XML 61 R29.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Sempra Energy, a California-based Fortune 500 energy-services holding company, and its consolidated subsidiaries and VIEs. Sempra Global is the holding company for most of our subsidiaries that are not subject to California or Texas utility regulation. Sempra Energy’s businesses are managed within seven separate reportable segments, which we discuss in Note 17. All references in these Notes to our reportable segments are not intended to refer to any legal entity with the same or similar name.
Our Sempra Mexico segment includes the operating companies of our subsidiary, IEnova, as well as certain holding companies and risk management activity. IEnova is a separate legal entity comprised of Sempra Energy’s operations in Mexico. IEnova is included within our Sempra Mexico reportable segment, but is not the same in its entirety as the reportable segment. IEnova’s financial results are reported in Mexico under International Financial Reporting Standards, as required by the Mexican Stock Exchange, where its shares are traded under the symbol IENOVA.
Sempra Energy uses the equity method to account for investments in companies over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control. We discuss our investments in unconsolidated entities in Notes 5, 6 and 12.
SDG&E
SDG&E’s Consolidated Financial Statements include its accounts and the accounts of a VIE of which SDG&E is the primary beneficiary, as we discuss below in “Variable Interest Entities.” SDG&E’s common stock is wholly owned by Enova, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy.
SoCalGas
SoCalGas’ common stock is wholly owned by PE, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy.
In this report, we refer to SDG&E and SoCalGas collectively as the California Utilities.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
This is a combined report of Sempra Energy, SDG&E and SoCalGas. We provide separate information for SDG&E and SoCalGas as required. References in this report to “we,” “our” and “Sempra Energy Consolidated” are to Sempra Energy and its consolidated entities, unless otherwise indicated by the context. We have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions within the consolidated financial statements of each reporting entity.
Throughout this report, we refer to the following as Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements when discussed together or collectively:
the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries and VIEs;
the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes of SDG&E and its VIE; and
the Financial Statements and related Notes of SoCalGas.
Reclassification on the Consolidated Statements of Operations Reclassification on the Consolidated Statements of OperationsWe have made a reclassification on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 to conform to current year presentation. Line item captions for equity earnings (losses) before income tax and net of income tax have been combined into one line and presented after income tax expense (benefit). This reclassification is intended to treat the presentation of earnings from all equity method investees consistently and simplify the presentation on the statement of operations, while continuing to provide additional detail in the notes to the financial statements
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial StatementsWe have prepared our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. This requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes, including the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual amounts ultimately may differ significantly from those estimates.
Subsequent Events Subsequent EventsWe evaluated events and transactions that occurred after December 31, 2018 through the date the financial statements were issued, and in the opinion of management, the accompanying statements reflect all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation.
Effects of Regulation EFFECTS OF REGULATION
The California Utilities’ accounting policies and financial statements reflect the application of U.S. GAAP provisions governing rate-regulated operations and the policies of the CPUC and the FERC. Under these provisions, a regulated utility records regulatory assets, which are generally costs that would otherwise be charged to expense, if it is probable that, through the ratemaking process, the utility will recover those assets from customers. To the extent that recovery is no longer probable, the related regulatory assets are written off. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts collected from customers in advance of the actual expenditure by the utility. If the actual expenditures are less than amounts previously collected from ratepayers, the excess would be refunded to customers, generally by reducing future rates. Regulatory liabilities may also arise from other transactions such as unrealized gains on fixed price contracts and other derivatives or certain deferred income tax benefits that are passed through to customers in future rates. In addition, the California Utilities record regulatory liabilities when the CPUC or the FERC requires a refund to be made to customers or has required that a gain or other transaction of net allowable costs be given to customers over future periods.
Determining probability of recovery of regulatory assets requires significant judgment by management and may include, but is not limited to, consideration of:
the nature of the event giving rise to the assessment;
existing statutes and regulatory code;
legal precedents;
regulatory principles and analogous regulatory actions;
testimony presented in regulatory hearings;
regulatory orders;
a commission-authorized mechanism established for the accumulation of costs;
status of applications for rehearings or state court appeals;
specific approval from a commission; and
historical experience.
Sempra Mexico’s natural gas distribution utility, Ecogas, also applies U.S. GAAP for rate-regulated utilities to its operations, including the same evaluation of probability of recovery of regulatory assets described above.
We provide information concerning regulatory assets and liabilities in Note 4.
Our Sempra Texas Utility segment is comprised of our equity method investment in Oncor Holdings, which owns 80.25 percent of Oncor, as we discuss in Notes 5 and 6. Oncor is a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility in the State of Texas. Oncor’s rates are regulated by the PUCT and certain cities and are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes and annual earnings oversight. Oncor prepares its financial statements in accordance with the provisions of U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations.
Sempra South American Utilities has controlling interests in two electric distribution utilities in South America, Chilquinta Energía in Chile and Luz del Sur in Peru, and their subsidiaries. Revenues are based on tariffs that are set by government agencies in their respective countries based on an efficient model distribution company defined by those agencies. Because the tariffs are based on a model and are intended to cover the costs of the model company, but are not based on the costs of the specific utility and may not result in full cost recovery, these utilities do not meet the requirements necessary for, and therefore do not apply, regulatory accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP.
Certain business activities at IEnova are regulated by the CRE and meet the regulatory accounting requirements of U.S. GAAP. Pipeline projects currently under construction by IEnova that meet the regulatory accounting requirements of U.S. GAAP record the impact of AFUDC related to equity. We discuss AFUDC below in “Property, Plant and Equipment.”
Fair Value Measurements FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, primarily nuclear decommissioning and benefit plan trust assets and derivatives. We also measure certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis in certain circumstances. These assets can include goodwill, intangible assets, equity method investments and other long-lived assets.
“Fair value” is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).
A fair value measurement reflects the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best available information. These assumptions include the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. Also, we consider an issuer’s credit standing when measuring its liabilities at fair value.
We establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 Pricing inputs are unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Our Level 1 financial instruments primarily consist of listed equities and U.S. government treasury securities, primarily in the NDT and benefit plan trusts, and exchange-traded derivatives.
Level 2 Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including:
quoted forward prices for commodities;
time value;
current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments;
volatility factors; and
other relevant economic measures.
Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Our financial instruments in this category include listed equities, domestic corporate bonds, municipal bonds and other foreign bonds, primarily
in the NDT and benefit plan trusts, and non-exchange-traded derivatives such as interest rate instruments and over-the-counter forwards and options.
Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value from the perspective of a market participant. Our Level 3 financial instruments consist of CRRs and fixed-price electricity positions at SDG&E.Fair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe fair values of certain of our financial instruments (cash, accounts and notes receivable, short-term amounts due to/from unconsolidated affiliates, dividends and accounts payable, short-term debt and customer deposits) approximate their carrying amounts because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments in life insurance contracts that we hold in support of our Supplemental Executive Retirement, Cash Balance Restoration and Deferred Compensation Plans are carried at cash surrender values, which represent the amount of cash that could be realized under the contracts.RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASURES
The three tables below, by level within the fair value hierarchy, set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017. We classify financial assets and liabilities in their entirety based
on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities, and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of commodity derivative assets and liabilities is presented in accordance with our netting policy, as we discuss in Note 11 in “Financial Statement Presentation.”
The determination of fair values, shown in the tables below, incorporates various factors, including but not limited to, the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, letters of credit and priority interests).
Our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis in the tables below include the following (other than a $10 million investment at December 31, 2018 measured at NAV):
Nuclear decommissioning trusts reflect the assets of SDG&E’s NDT, excluding cash balances. A third party trustee values the trust assets using prices from a pricing service based on a market approach. We validate these prices by comparison to prices from other independent data sources. Securities are valued using quoted prices listed on nationally recognized securities exchanges or based on closing prices reported in the active market in which the identical security is traded (Level 1). Other securities are valued based on yields that are currently available for comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings (Level 2).
For commodity contracts, interest rate derivatives and foreign exchange instruments, we primarily use a market approach with market participant assumptions to value these derivatives. Market participant assumptions include those about risk, and the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation techniques. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. We have exchange-traded derivatives that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for the identical instruments (Level 1). We also may have other commodity derivatives that are valued using industry standard models that consider quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, volatility factors, and other relevant economic measures (Level 2). Level 3 recurring items relate to CRRs and long-term, fixed-price electricity positions at SDG&E, as we discuss below in “Level 3 Information.”
Rabbi Trust investments include marketable securities that we value using a market approach based on closing prices reported in the active market in which the identical security is traded (Level 1). These investments in marketable securities were negligible at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSCash equivalents are highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Collection Allowances COLLECTION ALLOWANCESWe record allowances for the collection of trade and other accounts and notes receivable, which include allowances for doubtful customer accounts and for other receivables.We evaluate accounts receivable collectability using a combination of factors, including past due status based on contractual terms, trends in write-offs, the age of the receivable, counterparty creditworthiness, economic conditions and specific events, such as bankruptcies. Adjustments to collection allowances are made when necessary based on the results of analysis, the aging of receivables, and historical and industry trends.We write off accounts receivable in the period in which we deem the receivable to be uncollectible. We record recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off when it is known that they will be received.
Inventories INVENTORIES
The California Utilities value natural gas inventory using the LIFO method. As inventories are sold, differences between the LIFO valuation and the estimated replacement cost are reflected in customer rates. These differences are generally temporary, but may become permanent if the natural gas inventory withdrawn from storage during the year is not replaced by year end. The California Utilities generally value materials and supplies at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.
Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Renewables and Sempra LNG & Midstream value natural gas inventory and materials and supplies at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Sempra Mexico and Sempra LNG & Midstream value LNG inventory using the first-in first-out method.
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense includes current and deferred income taxes. We record deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the book and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. ITCs from prior years are amortized to income by the California Utilities over the estimated service lives of the properties as required by the CPUC. At our other businesses, we reduce the book basis of the related asset by the amount of ITCs earned. At Sempra Renewables, PTCs have been recognized as income tax benefits as earned.
Under the regulatory accounting treatment required for flow-through temporary differences, the California Utilities and Sempra Mexico recognize:
regulatory assets to offset deferred income tax liabilities if it is probable that the amounts will be recovered from customers; and
regulatory liabilities to offset deferred income tax assets if it is probable that the amounts will be returned to customers.
When there are uncertainties related to potential income tax benefits, in order to qualify for recognition, the position we take has to have at least a more likely than not chance of being sustained (based on the position’s technical merits) upon challenge by the respective authorities. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, we may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. We recognize a benefit for a tax position that meets the more likely than not criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution.
Unrecognized tax benefits involve management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect our ETR.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law. As a result, all cumulative undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries were deemed repatriated and subjected to a one-time U.S. federal deemed repatriation tax. To the extent we intend to repatriate cash into the U.S., incremental U.S. state and non-U.S. withholding taxes are accrued. We currently do not record deferred income taxes for other basis differences between financial statement and income tax investment amounts in non-U.S. subsidiaries to the extent the related cumulative undistributed earnings are indefinitely reinvested. We recognize income tax expense for basis differences related to global intangible low-taxed income as a period cost if and when incurred.
We provide additional information about income taxes in Note 8.On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was signed into law. This legislation significantly changed the IRC. Under U.S. GAAP, certain effects of the TCJA were required to be recognized upon enactment, and, as a result, Sempra Energy, SDG&E, and SoCalGas recorded these effects in 2017.
The TCJA reduced the U.S. statutory corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. U.S. GAAP requires that deferred income tax assets and liabilities, including NOLs, be remeasured at the income tax rate expected to apply when those temporary differences reverse and that the effects of any change to such income tax rate be recognized in the period when the change was enacted. This remeasurement resulted in significant reductions in deferred income tax balances at Sempra Energy Consolidated, SDG&E and SoCalGas in 2017.
The remeasurement of deferred income tax balances at SDG&E and SoCalGas resulted in excess deferred income taxes that previously have been collected from ratepayers at the higher rate. As we discuss in Note 4, these excess deferred income taxes have been recorded as regulatory liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 and will generally be refunded to ratepayers in accordance with the IRC’s normalization provisions and as determined by the CPUC and the FERC. Certain components of deferred income taxes could be attributed to shareholders rather than ratepayers. These components include deferred income taxes generated by activities outside of ratemaking.
We have not recorded deferred income taxes with respect to remaining basis differences of approximately $1 billion between financial statement and income tax investment amounts in our non-U.S. subsidiaries because we consider them to be indefinitely reinvested as of December 31, 2018. It is currently not practicable to determine the hypothetical amount of tax that might be payable if the underlying basis differences were realized. On January 25, 2019, our board of directors approved a plan to sell our South American businesses. We are evaluating the effects of the planned sale on our indefinite reinvestment assertion and expect to record any impacts to our tax provision in the first quarter of 2019.
For SDG&E and SoCalGas, the CPUC requires flow-through rate-making treatment for the current income tax benefit or expense arising from certain property-related and other temporary differences between the treatment for financial reporting and income tax, which will reverse over time. Under the regulatory accounting treatment required for these flow-through temporary differences, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are not recorded to deferred income tax expense, but rather to a regulatory asset or liability, which impacts the ETR. As a result, changes in the relative size of these items compared to pretax income, from period to period, can cause variations in the ETR. The following items are subject to flow-through treatment:
repairs expenditures related to a certain portion of utility plant fixed assets;
the equity portion of AFUDC, which is non-taxable;
a portion of the cost of removal of utility plant assets;
utility self-developed software expenditures;
depreciation on a certain portion of utility plant assets; and
state income taxes.
The AFUDC related to equity recorded for regulated construction projects at Sempra Mexico has similar flow-through treatment.
The 2016 GRC FD required SDG&E and SoCalGas to each establish a two-way income tax expense memorandum account to track certain revenue variances resulting from certain differences between the income tax expense forecasted in the GRC and the income tax expense incurred from 2016 through 2018. We discuss the tracking accounts further in Note 4.
We record income tax (expense) benefit from the transactional effects of foreign currency and inflation. Such effects are partially mitigated by net gains (losses) from foreign currency derivatives that are hedging Sempra Mexico parent’s exposure to movements in the Mexican peso from its controlling interest in IEnova.
Greenhouse Gas Allowances and Obligations and Emissions and Renewable Energy Certificates GREENHOUSE GAS ALLOWANCES AND OBLIGATIONSThe California Utilities, Sempra Mexico and Sempra LNG & Midstream are required by California AB 32 to acquire GHG allowances for every metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted into the atmosphere during electric generation and natural gas transportation. At the California Utilities, many GHG allowances are allocated to us on behalf of our customers at no cost. We record purchased and allocated GHG allowances at the lower of weighted-average cost or market. We measure the compliance obligation, which is based on emissions, at the carrying value of allowances held plus the fair value of additional allowances necessary to satisfy the obligation. The California Utilities balance costs and revenues associated with the GHG program through regulatory balancing accounts. Sempra Mexico and Sempra LNG & Midstream record the cost of GHG obligations in cost of sales. We remove the assets and liabilities from the balance sheets as the allowances are surrendered.RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES
RECs are energy rights established by governmental agencies for the environmental and social promotion of renewable electricity generation. A REC, and its associated attributes and benefits, can be sold separately from the underlying physical electricity associated with a renewable-based generation source in certain markets.
Retail sellers of electricity obtain RECs through renewable energy PPAs, internal generation or separate purchases in the market to comply with the RPS established by the governmental agencies. RECs provide documentation for the generation of a unit of renewable energy that is used to verify compliance with the RPS. The cost of RECs at SDG&E, which is recoverable in rates, is recorded in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
PP&E primarily represents the buildings, equipment and other facilities used by the California Utilities to provide natural gas and electric utility services, and by the Sempra Global businesses in their operations, including construction work in progress at these segments. PP&E also includes lease improvements and other equipment at Parent and Other, as well as property acquired under a build-to-suit lease, which we discuss further in Note 16.
Our plant costs include:
labor;
materials and contract services; and
expenditures for replacement parts incurred during a major maintenance outage of a plant.
In addition, the cost of utility plant at our rate-regulated businesses and PP&E under regulated projects that meet the regulatory accounting requirements of U.S. GAAP at Sempra Mexico includes AFUDC. We discuss AFUDC below. The cost of other PP&E includes capitalized interest.
Maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The cost of most retired depreciable utility plant assets less salvage value is charged to accumulated depreciation.The California Utilities finance their construction projects with debt and equity funds. The CPUC and the FERC allow the recovery of the cost of these funds by the capitalization of AFUDC, calculated using rates authorized by the CPUC and the FERC, as a cost component of PP&E. The California Utilities earn a return on the capitalized AFUDC after the utility property is placed in service and recover the AFUDC from their customers over the expected useful lives of the assets.
Pipeline projects currently under construction by Sempra Mexico that are both subject to certain regulation and meet U.S. GAAP regulatory accounting requirements record the impact of AFUDC.
We capitalize interest costs incurred to finance capital projects. We also capitalize interest on equity method investments that have not commenced planned principal operations. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated original composite useful life, the CPUC-prescribed period for the California Utilities, or the remaining term of the site leases, whichever is shortest.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other Intangible Assets at December 31, 2018 primarily includes:
a renewable energy transmission and consumption permit previously granted by the CRE that was acquired in connection with the acquisition of the Ventika wind power generation facilities;
a favorable O&M agreement acquired in connection with the acquisition of DEN, which we discuss in Note 5; and
in connection with the CTNG acquisition that we disclose in Note 5, concession permits allowing CTNG to operate transmission lines and substation assets into perpetuity.GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets of acquired companies measured at the time of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but we test it for impairment annually on October 1 or whenever events or changes in circumstances necessitate an evaluation. If the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, and the book value of goodwill is greater than its fair value on the test date, we record a goodwill impairment loss.
For our annual goodwill impairment testing, under current U.S. GAAP guidance we have the option to first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step, quantitative goodwill impairment test. If we elect to perform the qualitative assessment, we evaluate
relevant events and circumstances, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, changes in key personnel and the overall financial performance of the reporting unit. If, after assessing these qualitative factors, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. When we perform the two-step, quantitative goodwill impairment test, we exercise judgment to develop estimates of the fair value of the reporting unit and the corresponding goodwill. Our fair value estimates are developed from the perspective of a knowledgeable market participant. We consider observable transactions in the marketplace for similar investments, if available, as well as an income-based approach such as discounted cash flow analysis. A discounted cash flow analysis may be based directly on anticipated future revenues and expenses and may be performed based on free cash flows generated within the reporting unit. Critical assumptions that affect our estimates of fair value may include:
consideration of market transactions;
future cash flows;
the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate;
country risk; and
entity risk
Long-lived Assets LONG-LIVED ASSETS
We test long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may affect the recoverability or the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets include intangible assets subject to amortization, but do not include investments in unconsolidated entities. Events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable may include:
significant decreases in the market price of an asset;
a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which we use an asset or in its physical condition;
a significant adverse change in legal or regulatory factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of an asset;
a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection of continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset; and
a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.
A long-lived asset may be impaired when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. If that comparison indicates that the asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable, the impairment is measured based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which separately identifiable cash flows exist.
Variable Interest Entities (VIE) We consolidate a VIE if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary is based upon qualitative and quantitative analyses, which assess:
the purpose and design of the VIE;
the nature of the VIE’s risks and the risks we absorb;
the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE; and
the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.
Asset Retirement Obligations ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONSFor tangible long-lived assets, we record AROs for the present value of liabilities of future costs expected to be incurred when assets are retired from service, if the retirement process is legally required and if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. We also record a liability if a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement exists and can be reasonably estimated, but performance is conditional upon a future event. We record the estimated retirement cost over the life of the related asset by depreciating the asset retirement cost (measured as the present value of the obligation at the time the asset is placed into service), and accreting the obligation until the liability is settled. Our rate-regulated entities, including the California Utilities, record regulatory assets or liabilities as a result of the timing difference between the recognition of costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP and costs recovered through the rate-making process.
Contingencies CONTINGENCIES
We accrue losses for the estimated impacts of various conditions, situations or circumstances involving uncertain outcomes. For loss contingencies, we accrue the loss if an event has occurred on or before the balance sheet date and:
information available through the date we file our financial statements indicates it is probable that a loss has been incurred, given the likelihood of uncertain future events; and
the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
We do not accrue contingencies that might result in gains. We continuously assess contingencies for litigation claims, environmental remediation and other events.
Legal Fees LEGAL FEESLegal fees that are associated with a past event for which a liability has been recorded are accrued when it is probable that fees also will be incurred and amounts are estimable.LEGAL PROCEEDINGSWe accrue losses for a legal proceeding when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. However, the uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings make it difficult to reasonably estimate the costs and effects of resolving these matters. Accordingly, actual costs incurred may differ materially from amounts accrued, may exceed applicable insurance coverage and could materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Unless otherwise indicated, we are unable to estimate reasonably possible losses in excess of any amounts accrued.
Comprehensive Income COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income includes all changes in the equity of a business enterprise (except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners), including:
foreign currency translation adjustments;
certain hedging activities;
changes in unamortized net actuarial gain or loss and prior service cost related to pension and other postretirement benefits plans; and
unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities.
The Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) show the changes in the components of OCI, including the amounts attributable to NCI.
Noncontrolling Interests NONCONTROLLING INTERESTSOwnership interests that are held by owners other than Sempra Energy and SDG&E in subsidiaries or entities consolidated by them are accounted for and reported as NCI. As a result, NCI is reported as a separate component of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Earnings or losses attributable to NCI are separately identified on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and net income or loss and comprehensive income or loss attributable to NCI are separately identified on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity.
Other Cost of Sales OTHER COST OF SALES
Other Cost of Sales primarily includes:
pipeline capacity costs, including the permanent release of pipeline capacity in 2016 and the associated recoveries in 2017, at Sempra LNG & Midstream;
pipeline transportation and natural gas marketing costs at Sempra LNG & Midstream;
electric construction services costs at Sempra South American Utilities’ energy-services companies; and
energy management service fees and costs associated with construction performed for and invoiced to third parties at Sempra Mexico.
Operation and Maintenance Expenses OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSESOperation and Maintenance includes O&M and general and administrative costs, consisting primarily of personnel costs, purchased materials and services, litigation expense and rent.
Foreign Currency Translation FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The majority of our operations in South America as well as our natural gas distribution utility in Mexico use their local currency as their functional currency. The assets and liabilities of their foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the end of the reporting period, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting noncash translation adjustments do not enter into the calculation of earnings or retained earnings, but are reflected in OCI and in AOCI.
Cash flows of these consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the period. We report the effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies in “Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash” on the Sempra Energy Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
New Accounting Standards NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
We describe below recent accounting pronouncements that have had or may have a significant effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” ASU 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date,” ASU 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” and ASU 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”: ASU 2014-09 adds ASC 606 to provide accounting guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers. The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain nonfinancial assets, such as property and equipment, including real estate. This guidance must be adopted using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented in the period of adoption or a modified retrospective approach. Amending ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-08 clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, ASU 2016-10 clarifies the determination of whether a good or service is separately identifiable from other promises and revenue recognition related to licenses of intellectual property, and ASU 2016-12 provides guidance on transition, collectability, noncash consideration, and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes. The ASUs are codified in ASC 606.
We adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, applying the modified retrospective transition method to all contracts as of January 1, 2018 and elected to use certain practical expedients available under the transition guidance. The impact from adoption was not material to our financial statements, and the timing of our revenue recognition has remained materially consistent before and after the adoption of ASC 606. The new revenue standard provides specific guidance for combining contracts, which resulted in a prospective reclassification between cost of sales and revenues within our Sempra LNG & Midstream segment. This reclassification had no impact on Sempra Energy’s consolidated revenues or cost of sales. Our additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues arising from contracts with customers are included in Note 3.
ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” and ASU 2018-03, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments – Overall”: In addition to the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments, ASU 2016-01 requires entities to measure equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in net income. Entities will no longer be able to use the cost method of accounting for equity securities. However, for equity investments without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient to estimate fair value using NAV per share, entities may elect a measurement alternative that will allow those investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. ASU 2018-03 clarifies that the prospective transition approach for equity investments without readily determinable fair values is meant only for instances in which the measurement alternative is elected. Entities must record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is adopted, except for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, for which the guidance will be applied prospectively.
We adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 on January 1, 2018. Sempra Energy recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to decrease Retained Earnings and Other Investments as of January 1, 2018 by $1 million.
ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” ASU 2018-01, “Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842,” ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” and ASU 2018-20, “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors” (collectively referred to as the “lease standard”): ASU 2016-02 requires entities to recognize substantially all of their leases on the balance sheet as ROU assets and lease liabilities. Entities may elect to exclude from the balance sheet those leases with a term of 12 months or less. For lessees, a lease is classified as finance or operating, and initially the asset and liability for each lease type is generally measured at the present value of the fixed lease payments. ASU 2016-02 also requires new qualitative and quantitative disclosures for both lessees and lessors. ASU 2018-10 makes technical corrections and clarifications to the accounting guidance in ASC 842.
For lessors, accounting for leases is largely unchanged from previous provisions of U.S. GAAP, other than certain changes to the lease identification criteria and aligning the principles of the lessor model with those introduced in ASC 606. ASU 2018-20 addresses the following issues that lessors encounter when applying ASU 2016-02: (a) sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees, (b) certain lessor costs paid directly by the lessee and (c) recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and nonlease components.
For public entities, the lease standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2018-11 provides entities an optional transition method to apply the new guidance as of the adoption date, rather than as of the earliest period presented. In transition, entities may elect certain practical expedients when applying ASU 2016-02. These include a package of practical expedients that must be applied in its entirety to all leases that had commenced before the effective date and would allow an entity to not reassess (a) the existence of a lease, (b) lease classification or (c) determination of initial direct costs, which effectively allows entities to carryforward accounting conclusions under previous U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-02 also includes a practical expedient to use hindsight in making judgments when determining the lease term and any long-lived asset impairment. ASU 2018-01 allows entities to elect a practical expedient that would exclude application of ASU 2016-02 to land easements that existed prior to its adoption, if they were not accounted for as leases under previous U.S. GAAP. In addition, ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-11 provide practical expedients to the lessee and lessor, respectively, for separating lease and non-lease components. These ASUs are codified in ASC 842.
We will adopt the lease standard on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method to apply the new guidance prospectively as of January 1, 2019, rather than as of the earliest period presented. We plan to elect the package of practical expedients and the land easement practical expedient described above. We do not plan to elect the practical expedient to use hindsight.
The adoption of the lease standards will not change our previously reported financial statements. However, on a prospective basis, a significant portion of finance lease costs for PPAs that have historically been classified in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power will be classified in Depreciation and Amortization Expense and Interest Expense on Sempra Energy’s and SDG&E’s statements of operations. In 2018, we recorded $117 million in purchased-power costs from capital leases in Cost of Electric Fuel
and Purchased Power at SDG&E and Sempra Energy. Further, the adoption of the lease standard will have a material impact on our balance sheets at January 1, 2019 due to the initial recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. Our finance leases were already included on our balance sheets prior to adoption of the lease standard, consistent with previous U.S. GAAP for capital leases. We will include additional disclosures about our leases in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning in the first quarter of 2019.
The following table shows the expected (decrease) increase on our balance sheets at January 1, 2019 from adoption of the lease standard.
EXPECTED IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF THE LEASE STANDARD
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Sempra Energy Consolidated
 
SDG&E
 
SoCalGas
Other current assets
 
$
(68
)
 
$

 
$

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
(147
)
 

 

Right-of-use assets – operating leases
 
623

 
130

 
116

Deferred income taxes
 
(3
)
 

 

Other current liabilities
 
81

 
20

 
23

Long-term debt
 
(138
)
 

 

Deferred credits and other
 
445

 
110

 
93

Retained earnings
 
17

 

 


As a result of the adoption of the lease standard, we will derecognize our corporate headquarters building lease in accordance with the transition provisions for build-to-suit arrangements. On a prospective basis, we will account for the corporate headquarters building lease as an operating lease. The expected impact is included in the above table.
ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”: ASU 2016-13 changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. The standard introduces an “expected credit loss” impairment model that requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of most financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade and other receivables, loan commitments and financial guarantees. ASU 2016-13 also requires use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and expands disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating the credit losses.
For public entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the first reporting period in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting and plan to adopt the standard on January 1, 2020.
ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”: ASU 2017-04 removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. An entity will be required to apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. For public entities, ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are to be applied on a prospective basis. We plan to adopt the standard on January 1, 2020.
ASU 2017-05, “Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets”: ASU 2017-05 clarifies the scope of accounting for the derecognition or partial sale of nonfinancial assets to exclude all businesses and nonprofit activities. ASU 2017-05 also provides a definition for in-substance nonfinancial assets and additional guidance on partial sales of nonfinancial assets. We adopted the standard in conjunction with our adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method and it did not materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”: ASU 2017-07 requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs to be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period and the other components of net periodic benefit costs to be presented separately outside of operating income. The guidance also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization. Amendments are to be applied retrospectively for presentation of costs and prospectively for capitalization of service costs. The guidance allows a practical expedient that permits use of previously disclosed service costs
and other costs from the pension and other postretirement benefit plan disclosure in the comparative periods as appropriate estimates when retrospectively changing the presentation of these costs in the statements of operations. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and elected the practical expedient available under the transition guidance.
Upon adoption of ASU 2017-07, our Consolidated Statements of Operations were impacted as follows:
IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF ASU 2017-07
(Dollars in millions)
 
Years ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
As previously reported
 
Effect of adoption
 
As adjusted
 
As previously reported
 
Effect of adoption
 
As adjusted
Sempra Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
$
3,117

 
$
(21
)
 
$
3,096

 
$
2,970

 
$
6

 
$
2,976

Other income, net
254

 
(21
)
 
233

 
132

 
6

 
138

SDG&E:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
$
1,020

 
$
4

 
$
1,024

 
$
1,048

 
$
14

 
$
1,062

Total operating expenses
3,763

 
4

 
3,767

 
3,263

 
14

 
3,277

Operating income
713

 
(4
)
 
709

 
990

 
(14
)
 
976

Other income, net
66

 
4

 
70

 
50

 
14

 
64

SoCalGas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
$
1,479

 
$
(5
)
 
$
1,474

 
$
1,385

 
$
6

 
$
1,391

Total operating expenses
3,163

 
(5
)
 
3,158

 
2,914

 
6

 
2,920

Operating income
622

 
5

 
627

 
557

 
(6
)
 
551

Other income, net
36

 
(5
)
 
31

 
32

 
6

 
38



ASU 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”: ASU 2017-12 changes the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge accounting results. More specifically, the guidance expands the exposures that can be hedged to align with an entity’s risk management strategies, alleviates documentation requirements, eliminates the concept of recognizing periodic hedge ineffectiveness for cash flow and net investment hedges and requires entities to present the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Transition elections are available for all hedges that exist at the date of adoption. We early adopted ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018 by applying the modified retrospective approach to the accounting for existing hedging relationships. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-12, Sempra Energy recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to increase Retained Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as of January 1, 2018 by $3 million.
ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”: ASU 2018-02 contains amendments that allow a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA. Under ASU 2018-02, an entity will be required to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects, including its accounting policy related to releasing the income tax effects from AOCI. The amendments in this update can be applied either as of the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively as of the date of enactment of the TCJA and to each period in which the effect of the TCJA is recognized. For public entities, ASU 2018-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and will reclassify the income tax effects of the TCJA from AOCI to retained earnings.
We expect the impact from adoption of ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 to be as follows:
Sempra Energy: increase of $40 million to beginning Retained Earnings, $2 million to noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and $42 million to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss;
SDG&E: increase of $2 million to beginning Retained Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss; and
SoCalGas: increase of $2 million to beginning Retained Earnings, $2 million to noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities and $4 million to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.
ASU 2018-05, “Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118”: As a result of the TCJA, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the TCJA’s impact. Under SAB 118, an entity may apply an approach similar to the measurement period in a business combination. That is, an entity would record those impacts for which the accounting is complete. For matters that are not certain, the entity would either
(a) recognize provisional amounts to the extent that they are reasonably estimable and adjust them over time as more information becomes available, or (b) for any specific income tax effects of the TCJA for which a reasonable estimate cannot be determined, continue to apply ASC 740, Income Taxes, on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the TCJA was signed into law; the entity would not adjust current or deferred income taxes for those tax effects of the TCJA until a reasonable estimate can be determined. ASU 2018-05 amends ASC 740 by incorporating SAB 118 and was effective upon issuance. We applied SAB 118 and ASU 2018-05 in 2018. The income tax effects of the TCJA that we recorded in 2017 were provisional. We adjusted our provisional estimates and completed our accounting for the income tax effects of the TCJA in 2018, as we discuss in Note 8.
ASU 2018-13, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” and ASU 2018-14, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans”: ASU 2018-13 and ASU 2018-14 are intended to improve the effectiveness of disclosures. ASU 2018-13 adds, removes and modifies certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. ASU 2018-14 adds, removes and clarifies certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. For public entities, ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. For public entities, ASU 2018-14 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We adopted both ASU 2018-13 and ASU 2018-14 on December 31, 2018 and have updated our financial statement disclosures accordingly.NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
We describe below and in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements recent pronouncements that have had a significant effect on Sempra Energy’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures. Additional information on ASU 2018-05 and ASU 2018-14, which may also have a significant effect on Sempra Energy’s financial condition, results of operation, cash flows or disclosures, is provided in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” (collectively referred to as the “lease standard”): We will adopt the lease standard on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method to apply the new guidance prospectively as of January 1, 2019, rather than as of the earliest period presented. The adoption of the lease standard will have a material impact on our balance sheet at January 1, 2019 due to the initial recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases.
The following table shows the expected increase (decrease) from adoption of the lease standard on our balance sheet at January 1, 2019.
EXPECTED IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF THE LEASE STANDARD
(Dollars in millions)
Right-of-use assets  operating leases
 
$
191

Deferred income taxes
 
(3
)
Property, plant and equipment, net(1)
 
(147
)
Other current liabilities
 
3

Long-term debt
 
(138
)
Other long-term liabilities
 
159

Retained earnings(2)
 
17

(1) 
Included in Other Assets.
(2) 
Included in Shareholders’ Equity.

As a result of the adoption of the lease standard, we will derecognize our corporate headquarters building lease in accordance with the transition provisions for build-to-suit arrangements. On a prospective basis, we will account for the corporate headquarters building lease as an operating lease. The expected impact is included in the above table.
ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”: We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018 and elected the practical expedient available under the transition guidance. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-07, our Condensed Statements of Operations were impacted as follows:
IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF ASU 2017-07
(Dollars in millions)
 
Years ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
As previously reported
Effect of adoption
As adjusted
 
As previously reported
Effect of adoption
As adjusted
Sempra Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
$
(87
)
$
7

$
(80
)
 
$
(81
)
$
5

$
(76
)
Other income (expense), net
107

(7
)
100

 
(2
)
(5
)
(7
)


ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”: We will adopt ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and will reclassify the income tax effects of the TCJA from AOCI to retained earnings. We expect the impact from adoption of ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 to be an increase of $14 million to beginning Retained Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.
Revenue from Contract with Customer Our revenues from contracts with customers are primarily related to the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and the transmission, distribution and storage of natural gas through our regulated utilities. We also provide other midstream and renewable energy-related services. We assess our revenues on a contract-by-contract basis as well as a portfolio basis to determine the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty, if any, of revenues being recognized.
We generally recognize revenues when performance of the promised commodity service is provided to our customers and invoice our customers for an amount that reflects the consideration we are entitled to in exchange for those services. We consider the delivery and transmission of electricity and natural gas and providing of natural gas storage services as ongoing and integrated services. Generally, electricity or natural gas services are received and consumed by the customer simultaneously. Our performance obligations related to these services are satisfied over time and represent a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customers. We recognize revenue based on units delivered, as the satisfaction of our performance obligations can be directly measured by the amount of electricity or natural gas delivered to the customer. In most cases, the right to consideration from the customer directly corresponds to the value transferred to the customer and we recognize revenue in the amount that we have the right to invoice. We provide further details of our revenue streams below.
The payment terms in our customer contracts vary. Typically, we have an unconditional right to customer payments, which are due after the performance obligation to the customer is satisfied. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is typically between 10 and 90 days.
We have elected the practical expedient to exclude sales and usage-based taxes from revenues. In addition, the California Utilities pay franchise fees to operate in various municipalities. The California Utilities bill these franchise fees to their customers based on a CPUC-authorized rate. These franchise fees, which are required to be paid regardless of the California Utilities’ ability to collect from the customer, are accounted for on a gross basis and reflected in utilities revenues from contracts with customers and operating expense.
Utilities Revenues
Utilities revenues represent the majority of our consolidated revenues from contracts with customers and include:
The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity at:
SDG&E 
Sempra South American Utilities’ Chilquinta Energía and Luz del Sur
The transmission, distribution and storage of natural gas at:
SDG&E 
SoCalGas
Sempra Mexico’s Ecogas
Utilities revenues are derived from and recognized upon the delivery of electricity or natural gas services to customers. Amounts that we bill our customers are based on tariffs set by regulators within the respective state or country. For SDG&E and SoCalGas, which follow the provisions of U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations as we discuss in Note 1, amounts that we bill to customers also include adjustments for previously recognized regulatory revenues.
The California Utilities and Ecogas recognize revenues based on regulator-approved revenue requirements, which allows the utilities to recover their reasonable cost of O&M and provides the opportunity to realize their authorized rates of return on their investments. While the California Utilities’ revenues are not affected by actual sales volumes, the pattern of their revenue recognition during the year is affected by seasonality. SoCalGas recognizes annual authorized revenue for core natural gas customers using seasonal factors established in the Triennial Cost Allocation Proceeding. Accordingly, a significant portion of SoCalGas’ annual earnings are recognized in the first and fourth quarters of each year. SDG&E’s authorized revenue recognition is also impacted by seasonal factors, resulting in higher earnings in the third quarter when electric loads are typically higher than in the other three quarters of the year.
SDG&E has an arrangement to provide the California ISO with the ability to control its high-voltage transmission lines for prices approved by the FERC. Revenue is recognized over time as access is provided to the California ISO.
Chilquinta Energía and Luz del Sur, our electric distribution utilities in South America, recognize revenues based on tariffs designed to provide for a pass-through to customers of transmission and energy costs, recovery of reasonable O&M based on an efficient model distribution company, incentives to reduce costs and make needed capital investments and a regulated rate of return on the distributor’s regulated asset base.
Factors that can affect the amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows include weather, seasonality and timing of customer billings, which may result in unbilled revenues that can vary significantly from month to month and generally approximate one-half month’s deliveries.
The California Utilities recognize revenues from the sale of allocated California GHG emissions allowances at quarterly auctions administered by CARB. GHG allowances are delivered to CARB in advance of the quarterly auctions, and the California Utilities have the right to payment when the GHG allowances are sold at auction. GHG revenue is recognized on a point in time basis within the quarter the auction is held. The California Utilities balance costs and revenues associated with the GHG program through regulatory balancing accounts.
Midstream Revenues
Midstream revenues at Sempra Mexico and Sempra LNG & Midstream typically represent revenues from long-term, U.S. dollar-based contracts with customers for the sale of natural gas and LNG, as well as storage and transportation of natural gas. Invoiced amounts are based on the volume of natural gas delivered and contracted prices.
Sempra Mexico’s marketing operations sell natural gas to the CFE and other customers under supply agreements. Sempra Mexico recognizes the revenue from the sale of natural gas upon transfer of the natural gas via pipelines to customers at the agreed upon delivery points, and in the case of the CFE, at its thermoelectric power plants.
Through its marketing operations, Sempra LNG & Midstream has contracts to sell natural gas and LNG to Sempra Mexico that allow Sempra Mexico to satisfy its obligations under supply agreements with the CFE and other customers, and to supply Sempra Mexico’s TdM power plant. Because Sempra Mexico either immediately delivers the natural gas to its customers or consumes the benefits simultaneously (by using the gas to supply TdM), revenues from Sempra LNG & Midstream’s sale of natural gas to Sempra Mexico are generally recognized over time as delivered. Revenues from LNG sales are recognized at the point when the cargo is delivered to Sempra Mexico.
Revenues from the sale of LNG and natural gas by Sempra LNG & Midstream to Sempra Mexico are adjusted for indemnity payments and profit sharing. We consider these adjustments to be forms of variable consideration that are associated with the sale of LNG and natural gas to Sempra Mexico, and therefore, Sempra LNG & Midstream records the related costs as an offset to revenues, with no impact to Sempra Energy’s consolidated revenues.
We recognize storage revenue from firm capacity reservation agreements, under which we collect a fee for reserving storage capacity for customers in our underground storage facilities. Under these firm agreements, customers pay a monthly fixed reservation fee based on the storage capacity reserved rather than the actual volumes stored. For the fixed-fee component, revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. We bill customers for any capacity used in excess of the contracted capacity and such revenues are recognized in the month of occurrence. We also recognize revenue for interruptible storage services. As we discuss in Note 5, on February 7, 2019, Sempra LNG & Midstream completed the sale of its non-utility natural gas storage assets in the southeast U.S. (comprised of Mississippi Hub and Bay Gas).
We generate pipeline transportation revenues from firm agreements, under which customers pay a fee for reserving transportation capacity. Revenue is recognized when the volumes are delivered to the customers’ agreed upon delivery point. We recognize revenues for our stand-ready obligation to provide capacity and transportation services throughout the contractual delivery period, as the benefits are received and consumed simultaneously as customers utilize pipeline capacity for the transport and receipt of natural gas and LPG. Invoiced amounts are based on a variable usage fee and a fixed capacity charge, adjusted for the CPI, the effects of any foreign currency translation and the actual quantity of commodity transported.
Renewables Revenues
Sempra Renewables and Sempra Mexico develop, invest in and operate solar and wind facilities that have long-term PPAs to sell the electricity and the related green energy attributes they generate to customers, generally load serving entities, and also for Sempra Mexico, industrial and other customers. Load serving entities will sell electric service to their end-users and wholesale customers immediately upon receipt of our power delivery, and industrial and other customers immediately consume the electricity to run their facilities, and thus, we recognize the revenue under the PPAs as the electricity is generated. We invoice customers based on the volume of energy delivered at rates pursuant to the PPAs. As we discuss in Note 5, in December 2018, we completed the sale of Sempra Renewables’ U.S. operating solar assets, solar and battery storage development projects and its 50-percent ownership interest in a wind power generation facility. In February 2019, Sempra Renewables entered into an agreement to sell its remaining wind assets and investments. We expect to complete the sale in the second quarter of 2019.
Sempra LNG & Midstream has a contractual agreement to provide scheduling and marketing of renewable power for Sempra Renewables. Invoiced amounts are based on a fixed fee per MWh scheduled.
Other Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Tecnored and Tecsur, our energy services companies in South America, generate revenues from the retail sale of electric materials and providing electric construction and infrastructure services to their customers.
TdM is a natural gas-fired power plant that generates revenues from selling electricity and/or resource adequacy to the California ISO and to governmental, public utility and wholesale power marketing entities, as the power is delivered at the interconnection point.
Remaining Performance Obligations    
We do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations for (a) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, (b) revenues recognized at the amount at which we have the right to invoice for services performed, or (c) variable consideration allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.
For contracts greater than one year, at December 31, 2018, we expect to recognize revenue related to the fixed fee component of the consideration as shown below. Sempra Energy’s remaining performance obligations primarily relate to capacity agreements for natural gas storage and transportation at Sempra Mexico. SoCalGas did not have any remaining performance obligations at December 31, 2018.REVENUES FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Certain of our revenues are derived from sources other than contracts with customers and are accounted for under other accounting standards outside the scope of ASC 606.
Utilities Regulatory Revenues
Alternative Revenue Programs
We recognize revenues from alternative revenue programs when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met and adjust these revenues as they are recovered or refunded through future utility service.
Decoupled revenues. As discussed earlier, the regulatory framework requires the California Utilities to recover authorized revenue based on estimated annual demand forecasts approved in regular proceedings before the CPUC. However, actual demand for electricity and natural gas will generally vary from CPUC-approved forecasted demand due to the impacts from weather volatility, energy efficiency programs, rooftop solar and other factors affecting consumption. The CPUC regulatory framework provides for the California Utilities to use a “decoupling” mechanism, which allows the California Utilities to record revenue shortfalls or excess revenues resulting from any difference between actual and forecasted demand to be recovered or refunded in authorized revenue in a subsequent period based on the nature of the account.
Incentive mechanisms. The CPUC applies performance-based measures and incentive mechanisms to all California IOUs, under which the California Utilities have earnings potential above authorized base margins if they achieve or exceed specific performance and operating goals. Generally, for performance-based awards, if performance is above or below specific benchmarks, the utility is eligible for financial awards or subject to financial penalties.
Incentive awards are included in revenues when we receive required CPUC approval of the award, the timing of which may not be consistent from year to year. We would record penalties for results below the specified benchmarks against revenues when we believe it is probable that the CPUC would assess a penalty.
Other Cost-Based Regulatory Recovery
The CPUC authorizes the California Utilities to collect revenue requirements for costs that they have been authorized to recover from customers, including the costs to purchase electricity and natural gas; costs associated with administering public purpose, demand response, and customer energy efficiency programs; and other programmatic activities authorized as part of the GRC or separately from the GRC. Actual costs are recovered as the commodity or service is delivered or, to the extent actual amounts
vary from forecasts, generally recovered or refunded within a subsequent period based on the nature of the account through a balancing account mechanism. In general, the revenue recognition criteria for pass-through costs billed to customers are met at the time the costs are incurred.
Because SDG&E’s and SoCalGas’ cost of electricity and/or natural gas is substantially recovered in rates through a balancing account mechanism, changes in these costs are reflected in the changes in revenues, and therefore do not impact earnings.
The CPUC authorizes balancing accounts for certain programmatic activities. Amounts billed to customers, if any, are recorded in these accounts, as well as actual O&M and applicable capital-related costs (such as depreciation, taxes and ROE). Differences between actual and authorized expenditures are tracked and may be recovered or refunded within a GRC cycle or as part of a subsequent GRC request. Examples of these types of programs include, but are not limited to, gas distribution, gas transmission, and gas storage integrity management. The CPUC may impose various review procedures before authorizing recovery or refund for programs authorized separately from the GRC, including limitations on the total cost of the program, revenue requirement limits or reviews of costs for reasonableness. These procedures could result in disallowances of recovery from ratepayers. An example of a program with reasonableness review procedures is PSEP.
We discuss balancing accounts and their effects further in Note 4.
Other Revenues
Sempra LNG & Midstream has an agreement to supply LNG to Sempra Mexico’s ECA LNG terminal. Although the LNG sale and purchase agreement specifies a number of cargoes to be delivered annually, actual cargoes delivered by the supplier have traditionally been significantly lower than the maximum specified under the agreement. As a result, Sempra LNG & Midstream is contractually required to make monthly indemnity payments to Sempra Mexico for failure to deliver the contracted LNG.
Sempra Mexico generates lease revenues from operating lease agreements with PEMEX for the use of natural gas and ethane pipelines and LPG storage facilities. Certain PPAs at Sempra Renewables were also accounted for as operating leases prior to December 2018. Subsequent to the sale of its solar assets in December 2018, Sempra Renewables has one operating lease remaining, with a term of 15 years.
Sempra LNG & Midstream recognizes other revenues from:
fees related to contractual counterparty obligations for non-delivery of LNG cargoes, as described above.
sales of electricity and natural gas under short-term and long-term contracts and into the spot market and other competitive markets. Revenues include the net realized gains and losses on physical and derivative settlements and net unrealized gains and losses from the change in fair values of the derivatives.
Business Combinations Valuation of IEnova Pipelines’ Assets and Liabilities. Based on the nature of the Mexico regulatory environment and the oversight surrounding the establishment and maintenance of rates that IEnova Pipelines charges for services on its assets, IEnova Pipelines applies the guidance under the provisions of U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations. Therefore, when determining the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed, we considered the effect of regulation on a market participant’s view of the highest and best use of the assets, in particular for the fair value of IEnova Pipelines’ PP&E. Under U.S. GAAP, regulation is viewed as being a characteristic (restriction) of a regulated entity’s PP&E, and the impact of regulation is considered a fundamental input to measuring the fair value of PP&E in a business combination involving a regulated business.
Under this premise, the fair value of the PP&E of a regulated business is generally assumed to be equivalent to carrying value for financial reporting purposes. Management concluded that the carrying value of IEnova Pipelines’ PP&E is representative of fair value.
We applied an income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method, to measure the fair value of debt and derivatives. We valued debt by discounting future debt payments by a market yield, and we valued derivatives by discounting the future interest payments under the fixed and floating rates using current market data.
For substantially all other assets and liabilities, we determined that historical carrying value approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Purchase Price Allocation. We accounted for this business combination using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the total fair value of the business acquired is allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values, with any excess recognized as goodwill at the Sempra Mexico reportable segment. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible in Mexico or in the U.S. for income tax purposes.Purchase Price Allocation. We accounted for this business combination using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the total fair value of the business acquired is allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values, with any excess recognized as goodwill at the Sempra South American Utilities reportable segment. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible in Chile or in the U.S. for income tax purposes. Purchase Price Allocation. We accounted for this business combination using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the total fair value of the business acquired is allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values, with any excess recognized as goodwill at the Sempra Mexico reportable segment. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible in Mexico or the U.S. for income tax purposes.We classify assets as held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market an asset for sale and we expect the sale to close within the next 12 months. Upon classifying an asset as held for sale, we record the asset at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value reduced for selling costs.Valuation of Ventika’s Assets and Liabilities. The fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized based on their preliminary values at the acquisition date. Significant inputs used to measure the fair values of the acquired PP&E, intangible asset, debt and derivatives are as follows:
PP&E We applied an income approach using market-based discounted cash flows. We used the pricing included in the existing PPAs, which was determined to reflect current market rates in the Mexican renewable energy market.
Intangible asset Ventika is the holder of a renewable energy transmission and consumption permit that allows it to transmit its generated power to various locations within Mexico at beneficial rates and reduces the administrative burden to manage transmitting power to off-takers. With recent renewable energy market reforms in Mexico, these transmission and consumption permits are no longer available, resulting in higher tariffs for generators. We applied an income approach based on a cash flow differential approach that measures the fair value of the transmission rights by comparing the operating expenses under the transmission and consumption permit as compared to under the new, higher tariffs. This acquired intangible asset has an amortization period of 19 years, reflecting the remaining life of the transmission and consumption transmission permit at the time of acquisition.
Debt Using an income approach, we valued debt by discounting future debt payments by a market yield commensurate with the remaining term of the loans.
Derivatives Using an income approach, we valued derivatives by discounting the future interest payments under the fixed and floating rates using current market data.
Additionally, we recognized deferred income taxes on Ventika’s existing NOLs and the difference between the fair values and tax bases of the net assets acquired using the Mexican statutory rate.
For substantially all other assets and liabilities, we determined that historical carrying value approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.The fair value of the equity method investment in Oncor Holdings is primarily attributable to Oncor’s business. Therefore, we considered the underlying assets and liabilities of Oncor when determining the fair value of our equity method investment. As a regulated entity, Oncor’s rates are set and approved by the PUCT, and are designed to recover the cost of providing service and the opportunity to earn a reasonable return on its investments. Accordingly, Oncor applies the guidance under the provisions of U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations. Under U.S. GAAP, regulation is viewed as being a characteristic (restriction) of a regulated entity’s assets and liabilities, and the impact of regulation is considered a fundamental input to measuring the fair value of Oncor’s assets and liabilities. Under this premise, we concluded that the carrying values of all assets and liabilities recoverable through rates are representative of their fair values.Valuation of CTNG’s Assets and Liabilities. The fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized based on their preliminary values at the acquisition date. Significant inputs used to measure the fair values of the acquired PP&E and intangible assets are as follows:
PP&E - We applied an income approach using market-based discounted cash flows. We used discounted free cash flows on revenues established by the most recent regulatory rate case, which was determined to reflect the fair value of PP&E.
Intangible assets - CTNG holds concession permits that allow it to operate transmission lines and substations into perpetuity. We applied an income approach using market-based discounted cash flows. To estimate the fair value of the concession permits, we estimated the fair value of each transmission line and substation business enterprise assuming that they will operate into perpetuity. We then subtracted the corresponding fair value of the PP&E from each transmission line and substation business enterprise value to estimate the value attributable to the concession permits.
Additionally, we recognized deferred income taxes on CTNG’s existing NOLs and for the difference between fair values and tax bases of the net assets acquired using the Chilean statutory tax rate.
For substantially all other assets and liabilities, we determined that historical carrying value approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.We consolidate assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the purchase date and include earnings from acquisitions in consolidated earnings after the purchase date.We accounted for the Merger as an asset acquisition, as the equity method investment in Oncor Holdings represents substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired.
Investments in Noncontrolling Interests We generally account for investments under the equity method when we have significant influence over, but do not have control of, these entities. In these cases, our pro rata shares of the entities’ net assets are included in Investment in Oncor Holdings or Other Investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We evaluate the carrying value of unconsolidated entities for impairment under the U.S. GAAP provisions for equity method investments.
We adjust each investment for our share of each investee’s earnings or losses, dividends, and OCI. Equity earnings and losses, both before and net of income tax, are combined and presented as Equity Earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 8 for information regarding the pretax income or loss used to calculate our ETR.
Our equity method investments include various domestic and foreign entities. Our domestic equity method investees are typically partnerships that are pass-through entities for income tax purposes and therefore they do not record income tax. Sempra Energy’s income tax on earnings from these equity method investees, other than Oncor Holdings as we discuss below, is included in Income Tax Expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Oncor is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not included in the consolidated income tax return of Sempra Energy. Rather, only our equity earnings from our investment in Oncor Holdings (a disregarded entity for tax purposes) are included in our consolidated income tax return. A tax sharing agreement with TTI, Oncor Holdings and Oncor provides for the calculation of an income tax liability substantially as if Oncor Holdings and Oncor were taxed as corporations, and requires tax payments determined on that basis. While partnerships are not subject to income taxes, in consideration of the tax sharing agreement and Oncor being subject to the provisions of U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations, Oncor recognizes amounts determined under cost-based regulatory rate-setting processes (with such costs including income taxes), as if it were taxed as a corporation. As a result, since Oncor Holdings consolidates Oncor, we recognize equity earnings from our investment in Oncor Holdings net of its recorded income tax.
With the exception of RBS Sempra Commodities, discussed below, our foreign equity method investees are corporations whose
operations are taxable on a stand-alone basis in the countries in which they operate, and we recognize our equity in such income or losses net of investee income tax. We may be subject to additional taxes related to these foreign investments, such as taxes on cash dividends or other cash distributions, which are recorded in Income Tax Expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Employee Benefit Plans EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
For our employee benefit plans, we:
recognize an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status in the statement of financial position;
measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the fiscal year; and
recognize changes in the funded status of pension and PBOP plans in the year in which the changes occur. Generally, those changes are reported in OCI and as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
The detailed information presented below covers the employee benefit plans of primarily Sempra Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Sempra Energy has funded and unfunded noncontributory traditional defined benefit and cash balance plans, including separate plans for SDG&E and SoCalGas, which collectively cover all eligible employees, including members of the Sempra Energy board of directors who were participants in a predecessor plan on or before June 1, 1998. Pension benefits under the traditional defined benefit plans are based on service and final average earnings, while the cash balance plans provide benefits using a career average earnings methodology.
IEnova has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit plan covering all employees. Chilquinta Energía has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit plan covering all employees hired before October 1, 1981 and an unfunded noncontributory termination indemnity plan covering represented employees. The plans generally provide defined benefits to retirees based on date of hire, years of service and final average earnings.
Sempra Energy also has PBOP plans, including separate plans for SDG&E and SoCalGas, which collectively cover all domestic and certain foreign employees. The life insurance plans are both contributory and noncontributory, and the health care plans are contributory. Participants’ contributions are adjusted annually. Other postretirement benefits include medical benefits for retirees’ spouses.
Chilquinta Energía also has two noncontributory postretirement benefit plans that cover represented employees – a health care plan and an energy subsidy plan that provides for reduced energy rates. The health care plan includes benefits for retirees’ spouses and dependents.
Pension and other postretirement benefits costs and obligations are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. We review these assumptions on an annual basis and update them as appropriate. We consider current market conditions, including interest rates, in making these assumptions. We use a December 31 measurement date for all of our plans.Net Assets and Liabilities
The assets and liabilities of the pension and PBOP plans are affected by changing market conditions as well as when actual plan experience is different than assumed. Such events result in investment gains and losses, which we defer and recognize in pension and other postretirement benefit costs over a period of years. Our funded pension and PBOP plans use the asset smoothing method, except for those at SDG&E. This method develops an asset value that recognizes realized and unrealized investment gains and losses over a three-year period. This adjusted asset value, known as the market-related value of assets, is used in conjunction with an expected long-term rate of return to determine the expected return-on-assets component of net periodic benefit cost. SDG&E does not use the asset smoothing method, but rather recognizes realized and unrealized investment gains and losses during the current year.
The 10-percent corridor accounting method is used at Sempra Energy Consolidated, SDG&E and SoCalGas. Under the corridor accounting method, if as of the beginning of a year unrecognized net gain or loss exceeds 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets, the excess is amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants. The asset smoothing and 10-percent corridor accounting methods help mitigate volatility of net periodic benefit costs from year to year.
We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as assets or liabilities, respectively; unrecognized changes in these assets and/or liabilities are normally recorded in AOCI on the balance sheet. The California Utilities record regulatory assets and liabilities that offset the funded pension and other postretirement plans’ assets or liabilities, as these costs are expected to be recovered in future utility rates based on decisions by regulatory agencies.
The California Utilities record annual pension and other postretirement net periodic benefit costs equal to the contributions to their qualified plans as authorized by the CPUC. The annual contributions to the pension plans are limited to a minimum required funding amount as determined by the IRS. The annual contributions to PBOP plans are equal to the lesser of the maximum tax deductible amount or the net periodic cost calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP for pension and PBOP plans. Any differences between booked net periodic benefit cost and amounts contributed to the pension and other postretirement plans for the California Utilities are disclosed as regulatory adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP for rate-regulated entities.Assumptions for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Except for the IEnova and Chilquinta Energía plans, we develop the discount rate assumptions based on the results of a third party modeling tool that matches each plan’s expected cash flows to interest rates and expected maturity values of individually selected bonds in a hypothetical portfolio. The model controls the level of accumulated surplus that may result from the selection of bonds based solely on their premium yields by limiting the number of years to look back for selection to 3 years for pre-30-year and 6 years for post-30-year benefit payments. Additionally, the model ensures that an adequate number of bonds are selected in the portfolio by limiting the amount of the plan’s benefit payments that can be met by a single bond to 7.5 percent.
We selected individual bonds from a universe of Bloomberg AA-rated bonds that:
have an outstanding issue of at least $50 million;
are non-callable (or callable with make-whole provisions);
exclude collateralized bonds; and
exclude the top and bottom 10 percent of yields to avoid relying on bonds that might be mispriced or misgraded.
This selection methodology also mitigates the impact of market volatility on the portfolio by excluding bonds with the following characteristics:
the issuer is on review for downgrade by a major rating agency if the downgrade would eliminate the issuer from the portfolio;
recent events have caused significant price volatility to which rating agencies have not reacted; and
lack of liquidity is causing price quotes to vary significantly from broker to broker.
We believe that this bond selection approach provides the best estimate of discount rates to estimate settlement values for our plans’ benefit obligations as required by applicable U.S. GAAP.
We develop the discount rate assumptions for the plans at IEnova by constructing a synthetic government zero coupon bond yield curve from the available market data, based on duration matching, and we add a risk spread to allow for the yields of high-quality corporate bonds. We develop the discount rate assumptions for the plans at Chilquinta Energía based on 10-year Chilean government bond yields and the expected local long-term rate of inflation. These methods for developing the discount rate are required when there is no deep market for high quality corporate bonds.
Long-term return on assets is based on the weighted-average of the plans’ investment allocation as of the measurement date and the expected returns for those asset types.
Interest crediting rate is based on an average 30-year Treasury bond from the month of November of the preceding year.
We amortize prior service cost using straight line amortization over average future service (or average expected lifetime for plans where participants are substantially inactive employees), which is an alternative method allowed under U.S. GAAP.Fair Value of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets
We classify the investments in Sempra Energy’s pension master trust and the trusts for the California Utilities’ PBOP plans based on the fair value hierarchy, except for certain investments measured at NAV.
The following are descriptions of the valuation methods and assumptions we use to estimate the fair values of investments held by pension and other postretirement benefit plan trusts.
Equity Securities – Equity securities are valued using quoted prices listed on nationally recognized securities exchanges.
Fixed Income Securities – Certain fixed income securities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded. Other fixed income securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for identical or similar securities, the security is valued under a discounted cash flow approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks. Certain high yield fixed-income securities are valued by applying a price adjustment to the bid side to calculate a mean and ask value. Adjustments can vary based on maturity, credit standing, and reported trade frequencies. The bid to ask spread is determined by the investment manager based on the review of the available market information.
Registered Investment Companies – Investments in mutual funds sponsored by a registered investment company are valued based on exchange listed prices. Where the value is a quoted price in an active market, the investment is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in certain fixed income securities are valued under a discounted cash flow
approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable, such as credit and liquidity risks for the remaining fixed income securities.
Common/Collective Trusts – Investments in common/collective trust funds are valued based on the NAV of units owned, which is based on the current fair value of the funds’ underlying assets.
Private Equity Funds – These funds consist of investments in private equities that are held by limited partnerships following various strategies, including private equity and corporate finance. These partnerships generally have limited lives of 10 years, after which liquidating distributions will be received. The value is determined based on the NAV of the proportionate share of an ownership interest in partners’ capital. Holdings in these types of private equity funds are negligible, as the funds are well past their expected investment term and have distributed the bulk of proceeds from investment sales.
Derivative Financial Instruments – Futures contracts that are publicly traded in active markets are valued at closing prices as of the last business day of the year. Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies, and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. Fixed income futures and options are marked to market daily. Equity index futures contracts are valued at the last sales price quoted on the exchange on which they primarily trade.
While management believes the valuation methods described above are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
We provide more discussion of fair value measurements in Notes 1 and 12. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy a summary of the investments in our pension and other postretirement benefit plan trusts measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Share-based Compensation SEMPRA ENERGY RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND UNITSWe use a Monte-Carlo simulation model to estimate the fair value of our RSAs and for our RSUs that vest based on Sempra Energy’s total return to shareholders. Our determination of fair value is affected by the historical volatility of the common stock price for Sempra Energy and its peer group companies. The valuation also is affected by the risk-free rates of return, and a number of other variables.Our practice is to satisfy share-based awards by issuing new shares rather than by open-market purchases.We measure and recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the date of grant. We recognize compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate (based on historical experience) and recognize the compensation costs for non-qualified stock options, RSAs and RSUs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally three or four years. However, for awards granted to retirement-eligible participants, the expense is recognized over the initial year in which the award was granted. For awards granted to participants who become eligible for retirement during the requisite service period, the expense is recognized over the period between the date of grant and the later of the end of the year in which the award was granted or the date the participant first becomes eligible for retirement. Substantially all awards outstanding are classified as equity instruments; therefore, we recognize additional paid in capital as we recognize the compensation expense associated with the awards.SEMPRA ENERGY NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONSWe use a Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each non-qualified stock option grant. The use of a valuation model requires us to make certain assumptions about selected model inputs. Expected volatility is calculated based on the historical volatility of Sempra Energy’s common stock price. We base the average expected life for options on the contractual term of the option and expected employee exercise and post-termination behavior. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of the grant.
Derivative Financial Instruments We use derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business. Our principal exposures are commodity market risk, benchmark interest rate risk and foreign exchange rate exposures. Our use of derivatives for these risks is integrated into the economic management of our anticipated revenues, anticipated expenses, assets and liabilities. Derivatives may be effective in mitigating these risks (1) that could lead to declines in anticipated revenues or increases in anticipated expenses, or (2) that our asset values may fall or our liabilities increase. Accordingly, our derivative activity summarized below generally represents an impact that is intended to offset associated revenues, expenses, assets or liabilities that are not included in the tables below.
In certain cases, we apply the normal purchase or sale exception to derivative instruments and have other commodity contracts that are not derivatives. These contracts are not recorded at fair value and are therefore excluded from the disclosures below.
In all other cases, we record derivatives at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We designate each derivative as (1) a cash flow hedge, (2) a fair value hedge, or (3) undesignated. Depending on the applicability of hedge accounting and, for the California Utilities and other operations subject to regulatory accounting, the requirement to pass impacts through to customers, the impact of derivative instruments may be offset in OCI (cash flow hedge), on the balance sheet (fair value hedges and regulatory offsets), or recognized in earnings. We classify cash flows from the principal settlements of cross-currency swaps that hedge exposure related to Mexican peso-denominated debt as financing activities and settlements of other derivative instruments as operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
HEDGE ACCOUNTING
We may designate a derivative as a cash flow hedging instrument if it effectively converts anticipated cash flows associated with revenues or expenses to a fixed dollar amount. We may utilize cash flow hedge accounting for derivative commodity instruments, foreign currency instruments and interest rate instruments. Designating cash flow hedges is dependent on the business context in which the instrument is being used, the effectiveness of the instrument in offsetting the risk that the future cash flows of a given revenue or expense item may vary, and other criteria.
We may designate an interest rate derivative as a fair value hedging instrument if it effectively converts our own debt from a fixed interest rate to a variable rate. The combination of the derivative and debt instrument results in fixing that portion of the fair value of the debt that is related to benchmark interest rates. Designating fair value hedges is dependent on the instrument being used, the effectiveness of the instrument in offsetting changes in the fair value of our debt instruments, and other criteria.
ENERGY DERIVATIVES
Our market risk is primarily related to natural gas and electricity price volatility and the specific physical locations where we transact. We use energy derivatives to manage these risks. The use of energy derivatives in our various businesses depends on the particular energy market and the operating and regulatory environments applicable to the business, as follows:
The California Utilities use natural gas and electricity derivatives, for the benefit of customers, with the objective of managing price risk and basis risks, and stabilizing and lowering natural gas and electricity costs. These derivatives include fixed price natural gas and electricity positions, options, and basis risk instruments, which are either exchange-traded or over-the-counter financial instruments, or bilateral physical transactions. This activity is governed by risk management and transacting activity plans that have been filed with and approved by the CPUC. Natural gas and electricity derivative activities are recorded as commodity costs that are offset by regulatory account balances and are recovered in rates. Net commodity cost impacts on the Consolidated Statements of Operations are reflected in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power or in Cost of Natural Gas.
SDG&E is allocated and may purchase CRRs, which serve to reduce the regional electricity price volatility risk that may result from local transmission capacity constraints. Unrealized gains and losses do not impact earnings, as they are offset by regulatory account balances. Realized gains and losses associated with CRRs, which are recoverable in rates, are recorded in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Sempra Mexico, Sempra LNG & Midstream and Sempra Renewables may use natural gas and electricity derivatives, as appropriate, to optimize the earnings of their assets which support the following businesses: LNG, natural gas transportation and storage, and power generation. Gains and losses associated with undesignated derivatives are recognized in Energy-Related Businesses Revenues or in Cost of Natural Gas, Electric Fuel and Purchased Power on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Certain of these derivatives may also be designated as cash flow hedges. Sempra Mexico may also use natural gas
energy derivatives with the objective of managing price risk and lowering natural gas prices at its distribution operations. These derivatives, which are recorded as commodity costs that are offset by regulatory account balances and recovered in rates, are recognized in Cost of Natural Gas on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
From time to time, our various businesses, including the California Utilities, may use other energy derivatives to hedge exposures such as the price of vehicle fuel and GHG allowances.FOREIGN CURRENCY DERIVATIVES
We utilize cross-currency swaps to hedge exposure related to Mexican peso-denominated debt at our Mexican subsidiaries and JVs. These cash flow hedges exchange our Mexican peso-denominated principal and interest payments into the U.S. dollar and swap Mexican variable interest rates for U.S. fixed interest rates. From time to time, Sempra Mexico and its JVs may use other foreign currency derivatives to hedge exposures related to cash flows associated with revenues from contracts denominated in Mexican pesos that are indexed to the U.S. dollar.
We are also exposed to exchange rate movements at our Mexican subsidiaries and JVs, which have U.S. dollar-denominated cash balances, receivables, payables and debt (monetary assets and liabilities) that give rise to Mexican currency exchange rate movements for Mexican income tax purposes. They also have deferred income tax assets and liabilities denominated in the Mexican peso, which must be translated to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. In addition, monetary assets and liabilities and certain nonmonetary assets and liabilities are adjusted for Mexican inflation for Mexican income tax purposes. We utilize foreign currency derivatives as a means to manage the risk of exposure to significant fluctuations in our income tax expense and equity earnings from these impacts; however, we generally do not hedge our deferred income tax assets and liabilities or for inflation. In addition, Sempra South American Utilities and its JVs may use foreign currency derivatives to manage foreign currency rate risk.In addition to the amounts noted above, we frequently use commodity derivatives to manage risks associated with the physical locations of contractual obligations and assets, such as natural gas purchases and sales.
INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES
We are exposed to interest rates primarily as a result of our current and expected use of financing. The California Utilities, as well as Sempra Energy and its other subsidiaries and JVs, periodically enter into interest rate derivative agreements intended to moderate our exposure to interest rates and to lower our overall costs of borrowing. We may utilize interest rate swaps, typically designated as fair value hedges, as a means to achieve our targeted level of variable rate debt as a percent of total debt. In addition, we may utilize interest rate swaps, typically designated as cash flow hedges, to lock in interest rates on outstanding debt or in anticipation of future financings. Separately, Otay Mesa VIE has entered into interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges, to moderate its exposure to interest rate changes.
Earnings Per Share Basic EPS is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common shares by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS includes the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.The potentially dilutive impact from stock options, RSAs and RSUs is calculated under the treasury stock method. Under this method, proceeds based on the exercise price and unearned compensation are assumed to be used to repurchase shares on the open market at the average market price for the period, reducing the number of potential new shares to be issued and sometimes causing an antidilutive effect.
Environmental Costs At the California Utilities, costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are generally recorded as a regulatory asset due to the probability that these costs will be recovered in rates.The environmental issues currently facing us, except for those related to the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility leak as we discuss above or resolved during the last three years, include (1) investigation and remediation of the California Utilities’ manufactured-gas sites, (2) cleanup of third-party waste-disposal sites used by the California Utilities at sites for which we have been identified as a PRP and (3) mitigation of damage to the marine environment caused by the cooling-water discharge from SONGS.We generally capitalize the significant costs we incur to mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination or extend the life, increase the capacity, or improve the safety or efficiency of property used in current operations. The following table shows our capital expenditures (including construction work in progress) in order to comply with environmental laws and regulations:We record environmental liabilities at undiscounted amounts when our liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. In many cases, however, investigations are not yet at a stage where we can determine whether we are liable or, if the liability is probable, to reasonably estimate the amount or range of amounts of the costs. Estimates of our liability are further subject to uncertainties such as the nature and extent of site contamination, evolving cleanup standards and imprecise engineering evaluations. We review our accruals periodically and, as investigations and cleanups proceed, we make adjustments as necessary.
Concentration of Credit Risk CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
We maintain credit policies and systems designed to manage our overall credit risk. These policies include an evaluation of potential counterparties’ financial condition and an assignment of credit limits. These credit limits are established based on risk and return considerations under terms customarily available in the industry. We grant credit to utility customers and counterparties, substantially all of whom are located in our service territory, which covers most of Southern California and a portion of central California for SoCalGas, and all of San Diego County and an adjacent portion of Orange County for SDG&E. We also grant credit to utility customers and counterparties of our other companies providing natural gas or electric services in Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Projects and businesses owned or partially owned by Sempra Energy place significant reliance on the ability of their suppliers, customers and partners to perform on long-term agreements and on our ability to enforce contract terms in the event of nonperformance. We consider many factors, including the negotiation of supplier and customer agreements, when we evaluate and approve development projects and investment opportunities.
Segment Reporting We have seven separately managed reportable segments, as follows:
SDG&E provides electric service to San Diego and southern Orange counties and natural gas service to San Diego County.
SoCalGas is a natural gas distribution utility, serving customers throughout most of Southern California and part of central California.
Sempra Texas Utility holds our investment in Oncor Holdings, which owns an 80.25-percent interest in Oncor, a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility serving customers in the north-central, eastern and western parts of Texas. As we discuss in Note 5, we completed our acquisition of the investment in March 2018.
Sempra South American Utilities develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in, electric transmission, distribution and generation infrastructure in Chile and Peru. In January 2019, our board of directors approved a plan to sell our South American businesses. We expect to complete the sales process by the end of 2019.
Sempra Mexico develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in, natural gas, electric, LNG, LPG, ethane and liquid fuels infrastructure, and has marketing operations for the purchase of LNG and the purchase and sale of natural gas in Mexico.
Sempra Renewables develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in, wind and solar power generation facilities serving wholesale electricity markets in the U.S. As we discuss in Note 5, in June 2018, our board of directors approved a plan to market and sell all the segment’s wind assets and investments and solar assets and investments. In December 2018, Sempra Renewables completed the sale of all its operating solar assets, solar and battery storage development projects and one wind generation facility. In February 2019, Sempra Renewables entered into an agreement to sell its remaining wind assets and investments. We expect to complete the sale in the second quarter of 2019.
Sempra LNG & Midstream develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in, terminals for the import and export of LNG and sale of natural gas, and natural gas pipelines, storage facilities and marketing operations, all within the U.S. As we discuss in Note 5, in June 2018, our board of directors approved a plan to market and sell our natural gas storage assets at Mississippi Hub and our 90.9-percent ownership interest in Bay Gas. In February 2019, Sempra LNG & Midstream completed the sale of these assets.
We evaluate each segment’s performance based on its contribution to Sempra Energy’s reported earnings and cash flows. The California Utilities operate in essentially separate service territories, under separate regulatory frameworks and rate structures set by the CPUC. The California Utilities’ operations are based on rates set by the CPUC and the FERC. We describe the accounting policies of all of our segments in Note 1.
The cost of common services shared by the business segments is assigned directly or allocated based on various cost factors, depending on the nature of the service provided. Interest income and expense is recorded on intercompany loans. The loan balances and related interest are eliminated in consolidation.