Asset Impairments (Exelon and Generation)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]

Asset Impairments (Exelon and Generation)

The Registrants evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment may include a deteriorating business climate, including, but not limited to, declines in energy prices, condition of the asset, specific regulatory disallowance, or plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life. The Registrants determine if long-lived assets or asset groups are impaired by comparing the undiscounted expected future cash flows to the carrying value. When the undiscounted cash flow analysis indicates a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable, the amount of the impairment loss is determined by measuring the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group over its fair value. The fair value analysis is primarily based on the income approach using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) including revenue and generation forecasts, projected capital and maintenance expenditures and discount rates. A variation in the assumptions used could lead to a different conclusion regarding the recoverability of an asset or asset group and, thus, could potentially result in material future impairments of the Registrant's long-lived assets.

Antelope Valley Solar Facility

Generation’s Antelope Valley, a 242 MW solar facility in Lancaster, CA, sells all of its output to PG&E through a PPA. As of June 30, 2020, Generation had approximately $710 million of net long-lived assets related to Antelope Valley. As a result of the PG&E bankruptcy filing in the first quarter of 2019, Generation completed a comprehensive review of Antelope Valley's estimated undiscounted future cash flows and no impairment charge was recorded.

Antelope Valley is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of EGR IV, which had approximately $1,840 million of additional net long-lived assets as of June 30, 2020. EGR IV is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Exelon and Generation and includes Generation's interest in EGRP and other projects with non-controlling interests. To date, there have been no indicators to suggest that the carrying amount of other net long-lived assets of EGR IV may not be recoverable.

The United States Bankruptcy Court entered an order on June 20, 2020 confirming PG&E’s plan of reorganization. On July 1, 2020 the plan became effective, and PG&E emerged from bankruptcy. Under the confirmed plan, PG&E will continue to honor the existing PPA agreement with Antelope Valley.

See Note 12 - Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information.

New England Asset Group

During the first quarter of 2018, Mystic Unit 9 did not clear in the ISO-NE capacity auction for the 2021 - 2022 planning year. On March 29, 2018, Generation notified ISO-NE of the early retirement of its Mystic Generating Station's Units 7, 8, 9 and the Mystic Jet Unit (Mystic Generating Station assets) absent regulatory reforms. These events suggested that the carrying value of its New England asset group may be impaired. In the second quarter of 2018, Generation completed a comprehensive review of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the New England asset group and no impairment charge was required. Generation continues to monitor developments in the region that would indicate a potential triggering event for impairment and continues to look for solutions that appropriately compensate both Mystic 8 and 9 and the Everett Marine Terminal for their contributions to the region. Further developments such as the failure of ISO-NE to adopt long-term solutions for reliability and fuel security could potentially result in material future impairments of the New England asset group. See Note 6 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information.

Midwest Asset Group

We continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of the Midwest asset group as certain nuclear plants in Illinois are showing increased signs of economic distress, which could lead to an early retirement. See Note 6 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information.