XML 25 R21.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3
GENERAL INFORMATION AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Sempra Energy, a California-based 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 were managed within six separate reportable segments until April 2019 and five separate reportable segments thereafter, which we discuss in Note 12. In the first quarter of 2019, our Sempra LNG & Midstream segment was renamed “Sempra LNG.” This segment name change had no impact on our historical position, results of operations, cash flow or segment level results previously reported. All references in these Notes to our reportable segments are not intended to refer to any legal entity with the same or similar name.
SDG&E
SDG&E’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include its accounts and the accounts of a VIE of which SDG&E was the primary beneficiary until August 23, 2019, at which time SDG&E deconsolidated the VIE, as we discuss below in “Variable Interest Entities.” SDG&E’s common stock is wholly owned by Enova Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy.
SoCalGas
SoCalGas’ common stock is wholly owned by Pacific Enterprises, 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
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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements when discussed together or collectively:
the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries and VIEs;
the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes of SDG&E and its VIE (until deconsolidation of the VIE on August 23, 2019); and
the Condensed Financial Statements and related Notes of SoCalGas.
We have prepared the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP and in accordance with the interim-period-reporting requirements of Form 10-Q. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. We evaluated events and transactions that occurred after September 30, 2019 through the date the financial statements were issued and, in the opinion of management, the accompanying statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation. These adjustments are only of a normal, recurring nature.
All December 31, 2018 balance sheet information in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements has been derived from our audited 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report, which for Sempra Energy has been retrospectively adjusted for discontinued operations, as we discuss below. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the interim-period-reporting provisions of U.S. GAAP and the SEC.
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report and the impact of the adoption of new accounting standards on those policies in Note 2 below. We follow the same accounting policies for interim reporting purposes.
You should read the information in this Quarterly Report in conjunction with the Annual Report.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations
On January 25, 2019, our board of directors approved a plan to sell our South American businesses based on our strategic focus on North America. We determined that these businesses, which previously constituted the Sempra South American Utilities segment, and certain activities associated with these businesses, met the held-for-sale criteria. These businesses are presented as discontinued operations, as the planned sales represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. Throughout this report, the financial information for all periods presented has been adjusted to reflect the presentation of these businesses as discontinued operations, which we discuss further in Note 5. Our discussions in the Notes below relate only to our continuing operations unless otherwise noted.
Variable Interest Entity Policy
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
We consolidate a VIE if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary is based on 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.
We will continue to evaluate our VIEs for any changes that may impact our determination of the primary beneficiary.
Earnings Per Share Policy

The potentially dilutive impact from stock options 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.
We discuss share-based compensation plans and related awards further in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.
The potentially dilutive impact from the forward sale of our common stock pursuant to the forward sale agreements that we entered into in 2018 is reflected in our diluted EPS calculation using the treasury stock method. We anticipate there will be a dilutive effect on our EPS when the average market price of shares of our common stock is above the applicable adjusted forward sale price, subject to increase or decrease based on the overnight bank funding rate, less a spread, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. The computation of diluted EPS for both the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 excludes zero potentially dilutive shares because to include them would be antidilutive for those periods. The computation of diluted EPS for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 excludes zero and 2,857,143 potentially dilutive shares, respectively, because to include them would be antidilutive for the period. Additionally, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle the forward sale agreements, delivery of our shares to the forward purchasers on any such physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements would result in dilution to our EPS.
The potentially dilutive impact from mandatory convertible preferred stock that we issued in 2018 is calculated under the if-converted method.Basic EPS is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common shares (from both continuing and discontinued operations) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. 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.
Interim period effective tax rate policy Sempra Energy, SDG&E and SoCalGas record income taxes for interim periods utilizing a forecasted ETR anticipated for the full year. Unusual and infrequent items and items that cannot be reliably estimated are recorded in the interim period in which they occur, which can result in variability in the ETR.
Flow-through rate-making treatment tax policy
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.
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 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,” ASU 2018-20, “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors” and ASU 2019-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements” (collectively referred to as the “lease standard”): In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board began issuing the first in a series of ASUs intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations with leasing activities. The most significant provision of the lease standard is the requirement that lessees recognize operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet.
We adopted 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 elected the package of practical expedients that permits us to not reassess (a) whether a contract is or contains a lease, (b) lease classification or (c) determination of initial direct costs, which allows us to carry forward accounting conclusions under previous U.S. GAAP on contracts that commenced prior to adoption of the lease standard. We also elected the land easement practical expedient, which allows us to continue to account for pre-existing land easements under our accounting policy that existed before adoption of the lease standard. We did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight in making judgments when determining the lease term.
The adoption of the lease standard did not change our previously reported financial statements. However, in accordance with the lease standard, on a prospective basis, a significant portion of finance lease costs for PPAs that have historically been presented in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power are now presented in Depreciation and Amortization Expense and Interest Expense on Sempra Energy’s and SDG&E’s statements of operations. Additionally, the adoption of the lease standard had 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.
The following table shows the initial increases (decreases) on our balance sheets at January 1, 2019 from adoption of the lease standard.
IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF THE LEASE STANDARD
(Dollars in millions)
 
Sempra Energy Consolidated
 
SDG&E
 
SoCalGas
Assets held for sale
$
13

 
$

 
$

Sundry
(71
)
 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net
(147
)
 

 

Right-of-use assets – operating leases
603

 
130

 
116

Deferred income tax assets
(3
)
 

 

Other current liabilities
80

 
20

 
23

Long-term debt
(138
)
 

 

Deferred credits and other
436

 
110

 
93

Retained earnings
17

 

 



As a result of the adoption of the lease standard, we derecognized 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 initial impact is included in the above table.
We include additional disclosures about our leases in Note 11.
ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”: ASU 2016-13, as amended by subsequently issued ASUs, 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. On a prospective basis, the new standard will primarily apply to our accounts receivable balances, amounts due from unconsolidated affiliates and off-balance sheet financial guarantees. We will 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 will adopt the standard on January 1, 2020.
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 is 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. We adopted ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and reclassified the income tax effects of the TCJA from AOCI to retained earnings.
The impact from adoption of ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 was 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.
Derivative Financial Instruments
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 to the amounts noted above, we 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. 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.
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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have derivatives that are either (1) cash flow hedges, (2) fair value hedges, 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 hedges), on the balance sheet (regulatory offsets), or recognized in earnings (fair value hedges). 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 Condensed 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.
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 Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Sempra Mexico and Sempra LNG 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 Energy-Related Businesses Cost of Sales on the Condensed 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 Condensed 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.
Fair Value Measurement Policy
A significant increase (decrease) in market electricity forward prices would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value. We summarize long-term, fixed-price electricity position volumes in Note 8.
Realized gains and losses associated with CRRs and long-term electricity positions, which are recoverable in rates, are recorded in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets and liabilities, they do not affect earnings.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values of certain of our financial instruments (cash, accounts and notes receivable, dividends receivable from discontinued operations, 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.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 valued assets and liabilities, and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. We have not changed the valuation techniques or types of inputs we use to measure recurring fair value since December 31, 2018.
The fair value of commodity derivative assets and liabilities is presented in accordance with our netting policy, as we discuss in Note 8 under “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 $6 million investment at September 30, 2019 measured at net asset value):
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 or income 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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
The impact associated with discounting is negligible. Because these auction prices are a less observable input, these instruments are classified as Level 3. The fair value of these instruments is derived from auction price differences between two locations. Positive values between two locations represent expected future reductions in congestion costs, whereas negative values between two locations represent expected future charges. Valuation of our CRRs is sensitive to a change in auction price. If auction prices at one location increase (decrease) relative to another location, this could result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. We summarize CRR volumes in Note 8.
Long-term, fixed-price electricity positions that are valued using significant unobservable data are classified as Level 3 because the contract terms relate to a delivery location or tenor for which observable market rate information is not available. The fair value of the net electricity positions classified as Level 3 is derived from a discounted cash flow model using market electricity forward price inputs.
Inputs used to determine the fair value of CRRs and fixed-price electricity positions are reviewed and compared with market conditions to determine reasonableness. SDG&E expects all costs related to these instruments to be recoverable through customer rates. As such, there is no impact to earnings from changes in the fair value of these instruments.
CRRs are recorded at fair value based almost entirely on the most current auction prices published by the California ISO, an objective source. Annual auction prices are published once a year, typically in the middle of November, and are the basis for valuing CRRs settling in the following year.
Legal Costs Policy
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We 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.
Gains and Losses on NDTs
Net unrealized gains and losses, as well as realized gains and losses that are reinvested in the NDT, are included in noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities on Sempra Energy’s and SDG&E’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We determine the cost of securities in the trusts on the basis of specific identification.
Lessee, Leases Policy
Certain of our contracts are short-term leases, which have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease commencement. We do not recognize a lease liability or ROU asset arising from short-term leases for all existing classes of underlying assets. In such cases, we recognize short-term lease costs on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Our short-term lease costs for the period reasonably reflect our short-term lease commitments.
As of the lease commencement date, we recognize a lease liability for our obligation to make future lease payments, which we initially measure at present value using our incremental borrowing rate at the date of lease commencement, unless the rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable. We determine our incremental borrowing rate based on the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We also record a ROU asset for our right to use the underlying asset, which is initially equal to the lease liability and adjusted for lease payments made at or before lease commencement, lease incentives, and any initial direct costs. Like other long-lived assets, we test ROU assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may affect the recoverability or the estimated useful lives of the ROU assets.
For our operating leases, our non-regulated entities recognize a single lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term in operating expenses. The California Utilities recognize this single lease cost on a basis that is consistent with the recovery of such costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations.
For our finance leases, the interest expense on the lease liability and amortization of the ROU asset are accounted for separately. Our non-regulated entities use the effective interest rate method to account for the imputed interest on the lease liability and amortize the ROU asset on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The California Utilities recognize amortization of the ROU asset on a basis that is consistent with the recovery of such costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP governing rate-regulated operations.
Lessor, Leases Policy
Generally, we recognize operating lease income on a straight-line basis over the lease term and evaluate the underlying asset for impairment. Certain of our leases contain rate adjustments or are based on foreign currency exchange rates that may result in lease payments received that vary from one period to the next.
Segment Information
At September 30, 2019, we had five 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 Utilities holds our investment in Oncor Holdings, which owns an 80.25-percent interest in Oncor, a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility serving customers primarily in the north-central, eastern, western and panhandle regions of Texas, and our indirect, 50-percent interest in Sharyland Holdings, which owns a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility serving customers near the Texas-Mexico border. As we discuss in Note 5, we acquired an indirect, 50-percent interest in Sharyland Holdings in May 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 LNG (previously known as Sempra LNG & Midstream) develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in, terminals for the import and export of LNG and sale of natural gas, natural gas pipelines and marketing operations, all within the U.S. and Mexico. In February 2019, we completed the sale of our natural gas storage assets at Mississippi Hub and Bay Gas.
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 April 2019, Sempra Renewables completed the sale of its remaining wind assets and investments. Upon completion of this sale, remaining nominal business activities at Sempra Renewables were subsumed into Parent and other and the Sempra Renewables segment ceased to exist. The tables below include amounts from Sempra Renewables up until the cessation of the segment.
As we discuss in Note 5, the financial information related to our businesses that constituted the Sempra South American Utilities segment has been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented. The information in the tables below excludes amounts from discontinued operations unless otherwise noted.
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 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.
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.