Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

TEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of TECO Energy, which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Emera. TEC is comprised of the electric division, referred to as Tampa Electric, and the natural gas division, referred to as PGS.

Intercompany balances and transactions within the divisions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to state fairly the financial position of TEC as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The year-end Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements; however, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q does not include all year-end disclosures required for an annual report on Form 10-K by U.S. GAAP.

Receivables and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Receivables and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Receivables from contracts with customers, which consist of services to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers, were $262 million and $226 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. An allowance for uncollectible accounts is established based on TEC’s collection experience. Circumstances that could affect Tampa Electric’s and PGS’s estimates of uncollectible receivables include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, fuel prices, customer deposits and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible.

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, unbilled revenues of $70 million and $67 million, respectively, are included in the “Receivables” line item on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Accounting for Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

Accounting for Franchise Fees and Gross Receipts

Tampa Electric and PGS are allowed to recover certain costs from customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis through rates approved by the FPSC. The amounts included in customers’ bills for franchise fees and gross receipt taxes are included as revenues on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Franchise fees and gross receipt taxes payable by Tampa Electric and PGS are included as an expense on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in “Taxes, other than income”. These amounts totaled $32 million and $33 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $88 million and $90 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.