Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments

The Company has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in millions):



											2022 and
	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter		Total
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments	$	2,370	$	1,606	$	1,389	$	1,208	$	1,010	$	10,053	$	17,636
Construction commitments	852		49		66		1		1		4		973
Operating leases and easements	141		122		101		87		73		1,085		1,609
Maintenance, service and other contracts	303		220		212		186		180		723		1,824
	$	3,666	$	1,997	$	1,768	$	1,482	$	1,264	$	11,865	$	22,042

Fuel, Capacity and Transmission Contract Commitments

The Utilities have fuel supply and related transportation and lime contracts for their coal- and natural gas-fueled generating facilities. The Utilities expect to supplement these contracts with additional contracts and spot market purchases to fulfill their future fossil fuel needs. The Utilities acquire a portion of their electricity through long-term purchases and exchange agreements. The Utilities have several power purchase agreements with wind-powered generating facilities that are not included in the table above as the payments are based on the amount of energy generated and there are no minimum payments. The Utilities also have contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines to facilitate delivery to their customers.

MidAmerican Energy has long-term rail transportation contracts with BNSF Railway Company ("BNSF"), an affiliate company, and Union Pacific Railroad Company for the transportation of coal to all of the MidAmerican Energy-operated coal-fueled generating facilities. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, $137 million, $185 million and $159 million, respectively, were incurred for coal transportation services, the majority of which was related to the BNSF agreement.

Construction Commitments

The Company's firm construction commitments reflected in the table above include the following major construction projects:


•	MidAmerican Energy's construction of wind-powered generating facilities in 2017 and two Multi-Value Projects approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. for high voltage transmission lines in Iowa and Illinois in 2017.


•	ALP's investments in directly assigned transmission projects from the AESO.


•	PacifiCorp's costs associated with investments in emissions control equipment and certain transmission and distribution projects.

Operating Leases and Easements

The Company has non-cancelable operating leases primarily for office equipment, office space, certain operating facilities, land and rail cars. These leases generally require the Company to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. The Company also has non-cancelable easements for land on which its wind-powered generating facilities are located. Rent expense on non-cancelable operating leases totaled $156 million for 2016, $161 million for 2015 and $146 million for 2014.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

The Company has entered into service agreements related to its nonregulated solar and wind-powered projects with third parties to operate and maintain the projects under fixed-fee operating and maintenance agreements. Additionally, the Company has various non-cancelable maintenance, service and other contracts primarily related to turbine and equipment maintenance and various other service agreements.

Legal Matters

The Company is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. The Company does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, emissions performance standards, climate change, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Hydroelectric Relicensing

PacifiCorp's Klamath hydroelectric system is currently operating under annual licenses with the FERC. In February 2010, PacifiCorp, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Commerce, the state of California, the state of Oregon and various other governmental and non-governmental settlement parties signed the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement ("KHSA"). Among other things, the KHSA provided that the United States Department of the Interior would conduct scientific and engineering studies to assess whether removal of the Klamath hydroelectric system's mainstem dams was in the public interest and would advance restoration of the Klamath Basin's salmonid fisheries. If it was determined that dam removal should proceed, dam removal would begin no earlier than 2020.

Congress failed to pass legislation needed to implement the original KHSA. In February 2016, the principal parties to the KHSA (PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon and the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce) executed an agreement in principle committing to explore potential amendment of the KHSA to facilitate removal of the Klamath dams through a FERC process without the need for federal legislation. On April 6, 2016, PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon, and the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce and other stakeholders executed an amendment to the KHSA. Consistent with the terms of the amended KHSA, on September 23, 2016, PacifiCorp and the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC")" jointly filed an application with the FERC to transfer the license for the four mainstem Klamath River hydroelectric generating facilities from PacifiCorp to the KRRC. Also on September 23, 2016, the KRRC filed an application with the FERC to surrender the license and decommission the facilities. The KRRC's license surrender application included a request for the FERC to refrain from acting on the surrender application until after the transfer of the license to the KRRC is effective.

Under the amended KHSA, PacifiCorp and its customers continue to be protected from uncapped dam removal costs and liabilities. The KRRC must indemnify PacifiCorp from liabilities associated with dam removal. The amended KHSA also limits PacifiCorp's contribution to facilities removal costs to no more than $200 million, of which up to $184 million would be collected from PacifiCorp's Oregon customers with the remainder to be collected from PacifiCorp's California customers. California voters approved a water bond measure in November 2014 from which the state of California's contribution towards facilities removal costs will be drawn. In accordance with this bond measure, additional funding of up to $250 million for facilities removal costs was included in the California state budget in 2016, with the funding effective for at least five years. If facilities removal costs exceed the combined funding that will be available from PacifiCorp's Oregon and California customers and the state of California, sufficient funds would need to be provided by the KRRC or an entity other than PacifiCorp in order for removal to proceed.

If certain conditions in the amended KHSA are not satisfied and the license does not transfer to the KRRC, PacifiCorp will resume relicensing with the FERC.

As of December 31, 2016, PacifiCorp's assets included $68 million of costs associated with the Klamath hydroelectric system's mainstem dams and the associated relicensing and settlement costs, which are being depreciated and amortized in accordance with state regulatory approvals through either December 31, 2019, or December 31, 2022, depending upon the state jurisdiction.

Hydroelectric Commitments

Certain of PacifiCorp's hydroelectric licenses contain requirements for PacifiCorp to make certain capital and operating expenditures related to its hydroelectric facilities. PacifiCorp estimates it is obligated to make capital expenditures of approximately $227 million over the next 10 years related to these licenses.

Guarantees

The Company has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.

PacifiCorp [Member]

Contractual Obligation [Line Items]

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

PacifiCorp is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. PacifiCorp does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

PacifiCorp is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, emissions performance standards, climate change, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact PacifiCorp's current and future operations. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Hydroelectric Relicensing

Congress failed to pass legislation needed to implement the original KHSA. Hence, in February 2016, the principal parties to the KHSA (PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon and the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce) executed an agreement in principle committing to explore potential amendment of the KHSA to facilitate removal of the Klamath dams through a FERC process without the need for federal legislation. On April 6, 2016, PacifiCorp, the states of California and Oregon, and the United States Departments of the Interior and Commerce and other stakeholders executed an amendment to the KHSA. Consistent with the terms of the amended KHSA, on September 23, 2016, PacifiCorp and the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC") jointly filed an application with the FERC to transfer the license for the four mainstem Klamath River hydroelectric generating facilities from PacifiCorp to the KRRC. Also on September 23, 2016, the KRRC filed an application with the FERC to surrender the license and decommission the facilities. The KRRC's license surrender application included a request for the FERC to refrain from acting on the surrender application until after the transfer of the license to the KRRC is effective.

If certain conditions in the amended KHSA are not satisfied and the license does not transfer to the KRRC, PacifiCorp will resume relicensing with the FERC.

Hydroelectric Commitments

Commitments

PacifiCorp has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in millions):



	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		2022 and Thereafter		Total
Contract type:
Purchased electricity contracts -
commercially operable	$	253	$	160	$	157	$	157	$	145	$	1,630	$	2,502
Purchased electricity contracts -
non-commercially operable	10		13		17		17		18		390		465
Fuel contracts	796		616		596		507		346		1,407		4,268
Construction commitments	62		46		26		4		1		4		143
Transmission	109		106		90		61		47		467		880
Operating leases and easements	5		5		5		5		4		39		63
Maintenance, service and
other contracts	53		29		31		17		20		68		218
Total commitments	$	1,288	$	975	$	922	$	768	$	581	$	4,005	$	8,539

Purchased Electricity Contracts - Commercially Operable

As part of its energy resource portfolio, PacifiCorp acquires a portion of its electricity through long-term purchases and exchange agreements. PacifiCorp has several power purchase agreements with wind-powered generating facilities that are not included in the table above as the payments are based on the amount of energy generated and there are no minimum payments. Included in the purchased electricity payments are any power purchase agreements that meet the definition of a lease. Rent expense related to those power purchase agreements that meet the definition of a lease totaled $14 million for 2016, $13 million for 2015 and $15 million for 2014.

Included in the minimum fixed annual payments for purchased electricity above are commitments to purchase electricity from several hydroelectric systems under long-term arrangements with public utility districts. These purchases are made on a "cost-of-service" basis for a stated percentage of system output and for a like percentage of system operating expenses and debt service. These costs are included in energy costs on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. PacifiCorp is required to pay its portion of operating costs and its portion of the debt service, whether or not any electricity is produced. These arrangements accounted for less than 5% of PacifiCorp's 2016, 2015 and 2014 energy sources.

Purchased Electricity Contracts - Non-commercially Operable

PacifiCorp has several contracts for purchases of electricity from facilities that have not yet achieved commercial operation. To the extent any of these facilities do not achieve commercial operation, PacifiCorp has no obligation to the counterparty.

Fuel Contracts

PacifiCorp has "take or pay" coal and natural gas contracts that require minimum payments.

Construction Commitments

PacifiCorp's construction commitments included in the table above relate to firm commitments and include costs associated with investments in emissions control equipment and certain transmission and distribution projects.

Transmission

PacifiCorp has contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines to facilitate delivery to PacifiCorp's customers.

Operating Leases and Easements

PacifiCorp has non-cancelable operating leases primarily for certain operating facilities, office space, land and equipment that expire at various dates through the year ending December 31, 2092. These leases generally require PacifiCorp to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. PacifiCorp also has non-cancelable easements for land on which its wind-powered generating facilities are located. Rent expense totaled $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and $16 million for 2014.

Guarantees

PacifiCorp has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on PacifiCorp's consolidated financial results.

MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]

Contractual Obligation [Line Items]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

MidAmerican Energy had the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2016, are as follows (in millions):



											2022 and
	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter		Total
Contract type:
Coal and natural gas for generation	$	141	$	73	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	254
Electric capacity and transmission	37		29		29		28		25		59		207
Natural gas contracts for gas operations	137		34		13		12		10		23		229
Construction commitments	347		2		5		—		—		—		354
Easements and operating leases	20		20		20		19		19		624		722
Maintenance and services contracts	72		90		91		92		86		210		641
	$	754	$	248	$	198	$	151	$	140	$	916	$	2,407

Coal, Natural Gas, Electric Capacity and Transmission Commitments

MidAmerican Energy has coal supply and related transportation and lime contracts for its coal-fueled generating facilities. MidAmerican Energy expects to supplement the coal contracts with additional contracts and spot market purchases to fulfill its future coal supply needs. Additionally, MidAmerican Energy has a natural gas transportation contract for a natural gas-fueled generating facility. The contracts have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2019.

MidAmerican Energy has various natural gas supply and transportation contracts for its regulated and nonregulated gas operations that have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2025.

MidAmerican Energy has contracts to purchase electric capacity to meet its electric system energy requirements that have minimum payment commitments ranging through 2028. MidAmerican Energy also has contracts for the right to transmit electricity over other entities' transmission lines with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2022.

Construction Commitments

MidAmerican Energy's firm construction commitments reflected in the table above consist primarily of contracts for the construction of wind-powered generating facilities in 2017, the settlement of asset retirement obligations for ash pond closures and the construction in 2017 of two Multi-Value Projects approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. for high voltage transmission lines in Iowa and Illinois.

Easements and Operating Leases

MidAmerican Energy has non-cancelable easements with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2061 for land in Iowa on which its wind-powered generating facilities are located. MidAmerican Energy also has non-cancelable operating leases with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2020 primarily for office and other building space, rail cars and computer equipment. These leases generally require MidAmerican Energy to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. Rent expense on non-cancelable operating leases totaled $4 million, $4 million and $4 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Maintenance and Services Contracts

MidAmerican Energy has non-cancelable maintenance and services contracts related to various generating facilities with minimum payment commitments ranging through 2027.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

MidAmerican Energy is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, emissions performance standards, climate change, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. MidAmerican Energy believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Transmission Rates

MidAmerican Energy's wholesale transmission rates are set annually using FERC-approved formula rates subject to true-up for actual cost of service. Prior to September 2016, the rates in effect were based on a 12.38% return on equity ("ROE"). In November 2013 and February 2015, a coalition of intervenors filed successive complaints with the FERC requesting that the 12.38% ROE no longer be found just and reasonable and sought to reduce the base ROE to 9.15% and 8.67%, respectively. MidAmerican Energy is authorized by the FERC to include a 0.50% adder beyond the base ROE effective January 2015. In September 2016, the FERC issued an order for the first complaint, which reduces the base ROE to 10.32% and requires refunds, plus interest, for the period from November 2013 through February 2015. The FERC is expected to rule on the second complaint by the second quarter of 2017, covering the period from February 2015 through May 2016. MidAmerican Energy believes it is probable that the FERC will order a base ROE lower than 12.38% in the second complaint and, as of December 31, 2016, has accrued a $10 million liability for refunds under both complaints of amounts collected under the higher ROE from November 2013 through May 2016.

Legal Matters

MidAmerican Energy is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. MidAmerican Energy does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its financial results.

MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]

Contractual Obligation [Line Items]

Commitments and Contingencies

Refer to Note 15 of MidAmerican Energy's Notes to Financial Statements.

Legal Matters

MidAmerican Funding is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. MidAmerican Funding does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Nevada Power Company [Member]

Contractual Obligation [Line Items]

Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Nevada Power is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, emissions performance standards, climate change, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact Nevada Power's current and future operations. Nevada Power believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Senate Bill 123

In June 2013, the Nevada State Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 123 ("SB 123"), which included the retirement of coal plants and replacing the capacity with renewable facilities and other generating facilities. In May 2014, Nevada Power filed its Emissions Reduction Capacity Replacement Plan ("ERCR Plan") in compliance with SB 123. In July 2015, Nevada Power filed an amendment to its ERCR Plan with the PUCN which was approved in September 2015. In June 2015, the Nevada State Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 498, which modified the capacity replacement components of SB 123.

Consistent with the Emissions Reduction and Capacity Replacement Plan ("ERCR Plan"), Nevada Power acquired a 272-MW natural gas co-generating facility in 2014, acquired a 210-MW natural gas peaking facility in 2014, constructed a 15-MW solar photovoltaic facility in 2015 and contracted two renewable power purchase agreements with 100-MW solar photovoltaic generating facilities in 2015. In February 2016, Nevada Power solicited proposals to acquire 35 MW of nameplate renewable energy capacity to be owned by Nevada Power. Nevada Power did not enter into any agreements to acquire the 35 MW of nameplate renewable energy capacity; however, it has the option to acquire the 35 MW in the future under the ERCR Plan, subject to PUCN approval. In addition, Nevada Power was granted approval to purchase the remaining 130 MW of the Silverhawk natural gas-fueled combined cycle generating facility. In June 2016, Nevada Power executed a long-term power purchase agreement for 100 MW of nameplate renewable energy capacity in Nevada. In December 2016, the order was approved. In addition the order approved the early retirement of Reid Gardner Unit 4 in the first quarter of 2017. These transactions are related to Nevada Power's compliance with Senate Bill No. 123, resulting in the retirement of 812 MW of coal-fueled generation by 2019.

Reid Gardner Generation Station

In October 2011, Nevada Power received a request for information from the EPA Region 9 under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act requesting current and historical operations and capital project information for Nevada Power's Reid Gardner Generating Station located near Moapa, Nevada. The EPA's Section 114 information request does not allege any incidents of non-compliance at the plant, and there have been no other new enforcement-related proceedings that have been initiated by the EPA relating to the plant. Nevada Power completed its responses to the EPA during the first quarter of 2012 and will continue to monitor developments relating to this Section 114 request. At this time, Nevada Power cannot predict the impact, if any, associated with this information request.

Legal Matters

Nevada Power is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Nevada Power does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results. The Company is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are described below.

Switch, Ltd.

In July 2016, Switch filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada against various parties, including Nevada Power. In September 2016, Switch filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint alleges that actions by the former general counsel of the PUCN, as well as the PUCN and the PUCN Staff, violated state and federal laws and as a result of those actions Switch was prevented from being able to utilize an alternative energy provider. Switch also alleges that Nevada Power was aware of the wrong doing and either participated in the activities or failed to take action to stop the wrong doing, and as a result Nevada Power has been improperly enriched by these activities. In addition, Switch asserted antitrust claims against Nevada Power. Switch was seeking monetary damages and to invalidate the settlement agreement between Switch and Nevada Power relating to Switch utilizing an alternative energy provider. In December 2016, the PUCN issued an order resolving the matters in the complaint. The order approved a stipulation between Switch and the Operations Staff of the PUCN, which allows Switch to purchase energy from alternative providers of a new electric resource and become a distribution only service customer. In January 2017, Switch voluntarily dismissed the federal court case with prejudice.

Commitments

Nevada Power has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in millions):



	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		2022 and Thereafter		Total
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments	$	697	$	445	$	352	$	355	$	358	$	5,310	$	7,517
Fuel and capacity contract commitments (not commercially operable)	7		14		29		36		37		683		806
Operating leases and easements	9		9		8		7		7		51		91
Maintenance, service and other contracts	118		39		37		37		36		75		342
Total commitments	$	831	$	507	$	426	$	435	$	438	$	6,119	$	8,756

Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments

Purchased Power

Nevada Power has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy which have been approved by the PUCN. The expiration of these contracts range from 2017 to 2067. Purchased power includes contracts which meet the definition of a lease. Nevada Power's operating and maintenance expense for purchase power contracts which met the lease criteria for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $302 million, $264 million and $245 million, respectively, and are recorded as cost of fuel, energy and capacity on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Coal and Natural Gas

Nevada Power has a contract for the transportation of coal that extends through 2017. Additionally, gas transportation contracts expire from 2017 to 2032 and the gas supply contract expires in 2018.

Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments - Not Commercially Operable

Nevada Power has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy in which the facility remains under development. Amounts represent the estimated payments under renewable energy power purchase contracts, which have been approved by the PUCN and are contingent upon the developers obtaining commercial operation and their ability to deliver power.

Operating Leases and Easements

Nevada Power has non-cancelable operating leases primarily for office equipment, office space, certain operating facilities, vehicles and land. These leases generally require Nevada Power to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. Nevada Power also has non-cancelable easements for land. Operating and maintenance expense on non-cancelable operating leases totaled $13 million, $11 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

Nevada Power has long-term service agreements for the performance of maintenance on generation units. Obligation amounts are based on estimated usage. The estimated expiration of these service agreements range from 2017 to 2026.

Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member]

Contractual Obligation [Line Items]

Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Sierra Pacific is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air and water quality, renewable portfolio standards, emissions performance standards, climate change, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact Sierra Pacific's current and future operations. Sierra Pacific believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Valmy Generation Station

In June 2009, Sierra Pacific received a request for information from the EPA Region 9 under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act requesting current and historical operations and capital project information for Sierra Pacific's Valmy Generating Station located in Valmy, Nevada. Sierra Pacific co-owns and operates this coal-fueled generating facility. Idaho Power Company owns the remaining 50%. The EPA's Section 114 information request does not allege any incidents of non-compliance at the plant, and there have been no other new enforcement-related proceedings that have been initiated by the EPA relating to the plant. Sierra Pacific completed its responses to the EPA in December 2009 and will continue to monitor developments relating to this Section 114 request. At this time, Sierra Pacific cannot predict the impact, if any, associated with this information request.

Legal Matters

Sierra Pacific is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Sierra Pacific does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.

Commitments

Sierra Pacific has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Minimum payments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in millions):



											2022 and
	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter		Total
Contract type:
Fuel, capacity and transmission contract commitments	$	238	$	156	$	103	$	71	$	62	$	375	$	1,005
Fuel and capacity contract commitments (not commercially operable)	5		10		10		11		11		215		262
Operating leases and easements	4		4		3		3		3		46		63
Maintenance, service and other contracts	4		5		4		6		6		17		42
Total commitments	$	251	$	175	$	120	$	91	$	82	$	653	$	1,372

Fuel and Capacity Contract Commitments

Purchased Power

Sierra Pacific has several contracts for long-term purchase of electric energy which have been approved by the PUCN. The expiration of these contracts range from 2017 to 2039. Purchased power includes contracts which meet the definition of a lease. Sierra Pacific's operating and maintenance expense for purchase power contracts which met the lease criteria for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $69 million, $65 million and $68 million, respectively, and are recorded as cost of fuel, energy and capacity on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Coal and Natural Gas

Sierra Pacific has several long-term contracts for the transport of coal that expire from 2017 to 2018. Additionally, gas transportation contracts expire from 2018 to 2046 and the gas supply contracts expire from 2017 to 2018.

Operating Leases

Sierra Pacific has non-cancelable operating leases primarily for office equipment, office space, certain operating facilities, vehicles and land. These leases generally require Sierra Pacific to pay for insurance, taxes and maintenance applicable to the leased property. Certain leases contain renewal options for varying periods and escalation clauses for adjusting rent to reflect changes in price indices. Sierra Pacific also has non-cancelable easements for land. Operating and maintenance expense on non-cancelable operating leases totaled $6 million, $7 million and $6 million for the year-ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Maintenance, Service and Other Contracts

Sierra Pacific has long-term service agreements for the performance of maintenance on generation units. Obligation amounts are based on estimated usage. The estimated expiration of these service agreements range from 2017 to 2039.