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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSWe discuss the valuation techniques and inputs we use to measure fair value and the definition of the three levels of the fair value hierarchy in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.
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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 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, 2019.
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 $5 million investment at December 31, 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 – SDG&E.”
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, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
As we discuss in Note 6, in July 2020, Sempra Energy entered into a Support Agreement for the benefit of CFIN. We measure the Support Agreement, which includes a guarantee obligation, a put option and a call option, net of related guarantee fees, at fair value on a recurring basis. We use a discounted cash flow model to value the Support Agreement, net of related guarantee fees. Because some of the inputs that are significant to the valuation are less observable, the Support Agreement is classified as Level 3, as we describe below in “Level 3 Information – Sempra LNG.”
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASURES – SEMPRA ENERGY CONSOLIDATED
(Dollars in millions)
 Fair value at September 30, 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trusts:    
Equity securities$382 $$— $389 
Debt securities:    
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government corporations and agencies
26 23 — 49 
Municipal bonds— 335 — 335 
Other securities— 271 — 271 
Total debt securities26 629 — 655 
Total nuclear decommissioning trusts(1)
408 636 — 1,044 
Interest rate and foreign exchange instruments— — 
Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery— — 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
41 — — 41 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery86 99 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
18 — 24 
Support Agreement, net of related guarantee fees— — 
Total$476 $653 $98 $1,227 
Liabilities:    
Interest rate and foreign exchange instruments$— $219 $— $219 
Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery— 17 — 17 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery— 53 59 
Total$— $242 $53 $295 
 Fair value at December 31, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trusts:    
Equity securities$503 $$— $509 
Debt securities:   
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government corporations and agencies
46 11 — 57 
Municipal bonds— 282 — 282 
Other securities— 226 — 226 
Total debt securities46 519 — 565 
Total nuclear decommissioning trusts(1)
549 525 — 1,074 
Interest rate and foreign exchange instruments— 24 — 24 
Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery— 11 — 11 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
43 — — 43 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery95 108 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
11 25 
Total$608 $576 $101 $1,285 
Liabilities:    
Interest rate and foreign exchange instruments$— $157 $— $157 
Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery— 17 — 17 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery14 67 85 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
(14)— — (14)
Total$— $178 $67 $245 
(1)    Excludes cash and cash equivalents.
(2)    Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements and with cash collateral, as well as cash collateral not offset.
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASURES – SDG&E
(Dollars in millions)
 Fair value at September 30, 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trusts:    
Equity securities$382 $$— $389 
Debt securities:    
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government corporations and agencies
26 23 — 49 
Municipal bonds— 335 — 335 
Other securities— 271 — 271 
Total debt securities26 629 — 655 
Total nuclear decommissioning trusts(1)
408 636 — 1,044 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery86 96 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
16 — 22 
Total$433 $637 $92 $1,162 
Liabilities:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$— $— $53 $53 
Total$— $— $53 $53 
 Fair value at December 31, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Nuclear decommissioning trusts:    
Equity securities$503 $$— $509 
Debt securities:    
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government corporations and agencies
46 11 — 57 
Municipal bonds— 282 — 282 
Other securities— 226 — 226 
Total debt securities46 519 — 565 
Total nuclear decommissioning trusts(1)
549 525 — 1,074 
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery95 99 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
10 — 16 
Total$560 $528 $101 $1,189 
Liabilities:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$14 $— $67 $81 
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(2)
(14)— — (14)
Total$— $— $67 $67 
(1)    Excludes cash and cash equivalents.
(2)    Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements and with cash collateral, as well as cash collateral not offset.
RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASURES – SOCALGAS
(Dollars in millions)
 Fair value at September 30, 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$— $$— $
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(1)
— — 
Total$$$— $
Liabilities:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$— $$— $
Total$— $$— $
 Fair value at December 31, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$$$— $
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(1)
— 
Total$$13 $— $18 
Liabilities:    
Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery$— $$— $
Total$— $$— $
(1)    Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements and with cash collateral, as well as cash collateral not offset.
Level 3 Information
SDG&E
The table below sets forth reconciliations of changes in the fair value of CRRs and long-term, fixed-price electricity positions classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for Sempra Energy Consolidated and SDG&E.
LEVEL 3 RECONCILIATIONS(1)
(Dollars in millions)
 Three months ended September 30,
 20202019
Balance at July 1$17 $176 
Realized and unrealized losses(4)(24)
Allocated transmission instruments— 
Settlements19 27 
Balance at September 30$33 $179 
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30$$
Nine months ended September 30,
20202019
Balance at January 1$28 $179 
Realized and unrealized losses(18)(32)
Allocated transmission instruments— 
Settlements21 32 
Balance at September 30$33 $179 
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30$(1)$12 
(1)    Excludes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting agreements.

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. For the CRRs settling from January 1 to December 31, the auction price inputs, at a given location, were in the following ranges for the years indicated below:
CONGESTION REVENUE RIGHTS AUCTION PRICE INPUTS
Settlement yearPrice per MWhMedian price per MWh
2020$(3.77)to$6.03 $(1.58)
2019(8.57)to35.21 (2.94)
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. The range and weighted-average price of these inputs at September 30 were as follows:
LONG-TERM, FIXED-PRICE ELECTRICITY POSITIONS PRICE INPUTS
Settlement yearPrice per MWhWeighted-average price per MWh
2020$19.45 to$71.25 $38.14 
201921.60 to57.20 38.29 
A significant increase (decrease) in market electricity forward prices would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value. We summarize long-term, fixed-price electricity position volumes in Note 8.
Realized gains and losses associated with CRRs and long-term, fixed-price electricity positions, which are recoverable in rates, are recorded in Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets and liabilities, they do not affect earnings.
Sempra LNG
The table below sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of Sempra Energy’s Support Agreement for the benefit of CFIN classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for Sempra Energy Consolidated.
LEVEL 3 RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in millions)
 Three months ended September 30, 2020
Balance at July 1$— 
Realized and unrealized gains(1)
Settlements(1)
Balance at September 30(2)
$
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30$
(1)    Net gains are included in Interest Income and net losses are included in Interest Expense on the Sempra Energy Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)    Included in Other Current Assets on the Sempra Energy Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The fair value of the Support Agreement, net of related guarantee fees, is based on a discounted cash flow model using a probability of default and survival methodology. Our estimate of fair value considers inputs such as third-party default rates, credit ratings, recovery rates, and risk-adjusted discount rates, which may be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. Because CFIN’s credit rating and related default and survival rates are unobservable inputs that are
significant to the valuation, the Support Agreement, net of related guarantee fees, is classified as Level 3. We assigned CFIN an internally developed credit rating of A3 and relied on default rate data published by Moody’s to assign a probability of default. A hypothetical change in the credit rating up or down one notch would not result in a significant change in the fair value of the Support Agreement.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The 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. The following table provides the carrying amounts and fair values of certain other financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
(Dollars in millions)
 September 30, 2020
 Carrying
amount
Fair value
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Sempra Energy Consolidated:     
Long-term amounts due from unconsolidated affiliates(1)
$620 $— $649 $— $649 
Long-term amounts due to unconsolidated affiliates271 — 280 — 280 
Total long-term debt(2)
23,588 — 26,105 — 26,105 
SDG&E:     
Total long-term debt(3)
$6,505 $— $7,481 $— $7,481 
SoCalGas:     
Total long-term debt(4)
$4,759 $— $5,573 $— $5,573 
 December 31, 2019
 Carrying
amount
Fair value
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Sempra Energy Consolidated:     
Long-term amounts due from unconsolidated affiliates$742 $— $759 $— $759 
Long-term amounts due to unconsolidated affiliates195 — 184 — 184 
Total long-term debt(2)
21,247 — 22,638 26 22,664 
SDG&E:     
Total long-term debt(3)
$5,140 $— $5,662 $— $5,662 
SoCalGas:     
Total long-term debt(4)
$3,809 $— $4,189 $— $4,189 
(1)    Before allowances for credit losses of $3 million at September 30, 2020.
(2)    Before reductions of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $263 million and $225 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and excluding finance lease obligations of $1,335 million and $1,289 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(3)    Before reductions of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $59 million and $48 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and excluding finance lease obligations of $1,278 million and $1,270 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(4)    Before reductions of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $41 million and $34 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and excluding finance lease obligations of $57 million and $19 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

We provide the fair values for the securities held in the NDT related to SONGS in Note 10.