potential common stock utilizing the treasury stock method.  There were no securities considered to be dilutive potential common stock during any period presented. The Company has issued no securities that would have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share.

Asset Management and Supply Service Agreements

PSNC Energy utilizes asset management and supply service agreements with counterparties for certain natural gas storage facilities.  Such counterparties held 32% and 48% of PSNC Energy’s natural gas inventory at March 31, 2015

and December 31, 2014, respectively, with a carrying value of $8.7 million and $26.1 million, respectively, through either capacity release or agency relationships.  Under the terms of the asset management agreements, PSNC Energy receives storage asset management feesof which 75% are credited to rate payers. No fees are received under supply service agreements. The agreements, which expired on March 31, 2015, have been replaced with similar agreements that expire March 31, 2017.

Income Statement Presentation

The Company presents the revenues and expenses of its regulated businesses and its retail natural gas marketing businesses (including those activities of segments described in Note 10) within operating income, and it presents all other activities within other income (expense). Consistent with this presentation, the gain on the sale of CGT is reflected within operating income and the gain on the sale of SCI is reflected within other income (expense).

New Accounting Matters

In April 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. Under this new guidance, only those discontinued operations which represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results should be reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements. As permitted, the Company adopted this new guidance for the period ended December 31, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for revenue arising from contracts with customers that supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized, and will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Currently, the Company would be required to adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of 2017, and early adoption would not be permitted. However, the FASB may defer the adoption of this guidance for one year.  The Company has not determined the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that such costs be deducted from the carrying amounts related to debt liabilities when presented in the balance sheet. As permitted, the Company expects to early adopt this new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2015.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its financial position.  The guidance will not affect the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement.  Among other things, the new guidance clarifies how to account for a software license element included in a cloud computing arrangement, and makes explicit that a cloud computing arrangement not containing a software license element should be accounted for as a service contract. The Company expects to adopt this new guidance in the first quarter of 2016. The Company is evaluating this guidance and has not determined what impact it will have on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SCEG

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Variable Interest Entities

SCE&G has determined that it has a controlling financial interest in GENCO and Fuel Company (which are considered to be VIEs) and, accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SCE&G, GENCO and Fuel Company. The equity interests in GENCO and Fuel Company are held solely by SCANA, SCE&G’s parent. Accordingly, GENCO’s and Fuel Company’s equity and results of operations are reflected as noncontrolling interest in Consolidated SCE&G’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

GENCO owns a coal-fired electric generating station with a 605 MW net generating capacity (summer rating). GENCO’s electricity is sold, pursuant to a FERC-approved tariff, solely to SCE&G under the terms of a power purchase agreement and related operating agreement. The effects of these transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Substantially all of GENCO’s property (carrying value of approximately $498 million) serves as collateral for its long-term borrowings. Fuel Company acquires, owns and provides financing for SCE&G’s nuclear fuel, certain fossil fuels and emission allowances. See also Note 4.

Plant to be Retired

SCE&G expects to retire three units that are or were coal-fired by 2020, subject to future developments in environmental regulations, among other matters. The net carrying value of these units is identified as Plant to be Retired, Net in the consolidated financial statements. SCE&G plans to request recovery of and a return on the net carrying value of these units in future rate proceedings in connection with their retirement, and expects that such deferred amounts will be recovered through rates. In the meantime, these units remain in rate base, and SCE&G depreciates them using composite straight-line rates approved by the SCPSC. The net carrying value of three previously retired units is recorded in regulatory assets within unrecovered plant (see Note 2).

New Accounting Matters

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for revenue arising from contracts with customers that supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized, and will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Currently, Consolidated SCE&G would be required to adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of 2017, and early adoption would not be permitted. However, the FASB may defer the adoption of this guidance for one year.  Consolidated SCE&G has not determined the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that such costs be deducted from the carrying amounts related to debt liabilities when presented in the balance sheet. As permitted, Consolidated SCE&G expects to early adopt this new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Consolidated SCE&G does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its financial position.  The guidance will not affect Consolidated SCE&G’s results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement.  Among other things, the new guidance clarifies how to account for a software license element included in a cloud computing arrangement, and makes explicit that a cloud computing arrangement not containing a software license element should be accounted for as a service contract. Consolidated SCE&G expects to adopt this new guidance in the first quarter of 2016. Consolidated SCE&G is evaluating this guidance and has not determined what impact it will have on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.