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Regulatory Matters (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Line Items]  
Regulatory Matters (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

4. Regulatory Matters (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Regulatory and Legislative Proceedings (Exelon, Generation, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Except for the matters noted below, the disclosures set forth in Note 3 – Regulatory Matters of the Exelon 2013 Form 10-K appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of regulatory and legislative proceedings of the Registrants. The following is an update to that discussion.

 

Illinois Regulatory Matters

 

Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (Exelon and ComEd). Since 2011, ComEd's distribution rates are established through a performance-based rate formula, pursuant to EIMA. EIMA also provides a structure for substantial capital investment by utilities over a ten-year period to modernize Illinois' electric utility infrastructure. Participating utilities are required to file an annual update to the performance-based formula rate tariff on or before May 1, with resulting rates effective in January of the following year. This annual formula rate update is based on prior year actual costs and current year projected capital additions. The update also reconciles any differences between the revenue requirement(s) in effect for the prior year and actual costs incurred for that year. ComEd records regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and corresponding increases or decreases to operating revenues for any differences between the revenue requirement(s) in effect and ComEd's best estimate of the revenue requirement expected to be approved by the ICC for that year's reconciliation. As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, ComEd had recorded a net regulatory asset associated with the distribution formula rate of $459 million and $463 million, respectively. The regulatory asset associated with the distribution true-up will be amortized as the associated amounts are recovered through rates.

 

On April 16, 2014, ComEd filed its annual distribution formula rate update with the ICC. The filing establishes the revenue requirement used to set the rates that will take effect in January 2015 after the ICC's review and approval, which is due by December 2014. The revenue requirement requested is based on 2013 actual costs plus projected 2014 capital additions as well as an annual reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect in 2013 to the actual costs incurred that year. ComEd requested a total increase to the net revenue requirement of $275 million, reflecting an increase of $177 million for the initial revenue requirement for 2014 and an increase of $98 million related to the annual reconciliation for 2013. The initial revenue requirement for 2014 provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 7.06% inclusive of an allowed return on common equity of 9.25%, reflecting the average rate on 30-year treasury notes plus 580 basis points. The annual reconciliation for 2013 provided for a weighted average debt and equity return on distribution rate base of 7.04% inclusive of an allowed return on common equity of 9.20%, reflecting the average rate on 30-year treasury notes plus 580 basis points less a performance metrics penalty of 5 basis points.

 

On April 1, 2014, ComEd filed an annual progress report on its AMI Implementation Plan. On April 16, 2014, the ICC ruled that no investigation would be opened as a result of the annual filing. ComEd's current approved deployment plan provides for the installation of 4 million electric smart meters by the end of 2021. On March 13, 2014, ComEd filed a petition with the ICC for approval to accelerate the deployment of AMI Meters. If approved, the deployment plan would accelerate the projected completion of installation from 2021 to 2018. ComEd has requested that the ICC approve the proposed petition in the second quarter of 2014.

 

 

Appeal of Initial Formula Rate Tariff (Exelon and ComEd). On March 26, 2014, the Illinois Appellate Court issued an opinion with respect to ComEd's appeal the ICC's order relating to ComEd's initial formula rate tariff.  The most significant financial issues under appeal related to ICC findings that were counter to the formula rate legislation and were clarified by subsequent legislation (Senate Bill 9).  Therefore, only a subset of the issues originally appealed remained.  The Court found against ComEd on each of the remaining issues: compensation related adjustments, billing determinants and the use of certain allocators.  The Court's opinion has no accounting impact as ComEd recorded the distribution formula regulatory asset consistent with the ICC's Final Order.

 

ComEd has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to hear the issue of allocation between State and Federal regulatory jurisdictions. There is no set time by which the Court must decide whether it will hear the case. ComEd cannot predict whether the Court will elect to hear the case or, if it does, the outcome of the appeal.

 

Advanced Metering Program Proceeding (Exelon and ComEd) As part of ComEd's 2007 electric distribution rate case, the ICC approved recovery of costs associated with ComEd's System Modernization Program (Rider SMP) for the limited purpose of implementing a pilot program for AMI. In October 2009, the ICC approved ComEd's AMI pilot program and associated rider (Rider AMP). ComEd collected approximately $24 million under Rider AMP and had no collections under Rider SMP through March 31, 2014. In ComEd's 2010 electric distribution rate case, the ICC approved ComEd's transfer of certain other costs from recovery under Rider AMP to recovery through electric distribution rates.  

 

Several parties, including the Illinois Attorney General, appealed the ICC's orders on Rider SMP and Rider AMP. The Illinois Appellate Court reversed the ICC's approval of the cost recovery provisions of Rider SMP and Rider AMP on September 30, 2010 and March 19, 2012, respectively. In both cases, the Court ruled that the ICC's approval of the rider constituted single-issue ratemaking. ComEd filed Petitions for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, which were denied.   

 

In October 2013, the ICC opened an investigation on Rider AMP to determine if a refund is required and if so, to determine the appropriate refund amount. The ALJ presiding over the investigation requested each party provide a pre-trial memorandum describing their positions, which were submitted on April 10, 2014. The ICC Staff and the Illinois Attorney General proposed a refund of $14.6 million, representing the amount they claim was collected under Rider AMP since September 30, 2010, the date the Illinois Appellate Court reversed the ICC's approval of the cost recovery provisions of Rider SMP. ComEd believes no refund is appropriate and that any refund obligation associated with Rider AMP should be prospective from no earlier than the date of the Illinois Appellate Court's order on Rider AMP, or March 19, 2012. As a result, ComEd recorded a regulatory liability of approximately $0.4 million at March 31, 2014, which represents the amounts collected from customers since March 19, 2012. ComEd cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the ICC's investigation and therefore, actual refunds, if any, may differ from the estimated liability recorded at March 31, 2014.

Pennsylvania Regulatory Matters

 

Pennsylvania Procurement Proceedings (Exelon and PECO). On October 12, 2012, the PAPUC issued its Opinion and Order approving PECO's second DSP Program, which was filed with the PAPUC in January 2012. The program, which has a 24-month term from June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2015, complies with electric generation procurement guidelines set forth in Act 129.

In the second DSP Program, PECO is procuring electric supply for its default electric customers through five competitive procurements. The load for the residential and small and medium commercial classes is served through competitively procured fixed price, full requirements contracts of two years or less. For the large commercial and industrial class load, PECO has competitively procured contracts for full requirements default electric generation with the price for energy in each contract set to be the hourly price of the spot market during the term of delivery. In December 2012 and February 2013, PECO entered into contracts with PAPUC-approved bidders, including Generation, for its residential and small and medium commercial classes that began in June 2013. In September 2013, PECO entered into contracts with PAPUC-approved bidders, including Generation, for its residential and small and medium commercial classes that began in December 2013. In January 2014, PECO entered into contracts with PAPUC-approved bidders, including Generation, for its residential and small, medium, and large commercial classes that will begin in June 2014. Charges incurred for electric supply procured through contracts with Generation are included in purchased power from affiliates on PECO's Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

In addition, the second DSP Program includes a number of retail market enhancements recommended by the PAPUC in its previously issued Retail Markets Intermediate Work Plan Order. PECO was also directed to submit a plan to allow its low-income Customer Assistance Program (CAP) customers to purchase their generation supply from EGSs beginning April 2014.  On May 1, 2013, PECO filed its CAP Shopping Plan with the PAPUC. By Order entered on January 24, 2014, the PAPUC approved PECO's plan, with modifications, to make CAP shopping available beginning April 15, 2014. On March 20, 2014, low-income advocacy groups filed an appeal and emergency request for a stay with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, claiming that the PAPUC-ordered CAP Shopping plan does not contain sufficient protections for low-income customers. On March 28, 2014, the Commonwealth Court issued the requested stay, pending a full review of the appeal. Pending the Commonwealth Court's review, PECO will not implement CAP Shopping. The Commonwealth Court's decision is expected in late 2014.

 

On March 10, 2014, PECO filed its third DSP Program with the PAPUC. The program has a 24-month term from June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2017, and complies with electric generation procurement guidelines set forth in Act 129. A PAPUC ruling is expected in late 2014.

Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments (Exelon and PECO). Pursuant to Act 129 and the follow-on Implementation Order of 2009, in April 2010, the PAPUC approved PECO's Smart Meter Procurement and Installation Plan (SMPIP), under which PECO will install more than 1.6 million smart meters and an AMI communication network by 2020. The first phase of PECO's SMPIP, which was completed on June 19, 2013, included the installation of an AMI communications network and the deployment of 600,000 smart meters to communicate with that network. On May 31, 2013, PECO and interested parties filed a Joint Petition for Settlement of the universal deployment plan with the PAPUC which was approved without modification on August 15, 2013. The Joint Petition for Settlement supports all material aspects of PECO's universal deployment plan, including cost recovery, excluding certain amounts discussed below. Universal deployment is the second phase of PECO's SMPIP, under which PECO will deploy the remainder of the 1.6 million smart meters on an accelerated basis by the end of 2014. In total, PECO currently expects to spend up to $595 million, excluding the cost of the original meters (as further described below), on its smart meter infrastructure and approximately $120 million on smart grid investments through 2014 of which $200 million will be funded by SGIG as discussed below. As of March 31, 2014, PECO has spent $457 million and $119 million on smart meter and smart grid infrastructure, respectively, not including the DOE reimbursements received to date.

Pursuant to the ARRA of 2009, PECO and the DOE entered into a Financial Assistance Agreement to extend PECO $200 million in non-taxable SGIG funds of which $140 million relates to smart meter deployment and $60 million relates to smart grid infrastructure. As part of the agreement, the DOE has a conditional ownership interest in qualifying Federally-funded project property and equipment, which is subordinate to PECO's existing mortgage. The SGIG funds are being used to offset the total impact to ratepayers of the smart meter deployment required by Act 129. As of March 31, 2014, PECO has received $197 million, including $4 million for sub-recipients, of the $200 million in reimbursements. PECO's outstanding receivable from the DOE for reimbursable costs was $3 million as of March 31, 2014, which has been recorded in Other accounts receivable, net on Exelon's and PECO's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On August 15, 2012, PECO suspended installation of smart meters for new customers based on a limited number of incidents involving overheating meters. Following its own internal investigation and additional scientific analysis and testing by independent experts completed after September 30, 2012, PECO announced its decision to resume meter deployment work on October 9, 2012. PECO has replaced the previously installed meters with an alternative vendor's meters. PECO is moving forward with the alternative meters during universal deployment and continues to evaluate meters from several vendors and may use more than one meter vendor during universal deployment.

Following PECO's decision, as of October 9, 2012, PECO will no longer use the original smart meters. For the meters that will no longer be used, the accounting guidance requires that any difference between the carrying value and net realizable value be recognized in the current period's earnings, before considering potential regulatory recovery. The cost of the original meters, including installation and removal costs, owned by PECO was approximately $17 million, net of approximately $16 million of reimbursements from the DOE and approximately $2 million of depreciation. PECO requested and received approval from the DOE that the original meters continue to be allowable costs and that any settlement with the vendor will not be considered project income. In addition, PECO remains eligible for the full $200 million in SGIG funds. On August 15, 2013, PECO entered into an agreement with the original vendor, which was part of the final agreement discussed below, under which PECO transferred the original uninstalled meters to the vendor and received $12 million in return. On January 23, 2014, PECO entered a final agreement with the vendor pursuant to which PECO will be reimbursed for amounts incurred for the original meters and related installation and removal costs, via cash payments and rebates on future purchases of licenses, goods and services primarily through 2017. PECO previously had intended to seek regulatory rate recovery in a future filing with the PAPUC of amounts not recovered from the vendor. As PECO believed such costs were probable of rate recovery based on applicable case law and past precedent on reasonably and prudently incurred costs, a regulatory asset was established at the time of the removals. As of December 31, 2013, $5 million was recorded on Exelon's and PECO's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pursuant to the January 23, 2014, vendor agreement, PECO reclassified the regulatory asset balance as a receivable, with no gain or loss impacts on future results of operations.

 

Energy Efficiency Programs (Exelon and PECO). PECO's PAPUC-approved Phase I EE&C Plan had a four-year term that began on June 1, 2009 and concluded on May 31, 2013. The Phase I Plan set forth how PECO would meet the required reduction targets established by Act 129's EE&C provisions, which included a 3% reduction in electric consumption in PECO's service territory and a 4.5% reduction in PECO's annual system peak demand in the 100 hours of highest demand by May 31, 2013.

 

The peak demand period ended on September 30, 2012 and PECO filed its final compliance report on Phase 1 targets with the PAPUC on November 15, 2013. On March 20, 2014, the PAPUC issued its final report stating that PECO was in full compliance with all Phase I targets.

 

On November 14, 2013, the PAPUC issued a Tentative Order on Act 129 demand reduction programs which seeks comments on a proposed demand response program methodology for future Act 129 demand reduction programs as well as demand response potential and wholesale prices suppression studies. In its February 20, 2014 Final Order, the PAPUC stated that it does not expect to make a decision as to whether it will prescribe additional demand response obligations until 2015. Any decision reached would affect PECO's EE&C Plan subsequent to its Phase II Plan.

 

On February 28, 2014, PECO filed a Petition for Approval to amend its EE&C Phase II Plan to continue its DLC demand reduction program for mass market customers from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2016. PECO proposed to fund the estimated $10 million annual costs of the program by modifying incentive levels for other Phase II programs. The costs of the DLC program will be recovered through PECO's Energy Efficiency Program Charge along with other Phase II Plan costs. In an April 23, 2014 Tentative Order, the PAPUC granted PECO's Petition. Absent any filing of opposing comments by parties, the Order will become final on May 5, 2014.

 

Maryland Regulatory Matters        

 

2013 Maryland Electric and Gas Distribution Rate Case (Exelon and BGE). On May 17, 2013, BGE filed an application for increases of $101 million and $30 million to its electric and gas base rates, respectively, with the MDPSC. The requested rates of return on equity in the application were 10.50% and 10.35% for electric and gas distribution, respectively. In addition to these requested rate increases, BGE's application also included a request for recovery of incremental capital expenditures and operating costs associated with BGE's proposed short-term reliability improvement plan (the “ERI initiative”) in response to a MDPSC order through a surcharge separate from base rates.  On August 23, 2013, BGE filed an update to its rate request which altered the requested increase to electric base rates from $101 million to $83 million and the requested increase to gas base rates from $30 million to $24 million. On December 13, 2013, the MDPSC issued an order in BGE's 2013 electric and natural gas distribution rate case for increases in annual distribution service revenue of $34 million and $12 million, respectively. The electric distribution rate increase was set using an allowed return on equity of 9.75% and the gas distribution rate increase was set using an allowed return on equity of 9.60%. The approved electric and natural gas distribution rates became effective for services rendered on or after December 13, 2013. As part of its December 13, 2013 decision granting BGE increases for its gas and electric distribution rates, the MDPSC also authorized BGE to recover through a surcharge mechanism costs associated with five ERI initiative programs designed to accelerate electric reliability improvements.  Such a decision, however, was premised upon the condition that the MDPSC approve specific projects scheduled for each year of the five-year program in advance of cost recovery through the surcharge mechanism.  On March 31, 2014, after reviewing comments filed by the parties and conducting a hearing on the matter, the MDPSC approved all but one project proposed for completion in 2014 as part of the ERI initiative.  As a result of the MDPSC's decision, BGE's estimates 2014 capital and operating and maintenance costs associated with the ERI initiative of $14.8 million and a revenue requirement of $1.4 million.  The ERI initiative surcharge will become effective upon the MDPSC's approval of the revised tariff pages for the surcharge mechanism that BGE filed with the MDPSC on April 3, 2014.  BGE is required to file an update on the 2014 work plan and reliability performance information for the specific projects, along with its work plan and cost estimates for 2015, on or before November 1, 2014. 

Smart Meter and Smart Grid Investments (Exelon and BGE). In August 2010, the MDPSC approved a comprehensive smart grid initiative for BGE that includes the planned installation of 2 million residential and commercial electric and gas smart meters at an expected total cost of $480 million of which $200 million has been recovered through a grant from the DOE. The MDPSC's approval ordered BGE to defer the associated incremental costs, depreciation and amortization, and an appropriate return, in a regulatory asset until such time as a cost-effective advanced metering system is implemented. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, BGE recorded a regulatory asset of $78 million and $66 million, respectively, representing incremental costs, depreciation and amortization, and a debt return on fixed assets related to its AMI program. Additionally, the MDPSC has determined that the cost recovery for the non-AMI meters that BGE retires will be considered in a future depreciation proceeding. The MDPSC continues to evaluate the impacts of a customer opt-out feature in BGE's Smart Grid program. In March 2013, BGE filed a description of the overall additional costs associated with allowing customers to retain their current meter, and for radio frequency (RF)-Free and RF-Minimizing options related to the installation of their smart meters as well as a proposed cost recovery mechanism. The MDPSC held a hearing in August 2013 to consider the filings made by BGE and other Maryland electric utilities. On February 26, 2014, the MDPSC issued an Order authorizing BGE to impose a $75 upfront fee and an $11 recurring fee to customers electing to opt-out, effective July 1, 2014.  The fees authorized by the order will be reviewed after an initial 12- to 18- month period. The ultimate impact of opt-out could affect BGE's ability to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of the advanced metering system.

 

Overall, BGE continues to believe the recovery of smart grid initiative costs in future rates is probable as BGE expects to be able to demonstrate that the program benefits exceed costs.  

       The Maryland Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program (Exelon and BGE). In February 2013, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation intended to accelerate gas infrastructure replacements in Maryland by establishing a mechanism for gas companies to promptly recover reasonable and prudent costs of eligible infrastructure replacement projects separate from base rate proceedings. On May 2, 2013, the Governor of Maryland signed the legislation into law; which took effect June 1, 2013. Under the new law, following a proceeding before the MDPSC and with the MDPSC's approval of the eligible infrastructure replacement projects along with a corresponding surcharge, BGE could begin charging gas customers a monthly surcharge for infrastructure costs incurred after June 1, 2013. The legislation includes caps on the monthly surcharges to residential and non-residential customers, and would require an annual true-up of the surcharge revenues against actual expenditures. Investment levels in excess of the cap would be recoverable in a subsequent gas base rate proceeding at which time all costs for the infrastructure replacement projects would be rolled into gas distribution rates. Irrespective of the cap, BGE is required to file a gas rate case every five years under this legislation. On August 2, 2013, BGE filed its infrastructure replacement plan and associated surcharge. On January 29, 2014, the MDPSC issued a decision conditionally approving the first five years of BGE's plan and surcharge. On March 26, 2014, the Maryland PSC approved as filed BGE's proposed 2014 project list, tariff and associated surcharge amounts, with a surcharge becoming effective April 1, 2014. BGE will defer the difference between the surcharge revenues and program costs as a regulated asset or liability, which was immaterial as of March 31, 2014.

 

Federal Regulatory Matters

 

Transmission Formula Rate (Exelon, ComEd and BGE).  ComEd's and BGE's transmission rates are each established based on a FERC-approved formula. ComEd and BGE record regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and corresponding increases or decreases to operating revenues for any differences between the revenue requirement in effect and ComEd's and BGE's best estimate of the revenue requirement expected to be approved by the FERC for that year's reconciliation. As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, ComEd had recorded a net regulatory asset associated with the transmission formula rate of $13 million and $17 million, respectively and BGE had recorded a net regulatory asset associated with the transmission formula rate of $3 million and a net regulatory liability of $0 million, respectively. The regulatory asset associated with the transmission true-up will be amortized as the associated amounts are recovered through rates.

 

On April 16, 2014, ComEd filed its annual formula rate update with the FERC. The filing establishes the revenue requirement used to set rates that will take effect in June 2014, subject to review by the FERC and other parties, which is due by November 2014. The revenue requirement is based on 2013 actual costs plus forecasted 2014 capital additions as well as an annual reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect starting in June 2013 to the actual cost incurred in 2013. The update resulted in a revenue requirement of $524 million plus an $11 million adjustment related to the reconciliation of 2013 actual costs for a total revenue requirement of $535 million. This compares to the 2013 revenue requirement of $488 million plus a $25 million adjustment related to the reconciliation of 2012 actual costs for a total revenue requirement of $513 million. The increase in the revenue requirement was primarily driven by increased capital investment and higher operating and maintenance costs.

 

ComEd's updated formula transmission rate currently provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on transmission rate base of 8.62%, inclusive of an allowed return on common equity of 11.50%, a decrease from the 8.70% average debt and equity return previously authorized. As part of the FERC-approved settlement of ComEd's 2007 transmission rate case, the rate of return on common equity is 11.50% and the common equity component of the ratio used to calculate the weighted average debt and equity return for the transmission formula rate is currently capped at 55%.

 

On April 28, 2014, BGE filed its annual formula rate update with the FERC. The filings established the revenue requirement used to set rates that will take effect in June 2014 subject to FERC's and other parties' review which is due by October 2014. The revenue requirement is based on 2013 actual costs plus forecasted 2014 capital additions as well as an annual reconciliation of the revenue requirement in effect starting in June 2013 to the actual cost incurred in 2013. The update resulted in a revenue requirement of $167 million plus a $4 million adjustment related to the reconciliation of 2013 actual costs for a net revenue requirement of $171 million.  This compares to the 2013 revenue requirement of $158 million offset by a $1 million reduction related to the reconciliation of 2012 actual costs for a net revenue requirement of $157 million. The increase in the revenue requirement is primarily driven by higher depreciation expense and an increased level of return on investment associated with a higher equity ratio and increased rate base.

       

BGE's updated formula transmission rate currently provides for a weighted average debt and equity return on transmission rate base of 8.53%, an increase from the 8.35% average debt and equity return previously authorized. As part of the FERC-approved settlement of BGE's 2005 transmission rate case in 2006, the rate of return on common equity for BGE's electric transmission business for new transmission projects placed in service on and after January 1, 2006 is 11.3%, inclusive of a 50 basis point incentive for participating in PJM.

 

PJM Minimum Offer Price Rule (Exelon and Generation). PJM's capacity market rules include a Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) that is intended to preclude sellers from artificially suppressing the competitive price signals for generation capacity. The FERC orders approving the MOPR were upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in February 2014.

 

Exelon continues to work with PJM stakeholders and through the FERC process to implement several proposed changes to the PJM tariff aimed at ensuring that capacity resources (including those with state-sanctioned subsidy contracts, excessive imported capacity resources, capacity market speculators and certain limited availability demand response resources) cannot inappropriately affect capacity auction prices in PJM.

 

License Renewals (Exelon and Generation).  On June 22, 2011, Generation submitted applications to the NRC to extend the operating licenses of Limerick Units 1 and 2 by 20 years. The current operating licenses for Limerick Units 1 and 2 expire in 2024 and 2029, respectively. In June 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the NRC's temporary storage rule on the grounds that the NRC should have conducted a more comprehensive environmental review to support the rule. The temporary storage rule (also referred to as the “waste confidence decision”) recognizes that licensees can safely store spent nuclear fuel at nuclear plants for up to 60 years beyond the original and renewed licensed operating life of the plants and that licensing renewal decisions do not require discussion of the environmental impact of spent fuel stored on site. In August 2012, the NRC placed a hold on issuing new or renewed operating licenses that depend on the temporary storage rule until the court's decision is addressed. In September 2012, the NRC directed NRC Staff to revise the temporary storage rule which is now not expected until October 3, 2014. Generation does not expect the NRC to issue license renewals until the end of 2014, at the earliest.

 

On May 29, 2013, Generation submitted applications to the NRC to extend the operating licenses of Byron Units 1 and 2 and Braidwood Units 1 and 2 by 20 years. The current operating licenses for Byron Units 1 and 2 expire in 2024 and 2026, respectively. The current operating licenses for Braidwood Units 1 and 2 expire in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Generation does not expect the NRC to issue license renewals for Byron and Braidwood until 2015 at the earliest.

On August 29, 2012 and August 30, 2012, Generation submitted hydroelectric license applications to the FERC for 46-year licenses for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (Conowingo) and the Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility Project (Muddy Run), respectively.

The FERC extended the deadline to January 31, 2014 to file a water quality certification application pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) with the MDE for Conowingo. Generation is working with stakeholders to resolve licensing issues, including: (1) water quality, (2) fish passage and habitat, and (3) sediment. On January 30, 2014, Exelon filed a water quality certification application pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA with MDE for Conowingo, addressing these and other issues, although Generation cannot currently predict the conditions that ultimately may be imposed. Resolution of these issues relating to Conowingo may have a material effect on Generation's results of operations and financial position through an increase in capital expenditures and operating costs.

On August 29, 2013, Exelon filed a water quality certification application pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA with PA DEP for Muddy Run, addressing these and other issues that included certain commitments made by Generation. The financial impact associated with these commitments is estimated to be in the range of $20 million to $30 million, and will include both an increase in capital expenditures as well as an increase in operating expenses. Exelon anticipates that the PA DEP will issue the water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA for Muddy Run in the second quarter of 2014.

Based on the latest FERC procedural schedule, the FERC licensing process is not expected to be completed prior to the expiration of Muddy Run's current license on August 31, 2014, and the expiration of Conowingo's license on September 1, 2014. However, the stations would continue to operate under annual licenses until FERC takes action on the 46-year license applications. The stations are currently being depreciated over their useful lives, which includes the license renewal period. As of March 31, 2014, $34 million of direct costs associated with licensing efforts have been capitalized.

 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE)

 

Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE each prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation. Under this guidance, regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent the excess recovery of costs or accrued credits that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates or represent billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs.

 

The following tables provide information about the regulatory assets and liabilities of Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. For additional information on the specific regulatory assets and liabilities, refer to Note 3 – Regulatory Matters of the Exelon 2013 Form 10-K.

 

March 31, 2014Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
                             
Regulatory assetsCurrent Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent 
Pension and other postretirement                           
 benefits$218 $2,777  $0 $0  $0 $0  $0 $0 
Deferred income taxes 14  1,474   2  67   0  1,333   12  74 
AMI programs 6  186   6  43   0  65   0  78 
Under-recovered distribution service                            
 costs 197  262   197  262   0  0   0  0 
Debt costs 12  54   9  51   3  3   1  8 
Fair value of BGE long-term debt (a) 6  206   0  0   0  0   0  0 
Fair value of BGE supply contract (b) 9  0   0  0   0  0   0  0 
Severance 10  12   6  0   0  0   4  12 
Asset retirement obligations  1  108   1  72   0  25   0  11 
MGP remediation costs  44  201   37  168   6  32   1  1 
RTO start-up costs  2  0   2  0   0  0   0  0 
Under-recovered uncollectible                            
 accounts 0  74   0  74   0  0   0  0 
Renewable energy  13  155   13  155   0  0   0  0 
Energy and transmission programs 51  0   50  0   1  0   0  0 
Deferred storm costs 3  2   0  0   0  0   3  2 
Electric generation-related                            
 regulatory asset 13  27   0  0   0  0   13  27 
Rate stabilization deferral 72  133   0  0   0  0   72  133 
Energy efficiency and demand                           
 response programs 57  146   0  0   0  0   57  146 
Merger integration costs 2  8   0  0   0  0   2  8 
Other  38  38   17  26   18  7   3  4 
                             
Total regulatory assets$768 $5,863  $340 $918  $28 $1,465  $168 $504 

March 31, 2014Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
                             
Regulatory liabilitiesCurrent Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent 
Other postretirement benefits$2 $47  $0 $0  $0 $0  $0 $0 
Nuclear decommissioning 0  2,774   0  2,319   0  455   0  0 
Removal costs  105  1,440   81  1,237   0  0   24  203 
Energy efficiency and demand                            
 response programs 40  0   39  0   1  0   0  0 
DLC Program Costs 1  11   0  0   1  11   0  0 
Energy efficiency Phase 2 0  31   0  0   0  31   0  0 
Electric distribution tax repairs 22  108   0  0   22  108   0  0 
Gas distribution tax repairs 8  36   0  0   8  36   0  0 
Energy and transmission programs 76  10   0  10   43(c) 0   33(f) 0 
Over-recovered gas and electric                           
 universal service fund costs 7  0   0  0   7  0   0  0 
Revenue subject to refund (d) 38  0   38  0   0  0   0  0 
Over-recovered gas and electric                           
 revenue decoupling (e) 35  0   0  0   0  0   35  0 
Other 2  1   0  0   2  0   0  0 
                             
Total regulatory liabilities $336 $4,458  $158 $3,566  $84 $641  $92 $203 
                            

December 31, 2013Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
                             
Regulatory assetsCurrent Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent 
Pension and other postretirement                           
 benefits$221 $2,794  $0 $0  $0 $0  $0 $0 
Deferred income taxes 10  1,459   2  65   0  1,317   8  77 
AMI programs 5  159   5  35   0  58   0  66 
AMI meter events 0  5   0  0   0  5   0  0 
Under-recovered distribution service                            
 costs 178  285   178  285   0  0   0  0 
Debt costs 12  56   9  53   3  3   1  8 
Fair value of BGE long-term debt (a) 0  219   0  0   0  0   0  0 
Fair value of BGE supply contract (b) 12  0   0  0   0  0   0  0 
Severance 16  12   12  0   0  0   4  12 
Asset retirement obligations  1  102   1  67   0  25   0  10 
MGP remediation costs  40  212   33  178   6  33   1  1 
RTO start-up costs  2  0   2  0   0  0   0  0 
Under-recovered uncollectible                            
 accounts 0  48   0  48   0  0   0  0 
Renewable energy 17  176   17  176   0  0   0  0 
Energy and transmission programs 53  0   52  0   0  0   1(f) 0 
Deferred storm costs 3  3   0  0   0  0   3  3 
Electric generation-related                            
 regulatory asset 13  30   0  0   0  0   13  30 
Rate stabilization deferral 71  154   0  0   0  0   71  154 
Energy efficiency and demand                           
 response programs 73  148   0  0   0  0   73  148 
Merger integration costs 2  9   0  0   0  0   2  9 
Other  31  39   18  26   8  7   4  6 
                             
Total regulatory assets$760 $5,910  $329 $933  $17 $1,448  $181 $524 

December 31, 2013Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
                             
Regulatory liabilitiesCurrent Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent  Current Noncurrent 
Other postretirement benefits$2 $43  $0 $0  $0 $0  $0 $0 
Nuclear decommissioning 0  2,740   0  2,293   0  447   0  0 
Removal costs  99  1,423   78  1,219   0  0   21  204 
Energy efficiency and demand                            
 response programs 53  0   45  0   8  0   0  0 
DLC Program Costs 1  10   0  0   1  10   0  0 
Energy efficiency phase II 0  21   0  0   0  21   0  0 
Electric distribution tax repairs 20  114   0  0   20  114   0  0 
Gas distribution tax repairs 8  37   0  0   8  37        
Energy and transmission programs 78  0   9  0   58(c) 0   11(f) 0 
Over-recovered gas and electric                           
 universal service fund costs 8  0   0  0   8  0   0  0 
Revenue subject to refund (d) 38  0   38  0   0  0   0  0 
Over-recovered electric and gas                           
 revenue decoupling (e) 16  0   0  0   0  0   16  0 
Other 4  0   0  0   3  0   0  0 
                             
Total regulatory liabilities $327 $4,388  $170 $3,512  $106 $629  $48 $204 
                            

 

       

  • Represents the regulatory asset recorded at Exelon Corporate for the difference in the fair value of the long-term debt of BGE as of the merger date. The asset is amortized over the life of the underlying debt. See Note 8 – Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information.
  • Represents the regulatory asset recorded at Exelon Corporate representing the fair value of BGE's supply contracts as of the close of the merger date. BGE is allowed full recovery of the costs of its electric and gas supply contracts through approved, regulated rates. The asset is amortized over a period of approximately 3 years.
  • Includes $32 million related to the DSP program, $0 million related to the over-recovered natural gas costs under the PGC and $11 million related to over-recovered electric transmission costs as of March 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, includes $34 million related to the DSP program, $8 million related to the over-recovered electric transmission costs and $16 million related to the over-recovered natural gas costs under the PGC.
  • Primarily represents the regulatory liability for revenue subject to refund recorded pursuant to the ICC's order in the 2007 Rate Case. See Note 3 – Regulatory Matters of the Exelon 2013 Form 10-K. for further information.
  • Represents the electric and gas distribution costs recoverable from customers under BGE's decoupling mechanism. As of March 31, 2014, BGE had a regulatory liability of $14 million related to over-recovered electric revenue decoupling and $21 million related to over-recovered natural gas revenue decoupling. As of December 31, 2013, BGE had a regulatory liability of $7 million related to over-recovered electric revenue decoupling and $9 million related to over-recovered natural gas revenue decoupling.
  • Relates to $3 million of over-recovered electric supply costs and $30 million of over-recovered natural gas supply costs as of March 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, includes $1 million of under-recovered electric supply costs and $11 million of over-recovered natural gas supply costs.

 

Purchase of Receivables Programs (Exelon, ComEd, PECO, and BGE)

 

ComEd, PECO and BGE are required, under separate legislation and regulations in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, to purchase certain receivables from retail electric and natural gas suppliers. For retail suppliers participating in the utilities' consolidated billing, ComEd, PECO and BGE must purchase their customer accounts receivables. ComEd and BGE purchase receivables at a discount to primarily recover uncollectible accounts expense from the suppliers. PECO is required to purchase receivables at face value and permitted to recover uncollectible accounts expense from customers through distribution rates. Exelon, ComEd, PECO and BGE do not record unbilled commodity receivables under the POR programs. Purchased billed receivables are classified in Other accounts receivable, net on Exelon's, ComEd's, PECO's and BGE's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following tables provide information about the purchased receivables of the Registrants as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

As of March 31, 2014Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
Purchased receivables (a)$ 330 $ 125 $ 93 $ 112
Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)  (36)   (19)   (10)   (7)
Purchased receivables, net$ 294 $ 106 $ 83 $ 105
             
As of December 31, 2013Exelon ComEd PECO BGE
Purchased receivables (a)$ 263 $ 105 $ 72 $ 86
Allowance for uncollectible accounts (b)  (30)   (16)   (7)   (7)
Purchased receivables, net$ 233 $ 89 $ 65 $ 79

__________

(a)       PECO's gas POR program became effective on January 1, 2012 and includes a 1% discount on purchased receivables in order to recover the implementation costs of the program. If the costs are not fully recovered when PECO files its next gas distribution rate case, PECO will propose a mechanism to recover the remaining implementation costs as a distribution charge to low volume transportation customers or apply future discounts on purchased receivables from natural gas suppliers serving those customers.

(b)       For ComEd and BGE, reflects the incremental allowance for uncollectible accounts recorded, which is in addition to the purchase discount. For ComEd, the incremental uncollectible accounts expense is recovered through its Purchase of Receivables with Consolidated Billing (PORCB) tariff.

 

[1]
[1] Primarily represents the regulatory liability for revenue subject to refund recorded pursuant to the ICC’s order in the 2007 Rate Case. See Note 3 – Regulatory Matters of the Exelon 2013 Form 10-K. for further information.